264Hey fanfictioners! I know its been forever, and I want to thank everyone who continued reviewing in my absence. I've been focusing on another piece that I might tell you more about in the next and final chapter! I can't believe it actually. I promise I will finish this, hopefully sooner rather than later. This is not one of my best chapters, but I wanted to get something up for you guys. This chapter is dedicated to hellomynameisthis, for kinda giving me the wake up call I needed. Shows how much a review can do, even if it is just one word! Thanks guys! Read and review!
Sinead groaned as she slowly gained consciousness. Every part of her body ached, but as the light filtered through her eyelids, the pain became more intense on her right leg and faded everywhere else. That is, until she felt hands on her shoulders, shaking her. Her head began pounding once again, but in spite of herself, she weakly grinned.
"Hamilton, stop," she said weakly, her voice dry and raspy. To her dismay, Hamilton stopped shaking her, only to lift her into his arms and hold her close. As much as she appreciated his gesture, she let out a gasp as her leg was jostled.
"Thank goodness you're alright! I was afraid you might die. Amy took care of you though. You are ok, right? Can you speak?" Hamilton asked, worried. Sinead was really confused, but couldn't find the energy to ask. In fact, opening her eyes seemed beyond her. But she could feel Hamilton's eyes on her, and knew he was waiting for a response. Ignoring the part of her that wanted to fall back asleep, she forced her eyes open and saw Hamilton's relieved expression.
Making sure she didn't move her leg, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to sit up. Luckily, he realized after a few moments what she was trying to do and helped her into an upright position.
"Hamilton!" Amy reprimanded, walking over to them. "You shouldn't be moving her! Sorry Sinead, you have to lie back down." Amy helped her into a comfortable position on the grass again, and the desire for sleep once again hit her.
"Here," Amy said, handing her a water bottle. "Drink slowly, but make sure you finish it. You've been asleep for about ten hours now." For the first time, Sinead looked at her surroundings. There were few people walking in the distance, and a playground. The sun was starting to set, so there weren't very many people around.
"What happened?" She asked, her voice still sore after finishing the water.
"You got shot by the Vespers," Amy told her. "Hamilton grabbed you and we escaped. We haven't been found yet, so we pulled over to treat you and figure out a plan. We got the dart out and bandaged it up, but you'll need help getting around for a while. Somehow we ended up in Montana of all places. We were actually about to start talking about how to get back. Do you need anything before we begin?"
"Can I listen in? I don't want to just sit here." Sinead requested.
"I don't know," Amy said, hesitant. "You probably should get some sleep. Though, you do need to eat still. How about if you eat something while we talk, and you can sleep later. We have some things in the van to make it more comfortable for you."
"Perfect Thanks Amy." Hamilton answered as Sinead nodded vigorously. Amy smiled at her before walking to get the stuff from the van. Hamilton took her hand, just remaining quiet for the time it took Amy to gather the group. The older kids plus Natalie exited from the van, and Dan, Reagan and Madison came back from showing off on the playground. Amy was laden with blankets and pillows. She said something to her boyfriend, and being Ian, he grabbed a small pillow off the top and smirked at her. She laughed before throwing the pile on top of him and walking back to the tree Sinead was resting under.
"Ian will be right here with the stuff," Amy said innocently as Sinead laughed. The group settled themselves in a loose circle, all lounging on the blanket Ian had finally managed to drag over.
"How are you you feeling?" Ned asked anxiously. Sinead smiled slightly, leaning against Hamilton.
"A little better now that I'm conscious. Amy did a good job. My leg doesn't hurt that much," she answered, smiling at her best friend. Amy grinned back, sitting with Dan on one side and Ian on the other.
"Glad to help. Alright, so we have to find a way to get back. First, we have to find a different car. They'll be looking for this one. Secondly, it should only take about two days if we drive straight through. Ian, Hamilton, Ned, Ted and I can all drive, and we can take shifts. The only problem is money…" she trailed off, deep in thought.
"Too bad Jonah isn't here. He could just pose and girls would throw money at him," Ned murmured to his sister. She laughed, but stopped abruptly as a thought hit her.
"Wait a minute. Have you guys looked in the backpacks yet?" Everyone nodded. "What was in it?"
"There were some rations, fake IDs, and water bottles. There was a little bit of money in there, but not nearly enough to buy a new car," Ian answered, thinking as well. Sinead's face lit up.
"We can use that money for whatever we need while driving, and we'll just take out an I-owe-you at the dealership. We're all related to famous people, and we're practically millionaires in our right." Everyone laughed and nodded in agreement before looking to Amy, who along with Ian, was still sitting pensive. Soon she looked up and grinned.
"I'm in. After all, how can they say no?"
"Absolutely not." Natalie felt her jaw clench at the salesman's dismissive tone.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked calmly, though the cool look and crossed arms belied her tone. Ned was next to her, as Ian was mapping the route and Hamilton was with Sinead, and he was dying to get out of the van. "We need a vehicle, and your's happens to be the one closest. We'll pay you back, along with extra. We're offering full price. What more do you want?"
"I'm not taking an I-owe-you from a group of teenagers. For all I know, you'll leave and never come back. Now scram before I'm forced to call for the police for harassment." Amy stepped forward, her eyes blazing, but Ned touched her shoulder gently.
"We don't have time to deal with the police. Let's go. We can get a car somewhere else," he murmured loud enough for the two girls to hear. After a tense moment, she nodded and went to turn away. That is before Natalie decided to take charge.
"You know what we don't have time for? Wasting our time looking for a car," she growled, stalking toward the man who suddenly had the sense to look a little worried.
"Natalie. We don't want him calling the police," Ned hissed urgently. "Back off."
"He won't say anything to the police. I'll tell you what he is going to do," Natalie said, now standing barely an arm's length away from the man. "He is going to lend us the car, taking our word for it, and wave cheerily to us as we drive away." Natalie wasn't overly tall, but she suddenly seemed to be towering over the cowering man. Then she decided to play her trump card.
"I am Vikram Kabra's daughter," she said, slightly grinning at the recognition that flashed through his eyes. "Yes, the Vikram Kabra. Do you want to hear what my father taught me?" She continued on, not waiting for him to answer. "He taught me to never take no for answer, and always keep my promises. And I promise, if we leave here without a car, as soon as I get within distance of my lawyer, you will be out of a job for as long as I say so, and when you come crawling to me with an apology, I'll have my butler close the door on your face. Are we clear?" He nodded, obviously terrified. "I may be a rich spoiled brat, but I'm a rich spoiled brat who gets what she wants, when she wants it." He didn't move, too afraid to confirm or deny the statement, but she was already turning to meet Ned and Amy, who stood with slight smirks on their face.
"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Ned informed her with a grin. She smiled haughtily as the salesman ran over with the keys to their new van.
"I know."
"God this trip is so boring," Ned moaned, leaning back in the passenger seat. Hamilton was driving, but everyone else was fast asleep around the van. They had chosen to buy one of the luxurious cars, and behind the driver seat was an empty space with seating around the edges. Sinead was lying across the seats, buckled in with Hamilton lying on the ground beside her. Amy's head was on Ian's shoulder as they slept. Natalie lay on the seat next to her brother, across from the Holt twins who had made room on the floor. Ted was sitting in the corner of the car, near Dan, who was passed out on the floor as well. Ted had just ended his shift with Dan. They had set it up so they had one person up to keep the driver company and navigate through the night, much to Ned's displeasure.
"Hush, you're going to jinx it," Hamilton scolded, eyes on the road. "Boring is good." Ned groaned.
"No it's not. You don't even need me! We've been driving on the highway for the past twenty minutes. Can I just sleep?" It was their first night on the road, and they had only stopped for occasional breaks,
"No. Firstly, your complaining is the only thing keeping me awake. Secondly, Amy would kill us if she woke up and you were asleep." Hamilton answered, grinning slightly. They drove for a few more minutes before he looked in the rear view mirror and frowned. "Ned, is that police car pulling us over?" Sure enough, red lights were flashing behind them.
"Why? You're going the speed limit right?" Hamilton nodded.
"A little under actually," he said, staring into the mirror. Suddenly, he pressed the accelerator and they lurched forward, racing away from the police.
"Are you mad? What are you doing?" Ned yelled, as everyone in the vehicle recovered from he thrown across the van.
"There are four police cars out there. Either the Vespers are coming, or our little friend from the car place snitched on us. Either way, we can't get caught." Amy, overhearing his explanation, took control.
"Ned, keep an eye on the police cars. We have to lose them as soon as possible. Ian, Natalie, find us as many shortcuts, detours, anything that you can to throw them off. Dan, secure Sinead, make sure she's not thrown," she ordered. Everyone nodded and started to work, with everyone whose name wasn't called began replacing everything that was thrown. That is except Ted, who began to turn green again.
"Hold on!" Hamilton called as he made a sharp left off the highway and started swerving between cars, Natalie and Ian already calling out instructions.
"THey're about two cars back," Ned estimated, eyes glued to the side mirror. He lost sight of them briefly as they made a sharp turn, but they quickly careened back into sight. The chase continued on for five more minutes while Natalie and Ian began suggesting more and more directions.
"Take a right turn here!" Natalie shouted.
"No, they'll be expecting that. At the next stop light, take a left."
"Try cutting through a field!"
"Seriously Natalie? Do you want us all to die?"
"I'm not hearing any brilliant suggestions from you!" Sinead in the meantime was fighting not to cry out as the jolts sent a pain shooting through her leg. Even with Dan's help, it still hurt.
"That's it! Brace yourselves!" Hamilton yelled, slamming on the brakes. He took a hard left turn, sending the police cars speeding past them, after more confusing twists and turns he was back on the highway, with no police cars in sight.
"I'm not the only one who knows ignoring a police officer is a felony right?" Ted moaned, clutching his head. "We're probably all going to jail." Hamilton, as his breathing slowed, turned for a moment to look at Ned.
"This is all your fault."
Duh-duh-duhh! I love the Croods. Best movie ever. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! Happy author= the final chapter (hopefully). Adios, my lovely readers. I hope I will be updating again shortly.