by Jack Hunt
Josh declined to hit back with sarcasm. He knew it was best to strike while the iron was hot. While he had the upper hand. The rest was just dad talk. It was to be expected. After he started the vehicle, Ryan told him to hang a right at the end of the road and to drive up to the gas station. He pulled out and while he was driving, Ryan checked the ammo in his rifle as if expecting trouble. They drove up to College Avenue and crossed the railway tracks. Josh turned into the four-pump gas station and parked right outside the main doors. Ryan laid his rifle down and checked how many rounds he had in his handgun. He opted to take that in with him.
“Wait here.”
“I’m coming in with you.” Josh leaned around the seat toward Lily. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
Lily screwed up her face, then opened one eye.
“Bean.”
“All right.”
He got out and skirted around the vehicle and followed Ryan into the station. There were two men inside, that weren’t a part of the group they’d seen earlier. One of them had a pump-action shotgun, the other was behind the till smoking a cigarette without a care in the world. He barely registered them as Ryan strolled up to the counter.
“What have you got to trade?” he said from behind a car magazine.
Josh made his way around the aisle, not taking his eyes off the armed thug. He was a white dude with dreadlocks tied back, a muscle shirt, and tattoos down the side of his face and neck. His arms had swirling ink that wrapped around his bulging biceps. The guy’s eyes flitted between the two of them, his trigger finger shifting from the side into the trigger guard. Josh let him see he had nothing in his hands.
The Glock was in the back of his jeans.
The shelves contained a sparse number of grocery and convenience goods. Chips, cans of food, soda pop, cigarettes, mostly items that had been traded. There was a large sign that read: DON’T TOUCH!
A plexiglass barrier prevented anyone from getting to the high-ticket items like alcohol, weed, boxes of bullets, and even a few handguns.
His father asked outright. “A black girl came in. Some men in two trucks took her. You know them?”
“If you don’t have anything to trade, kindly leave.”
“I think you misunderstood me,” Ryan said.
The man lowered his magazine to reveal a sawed-off shotgun pointing at him. “Oh no, I understood you but perhaps you didn’t read the sign on the way in. So let me spell it out for you. It says trade or fuck off.”
“Okay, we don’t want any trouble. Josh, let’s go.”
Ryan backed out slowly, Josh did the same. As soon as they were outside, they got back in the Cherokee. “Well, that didn't go the way I thought it would. So that’s it?” Josh asked.
“Pull out of the station.”
“We’re leaving?”
They drove a short way down the road and Ryan had him pull off into another road before telling him to get out of the vehicle. He got into the driver’s side. Josh went to get in but he told him to stay there with his sister.
“Like hell. If you’re going back so am I.”
Ryan clenched his jaw. He stared up the road. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“And who’s doing that for you?” Josh asked as he got in.
“I’m an adult.”
“So am I.”
“All right but don’t say I didn’t warn you. You want to be an adult so be it. Put your seatbelt on.”
“What?”
“Seatbelt.”
“But there are no vehicles on the road, it’s...”
“JOSH!”
He groaned as he put it on. “You too, Lily.”
Ryan waited then tore out and drove the needle up above seventy. At the last minute, he swerved into the gas station lot. The Jeep bounced. Josh’s eyes bulged as he drove straight through the thin outer exterior of the station. There was no concrete, it was all fiberglass and drywall. The walls exploded, dust, shelves, goods, drywall going everywhere as the Grand Cherokee tore in like a hot knife through butter. The vehicle pinned the shotgun thug against the wall. His body slumped over, blood gushing from his mouth.
“Can’t beat American-made!” Ryan said, tapping the steering wheel. “You okay, butterfly?” he asked, looking at Lily in the rearview mirror. She was shaken up but otherwise fine.
Josh looked at him in astonishment.
This guy was crazy.
Before Josh could react, Ryan pushed out his side and clambered over the rubble, and jammed a handgun in the face of the prick behind the counter. Josh slid out to hear the conversation. A chunk of folded metal from the counter was lodged in the clerk’s lower stomach, the cigarette still hanging out of his teeth.
“You really should make your signs clearer. Especially the SLOW DOWN one. Now tell me who they are and where they’ve taken her?”
“Screw you, man.”
Ryan reached over and pushed the metal lodged in his stomach in, making him cry louder. “Let’s try that again, shall we?”
“The water park! North. They took her to the water park.”
He withdrew his hand. “See, that wasn’t hard.”
“And who are they?”
Blood trickled out the corner of his mouth, the cigarette dropped and that was it. He was gone.
“Shit.” Ryan turned and got back in. He revved the engine a few times until the tires bit and pulled out taking a good portion of the gas station exterior with them, but it got stuck on the way out. He tried again. But that sucker wasn’t going anywhere.
“Get out.”
Ryan got out and went outside, he went around to a white truck and got in. Josh observed him as he looked around. He flipped the visor down and keys dropped into his lap. He met Josh’s gaze. “All right. Some people leave their keys inside. It’s still stupid.”
Josh grinned.
Before they left with the new truck, Ryan collected as many full gas canisters as they could find and put them in the back, along with handguns, ammo, and two walkie-talkies. Josh and Lily snagged food and various items that might come in handy and tossed it all in the back. He turned to Ryan as they rolled out. “You know, you’re starting to grow on me,” he said. Ryan rolled his eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Seeing the lynch mob sent a cold chill through him. Ryan adjusted the focus on the binoculars until he could make out the tiniest details on a face. They were a mixed crew of various ages. It was hard to tell how many. That alone gave him pause for thought. The aroma of pine, damp earth, and moss lingered in the air as a warm breeze blew against his skin.
The state-run water park located off Highway 29 covered thousands of acres around the banks of the Flint Creek Reservoir. A myriad of campsites and cabins were shrouded in a heavily wooded landscape close to a glistening body of water. Its proximity made sense — two miles from the downtown, a central hub close to a lake full of fish, yet still far enough away to avoid the infected.
He peered at the lodge, observing quietly.
Occasionally the reflection of the sun glinted off the surface, making him squint.
“What do you see?” Josh asked.
The three of them were laying on their stomachs, propped up by their elbows. Ryan had parked in a secluded spot far enough away from the lodge to not be heard when they approached. He also wanted to be sure they could make a quick exit. “The reason why this is not a good idea.”
“What?” Josh tore the binoculars away from his eyes and looked. “You still want to walk away?”
“I want to keep you two safe.”
“Well, you’re a little late. Have you forgotten about the gas station?”
“It is one thing to go up against a couple of thugs, another to approach a crazed lynch mob and ask for a girl back.”
“Hold on,” he screwed up his face, “that was your plan?”
“Of course not, Josh.”
“Then what are we talking about?”
&n
bsp; Ryan turned his head. “Look again.”
Josh shrugged. “And?”
Ryan groaned and laid on his back looking up at the sky, hand covering his face.
Lily scrambled over. “Can I take a look?”
Josh handed the binoculars to her.
“I don’t get you. One minute you say you’ll help and now you’re back-pedaling.”
“No. I let you talk me into this. I’m just realizing again why I didn’t agree in the first place.”
Josh threw his hands up. “How did you suppose this would go?”
“I figured if an opportunity presented itself, maybe, just maybe… we might be able to get her back safely. Emphasis on safely. Sticking my neck out for a girl that I barely know, Josh, isn’t smart. She’s not the first nor will she be the last person we come across.”
“So you would leave if that was me or Lily down there? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No. That’s different. We hardly know her.”
“How is it? You barely know me. You sure as hell don’t know Lily.”
Ryan stared back at him. “I’m not playing this game, Josh. I have one job and that is to get you and Lily to Florida. That’s it. Now I’m sorry Ren got grabbed but getting caught or killed ourselves wouldn’t be helping her.”
“So we don’t.”
“Geesh. You really don’t listen.”
“I listen just fine.”
“Why, then?”
The question caught him off guard. Josh looked back at him confused so Ryan continued. “Why do you want to help her?”
“I already told you.”
“Josh, she had one person to deal with, the odds here are very different. It’s like night and day. So why? Why risk our lives? Do you have a thing for her?”
“No.”
“Then give me one good reason why?”
There was a long pause. Lily looked at Josh, waiting for him to say something. She brought the binoculars up again.
“Exactly. Let’s go,” Ryan added, trudging away.
As he was walking the short distance back to the truck, Lily said, “They’re leaving.”
“What?”
Josh grabbed the binoculars and looked through them. “Well look at that. That opportunity has presented itself. There it is,” he said, turning and handing him the compact binoculars. Ryan made his way back and took them and peered through.
Sure enough.
There was movement. Lots of it.
Now he was able to get a better idea of how many there were.
By the looks of it, it was the same number of men they saw in the street, around seven. Though he imagined there had to be at least one or two inside to watch over the place.
“They must have gotten wind of the gas station,” Josh said. “Which means we have a limited window to get down there.”
Ryan scoffed. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying here with your sister. I’m going.”
“What? No.”
“Listen to me. Now I allowed you to talk me into this but if you want my help, then we do things my way. Understand?” He reached for his bag and pulled out the two walkie-talkies they’d snagged from the gas station. He fiddled with the knob on the top and handed him one. “You keep an eye out for them, and an eye on your sister. Got it?”
He groaned and nodded. They did a quick test to make sure the line was clear.
Ryan waited a few more minutes for the trucks to roll out before he pitched sideways down the grassy embankment they’d taken cover behind. The terrain was muddy, covered in leaves. There were multiple cabins dotted through the woods as he made his way down to the lodge. Ryan moved fast, handgun at the ready, expecting trouble. He didn’t think for one moment they would leave anyone behind without someone watching over them.
It was quiet outside.
Only the sound of water lapping up against the shore and birds chirping.
Above the property was a huge sign that read: PREPARE TO MEET GOD.
Ryan listened intently and scanned the windows for movement. Nothing. No one.
He ascended three steps to a wraparound porch that led to two double wooden doors. It was unlocked. Ryan stuck his head in and listened again. No sound. It smelled musty inside, like a closet full of mothballs. As if it had been sitting unused for over a decade. The entire site had fallen into disrepair. State-run, they didn’t have the budget to shell out for renovations.
The sprawling lodge was weathered, with 1960s style wood panels and stucco ceilings.
At the far end of the hall, it opened up into a large dining area with cathedral ceilings, thick wooden rafters, and ceiling fans. There were multiple long tables covered with white sheets and chairs tucked beneath. There was a kitchen off to the right. Ryan checked the back of the lodge and discovered a dirty bathroom with shower stalls. The sleeping area was filled with bunk beds and there was more religious décor.
His walkie-talkie crackled. It was Josh.
“You found her?”
“No. She could be anywhere. There are cabins all over this lake. Any sign of the men?”
“Not yet.”
Ryan continued through another series of corridors until he entered a room that must have been converted into a church sanctuary. There was a large cross on the back wall with a crown of thorns over the top of it, and a piece of purple cloth twisted around it. He made his way down to a small podium, and a low step. There he found boxes with plexiglass on top. As he got closer he heard a rattling sound. “What the heck?” He peered through the glass to see it was filled with rattlesnakes. They had stacks of them.
He backed out, going into the corridor and making his way down to the next room. Inside there was a projector and a white screen on the back wall. It was turned on but wasn’t playing. He approached it and touched the play button.
Without sound, a black-and-white video began playing showing men and women hoisting rattlesnakes in the air, others dancing around while the same guy he’d seen earlier, the bald one, lifted a Bible, and held a microphone to his lips. Behind him, the same scripture he’d seen on the placard.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents.
Ryan couldn’t hear what was being said but he had a good sense of what was going on. He’d heard about these snake-handling churches. They weren’t as common as they were back in the day due to deaths and legal issues but they still existed. He watched as a child was brought to her knees and had venomous snakes placed around her neck. The kid was terrified but it didn’t stop them from continuing.
It was another level of crazy.
Ryan sniffed. It smelled like tobacco.
Out the corner of his eye, he caught sight of an ashtray. There was an almost burned-out cigarette perched on the edge.
Making his way out, he continued to check room after room. It was empty. Nothing but storage. Stacks of chairs, boxes, toys, and… he reached one door that was padlocked from the outside. All the other rooms were open. Ryan put his ear to the door. At first, he didn’t hear anything, then came a cough.
He stepped back from the door and considered shooting the lock but if there was anyone here that would only draw attention. He turned and went back down the corridor and pulled a red fire extinguisher off the wall. Moving quickly, he returned and struck the lock once, twice, four times with the bottom of it but that didn’t even put a dent in it.
“Ren?” he said.
“Ryan?”
“The key to the lock. You know where it is?”
“No. Please get me out of here.”
“I’m working on it.”
He raced back up the hallway and began checking each of the rooms. Just as he entered the main foyer where a large living room and fireplace was, he heard someone approaching.
“I swear I heard something.”
“It’s probably just them trying to get out.”
Ryan ducked
behind a doorway and waited as two men came into the lodge, out of breath. One of them was huge, overweight, T-shirt barely covering his bulbous gut. He wore jean dungarees over his white T-shirt. “The lock is still on, Jerry.”
“Go down and check it out while I get the keys.”
As the large one passed by the door he was tucked behind, Ryan got a waft of bad body odor. He peered out as the other, a thin rail of a man, went around a counter and took some keys off a hook where there were many for different rooms. He wore a baseball cap, a striped shirt, and pants that an old-timer might have worn.
The thought passed through his mind to choke him out while the other was distracted but that meant laying hands on them and he couldn’t tell if they were carriers of the pathogen. Killing them outright was the only other way. He had to do it once, back at the barn, but that was because he had no other choice. It was either that or Josh and Lily would have burned up. His actions felt justified. But killing two men for a set of keys?
He withdrew the handgun, preparing to do the unthinkable when the guy bellowed back. “It’s locked, Jerry. Nothing wrong.”
He heard the big fella rattle the padlock down the hallway.
The stringy fellow strode over. “You sure?”
“How many times do I have to tell you?”
He watched him return and place a set of keys down. Sweat trickled down Ryan’s face, his heart thumping hard at the thought of being seen. The two of them grumbled as they exited the lodge leaving him alone.
Not wasting any time, he dashed across the room and scooped up the keys, and made his way down. The ring which held the keys must have had upwards of forty keys. They were color-coded. Without knowing the codes he would have to try every single one.
“I’ve got the keys.”
“Please hurry,” Ren said.
He had managed to try eight different keys and was on the ninth when the walkie-talkie crackled. “Ryan. Ryan! Come in, Ryan.”
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Have you found her?”
“Yes, but I need a few more minutes.”
“You don’t have it. They’re back. Get out of there.”
