A penny for your thoughts now baby Looks like the weight of the world's On your shoulders now I know you think you're going crazy Just when it seems everything's Gonna work itself out They drive you right back down ~~~~~~~~ I watch Ted exit the tent, approaching me slowly as I look up, “So what’s your verdict?” The older man shrugs, “He’s going to be fine but I think his brother’s in shock…” I nod in understanding, if I had a brother as watched him almost die, I’d be like that too. I lay back on the ground, staring at the sky. It was pink, meaning daybreak was close. And Justin’s birthday. There’s rustling as an immaculate Ben emerges with Michael, a half dead looking James following, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging over his pants as he yawned his suspenders dangling at his sides as he shuffles towards his brothers tent to get him. I watch after him before glancing at Ben, “We’re leaving them in town, it’s too dangerous for those kids now”. Ben opens his mouth to say something but he must see the look on my face as he smiles, “It’s not James you’re worried about. It’s Justin. You care about him…” he whispers, a knowing look on his face as I roll my eyes heavenward and walk away. The horses are ready, Melanie’s arrived, plopping her hat on her head as she looks at us, “We’re missing two…” she states, Ted giving her a ‘duh’ look as the two late teens wander over. Justin looks better. His shirt is unbuttoned at the top, his brown leather jacket over the top, his suspenders showing as James playfully dumped his hat on his head, “Jimmy you loser!” he laughed, ruffling up the older teens hair as they stopped in front of us, “What are we waiting for?” he queries, vaulting up onto Webb as James clambered onto Fance’s back, “Pittsburgh’s not too far. Home sweet fucking home…” He sounded less than enthusiastic as the rest of us climbed on and started our ride. Town was surprisingly quiet. Then again, so were the two boys as they looked about warily. Tying up out horses, I watched the two wander towards the tavern, knowing I’d have to go there to see Debbie with Michael. Justin pauses at the door, taking a deep breath before stepping in. We’re greeted by silence as they look at the boy. “What the hell are you doing here?” comes a snarl as a nearby woman stands up, causing James to step in front of his brother, staring her down and dragging Justin towards the bar. I always wondered about my golden boys past, he didn’t talk about it much but I sat with them anyway, Debbie smothering Michael in kisses as usual. She pulls away and looks us over, shaking her head, “Christ Sunshine, James, you look fucking terrible!” Justin glanced up, “Thanks Deb…” I shake my head, “Justin, we need to get you to the Doctor’s now…” I said, all but dragging him out. The stares and whispering was unnerving and I didn’t like it. Luckily the Doctor’s was next door so we wandered in. I filled in Vic, Debbie‘s brother and the local Doctor with his case and he injected Justin with an anaesthetic, knocking him out. Looking over his sleeping form, I leant over, kissing his lips gently. “Doc, his side needs seen to, just to make sure it’s fine…and when he wakes up, tell him…I‘m sorry” Vic nodded and went to it, I took my chance to sneak out. I found the guys, minus James who was being smothered, and sighed, “Let’s go…” Ben looked ready to cry, Ted looked confused and Mel looked ready to rip me a new asshole. Michael on the other hand looked somewhat pleased. Mounting our steeds, we rode off. Leaving my golden boy behind was the hardest thing I ever did. ~~~~~~~~ Gonna take a miracle to save us this time And your saviour has just left town Gonna need a miracle 'Cause it's all on the line And I won't let you down (No I won't let you down) The river of your hope is flooding And I know the dam is busted If you need me I'll come running I won't let you down... no, no