Chapter 9: Hit the Road, Jack

Bad POV

It is 3 A goddamn M, in the morning, when Y/N woke us up, from my comfortable position of big spoon. Mikey was cuddled into Y/N, it was cute, but I swear he has some other motive, for asking to sleep with her.

Anyway, we are all getting into the car, when I noticed the front seat is one long seat. So I casual, slipped in the front seat so i can sit next to Y/N and It. When It came in and saw me, I nodded and he just sucked his teeth and sat down. Y/N was the last one to get in, she smiled at everyone, some were already asleep, and the rest were mumbling morning or some shit like that.

She climbed in, buckled up, and pulled out of her driveway on to a unpaved road. This is the first time us leaving her property like this, so I excited to see how far she is away from everything. After about 10 minutes on the dirt road, we pulled on to a paved one. BUT IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, barely any street lights.

Honestly it reminded me of a horror movie scenario. I leaned into her and asked "The doors are locked, right?" She smiled and kissed my cheek, "I got you Bad, no one is gonna hurt you." She whispered. I smile and gave It, who was giving me a stank face, my best smirk. We drove for a couple of hours until we ended up at a place called StarDollars, she said it was a popular coffee chain. I nodded

"Hey, yall want coffee?" Y/N asked. It and myself nodded, then we heard X, Mikey, ITC, and Vince, say yes. She ordered our drinks just how we like it, then she ordered something funky. She then asked for pastries as well. We pull around, before we get to the window she stopped and put on her face mask.

I completely forgot about the Covid-19, she explained what she could. But essentially I was a trend setter, way before my time. (hahaha) It and I put our masks on, and she pulled to the window. "That will be 45.25." she pulled out her card and tapped the screen.

I leaned in close to her and whispered, "Dont you swipe anymore?" She nodded, but didnt explain further. "Next window, please." She pulled to the next window, where we got our food and drinks, passed them out to those who are awake. Y/N said she will stop again when they wake up so they can eat as well.

"So, we do still swipe our cards." She showed me the back were the strip is. "But a few years back, they installed a chip into cards. That allows you to either insert the card into the chip reader, or to tap it. Both methods became popular especially with this pandemic."

ITC who rarely speaks, he just watches us. Him, Vince, and Thrad are the watchers. They do interact with us but very rarely. At first, it kinda off putting, but now its easier to deal with.

ITC asks "Can we get something more substantial, no offense, but I am not a pastry person." He says that a lot 'No Offense' Y/N doesnt seem to mind, but its getting to me.

Y/N asks "King Burger or Pippy's ?" ITC smiles, "King Burger" When he said King Burger, everyone who was asleep, eyes opened and head popped up. Y/N and Mikey were both laughing. "Guess, everyone wants King Burger." She drives for about 15 minutes and pulls into a parking spot.

"Go ahead stretch, walk around, or do whatever you need to do, cause I dont plan on stopping again til we need gas." We all noodded. Before she left, "Dont forget face masks at all times, and no changing seats. Yall switch around after we stop for gas." She walks off and I see OTW, RTT, X, and Demon follow her in, probably to help her gather the food. It, Thrill, and Mikey went to use the bathroom, the rest of us stood around just shooting the breeze.

When Y/N came out with the other Michaels and our food, we got our food and went in the van. Once we all ate, she started back out on the road again. The ride was quiet, not long after we ate most of the Michaels went back to sleep, including myself. I woke up looking up at Y/N chest and arm.

What in the???? She noticed me, and smiled. "Comfortable, I see." I got up slowly, since she was still driving and notice my legs were on It and he was still out. I sit up straight stretching my neck, "where are we?" I asked. She nodded her head to look out the window next to It and thats when I saw

"Is that, New york?" She smile and nodded yup. "Where are we going to first?" She side eyed me, and bit her lip. She looked to see if anyone was awake, and no one was. "You wrote to me that you would love to confront the ones who started some of the harsh rumors, that effected you. To be honest, there was just too many reporters, that it would take too long, so I decided on the one who started, the Wacko Jacko name.

A/N : What you are about to read is based off of what I read here :

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/the-racist-origin-of-the-term-wacko-jacko.963342/#:~:text=%22They%20desire%20our%20blood%2C%20not%20our%20pain%2C%22%20Jackson,1985%2C%20but%20its%20%5BHR%5D%20HR%5Detymology%20goes%20back%20further.

Back to the story

Y/N paused for a moment. "A British tabloid reporter started it, and it caught on like wild fire. They currently reside in Rhode Island, with his wife. We are heading there, I am going to ask him whatever you want me to ask him. I am hoping this will help you." I nodded at her. I never knew when it started. I do appreciate her willing to do all of this for me.

"How will you know what I want to ask?" She takes a piece of her hair and puts it behind her ear so I can see, and small black box. "Its a bluetooth, it allows me to hear what you are saying and you will be able to hear him as well." I nodded. "Thank you, I appreciate this." She smiled and nodded, she turns off an exit. "We need gas." she said. I nudged It, to wake him up. He groaned, but did wake up.

After pulling in she started pumping the gas, and then went to wake up the others. We did rotate seats, OTW and X took me and It's places. The rest all switched rows, so everyone could get a change. A few more hours on the road, and we pulled up to a decent size house. Y/N parked the van on the street. The windows were heavily tinted so we dont have to wear masks the whole time.

My phone rang, I put it on speaker, so we all can listen. "Hello. My name is Y/N I called you about doing an interview with you." Y/N says professionally. "Ah yes. Please come in." A thick British accent said. There were some footsteps. The man asked if she wanted something to drink, she declined. "If you don't mind, I would like to begin right away." Y/N said. "Of course." He replied.

"My first question is you wrote for a tabloid, was there any particular celebrity, that you targeted more than others?" I heard him clear his throat. "Yes, Michael Jackson." she sighed "Why?" Finally, I get to hear why me.. why did he target me.

Y/N POV

I had to do a lot research for this particular one. There was so many articles and craziness, due to the change to his face. People were particularly harsh.

Wacko Jacko always pissed me off. I had no idea it was a racial slur. When I found that out I wanted to beat the person that started it. Thats exactly what I planned to do, but now looking at this old ass man, I cant bring myself to it. But he will be getting more than harsh words from me.

"Why?" The old man looked at me weirdly. "Because it was my job to sell papers, he was the most popular artist on the planet. He did so many weird things, between, buying the elephant man bones and sleeping in an oxygen chamber. It was like wanted to attention. So I gave it to him." he said it so nonchalantly, I got the sudden urge to slap him. I take a deep breath and nodded my head.

"Did you know Wacko Jacko, is based off racist terminology?" The man nodded. "I know now, I didnt back then, Wacko Jacko just rhymed. If I knew it was racial, I woudnt have done it." I look at him, and I sadly, believe him. I do think he didnt know.

"Y/N, ask him, who told him about the oxygen chamber?" I heard Bad asking me. "How did you find out about the oxygen chamber? I know you were the first reporter to put it out there." He gulped. "I had a source close to Michael at the time. They fed me stories, I figured they were all true considering he was one of his bodyguards." I heard a collective gasp, in my ear. "Who was the bodyguard?" I asked. The man in front of me looked in my eyes, and tilted his head to the side. "I dont know if giving up my source is ethical."

I rolled my eyes "Michael is no longer here, and you arent working as a reporter anymore. Whats the real harm?" He seemed to be thinking, and finally nodded. "His name was Tyrone. He was killed protecting a foreign diplomat." I nodded. I heard yelling and cursing, which I ignored.

"If Michael was here right now, what would you say to him? If anything." The man hung his head and sighed "I'm sorry. I didnt think Wacko Jacko would have gotten so out of hand. I hope one day you can forgive me, and finally rest in peace."

I heard silence, I took that as my que to leave. But I was wrong. I heard his front door open and walked in Bad. (with his mask on.) He walked up to the old man and punched him in the face, calling him and evil son of a bitch.

At first, I was gonna stop him, but I didnt. I just watch him punch the old man a few times, then marched off.

Once he left, I sat next to him and said "I guess he wont forgive you. To be honest, I dont blame him. Also before you think of calling the police, I just want you to think about it. Calling them and saying a young Michael Jackson just beat me up, they will think youre crazy."

I stood up and straightened my outfit. "I hope you selling those extra papers were worth, because now I get to put you on blast just like you did to him." I left his house, and got into the car. I drove off to our next location.

Chicago, where Diana and Billie Jean lived.