Worth Saving

by G. L. Snodgrass

  We started dancing again, going around in circles. His furrowed brow scrunched up and I could tell that he was getting worried.

  My heart was racing and I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my body making my hands shake and muscles tighten up. He stabbed again, his blade passing between my side and arm. I moved back trying to stay out of reach but he let out a vicious roar and grabbed my knife arm in an iron grip that threatened to tear it out of its socket. He held my arm and knife away while he tried to bring his weapon up in a castrating cut to my groin. I screamed and twisted away, dropping my knife while I wrenched my arm free.

  I heard the tinkle of metal hitting concrete and reacted without thinking by continuing my twist and throwing a round house kick to his knife hand. It worked, I couldn’t believe I'd connected. Neither could Big Jake as his huge silver pig sticker flew through air and under a nearby car.

  Both of us stood there for a frozen second, gasping for air. A look of pure hate descended over his face as he brought his hands up and charged me. And now it was my turn to look death in the face. Before I could move, before I could think about moving, he had those two huge meaty hands around my neck and was starting to lift me off the floor. His thumbs searched for my wind pipes. As his fingers tried to meet in the back and bring everything into on small space.

  He brought me in close; I could feel his stinking breath on my cheeks as he squeezed with every bit of strength he had left.

  The world turned red as I fought to keep conscious. I tried to bring my hands up and break the grip but it was like trying to bend a baseball bat. There was absolutely no give. I couldn’t think, I don’t remember any thoughts flashing through my mind but the need for air. Without knowing I was going to, my hand dove into the front of my jeans. I could feel the redness turning to black. Praying it’d work I pulled my hand out and snapped my wrist, the blade of my father’s pocket knife flew open with a satisfying click.

  Big Jake heard the click and his eyes look startled, his hands frozen in place, the looming black held off long enough for me to bring my arm up and shove the blade into the side of his throat.

  Warm, wet blood spurted across my arm. His eyes opened as big as coffee cups as he grunted with the blow. I held it there twisting it, trying to drive the point in as far as I could. All the hate and pain flowed through me and into that piece of sharpened metal. Air rushed into my lungs as the hands started to release. I kept pressing the knife into him, not daring to stop.

  His hands dropped away and he fell to his knees, with my dad’s old Buck master pocket knife sticking out of his neck. He looked up at me with a confused daze expression that reminded me of the first man I’d shot with that arrow all those months ago. Why was it that these guys never anticipated their own death?

  I bent and held my knees as I tried to breathe again. Air never tasted so good. That sweet clean taste that made me feel like I might live again. Big Jake toppled to the side, his eyes wide open looking into nothingness as the blood stopped burbling from his throat.

  A faint gasp made me turn. Claire stood at the bottom of the ramp to the next floor her hands covering her mouth in shock. She looked between the body and me then squealed and ran up the ramp. Sliding to a stop she looked me over from foot to the top of my head, obviously looking for wounds.

  “Where are you hurt?” she demanded before running her hands over my shoulders and chest. She kept shaking her head, not believing that I wasn’t hurt. Suddenly she started shacking and big tears began rolling down her face. “You’re okay, you’re alright,” she said and stopped herself from fainting by grabbing my arms. I wrapped her up and held on. I knew this was what I wanted for the rest of my life.

  “I love you Claire, I’ll always love you.” I said, feeling like I could fall through the floor if she didn’t feel the same way back. I held my breath waiting. I could feel her tense in my arms and then lean back and look at me. Her eyes searched mine, then a smile lit up her face as she reached up and started kissing my cheeks and lips, mumbling something about me taking so long.

  We stood there next to the body for several minutes, holding onto each other. Suddenly three loud clicks broke through our cocoon of bliss. I turned and saw three men holding pistols pointed directly at us. I immediately stepped in front of Claire, who let out a huff and stepped to my side. No way was she going to let me face this alone. It upset me the way she never let me protect her.

  “Well, well, what do we have here?” The middle man said with a creepy smile on his face.

  “You two, move away” the smallest guy said, waving his gun for us to step away from the body. We both took several steps and watched their shock when they saw Big Jake lying there with my father’s knife sticking out of his neck. I was looking for an exit, could I figure out some way out of this. I had to get Claire away, we’d come so close.

  I looked at the men as they stared at Jake, I noticed that the farthest man was Dan. The man who’d held me at the camp fire that night. He looked happy as he stepped back behind the other men and said, “We’re going to leave them alone guys, they killed him fair and square, I don’t know about you, but this changes everything.” I noticed that his gun was now covering the two other men.

  They turned and saw what he was doing, they obviously couldn’t believe it, both of them started stuttering and mumbling when he indicated they should holster the guns. “It’s not worth it, not anymore,” he said, shaking his head.

  They looked back at us and then at Danny, both of them thought better of it and shrugging their shoulders they holstered their guns.

  “Hell, he weren’t my brother or anything. Come on Jimmy lets head back to the compound; they’re going to be interested in this news.” The little guy said and started walking down the ramp. The other man hesitated like he didn’t know what to do, but came to the same conclusion and started after his friend.

  Dan continued to hold the gun on them and watched them walk out the far door. He relaxed when they cleared the doorway and walked out of sight. He looked at me then at Claire and finally at the body on the ground next to us. Shaking his head he said. “You are something else, kid.” To Claire he said, “Don’t let him go, there won’t be another come along like him for quite some time.” He looked all around him then turned and walked out, following his companions.

  Claire smiled like she’d found a pot full of gold, looked at me and slipped her arm around my waist for a tight hug. I knew exactly how she felt.

  .o0o.

  Day 2162

  Claire’s Diary

  Ellen is doing great, we are all doing great.

  Life is real good, we’ve built a new home on the top of the department store across from our old home. Kris and the boys plan to remove all the rubble and build a home on the ground level. He works so hard every day. But I think we’re going to make it, several people have asked to join us and there is talk of fencing off part of the park and start growing our own food.

  That’s not the only thing we are going to grow. I haven’t told him yet, but Big Jake was wrong, women can still have babies. I just confirmed it with a home pregnancy test. Our children are going to be so lucky to have Kris for a father.

  The End

  Author's Afterword

  "No man is an Island" wrote John Donne almost four hundred years ago. I believe truer words were never written. Even we writers are touched by so many others.

  This book would not have been written without the love and support of my wonderful wife Shelley. She is the center of my world around which my family revolves.

  I would be remiss without thanking my children. They make me proud every day. Keith, Caitlin, Andrea, Dylan. Parts of each of you are in this book. Thank you for letting me see the world through your eyes. I would also like to thank Ms. Diane Coleman, one of my first readers. Thank you for the honest feedback. A man never had a better mother-in-law. I now know where my wife gets her awesomeness.

  I want to thank my own mother Shirley Baker. Although s
he wasn't involved in the creation of this book. She did have a significant impact in the creation of this author. A fact that I am ever grateful for. Her ability to tell a story, to entertain, and to see the amazing in an everyday world was always wonderful and only exceeded by the love she gave so freely to myself and my sisters.

  A very special thank you to my critique partners. Anya Munroe, Eryn Carpenter, Kristy Rose, and John Pelkey. Being accepted by this group has become a turning point in my life. Their knowledge, caring support, and willingness to work hard has been awe inspiring and so important that I am sure I would never have finished this book without them. Thanks guys.

  I hope you liked this book. If you would like to know more about upcoming releases please feel free to visit my Blog at http://glsnodgrass.blogspot.com or email me at GarySnodgrass04@gmail.com. Again thank you.

  I have included a preview of CERTAIN RULES. Please let me know what you think. CERTAIN RULES can be obtained at most E-retailers.

  Certain Rules

  Chapter One

  Scott

  There are certain unwritten rules in high school. High on the list, close to the top, is one that says. ‘Thou shalt not have sex with your best friend’s girl’. - A simple rule, understood by all. - Danny Carrs totally ignored it.

  Another rule even higher on the list says: ‘Thou shalt not beat the crap out of the star quarterback two days before the play-off game.’ I sort of ignored that one. I figured it made us even. Needless to say, the jerks at school didn’t see it my way.

  They thought they were going to get to me with the silent treatment. The ice cold stares and turned backs were nothing. They hadn’t grown up with my grandfather. Their weak attempts didn’t get to me. What killed me, a bone deep death, was the laughter and snickering behind me wherever I went.

  Scott James, The largest guy on campus, star left tackle, destined for the front line of Nebraska University was a cuckold. Couldn’t keep a woman satisfied so she had to go somewhere else.

  “Steroids man, it kills it.” A high pitched freshman voice whispered.

  A stupid sophomore girl fresh from P.E. laughed and said. “You know I heard they used him for the model when they made Shrek, only they had to tone it down for the movie, it scared all the kids.”

  “I hear he’s so dumb he didn’t know how,” was heard repeatedly.

  The fact that she hadn’t ever let me try made it worse.

  I’d caught best bud, Danny Carrs and the love of my life, Miss Gina Woods, in his room the previous afternoon. She had her legs strait up in the air with Danny between them, pumping away like a locomotive going uphill. There are some sights that burn their way into your brain and you’ll never get ‘em out.

  I’d come to Danny’s to borrow a chemistry book; the world knew he’d never need it. The boy hadn’t cracked a book in the nine years I knew him. He had his head banging music going full bore and never heard me knock. I stepped in, the room smelt like old socks and Ben Gay ointment. Gina screamed, Danny cursed, jumped up, and held out his hands as if to say, ‘it’s not what you think man’.

  Unfortunately it was exactly what I thought man, I saw red and swung.

  I’ve got to give him credit, he didn’t stay down. Not a very a smart move. But then Danny wasn’t a renowned genius.

  He’s your typical Greek god. – Brown curly hair and green eyes, six-one, hundred eighty. I’m more your Norse variety with black hair and the beginning of a straggly red beard. I had him by three inches and seventy pounds; All of it pure muscle from a lifetime of slinging hay bales and four years of banging into fellow giants on the gridiron. Danny on the other hand made Justin Beiber look like an ugly slug.

  He jumped up and threw a quick jab. His fist hit me square in the jaw and I heard the bones in his hand crack with a sickening snap. The boy had never learned how to throw a punch. I’d been doing his fighting for him since fourth grade, both on and off the football field. But he tried. I smiled and returned the favor with a left to the eye and a right to the ribs. He crumbled like a sack of potatoes dropped from the roof.

  And with that the red rage left me to be replaced by a deep burning hurt. How could they do this to me? What did I do? I hadn’t felt this kind of gut wrenching loss since my parents were killed seven years earlier.

  Gina knelt on the bed in all her naked glory, hiding behind a too small pillow. This was not how I anticipated seeing her naked for the first time. Long black hair messed up in the ultimate bed head and white porcelain skin that looked purer than a fresh January snow.

  Her head swiveled back and forth between Danny and me as if watching a tennis match. Her mouth open in shock and her eyes clouded in confusion. Slowly awareness started to return and her eyes turned to fire. She screamed and jumped off the bed to cradle Danny’s head in her lap. “What have you done you giant oaf?” she yelled as if everything was my fault. She forgot about me and returned to brushing the hair from his eyes.

  I so wanted to come back with a witty retort, a small pithy saying that would put her in her place. Something that would go down in history as the smartest thing a guy in my situation ever said. If not that, at least something to take away the pain. Or better, something to hurt her as much as she’d hurt me.

  I had nothing. Nada. I stood there, my knuckles screaming, gob smacked with realty. No nothing. I never had anything when it came to talking to girls. Maybe this is why I ended up in situations like this.

  My fists clenched, I hated her so much. She’d ruined everything.

  I felt like a worthless piece of crap. The red rage started to return. One of the few things I’m proud of that night is the fact that I somehow got myself under control. Letting out a big sigh I turned and stomped out.

  It had become hard to see, everything had gotten all misty. I made my way out of there and to my truck and home to the farm. My sister Mattie looked up as I stormed in, yelling that I wasn’t hungry. It probably raised a few red flags. I hadn’t missed a meal since I’d had my tonsils out at age three. They gave me space. They could see something was wrong and left me alone. Grandfather even did my chores for me without giving me a ration of crap about it. He’d get me later I was sure.

  The next morning at school was interesting to say the least. The hallway full of students parted like the red sea before Moses. That sweet aroma of floor wax and teenage hormones washed over me as I walked down the canyon feeling every pointed barb and hateful glare.

  Of course everyone knew what happened, or at least some twisted version. To them I had become the monster who ruined their chance at shared glory. Taken any chance of a state championship out of the realm of possibility. The beast of the night, too big and too dumb to know what I’d done.

  They didn’t realize the half of it and just how close I came to losing it. I could feel the anger building in me like a raging forest fire. My heart raced, and my muscles were tighter than a drum. I wanted to hit something, hard. Desperately needed to crush something. Anything to make this pain go away.

  I'd thought she cared. She’d been my first steady girlfriend. She'd approached me first for Christ’s sake. Coming up to me at last summer’s quarry party. Acting like I was something important. Staring at me through those long lashes, making feel like I was special. It'd all been a scam to get close to Danny. I could see it now. She’d always wanted to know what he was up to, who he was seeing.

  It was Gina that announced our couple hood on Facebook after two dates to the movies. She was the one who said I love you first. It was her that said she was saving her virginity until marriage. A fact that I could reluctantly accept. I’d have done anything to make her happy. People treated me differently because of her. If Gina Woods was my girlfriend I must be pretty special, almost normal.

  And my best friend Danny, the bastard. We’d gone to war together on the field. I protected his back and he shared his fame and glory. What had I done to them? Where did I screw up?

  I found myself sitting in Mrs. Hollis AP History class wonder
ing how the hell I got there. A quick glance at the clock said we only had a couple of minutes left. Earth to Scott, get your shit together boy, it’s going to be a long day and you’re going to need to focus.

  A short beep over the intercom made everybody jump and look at the speaker on the wall.

  “Mrs. Hollis, please send Scott James to my office, thank you,” a grumbly voice said. There weren’t any laughs, no snickers, not even a whoop whoop. Everybody knew what this was about and were hoping for the worst. A sea of gleeful smiles and hateful eyes watched me leave. Only Katie River seemed to be on my side. Her sorrowful eyes looked like she was watching a puppy being taken to the execution chamber.

  One out of twenty five was more than I expected. The rest of them stared and remained silent as I gathered my stuff and headed out the door before the teacher could say a word. It’s not like I didn’t expect it.

  The hallways were as barren as an Arizona desert and my steps echoed off the lockers as I made my way to the Principal, Mr. Turner’s office. Would the cops be there? I could see it now. Being led out of the school in cuffs, hands behind my back. Everybody standing there cheering and yelling junk. Screw it, things couldn’t get worse.

  I glanced into Mr. Turner’s office and realized how wrong I could be. Grandfather sat in one of the chairs. My stomach dropped to the floor and I had a hard time swallowing. Crap, this had gotten so much worse. The thought of disappointing him made me break out in hives.

  Old battle axe Betty, the principal’s secretary and the center around which the school revolved nodded her head that I should go right in. Her eyes narrowed in scorn and I thought for sure I’d melt before I made it to the door. I gave a quick knock and entered.