New Romantics | Chris Chambers

003-train dodge

We had just made it to the bridge where the tracks to our destination lay. We stood there for a few minutes staring in the distance.

"What do we need a pistol for anyway?" Vern asked. Chris had showed us the pistol he borrowed from his dad's office.

"It's spooky sleeping out at night in the woods. We might see a bear." Chris replied putting the gun away.

"Or a garbage can." Gordie said causing Chris and him to laugh.

"I brought a comb." Vern piped up.

"What do we need a comb for?" I asked.

"Well, if we get on TV we wanna look good, don't we?" Vern stated.

"Great thinking, Vern." I told him smiling a bit.

"Thanks." he said smiling back. Teddy then faked a punch to Vern's face and he flinched.

"Two for flinching." Teddy said hitting Vern while he yelped in pain.

"How far d'you think it's gonna be?" I inquired starting to get antsy.

"If we follow the tracks all the way into Harlow it might be about 20 miles. Sound about right, Gordie?" Chris replied.

"Yeah, yeah. Might even be thirty." Gordie answered.

"Gee. Maybe we should just hitchhike." Vern said lazily.

"No way, that sucks." Teddy complained.

"Why not? We go down Route Seven to the Shiloh church. Then down the Back Harlow road. We'd be there by sundown." Vern stated.

"That's pussy!" Teddy exclaimed.

"I agree" I said causing Teddy to smile.

"Hey, it's a long ways." Vern said in defense. We then started walking along the tracks headed to find a dead body.

We had been walking for a while just talking. The sun was getting really hot and I was starting to slow down drinking a little bit more of my water.

"We could fill up at the junkyard. My dad said it's a safe well." Gordie told us seeing as we were almost out.

"Not if Chopper's there." Teddy exclaimed.

"If Chopper's there we'll send you in." Chris said and we both started laughing.

"Hey, I'm kind of hungry, who's got the food?" Vern asked.

"Oh shit! Did anybody bring anything?" Teddy asked.

"Not me. Gordie? Nancy?" Chris questioned. Gordie shook his head.

"I have a couple candy bars" I said shrugging. I had totally forgotten about food.

"Well, this is great. What are we supposed to do? Eat our feet?" Teddy complained.

"You mean, you didn't bring anything either?" Chris said annoyed.

"Well shit, this wasn't my idea. It was Vern's idea. Why didn't you bring something?"

"What'm I supposed to do? Think of everything? I brought the comb!" Vern told him.

"Oh great, you brought a comb. What d'you need a comb for if you don't even have any hair?" Teddy said starting to get angry.

"I brought it for you guys!" Vern said defensively.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey! Let's see how much money we've got." Gordie yelled getting our attention. We sat down in a circle on the tracks; Chris to my right and Gordie to my left. "I got a dollar two, eighty-seven cents from Nancy, Sixty-eight cents from Chris, Sixty cents from Teddy and... Seven cents, Vern?"

"Haven't found my pennies yet." Vern stated shrugging.

"Well, three-twenty-four's not bad." Gordie said. "We can get some stuff at the store just past the junkyard"

My hands started to shake and as I looked I saw smoke atop the trees.

"Train coming." Chris called. He got up and held out his hand for me to grab. I took it and he pulled me up onto my feet placing his hand on my lower back pushing me off the tracks causing a tingling sensation down my spine. We had all gotten off except Teddy who stood facing the oncoming train.

"Come on Teddy" I yelled.

"No. I'm gonna dodge it." he called.

"Come on, Teddy-man. Get off the tracks you're crazy." Chris called as well. Teddy still stood ready to dodge.

"Get the hell off the tracks, Teddy! You wanna get yourself killed?" Chris called again more concerned. Teddy didn't move, the train was coming in fast. Chris threw his stuff down and retrieved Teddy from the tracks just in time as the train flew by.

As the train zoomed by the two boys were arguing but the sound drowned them out. Once the train passed they could be heard yelling at each other.

"I don't need no babysitter." Teddy spat.

"You do, too. Skin it." Chris said putting out his hand.

"Could have dodged it." Teddy replied walking away.

"Listen, Teddy, you can dodge it on the way back, man. Peace. Skin it." Chris told him while walking to him. They had made up and we continued on awkwardly.

word count: 790
Authors note: Sorry for not updating yesterday I had a lot of school stuff to finish but i'm good now and will be posting as much as possible. Also hope you are enjoying so far.