There was a scream from one of the girls as two doors slammed shut and the car roared to life. Hank reversed out of the garage at full speed that I thought the car would jump the curb and drive into the park. The car lurched forward and then drove up Driftwood Ave to one of three exits out of the neighborhood.

The trunk was cramped, and Hank’s smelly gym bag didn’t help me feel like everything was going to be okay. I thought that he couldn’t take me and have me murdered or anything with the MACS standing next to the car as witnesses. I closed my eyes at the thought of them all in on Hank kidnapping me. I felt anger at Megan, frustration at Shonda, disappointment in Amanda, and a little bit of heartache over Colleen. She led me into whatever trap this was, and I wanted to hate her, but I also wanted to hold out that Colleen would defy Megan once again and tell my parents what had happened or find Wendy to save me.

But save me from what? And what did I even do to Hank to cause him to stuff me in the back of a “I doubt it’s street legal” car.
Where were we going? I wanted to think we were just going to drive around in circles and then he would let me out, maybe close to my former elementary school, and force me to walk home without shoes, or maybe without pants. Sure, it would be painful and embarrassing, but I could at least say I survived.

The car turned left, and we started to climb up Cedardale Road, only to turn right after a few feet. I had never walked or biked down the neighborhood on the other side of the road in fear I’d get lost in the undiscovered streets.

“Maybe they’ll let me make a phone call. Show proof of life,” I thought to myself as I also thought about kicking at the trunk but since I knew how Hank felt about the exterior of his battered-up jalopy, I hated to see what he would do if I kicked at the inside.

I tried not to let fear take over. I was supposed to be brave, right? I was going to be in junior high so I should have fought off Hank and his gooney friend or at least kicked him in the ‘nads. If only I could rewind the event in real time like I could in my brain where I took several steps back and went into a fighting stance. I delivered a crane kick and knocked Hank to the cement.

The car slammed to a stop, causing my face to press right up into the bio-hazardous bag. The trunk opened and I turned to see Hank with a smile on his face.

“You’re going to show me where that bitch lives. Where she really lives.”

Hank’s friend stood at the side of car as he held the trunk door open.

“She lived across the street, past the woods.”

“Nothing’s on the other side of the woods,” the friend said with a laugh.

“I’ve been there. It’s a two-story house, big and there’s everything in there one could possibly want.”

“This kid makes their house sound like Willy Wonka.”

Hank grabbed his gym bag and unzipped it.

“Well, better start talking, or I’ll have to get my gobstopper out.”

He pulled out the most rancid looking pair of gym shorts, wadded them up and shoved them in my face. I fought back the urge to vomit. Looking back though, I should have barfed all over him, Exorcist style.

“I’m not asking again, Robison. Where does she live?”

“Behind the woods, really. That’s where. We went through the woods, across the creek, out the other side and there it is.” I said with a slight stutter.

“Hey, Rand, what if we take him around for a few more miles?” Hank asked with a grin.

I shook my head. I wanted to cry, but knew Hank would never let me forget it.

“We can find a spot and catch a little air. Wouldn’t that be fun, little Jeffy?”

“Best thrill ride in the Midwest,” Rand replied as they shoved me back into the trunk. I darted up and got my head slammed but the door in my attempt. It was painful but I didn’t yell in pain, not that Hank or Rand would have or apologized for putting a dent in my forehead. I laid back and held my head…at least the bacteria-covered bag was then behind me.

The car started again. Would they really take me somewhere to hurt me? I banged on the back of the trunk and the seat, causing the car to come to a burning-rubber stop. The trunk lid opened.

“What are think you’re doing? Kicking at my damn car?”

“I’ll take you to her house. I’ll show you where it is.”

“That’s a good boy,” Hank replied as he and Rand pulled me out of the trunk and then shoved me into the back seat.

We drove back onto Cedarwood Drive and drove past our neighborhood and as we did a pit started in my stomach.

“Turn here,” I whispered.

“This is where we turned before and there was nothing there, dumbass.”

“It’s here.”

Hank turned onto the street and the pit grew more and more as I feared what he would do.

We drove down the road a bit before Hank slammed on the brakes. I looked ahead to see Mr. and Mrs. Joel standing mere inches in front of the front bumper.

“What the hell?” Hank yelled as he looked back and forth between the Joels. Hank then threw the car in reverse but stopped abruptly as Wendy and Anna appeared behind us.

Wendy and Anna, along with their parents, scraped at the road with their feet, creating a circle surrounding Hank’s car.

Hank got out and went right for Anna and like before, he ended up on the ground, but still inside the circle.

Rand exited the car and went to help

Hank before tripping over Wendy’s feet. I wrestled to get out of the car and run away. I almost succeed until Rand circled back and grabbed my arm.

“We got your little friend, what are you going to do about it?”

“You should let Jeffrey go,” Mr. Joel said.

“Or else what?” Hank asked. “What are you doing to do to me?”

“Step across this line and find out,” Anna dared.

Hank stepped back to the car. “No, I think we’ll keep him for awhile longer.”

“Your cornbread ain’t done in the middle,” Miss Joel said with her arms crossed.

“Yes, dear, his surname again speaks volumes.”

Hank’s expression went from anger to confusion and then to anger again.

“You’re not going to amount to much if you keep this up, young Henry,” Mr. Joel replied as he and his wife stepped aside.

Hank scrambled back into the car and started the engine.

Anna ran up to the side of the car and slammed her hands on the window as Hank floored the engine and we haphazardly drove down the road.

However, there was a problem that we could all feel. Something was wrong with the car, and we were out of control.