by Edwin Dasso
“Right! So, don’t bother trying.”
Hank grunted. “Then I’m staying with you.”
“And I guess there’s no chance I’ll talk you out of that, either, eh?” Jack asked.
“Nope.”
“All right. Let’s get to it.”
“Well, deja-frickin’-vu!” Hank groaned. “I guess you and I have done this before here, eh? We’ll just do it again…but let’s avoid what happened to you last time.”
Jack grunted. “Good idea.”
“What about me?” Amanda asked.
“I’ve only got two guns,” Hank replied. “Not exactly an arsenal for going up against an unknown enemy.” He reached down and pulled a Glock 43 from an ankle holster. “Here, Jack, you take this one.” He handed the gun to Jack then pointed at it. “There’s only seven rounds there, and I didn’t bring a spare clip—so shoot sparingly. By the way, there’s a round in the chamber, so be careful.”
Jack nodded. “Got it.”
“You didn’t bring my Colt?” Amanda complained.
“No! And even if I had, I wouldn’t give it to you. You’re going to stay hidden until your father and I come and get you.”
“Bullshit!”
“Language!” Hank put a hand on Amanda’s shoulder, but she immediately shook it off. “Amanda, you know we’re not going to let you go in harm’s way—”
“I’ve been in harm’s way before, Hank! Too often! I’m not some snot-nosed, little kid, so don’t treat me like one! I can handle myself.”
Jack put a hand on Amanda’s other shoulder and turned her toward him. “Not gonna happen, sweetie. You know I’d never willingly put you at risk. We’ll come get you as soon as we’re done.” He turned her toward the woods surrounding the camp. “Hank, give her your NVGs.”
“Good idea.”
Jack pushed gently on Amanda’s shoulders. “We’re going to find you a good place to hide in the woods, and you’re to stay there until we come get you. Understood?”
“No.”
“Well, do it anyway.”
“I’m not going to like it.” Amanda pouted.
“Didn’t think you would,” Jack replied.
39
Hank and Jack each stood on one side of the door of the shack where the sleeping quarters were when they had been here previously. They figured that’s likely where their captors would be at this hour. Hank gripped the pistol tighter in his sweaty palm.
“Ready?” he whispered.
“Yep.”
“Remember—you go in low and sweep your gun to the right.”
“I got it, Hank. On three?”
“One…two…three!”
Hank smashed his shoulder against the rotted plank door. The doorframe splintered, and the door flew open. He slapped at where he expected the light switch to be, illuminating the room, then dove to the floor. Jack thudded to the floor on the far side of the door. Hank looked up from where he lay, and his heart skipped a beat. Damn! This is not good.
Two men were crouched behind a desk on the far side of the room. They held AR-15 assault rifles resting on the desktop. The guns were aimed at Jack and Hank.
“I suggest you gentlemen drop your guns,” said one of the men behind the desk.
Hank’s gaze shot toward Jack, who was setting his pistol on the floor in front of him. Hank shook his head and blew out a long breath. No sense in fighting a battle we can’t win. He slowly set his gun on the floor and stretched his arms out.
The two men slowly stood, keeping their rifles pointed at Hank and Jack.
“On your feet! Arms held high!”
Jack and Hank followed directions. Jack glanced at Hank and cocked his head, as if he expected Hank to have some miracle plan to get them out of their predicament. Hank shrugged.
“Clear!” one of the men shouted over his shoulder. “You can come in now.”
A door in the rear of the room opened a crack, and a face appeared there. After a few seconds, the door creaked as it was pushed open, and Frederik Osher sauntered into the room, taking a position behind his goons. Frederik smirked at Jack and Hank.
“You two dumbasses really thought we wouldn’t have any perimeter alarms?” He laughed and shook his head. “What a couple of rubes.”
“Erik!” Jack shouted. “B-but…I was told I killed you.” Jack waved his arm around the room. “Right here in this camp.”
“You did—I was there,” Hank said.
Jack spun toward Hank, his mouth working but no words coming out. He waggled a finger at Frederik. “Hank…i-is he real?” He looked around the room. “Is any of this real…or just another nightmare?”
“Oh, he’s real all right…and I think we just learned who’s behind what’s been happening to you.” Hank turned his gaze back to Frederik. “You wanna fill us in, asshole?”
“My name is Frederik Osher. Erik was my twin brother.”
Hank smirked and cocked his head. “So…a little revenge, eh? Even though your brother was a scum-sucking piece of dung?”
Frederik raised his pistol and aimed it at Hank’s face. “Watch your mouth, tough guy. I’m the one with the gun”—he nodded toward each of his goons—“and the muscle.”
Hank rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah…”
“And Erik was my brother—someone I admired. So, show some respect!”
“Which means you either didn’t know what he was into here.” Hank arched an eyebrow and looked askew at Frederik. “Or you’re just like him.”
Frederik smiled wryly. “We were twins in every way…even thought the same way.” He waved an arm around. “I’m actually quite impressed with what he managed to do here.”
“That’s just great,” Hank said. “What a model family.”
Jack stepped forward, staring wide-eyed at Frederik. “What do you know about Janice? And Dick Olgent? I thought they were both dead, too, but I-I’ve seen them both recently. They were real…I’d swear to it!”
Frederik guffawed. “Do you know how easy it is to find starving actors who will do anything for the right amount of money?” He laughed and slapped his knee. “And I just have to say, I really enjoyed screwing with your head, Bass.” He snorted as he tried stifling a chuckle. “It was more entertaining than when I pulled wings off flies as a kid.” He pulled the hammer back on the pistol. “I’m really going to miss watching you go bonkers.”
“B-but why?”
“Like I said, you killed my twin brother.”
“I mean, why torture me mentally? Why not just kill me?”
Frederik put his hands on his hips and scowled at Jack. “Because that’s not how I roll. I needed you to suffer before I kill you. What better way to screw with a brainiac like you than to mess with your head?”
Jack arched an eyebrow and cocked his head like a confused dog, staring silently at Frederik.
“Enough of this crap!” He shoved at the shoulder of one of his men. “Go out front and check to make sure nobody else is out there…and see if Bass’ kid is still in the pit.” Frederik pointed his pistol at Hank and Jack. “I’m gonna take these two assholes out back and put bullets in their heads.”
He waved his pistol at Jack and Hank. “After you, gentlemen.”
“Promise me you’ll leave my daughter alone!”
Frederik chortled. “I’m not going to promise you a damned thing, Bass! Besides, you’ll be dead and never know if I do or not.”
Jack scowled and lunged at him, but a guard smashed the butt of his rifle into Jack’s head, knocking him to his knees.
“Do that again, and I’ll just shoot you right here,” Frederik said then backed through the door, holding the gun sighted on Jack’s chest. He waved them forward with his other hand. “C’mon—let’s get this over with.” He pointed at the far door with a finger and looked at his companion. “Go help your buddy do what I said. I’ll take care of these two clowns.”
Hank and Jack walked out of the building and shuffled toward the fence line. Hank shot const
ant glances in every direction, looking for some opportunity to escape. Dammit! There’s gotta be a way outta this! Sweat rolled down his forehead, and his heart pounded. But I ain’t seein’ it! They stopped at the barbed wire fence at the edge of the forest then turned slightly toward Frederik.
“Looks like we can’t go any farther,” Hank muttered and turned to look at Frederik.
“Turn back away from me!” Frederik screeched. “Then get on your knees—this spot will do just fine.”
Hank and Jack lowered slowly to their knees next to each other, Hank stealing quick glances over his shoulder at Frederik.
“You first, Bass.” Frederik chortled. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do this.”
The pistol barked, flame shooting out of the barrel and curling around the back of Jack’s neck. Jack flopped forward onto the cold, hard red clay. Hank’s breath caught as he stared down at his friend.
40
Jack lay on the ground. He had his eyes scrunched closed but slowly opened them and looked around. What the hell? His ear stung where the bullet had clipped it, and warm blood oozed down the side of his neck.
Frederik guffawed. “When I was a kid, my parents took me to a shrink because they caught me torturing the neighbor’s dog a few times.” He laughed again. “This is way better!”
Hank snapped his head around and scowled at Frederik. “You sadistic puke! If you’re going to kill us, just get it done.” He nodded at Jack. “You don’t need to torment us first.”
Frederik waggled the pistol at Hank. “Shut the hell up, tough guy! Your turn is coming!”
Hank gazed at Jack. “Sorry about this crap, Jack. I failed you…”
Jack nodded slowly. “Not your fault, Hank. I’m the one who got us into this.”
The sound of running footsteps came from behind Frederik. Jack turned his eyes slightly to see who was approaching, expecting one of the goons. Frederik began to turn, too, when a tree branch smashed into the side of his head so hard it knocked him forward onto Jack. Jack rolled and tossed Frederik’s limp body to the side. His gaze moved slowly from Frederik up to Amanda. She held the branch like a baseball bat, her lips pulled back in a snarl.
Jack smiled at her and blew out a long sigh. “Looks like the cavalry has arrived.”
Jack and Hank exchanged a quick glance, then Hank scrambled across the dirt to retrieve Frederik’s pistol.
Jack stood and brushed himself off then stepped in front of Amanda. “Why aren’t you in the woods where we left you?” he asked.
“Somebody’s got to watch out for you two.”
“What happened to staying out of harm’s way?”
She lowered the tree branch and winked at her father. “That’s a bit of a challenge for me—I’m your daughter.”
He stifled a laugh and pulled her into a hug. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Never mind, Dad. I’m just glad you and Hank are okay.”
Hank had ripped off Frederik’s jacket and was using it to fasten Frederik’s hands behind his back. He finished and turned to Amanda and Jack. “If you two are done with your little family spat, we’ve still got those other two clowns to take care of.”
Amanda and Jack looked at Hank then both nodded.
Hank turned to Jack. “I’m going to fire off a couple more rounds so they think Frederik has finished us off.”
“Good idea.”
Hank fired two quick rounds then grabbed Frederik’s collar, dragging him along as he ran in a crouch toward the door they’d just come out of. He waved his arm after himself. “C’mon, you two. Let’s go see if we can find my guns…maybe make this fight a little more even.”
41
They’d rummaged in an old desk in the shack where they’d been captured and found Hank’s two pistols. Added to the one he’d taken from Frederik, that gave each of them a weapon. Hank locked gazes with Amanda for a few seconds as he held a pistol in each hand then held one out to her. If she gets hurt, I’ll never forgive myself…or ever be able to look Jack in the eye.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this…”
Amanda snatched the Glock from his hand. “I’ll be fine. You know I know how to handle a gun.”
“This is different, Amanda! It’s not shooting at a stationary target. Trust me, it’s way different when your target is shooting back at you!” I know she’s been under fire before, but I worry she still suffers from the “invincibility of youth” attitude.
“I know, Hank. Been there…” Amanda responded.
He figured he’d hear that from her. “Every scenario is different. Stay behind cover and don’t get involved unless I signal you.”
“Got it.”
Hank stabbed a finger at her. “I mean it!”
“Uh huh.”
Hank blew out a long sigh and looked at Jack. “Jack, make her listen!”
Jack snorted. “Uh huh. It’s okay, Hank. I know my girl. She’ll be careful. Let’s just get this done.”
Amanda, Hank, and Jack crept to the positions Hank had selected for each of them. The locations would put Frederik’s henchmen, who stood at the edge of the pit, in a good crossfire. Hank peeked around the corner of the building to check on them. They were preoccupied with pulling Stone’s body out of the large hole in the ground. Hank raised his pistol, resting it against the rough, weathered planking of the shed, and took aim. He fired one shot, and the bullet kicked up a geyser of dirt near the feet of one of the men.
“Drop your guns or the next bullets are in your heads!”
The men glanced at each other then one of them shrugged and slowly raised his arms.
“Drop the gun!”
The man shook the pistol loose from his grip. His colleague squinted as he peered toward Hank and then dropped to a knee, pointing his gun in Hank’s direction.
“Jack, Amanda—one round from each of you at his feet!”
Two pistols roared almost simultaneously, and two more jets of dirt shot into the air near the men.
“You’re surrounded—I wouldn’t suggest getting any ideas!” Hank hollered.
The man looked down at the two pockmarks near his foot then slowly set his gun on the ground.
“Smart move. Now, both of you get face down on the ground and stretch your arms and legs as wide as you can!”
The men dropped as ordered, their gazes darting around to the buildings from where the shots had come.
“Amanda, Jack, cover me while I go secure them.”
Thirty minutes later, Hank had finished binding and securing his two captives to the crooked posts that barely propped up the porch roof of a rickety building. The floorboards creaked as Hank crossed to the door and stepped inside where Amanda and Jack were waiting. Amanda sat on a rusty, old folding metal chair on one side of the room, leaning it back against the warped planks that covered the wall. Jack stood, still as a statue, glaring down at Fredrik, who was unconscious and trussed to a desk chair. Blood caked his hair and dribbled down his neck. Hank walked over and stood next to Jack.
“I’d say it’s time to get some more details, wouldn’t you?”
Jack nodded once, still glowering at Frederik. Hank patted Frederik’s cheeks then shook him.
“Time to wake up!” He shook him again, harder. “C’mon…open your eyes! You owe us some answers.”
Frederik’s eyelids fluttered a few times, then he slowly raised his eyelids. He turned his face up, moving his gaze sluggishly from Jack to Hank, then snorted.
“Well…I guess things have taken a turn for the worse for me,” he croaked.
“I would agree,” Hank replied. “Before I call in the cops, though, you need to explain, in detail, why you’ve done what you have to Jack and Amanda.” He leaned down and put his face right in front of Frederik’s. “Then you’re going to apologize profusely.”
Frederik chuckled and shook his head. “You guys are a little slow on the uptake, I guess.” He turned his gaze to Hank. “It was simple revenge.” He nodded at Jack. �
��That jerk killed my brother, so he had to pay with his life.”
“Why all the mental torture then? Why not just shoot him?”
Frederik smirked at Hank and huffed. “Where would the fun be in that?”
Amanda vaulted from her seat, jumped across the room, then jabbed a finger at Frederik.
“I don’t get it. I saw you at school…giving that donation to Veterans with mental health issues! You do that and then you turn around and do this? Are you schizo or something?”
Frederik guffawed. “I promised that donation but never delivered it. The whole bit was a scam…just a ploy to get at you.” He smirked at Jack. “The plan was for me to kill you in front of your old man then toss him in the pit and let him dwell on that for a few days before I killed him.” He stuck his chin out and narrowed his eyes. “So he could see what it was like for me when I heard my twin was killed!”
Amanda growled and spun away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. “What a lowlife!”
Jack had remained quiet during the exchange. Hank turned to him, concerned when he noticed the distant look in Jack’s eyes.
Jack heard Frederik’s voice, but the words weren’t registering in Jack’s brain. Visions in his mind flashed between the current reality and the past when he’d been in this camp years back. When he’d killed Erik. Jack squinted as he stared at Frederik. Who are you? The present and the past swirled in a chaotic blend of images in Jack’s brain. Are you real? He poked a finger into Frederik’s shoulder. You feel real, but…how are you still alive? He glanced quickly around the room. Is this real? Jack tried to apply logic, but something blocked coherent thought. It doesn’t matter! He just needed to remove the threat to his loved ones. He dove at Frederik and wrapped his hands around Frederik’s throat, squeezing until Frederik’s breath came in shallow rasps.
“Why won’t you stay dead, Erik? You killed my wife and baby! You are evil, and the world would be a better place without you!”
