They regrouped with Jimmy and François along the way. The two of them were huddled behind a dumpster a block from where Vinnie left them. Bernie and Little Bozo didn’t look each other in the eyes when they met. It seemed as if the freak didn’t even recognize the clown. Most memories were lost or distorted once a person transformed into a Sideshow Freak. It was possible Bernie didn’t remember how Jimmy had given him the Happy Juice, or even who Jimmy was.
“I know where there’s a car nearby,” Bernie said.
“Does it run?”
“Yes, I’ve tried it. There should be enough gas. But you’ll have to go quickly. There are others who live in the garage where it’s parked.”
They followed him for five blocks until they reached the garage, only having to hide once when a mutant patrol crossed the railroad tracks.
“It’s in there,” Bernie said, pointing at the garage with his spear. “Go quickly.”
“You’re not coming?” Vinnie asked.
“If they see me helping you they’ll kill me. Just open the garage door and the car will be there. The others are on the other side of the building. If you’re fast they won’t see you.”
Vinnie looked up at Bernie. His old friend had a drooping frown on his clown face. He was the most miserable-looking creature Blue Nose had ever seen.
“How have you been, Bernie?” Vinnie asked in a soft voice.
Bernie broke eye contact. “Just go.”
Vinnie wasn’t ready to leave. “I never would have guessed that you’d have held on to your sanity like this. I figured your mind would have been gone, turning you into a wild animal, like the others. If I’d have known…”
Bernie put his lumpy white hand on his old friend’s shoulder. “Don’t, Vinnie. It’s okay.”
“What has it been like for you living out here?”
“It’s been a living hell. What do you think? Just get out of here while you still can.”
Bernie turned away.
“Thanks for helping us,” Vinnie said. “I’ll never be able to repay you.”
When Vinnie turned to head toward the garage, he let his guard down. Just for a second. But it was long enough so that he didn’t see it coming. Bernie spun around and plunged that jagged metal rod of his right into Jimmy Bozo’s stomach.
“You already have repaid me, Vinnie,” Bernie said, laughing maniacally as Jimmy puked blood into the air. “You let me finally get my revenge on that worthless bastard.”
Jimmy fell to the street, grabbing at the pole sticking out of his guts.
“You son of a bitch, Bernie,” Vinnie said. “I trusted you.”
“I wasn’t lying about the car,” Bernie said as he backed away. “Even though you let Jimmy do what he did to me I’ll always consider you my friend.” Before he turned and ran away he said, “I’ll see you in Hell, Jimmy!”
The cackling filled the streets as the freak with the clover in his hat fled the scene.
“Come on.” Vinnie pulled the metal rod out of Jimmy’s belly and put pressure on the wound as he lifted him off the ground. “We need to get to a doctor fast.”
They went into the garage, hopped into the old Buick, and hauled ass out of The Sideshow. Once back in the civilized area of Little Bigtop, Vinnie sped through morning traffic, running red lights, and forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.
“Where are you going?” Jean cried. “The hospital isn’t in this direction.”
“We don’t have time to make it to the hospital.”
“Then where the hell are we going?”
“I know a doctor who doesn’t live far from here. Well, he’s not exactly a doctor. He’s a veterinarian.”
“A veterinarian?” Jean cried.
“Don’t worry,” Vinnie said. “He’s one of the best. And he’s on the Bozo Family payroll, so we won’t have to deal with the cops.”
“Are you insane? I won’t put my brother’s life in the hands of a vet.”
“Then find your own way to the hospital.”
Vinnie wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise. The boss’s son was bleeding out fast. There wasn’t enough time to second-guess his actions.