#bergen_county

Frank has seen a lot of things. Some idiot trying to run in front of his truck on the highway? Not so much. It's a suicide attempt, and this vehicle doesn't brake quick

Frank shouts something he is rarely heard saying and hits the brakes as well as aiming the rig into the shoulder and ditch trying to avoid hitting this idiot.

the rig he's driving has been a part of his life longer than he's been a father, and it's got a magic all it's own. Between that and Frank's skills, the nearly impossible becomes an improbable success as the vehicle twists and what should have RUN over the maniac barely slaps him with a woof on his ass. Frank hits the shoulder and ditch, a life saved -despite the suicide attempt

The landing jolts him back and forth in his seatbelt, leaving him hanging for just a few moments before, still cursing but under his breath now, he punches out and climbs out.

The mortal looks dazed... he's a scrawny fellow, teens

Frank climbs out of the ditch and walks over, picking the kid up by his shirt. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?!"

"oh god, " the teenager says "it's like the hulk but blue"

He's enchanted!

Frank holds him there but modulates his voice and expression. "What are you running from?"

"them they... they're hunting me. They told me to..." he's pale "They told me the only escape was death"

"They lied." Frank slowly lowers the boy, looking around to see if there -is- anything pursuing him.

The redcaps come through the edge of the road, laughing

And the boy does look bruised with a few cuts

The troll grump has a hand on the boy's shoulder still, and glowers are the 'caps. "Leave. Now."

There are three of them, but a troll is a troll

"We got you out numbered, big blue. Just give us our play thing back, then we'll leave"

Frank shakes his shaggy head slowly. "Not happening that way. Take a good look at me, and walk away."

His rig roars , or maybe it's just leaking a touch of exhaust, but it sounds like it's backing his play

"is.. is your truck ALIVE?" the guy says

Frank doesn't answer the boy, but keeps his eyes on the redcaps to see what they'll do.

Another Roar, from the woods.. and the redcaps turn "Shit, sounds like a bear"

the bear does indeed come out, fearsome, dangerous...

and the redcaps flee

"Hold on." Frank lifts the kid up, piggy back style.

"oh god, canibal clowns and now bears..."

The Bear, however, makes no move to approach them, rather watching the redcaps as if driving them off

"Settle down, boy. Think of this as a bad dream. You'll be ok." Frank rumbles, watching the bear.

Once the redcaps are gone, the Bear snorts ,and then... shifts

Fur receding into flesh, face reshaping more human...

until Jonas stands before him "Mountain, are you uninjured?"

"Pride's bruised, might need a wrecker to get the Rig back on the road."

Jonas nods "that's a lot of mass to move, unfortuately I'm not sure I can help much when it comes to vehicles."

"I need to take a closer look but.... " he indicates the teen with a glance.

"Yes sir, I see the juvenile problem" Jonas moves towards him

the teenager says "Okay.. blue werebears and shit? I am freaking man"

"Bad dream, remember?"

"You sure it's not a trip? Maybe those guys dosed me? I remember.. these three tough guys... before they turned to monsters"

"Bad dream." Frank says firmly.

"He's quite right, you're in a deep slumber" Jonas says "And have quite an imagination. It seems to be an improving storyline for you though so .. stay calm"

Frank goes over to the Rig, boy on his back, and looks it over. Does it need a wrecker to pull it out?

Mmm actually, with Jonas here, if he can use some of that shaping magic not on the rig, but the ground it needs to travel up, they should be able to do it

"I can push it.... can you firm up the ground?"

Jonas ponders then nods "yes, I could turn the slope to aquire greater solldity"

"You're going to what what and PUSH this truck?" the guy says

Frank nods. "Hang on, kid." He steps around to the downhill side of the truck and gets planted and ready. He waits for Jonas's word.

There's a surge of energy as Jonas touches the ground and speaks "Breaker breaker good buddy what's your six, smokey's got his ears on, so you'll want to take an exit for a 1-100" he clearly learned all his CB talk from movies on FX

"Ken. It's ken but.. kid's fine "

And the ground shifts, becoming more like a solid ramp!

Frank grunts and starts pushing.

And then Jonas moves to help, throwing his own muscle into it.