Chapter 4: Stronger

A new day has arrived drawing closer to Colossal Con. Only three days until convention day. Still in Nashville, TN. Aerial and friends had better getty up for their trip. All of them woke to the sound of their alarm clocks. 4am in the morning with only an hour of rest. Dragonfly washed. Her friend showered next. Aerial went to her car packing everything. Her friend helping. Altravian showered up. Got on his clothes and freshened up. Aerial took the wheel, they all sattled up and went for the road. Skipping something to eat, no breakfast today. As they were behind schedule. Supposedly they were to be in Texas by that very morning. However, it was still time. After leaving Nashville they were hours on their trip. Reaching Louisiana. They were in need of gas. Their tank was near empty, each of their cellphones on less than 5%. With little energy both physically and electronically, they made a stop to charge their phones and get gas!

A Parker's station was around the corner. miles away they were around almost 1%. After their phones went off they had to memorize the distance, luckily they saw exits of the parker's in the signs. The car suddenly gave out, all the gas gone. Everyone immediately panicked except Altravian. Immediately he came with an idea. However, it would be something of a feat. He would have to run to the gas station and get a tank to bring back for them to make it to the station.

With very little thought, Altravian immediately jolted forward to the nearest parker's on foot. jogging his way the eight miles quickly as possible. He could feel the weight of the hills on his legs, and the strain on his muscles as he hurried along the highway. His heart raced and his lungs burned, but he refused to give up. He knew that his friends were depending on him to get them out of this jam.

With miles away, Altravian spoke to himself insisting on making this trip, he had no other choice. There were clouds in the sky, the sound of lightning and thunder from a distance could be heard. He braced himself and continued on. Taking deep breaths in every step keeping a solid pace and staying postured up to ease the stress on his body. Everything he learned all the training ever done would shine in this moment. he felt as if he prepared for this. And prepared he was!

As he approached the station, he could see the bright lights and the familiar signs that marked the entrance. He burst through the doors, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Hey," he gasped at the attendant, "I need a gas can, and I need it fast." The attendant looked at him curiously, but quickly grabbed a can and rang it up for him . Altravian thanked him and put $20 on the nearest pump. Filling the jerry can. he could feel the weight of the gas in the tank as he set off back to Aerial.

The trip back was arduous, but Altravian forced himself to keep going. He jogged back along the highway, the gas can bouncing awkwardly in his grip. The lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the world in eerie blue-white bursts. The thunder rolled across the sky, making his heart race even faster. But he didn't slow down. He couldn't. His friends were counting on him.

As he neared the car, he could see Aerial and her friend. A group of men were parked behind and in front of them. not knowing what was going on he arrived to the scene standing ready. He placed the jerry can full of gas onto the ground. Asking what they were doing here with his friends. The men all laughed and formed a line. They told him that his friends were not coming. As they were screaming and calling Altravian. Immediately Altravian armed himself with his trusty Tactical gloves. Taking a stance and proceeding cautiously on of the men launched at him. Immediately Altravian saw in opening, kicking the man in the stomach. The man fell down immediately in pain. Another man came running to him, Altravian countered him with an uppercut and tagged the man hard on his chin knocking him out.

Altravian shouted that Aerial load up the gas quickly. He grabbed the can and gave it to Aerial for her to fill the car. She placed the can and filled the car immediately. The car full of men pulled off from behind them as the other men laid on the ground knocked out. Aerial's friend went into the car quietly. She sighed in relief feeling safe as Altravian came to the rescue. Aerial put the empty can in the trunk under the backseat behind their things. Hoping into the car they all took off. Altravian in the passenger looking around just in case. No one threating no longer they continued on the road.

Reaching the same parker's in matter of minutes. They filled up completely on gas and let their phones charged. As they were sitting in the dinner at the station Aerial was seen sobbing as she felt traumatized by those men. Altravian consoled her and asked her what had happened. They were trying to take her and her friend by their will. "You showed up in time for us Altravian, we can't thank you enough for saving us," her friend said. They ate dinner and talked about the events of the night. They promised each other that they would always be there for each other no matter what.

As they finished dinner and drove away from the station, the tension in the car seemed to ease. Altravian glanced at Aerial, who was wiping away tears, and gave her a reassuring smile. "You did great, Aerial. You showed a lot of courage earlier today," he said. She nodded, sniffling, and turned her attention back to the road ahead. "Thanks...," she said quietly.

For the rest of the drive, they talked about lighter topics, trying to distract themselves from the events of the day. They pulled into the parking lot of a random shopping complex, Aerial leaned over urgently giving Altravian a tight squeezing hug. "Thank you so much, Altravian. I don't know what I would've done without you!" Astonished by Aerial, He felt the warmth take him, the feeling sense of pride and accomplishment was felt strongly.

They decided to walk around the complex, taking their time. As they walked, they passed by a movie theater. "Hey, want to see a movie?" Altravian asked, trying to cheer her up further. Aerial nodded, grateful for the distraction. They bought tickets and settled into a cozy spot in the theater. The lights dimmed, and the previews began to roll. They both leaned back, enjoying the escape into the world of film.

During the movie, Altravian couldn't help but glance over at Aerial every now and then. He couldn't believe how strong and resilient she had been earlier that day. He felt a newfound respect for her, and a sense of protectiveness that he hadn't experienced with anyone else before. As they left the theater and walked back to the car, they talked about the movie and laughed together, their moods much lighter than they had been earlier.

After the film, they all could feel the drowsiness take them. Once inside the car, Altravian insisted to drive for dragonfly so she could rest up some. She agreed and took a nap as Altravian drove miles further to their destination. Now in Texas they could see all the signs and the lights. The air smelled different, it was clean and fresher than Louisiana. The scenery was vastly different from the place they were used to.

They arrived at the address Dragonfly had given them. It was a small ranch house, nothing special from the outside. Altravian parked the car and they all got out. Dragonfly and her friend thanked them profusely for all they had done. Altravian just smiled and nodded, saying it was nothing. They went inside the house where Dragonfly introduced them to her parents. Her parents were surprised and grateful to see them safe. They invited them all in and offered them something to eat.

As they sat down at the table, Dragonfly's father asked Altravian and Aerial how they had found them. They explained the situation as best they could, leaving out some of the more graphic details. Dragonfly's parents listened intently, their faces growing more somber with each detail. They expressed their gratitude once again and assured them that they would do whatever they could to help them get to Colossal Con safely.

During dinner, Altravian and Aerial's friend learned more about Dragonfly and her family. They were originally from Ohio, but had moved to Texas a few years ago for work. They had been worried about her ever since she had joined the cosplay community, but Dragonfly insisted that she was careful and had made good friends. Her parents seemed to relax a bit as they talked about her, clearly relieved that she was safe. "I'm happy that you kept my daughter safe." Aerial's Father complimented Altravian, before giving him a compassionate nod. "Thank you." Dragonfly added, "And thanks again Altravian, I'm so happy you're there for me."

After dinner, they all retired to the living room where they continued to chat and get to know each other better. Dragonfly's parents offered them a place to stay the night, but they politely declined, wanting to make as much progress as possible toward Colossal Con. As the evening wore on, Altravian couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for Dragonfly's parents. They had raised a strong, resilient daughter in a world that could be dangerous for someone like her. It was a reminder that there were still good people out there, looking out for each other.