Six

It was three in the morning, and Michael and Frankie were still awake and watching movies. The excitement of the caveman at the drive-in had made it impossible for them to sleep.

Dylan and Adelina had said they were going to bed. Dylan threatened Michael about not leaving before they retreated upstairs.

“Its completely messed up, what we saw. But I can’t help but think its also kinda cool,” said Frankie. “I’m sure it’ll come back at times to haunt us.”

“What if they end up killing him?” asked Michael. He pulled out a tray of tater tots and lathered them with mustard and pepper.

“You heard your mum. They’re gonna rescue him, which I’m pretty sure means they’ll keep him alive. Unless they changed what it means?”

“Ha…ha, ass. Obviously, I don’t mean them. But what about cops. Or criminals? Or…I dunno, some shopping mall security guard?” Michael burned the roof of his mouth as he ate, but they were so good.

“What do you care?” Frankie asked. “He’s just some caveman, and he’s killed a bunch of people.”

“Think about it though. He’s innocent. He’s not in his usual environment, he didn’t want to be here. Everything is weird, and the poor guy is so confused. He’s lashing out. It’s not his fault.”

“So?”

“What do you mean?” Michael looked at his friend in disbelief.

“He still killed a bunch of people at the drive-in, and who knows, maybe he’s killed others. Doesn’t exactly sound innocent in my books.”

“He is to me. He’s like the fish monster from Creature From the Black Lagoon, or Frankenstein’s Monster. Or even Eegah. Forced into situations he never wanted to be a part of.”

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“This is way too serious a conversation to have this late at night, after we saw a bunch of people get sliced up. What do you plan on doing about it? Your mum and Dylan have both said you can’t leave.”

“I’m gonna go out there and find him myself.” Michael stood up in a fit of passion.

“Why? Not only are there cops out there looking for him, but so’s your mum and her work friends. What difference will you make? They’ve got cars and radios to talk to each other. You don’t.”

“I can use Dylan’s car; I know how to drive. My Uncle Pete taught me how to drive on his farm.”

“You’re being completely dumb. You saw how big he was, you saw the size of his axe. What do you plan on doing?”

“I haven’t figured that part out yet. Are you coming with me or not?”

“No way. You’re being stupid.”

“Then you have to cover for me.” Michael pointed at his friend with a smile.

“How? And if Dylan sees his car missing, there’s no way I can cover for you.”

“You’ll think of something.” Michael grabbed the spare key Dylan thought was well hidden, and he drove off in Dylan’s car.

After a few minutes of driving about, Michael said to himself; “What am I doing? I don’t know where to go.”

A thought dawned on Michael, and he headed off to his destination with a plan.

***

“Let me get this straight. You want me to help you guys find this caveman and help you stop him before the other officers?” A plump man with red hair like Friar Tuck and a healthy helping of freckles on his cheeks.

“Yes,” replied Jane.

“You sure are asking a lot of me. We’ve only just started dating. I could get in serious trouble.”

“Please, Seth. We don’t have a way of listening in on the police scanners. We need to, so we can try and get the jump on the caveman, before he gets shot down.”

“Yeah, but.” Seth dragged out the final word in a slow drawl.

“You’d be a hero if we’re successful,” said Sanada.

“And the university would be eternally grateful. We’d find some way to make it worth your while,” said Harold.

“I was convinced when you said hero. Its okay sir, I’m not wanting any pay for this.”

“Thank you honey.” Jane pecked him on the cheek.

“Not a problem.” Seth blushed and wore a giant grin.

Moments later they were all piled into officer Seth’s car and trying to figure out where to go next.

“Have youse got any kind of idea of where he might be? Some kind of expert thinking that would give us an advantage?” asked Seth.

“No, we’re at a complete loss for that,” admitted Harold.

“Well, that’s not helpful, is it?” said Seth

“Where would a scared, and probably hungry caveman go?” asked Sanada.

“He wouldn’t go too far from where he woke up,” said Jane. She unfurled a map and waited for inspiration to hit. “Wait, I think I’ve got it. Lets go.”