Who- chris, his mom, win, agent
Chris opens a mail box and finds a note from his mom that says call home urgently.
Soon after an agent comes and starts asking him where his best friend is.
He says he doesn't know but the agent isn’t convinced.
Chris says the agent is 6 feet and is upping him by 20 pounds easy.
He also got an itching sensation. When he gets it he feels like something is about to happen.
The official also has a gun.
Chris and his best friend winston made a plan about going cross country for a bike ride.
But in the middle they split and winston went to his uncle's house in seattle.
But the agent says he doesn’t have a uncle in seattle.
Chris starts the whole story from the beginning.
The story begins from the starting when chris’s mom asks chris about getting a job for spending money on college.
But chris was still thinking about going to college.then Chris asks his parents to go biking along the west coast. Then his mom asks the west coast of what. He felt more confidence because no one laughed when he said it out loud.
They got the idea of riding by seeing online that someone rode a bike from africa to somewhere else.
Chris really wanted to go but his parents kept saying no until he somehow convinced them.
Then it cuts back to the present where the agent says win doesn’t have a uncle in seattle.
In the middle of the trip win and chris separated and win stopped calling his parents.
Then chris realizes that win’s parents want to keep this a secret.
When wins dad gives win a check as a “graduation” present for a new bike win throws it away.
Chris and win never talk about it.
Win’s dad is screaming at a senator that shows win’s dad is in a high rank.
Chris’s mom also wants chris and win to buy their own groceries to practice for the ride.
Chris thinks she isn’t comfortable that her “baby boy “ is riding for months maybe.
They both are also practicing marching when they are going to graduate.
In AP physics class win kept wanting someone to punch him and chris kept hearing it.
After they bombed some tests they decided it was enough.
Dave is going to work this summer selling tobacco.
Win was making fun of him.
Chap:5
In goes back to the present
Chris’s mom is scared that chris is getting interrogated by the fbi.
After some time chris asks to speak to his dad alone and when he does his dad asks what happened out there.
Chris said everything happened everything.
Chris’s family invites win’s family to roundup, a fake saloon. They also had peanuts on the tables when waiting for your food to arrive. Both the families were talking until chris realizes that if they talk to each other they might figure out that both the kids lied the the other parents said yes. Win’s mom asked what time he was leaving. He said 8 .
But win’s mom was going to miss it because she’s going to rome. So win is staying at chris’s house.
Wins dad says to call if he needs help. In the night Win realizes that he forgot his sleeping bag.
Chris insists to go to wins house and get it since it’s closer. But win still wants to go and buy another one.
The next day they were about to leave for the trip when chris and his dad make jokes about possum.
Chap:7
It skips back to the future when chris is scared about what happened to win.Chris was also waiting for win to contact him.
Chris was checking his email when he saw an email from win’s dad . It said that he was going to find win no matter what. In college he needs to find partners and is partner is an indian girl. They both exchange information about themselves. When she was talking to chris about her favorite food she accidentally asked him out.
The teacher then asked who wanted to share. Vanti put her hand in the air. They both shared in front of the class .
Then it goes back in time to when they were on their their trip.
For 10 miles they kept thinking about stopping but didn't. After some time they get a sign that says they got out of virginia. After some more time they had to set up camp and they found a rv site. They asked one of the owners how much it is but he said this place isn’t for camper. He also said the lady won't like that repeatedly Win accidentally offended the man. The man was walking steadily toward them saying loudly “ the lady won't like it”so they got on and ran away. They also stole a flashlight to light up the way. WIn thinks about scamping. Scamping means sleeping somewhere where you’re not allowed to sleep.They find an isolated church near a stream and start making mac and cheese. While setting up their tent a car pulled in and they were coming into the woods.
The people were actually nice and let them stay and even give them lots of food. At the end chris and win were full.
In the church they were doing singing and doing church stuff. After the lord and win were talking and both prayed.
Chap:9
It goes back to the future where chris is thinking about vanti but suddenly abe ward(agent) sat next to him asking to talk about Win. He was asking if Win was acting weird before or after the trip. Chris said no.
Chris told the agent to go search seattle but the agent said seattle is too big.
Then chris asked why he owes win’s dad a favor. The agent said they used to go to the same boarding school.
The agent said that he had 19 grand when Win disappeared. The agent said let's talk about money.
Then the chapter ends
Chris and his parents were on the phone talking to each other. His parents were worried about him.
His mom thinks every minute if he got kidnapped or got stuck in a ditch. They are also proud of him.
Chris doesn't trust win for getting the groceries, so he says bye to his parents and checks if win got good food.
When they get the groceries win said he forgot his money so chris had to pay it for the second time.
When throwing win’s trash away he found it heavier than it should be. He opened it and found lots of stacks of money and the bills were all hundreds. When win was coming he hid the money and they talked for a bit.
Then chris asked for the money but win gave him 2 one dollar bill. He said that's all he had.
Chris was “afraid of what he already knew”
Chap:11
It goes back to the future when the agent asks why win didn’t tell chris about the money since they are best friends.
Chris was surprised that he had that much money at his disposal. They both thought that win was carrying too much money around. Debit card and 20 grand of cash. Unless he wanted to get lost. That's why he carried so much money.
He could of lived for a long time without a job. Then chris thought win could be dead.
But agent said that he worked on a case of a boy that cashed out all his money and got missing for a few years .
They found him in a school in a alaska. They got to the conclusion that he ran away or died. The agent goes away.
Then chris checks his mail and finds a postcard from his mom. It contains pictures from their trip and some people he met. But at the end he sees a letter. That says “Chris hope you are enjoying school and that you made it back okay.
Budweiser remains the number one choice of litter bugs. I really thought our time this summer was special . from your friend tricksey” . He couldn't remember her because girls travel in large groups. He tried to remember her but he couldn’t . Instead he found an invitation to that place.
The chapter starts by win and chris thinking illinois should be flatter. They said they got good sleep by scamping near a pretzel shop. Then they both think of a new challenge. They already the cheese one (Where they try to eat a block of cheese) and the push up challenge. Chris tries to beat win’s tire challenge time. He gets close but win’s time is still faster. They found a creek and were doubting to go in.Next second they get their shirt off and start a timer 3 2 Win cheats and goes before the time and jumps in the creek. Chris calls win a bastard.
Chap:13
It goes back to the future. Chris tries to remember who tricksey is ,but he has lots of meetings and work to do.
He goes to a meeting with win’s dad. In the meeting he was acting very nice and wanted chris to really help him find win. He also said that Win acts stupid sometimes and people get tired of his little tricks. Then Chris realizes tricksey is Win that's why he included the address in the card. Wins dad asked what happened chris said nothing just trying to remember. He says that win had to have contacted you somehow. And starts shouting at chris WHERE IS WIN.
Chris says he doesn’t know. Win’s dad says you’ve only seen the tip of my power. I can do anything i want.
WHERE IS WIN . Chris runs away and win’s dad says I hope to hear from you soon.
He thinks that if he shared the postcard with anybody he wouldn't get the answers he needed.
It starts when the story goes back in time and win and chris thinking they a hungry and there should be more interesting things things in the gift shop. It was ten thirty , they finished their breakfast and then they wanted to pick up the pace because they have been moving slowly the past few days.
They were riding until it turned dark. Chris thought Win got pulled over but he was just asking the police to find a place to sleep . Win’s uncle is actually the deputy. They found a jail cell to sleep in. There are not big criminals that murdered. Their cell is shared with 2 people called cedric and toto.”The first guy was a head shorter than me , but thick and square. His hair stuck out at funny angles, and he blinked his eyes repeatedly in the fluorescent light. He said I'm cedric. Extending his hand that had many tattoos and one of a dagger. “ cedric pointed at toto which was a big guy . He was watching a action movie. cedrick showed them the shower and said to wear shoes inside because there is fungus from toto inside.He also told them about a place where they can get a bag of burgers for 4 dollars around here. He and toto had to mow the lawn and clean the city tomorrow. The officer showed them the cell.
It was clean but in not good condition. They were going to go get those burgers now. When they were done eating and taking a bath they were going to sleep. They both had a “crappy” sleep. He saw a postcard win had . But win said it was to tell his uncle he was here. Chris wanted win to call his uncle but win didn’t want to.
Chris was scared when win wandered off at the cell. So win said they will stay close and soon hit minnesota by lunch.
It starts back in the future where he is in his math class . He thinks about him stressing so much and Win happily running around sending postcards to chris. Once he goes outside he sees the agent. Chris cant talk because he has to go to work. The agent asks if Win sent anything. Chris lies and say no. The agent has no idea what happened to win. Chris smiles that he knows win is safe. The agent says that win’s dad is threatening him.”Wins dad knows it was Chris. “ He ran inside to talk with his mom. He asked if anything to his job,dad, or any thing else. She just said that his dads sold his construction company. His mom asked if everything's ok .He said yeah .She also asked to pick up the postcards for him since they were piling .He said ok.His mom said bye and chris cut the call.He knew they were from win. Instead of rushing to the cards he laid on his bed and thought that he had to find win.
Chapter:16
It goes back to the past where they reach the town of virden and try to find a stop to rest and eat lunch.
They find a place and eat. They also see a post office. They were making some mysterious stories about it.
After some time they felt like leaving and were leaving.
It starts at the future where him and Vanti are doing an assignment together. They “have “ to get a good score.
She asked to see his postcard he’s been looking at for the last half hour. He tries to deny it but soon gives it to her.
She reads it and soon asks if its a male or female Chris thinks she is jealous. Right then Win kind of sees the agent and closes the envelope. Vanti questions it but he writes Win male and she understands. She asked “do you want to find him. ”Chris said he doesn't know. Right then Vanti’s watch rings and she says she has to go to soccer practice.
On the way out He hears “Hey collins” he said oh god no he knew it was the agent.Avantika introduces herself and leaves. Agent was trying to get chris to say the truth about Win.But Chris was persistent. He soon got a call from his dad that Wins dad bought the company that Chris’s dad works at.Chris’s dad also said that Win’s dad said something will happen if chris doesn’t get win. Chris worries about his job but he says it’s fine.
Chris asks his dad if he told him about the postcards but his dad said no.WIn’s dad also found chri’s dad’s payroll.
Chris was worried but Chris’s dad said do the right thing. Chris is also going somewhere on the weekend.
He wanted his dad to cover it up and tell everybody he was going hiking.
18
It goes in the past where the conditions for them are really bad. They had to get to the next town but they had no water.Win started screaming and threw his helmet. But the wind nailed the helmet at his chest. He thought the wind was evil. They met a bike rider. He wanted some patches and chris gave him. He wanted to camp with him but win and chris thought it was too risky and left. After traveling some time They saw a trailer and ducked on the side of it.
They saw a house next to it and Win had an idea. The man inside the house didn't want to just give water and let them leave. He let them stay in his barn. The man asked if they had fresh peas . Chris said no.
They got lots of peas and got in . Repeated 3 times. I think they are going to eat it now. Win said I love the wind.
Chris knew exactly what he meant. The chapter ends.
It goes in the future where chris is traveling to find Win. He’s on the bus and it’s 2 am.
He is thinking about how bad he needs to find win and what he’ll do with him. Everything is at stake for him.
He thinks about all the fun memories he had with win. At his stop he felt that he wasn’t the last person on the bus.
But the bus driver was sure he was the last one. He saw a orange flame in the bus but just shrugged it off.
When he got off the bus. He saw it again. He was being followed.
Chap 20. It goes in the past
It resumes when everybody is eating .
Chris explains us that when chris and Win tell stories every body is happy. But when they tell stories about their dead son everybody gets sad and are quiet. They said their son used to pick berries just to make his favorite dessert.
That's pretty much how their whole evening went. Morgans wife-effie told them breakfast is at 6.
That's the earliest they ever woke up from the whole trip. But they felt like the food was going to be yummy.
Morgan showed them where they were going to sleep in.-the barn. He also showed them the shower.
Chris was on his was to the shower when they apparently were about to fight. This fight was “different”
Chris was tired of all off win’s tricks , he was about to actually fight. He wanted to know who is stronger.
He tackled him and they kept fighting exchanging lots of blows. In the middle win’s eyebrow bled. And chris’s elbow got hurt. Then chris deadlocked win and held him. Win said let me go. Then chris asked if you surrendered.
Win said let me go. Chris thought of a story then let him go. Win said “you’re a real friend chris , you're a real friend.”
In the present Chris got off at the breakfast stop. He slept while looking outside when to stop. He slept past the rest place and overshot the farm by 50 miles. He said Damn. He also noticed that the bus drivers switched when he was sleeping. He went into a restaurant and remembered that it was the restaurant that the food was good at and a waiter liked him at. He could only use his 48 dollars. If he has to use his card the agent would immediately know his location.Then he saw the same coat that have been following him. The person was staring at the bus chris came in. He was scared and layed low. When he got to the diner part of the restaurant he saw that all the tables were taken.
He also saw the jacketman looking and scanning for everybody. He sat in a stool opposite of him.jacket man pretended not to look at chris. There was a waiter pouring his coffee. He looked at the name tag - daniell it was the babe. In the middle of pouring she said”win said.”he got all his information from that one phrase. He checked around if anyone is listening. No one. Chris tells us the woman is gorgeous and beautiful. The lady says that win comes here time to time without his gear. And changes the topic when asked where he stays. He wanted to stay safe.
She mentions that win is taking her to a dance some time. Chris is jealous that win got a girlfriend.
Chris think that the fbi people know that win is here. Chris tells her that he needs help to get a ride.
She is surprised that Win rides 60 miles a week coming here. The jacket man is ordering things and is trying to hear the conversation. She asks her friend for a favor . She wants him to drop chris at the barn. Chris worries about the jacketman. She says don't worry. She gets hot coffee and acts like she tripped and spilled all the coffee on him.
He got out of his chair furiously ,his eyes red. She tells her friend and win to go now.
He was going in the truck when someone locked the truck!!!!!!
It starts when they realize they had fight last night. Because of all the bruises on them. They ate their breakfast and were prepared to leave.Effie gave them a light lunch. They thanked them and embraced them. Morgan and effie said to come back if they are coming this way. They also said good luck. And they were on their way. After 5 hours they had reached a new city ,glacier. They realized the beauty and cons of this place. Chris said we wasted so much time in other places we should of came here faster. He asked win to call his uncle again but Win said that it’s fine.
They paid to go to the national park. They saw a mountain goat that went into a RV. Everybody was taking picture of it. Then a ranger came and broke up the commotion. She said her name is rita and the goat is crazy.
She was impressed that they had rode for 7 weeks. Chris thought she was hitting on them. But chris also thought she was too old and not cute. She said the goat keeps coming down the hill and they might have to put him down.
She also told them about a place where they could stay at. Win was blankly staring at something.
Then when chris made a joke Win said let's go to the place and have a swim. Chris thought he was watching a stranger.
Chap:23
It goes in the future where Win tries to pick the lock for the truck. He sees danielle-the girl pouring coffee.
He sees the bus and goes through the window and gets his stuff. Then he hides in her jeep. He sees all the people get in the bus. The jacketman also follows the bus. Then chris gets out of the car and follows earl to the truck.
Chris says thanks to Danielle and then leaves. He gives 10 dollars to Earl and gets off near Morgan's house.
While walking there he hears everybody he knows in his head saying what will you do. When he goes
He and morgan talk for a bit and morgan says Win is in the barn. Morgan says what are you going to do.
Chris says catch up with an old friend while striding toward the barn.
In the past - Chris is bored of Win talking about Danielle being hot. But WIn thinks chris is jealous because she likes him more. They were on their way to the next town called concrete. In this part of the ride Chris said the air was so clean that it almost burned to breathe it. Before he ended that thought they thought they saw a bear but it was actually a coyote ripping and eating a possum. When they tried to take pictures of it the coyote started chasing them.
They started riding fast and squirted water at the coyote. After some time Chris’s tire stopped . And the coyote was long gone. But win said you’ll catch up one day and started riding without stopping. Chris called him a Bastard a few times but nothing happened. Win kept riding and riding. Chris tried to patch up his tire but they were missing. He had to use a new tub that took a long time and was expensive. He needed to get some water so he asked a lady and went to a tap. He filled his water bottle and saw his patches. He asked the lady when Win came she tried to deny it but soon said 10 minutes ago. Chris grabbed his patches and went west.
Chap:25
He was going around the house and was in front of the barn . He opened the door and found Win. He had been a little taller. They just stare at each other for a while. Chris asks why he is here. He said it’s complicated. Win Chris says that Win had used him . WIn says sorry , but chris thinks sorry isn’t enough. Chris needs Win to come back or Chris’s dad will lose his job. WIn just gives him a envelope with money. Chris says win is just like his dad. Using people.
Chris says he doesn’t want WIn’s money. They argue for a long time and then Win says that Morgan and effie need him. He also says that no one cares about him at his old home. Then win asks chris do you need me.
In the past - He stopped looking for win and now he just wanted to reach the coast. He felt that riding alone is more peaceful. On his way he traveled lots of places and realized their friendship has gotten too tight. He felt like he didn’t need Win. He kept riding and soon reached the shore. He jumped into water and said “we made it” to himself.
His journey has ended.
Chap:27
It starts in the future where Win says “Chris do you need me.” Chris said no. Then they talked for a while then Win said what are you going to do Chris. Chris said catch a bus home . Then win asked chris to take the money and chris did. “The envelope was way thicker than it was supposed to be.” Chris asked about it but win said it’s fine.
Then they talked for some more until morgan and Effie came back from the back. They were surprised to see chris.
They want him to stay for a day but he has to go in the evening. He volunteered for some work and was doing it.
After some time Effie wanted them to stay but he hugged her and began getting in the car. Morgan said it was nice meeting you.Then he got in the car and started riding with win. At his bus stop he said his goodbys to win and left.
It starts when Chris notices how much money is in the envelope. Win’s money has made a difference in his trip.
He appreciates it a lot. When he came back home he sees the agent asking “did you have a nice trip” The agent gives all the evidence to chris that he went somewhere. Chris is just happy that he used cash on the way back so he didn’t leak Win’s place. Then chris realizes that the jacket man was hired by Win’s dad separately. The agent thinks Chris is lucky that he didn’t get caught. The agent asks if he found Win.Chris says not exactly. Chris says he found himself. The agent comes to the conclusion that Chris didn’t find win. Chris asks the agent what he’s going to do. He says go to Win’s dad and say I didn't find win. After that they both parted ways.Chris realizes that the agent didn’t want to find win either. He unpacks his stuff and finds a usb drive from -win. He sees a slideshow. There are pictures from their whole trip. On the last pic it said thanks. He was surprised that something so small can hold so much. He put the drive in a cup. Then he wore some shorts and got his itchiest socks and put the drive in it. He put it in his dresser.
He didn’t feel that it would burst with all the memories. But he realized he was the guy from the pictures. He didn’t need Win or the pictures .”But it was good knowing they’d be there when I wanted a reminder. Both of them.”
Last quote of the book