by Steven Bird
“That explains all those times Momma swore some of her canned food went missing,” Tina surmised, making sense of it all. “For the first time in my life, I’m glad you’re weird,” she said, attempting to crack a smile.
Not seeing the humor in her statement, Frank turned to Jessie and said, “They put Shauna and the kids in an old van and sent it away with several other vehicles. There are still at least ten men searching the area, obviously looking for us. I don’t think we should leave here anytime soon. We can hole up in here as long as we need.”
“Is this place noticeable in the daylight?” Jessie asked.
“No,” Frank replied sharply. “I’ve taken great care with that, always alternating my steps to avoid wearing down a trail. I’ve also developed the blackberry briar maze around the entrance over the years to provide perfect camouflage. Even in the dead of winter, the briars are so thick, you can’t see the entrance at all. I also kept a cluster of loose briars handy to mask the entrance I cut into the brush after I entered. They won’t see a thing.”
“Oh, and I borrowed a handful of your .38 cartridges,” Jessie said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Please, take all you want. That old revolver I have in the box is out of timing. It sends as much lead to the sides as it does down the barrel when you shoot it. It’s as much of a hazard to the shooter as the intended target.”
“Thanks,” Jessie replied.
“Everyone should get some rest,” Frank insisted. “We aren’t going anywhere for a while and I’m getting sleepy,” he said, as he began unrolling a sleeping bag on the floor.
Pointing to the shelf where Jessie had found the ammunition, he added, “There are plenty of blankets over there for everyone.”
Doing as Frank had suggested, Tina pulled a blue comforter off the shelf and looked at him with a crooked smile. “I was wondering where this went. If I remember correctly, it disappeared off the clothesline about two years ago.”
“You’re welcome,” Frank replied as he laid his head back on a balled-up jacket he was using for a makeshift pillow.
Chapter Sixteen
Awakening to a pounding headache, Isaac attempted to open his eyes, only to feel pain and swelling in his face. Spitting out blood, he felt around with his tongue to find one of his front teeth was missing, and the other dangled loosely. A shockwave of pain shot straight into his skull when he felt the loose tooth with his tongue.
When he turned his head in an attempt to see his surroundings, he felt pain and stiffness all through his neck. “What the hell?” he mumbled, spitting blood once again.
Attempting to move, Isaac realized he was securely tied in a seated position. Peering out through one eye, he quickly realized he was tied to a large oak tree towering above him.
“It’s about time you woke up, old man. We thought we done gone and killed you,” a voice mocked as a figure appeared in the darkness.
“Who… who the hell are you?” Isaac asked.
“I’m the man who’ll knock you upside the head again, if you give me trouble like you did before,” the man said as he rubbed his jaw, indicating there was more to the story.
“Trouble? What… What happened? Where the hell is Billy? Where’s my horse?” Isaac mumbled through his swollen lips.
“In due time, old man. In due time. For now, you just sit back and enjoy your time on the Tree of Penance while you pay your dues.”
“Pay my dues? What the hell do you mean, pay my dues?”
“Don’t be stupid, old man,” the man said. “You came here and tried to turn us against our closest ally. You wanted us to help you kill our friends. I don’t think that was very neighborly of you. You ain’t done shit for us. You ain’t paid us no mind. Then, all of a sudden, you want us to turn on our own?”
“Friends? Aw, hell,” Isaac said. “I never knew your family to be in bed with the devil.”
“Devil? The McCulloughs ain’t no devils. Demons, maybe, but they ain’t no devils. Naw, you’re gonna meet the only devil around here. You’re gonna meet him yourself real soon,” the man smirked as he knelt down to Isaac’s level and smiled.
Recognizing the man through his rotten, toothless smile, Isaac said, “Willie Peterson. What the hell are you doing here? I didn’t know you ran with the Hofstadter boys.”
“Everyone needs friends these days, old man. That’s something you’re in need of right now. ‘Cause I can promise you, you ain’t got no friends around here. All you did was make enemies by ridin’ in and askin’ us to turn our backs on our friends.”
“So, who’s this devil you’re referring to?” Isaac asked.
“None other than Jacob Hofstadter.”
“Jacob?” Isaac repeated. “He’s got to be in his late thirties by now, right?”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” Willie replied. “And he’s cut from the same ol’ cloth as his granddaddy. He’s mean as a snake and didn’t take kindly to your offer. I’m not sure what he’s got planned for you and the boy, but it’ll be good. I can guarantee you that. Well, not good for you, but a good time for the rest of us,” he promised with a devious grin.
“The boy? Do you mean Billy?” Isaac asked with hope and concern in his voice. “Is he okay?”
“He was the last time I saw him. There are no guarantees around here, though. I’m surprised he’s not here on the tree with you. The tree is where all the sinners go to pay their penance.”
“Sinners? So, I’m the sinner just because I asked for help defending my friends?”
Changing the subject, Willie taunted, “Well, old man. You’d better get some rest. Some of our boys went to… um… lend your friends a hand. I’d say by morning, you may just be all alone in this world. And you’d better hope none of Jacob’s friends and family get hurt in the process because he’ll take it out on you and the boy. All things considered, I think this tree is gonna be watered with your blood before noon. It seems to get a growth spurt every time we feed it so.”
Laying his head back against the tree, Isaac felt an aching pain in his shoulders from having his arms pulled behind him with the ropes they had used to lash him to the tree. “Willie,” he implored. “Can you please loosen these ropes. My old joints can’t take this position much longer.”
“Now, Isaac,” Willie replied. “You must take me for a fool. That sort of offends me. Besides, the more you hurt tonight, maybe the less you’ll notice the pain that’s coming your way tomorrow.”
Patting Isaac on the cheek with his hand in a patronizing and disrespectful manner, Willie leaned in close and said, “Now, as I said, get some rest, old man. You’re gonna need it.”
As Willie turned to walk away, Isaac couldn’t help but think about what he’d said. What the hell did he mean, give my friends a hand? Is that what I think it means? Holy hell. Jessie, I sure hope you’re still out there fighting the good fight.
Looking up at the stars in the sky, Isaac thought about the prayers he had said over the years. He had prayed to God many times, but had he ever truly spoken to Him? He also thought about how, depending on your circumstances, you can see something differently than you did before.
He thought about all of those scripted prayers he had repeated, time and time again, yet never truly felt deep within his heart—until now.
He thought about one in particular, Psalm 23:4. Mumbling to himself, he said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Chuckling to himself, Isaac thought about a sermon he once heard, and how as a child, praying before falling asleep in his bed, the meaning of this Psalm would be to protect him from the monsters beneath his bed. Later in life, it would be understood asking for protection from the everyday dangers of the world around him. If he was lucky enough to make it to his eighties or nineties, being cared for on his death bed, it would be understood as a way to deal with the fear that would certainly come knowing you’re about to meet y
our inevitable end. But now, in this moment, Isaac truly felt as if he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and was truly facing pure, unfettered evil.
With resolve in his heart, Isaac said, “Lord, I know I’ve not been a perfect man. Nor was I a perfect husband. I hope you’re taking good care of her up there. Before I happened across Jessie, I had just about given up on life. Though I would’ve never taken my own life, I’d have done anything else to be up there with her. But now, I wanna hang on a little longer.
“Since Jessie came along, I’m seeing things again like I haven’t seen them for quite some time. There are good people out there still. Good people like the folks at the Williams farm, and good people like Jessie, who are willing to risk their own necks to protect others during their times of need.
“If that’s what You see fit to do with me as well, please keep me safe and keep me in one piece so that I can do Your bidding. With nothing to lose except my earthly life, I may as well use it to help others. Take me when You see fit, but use me up before you do. Let’s not let an ounce of potential effort go to waste. I’ve got a few more miles left in me, and I’ll burn those miles however You see fit.
“And Lord, I know I may be a little late in asking this, but if You could, please look after the Williams family. I can see that although Jessie isn’t an openly religious man, he’s a good man, and You are using him as Your sword and shield for the few good people who remain around here. That is clear to me now. Please be with him while he follows Your will.
“And Lord, thank you for every smile you’ve ever given me. Thank you for the food I’ve been blessed with throughout my life and thank you for my love. I miss her dearly, but without those sweet memories, my life would have been for naught. Thank you, Lord, for those blessings. I’ll repay You ten-fold if You keep me alive to do so.
“In Your name, I pray. Amen.”
Chapter Seventeen
Waking from a light sleep to the sound of voices, Jessie looked up to see Frank on the other side of the cellar by the overhead door. Gesturing for Jessie to remain silent, Frank listened intently to the voices that seemed to be far too close for comfort.
Slipping quietly across the room, Jessie joined Frank as he sat on the steps leading out of the cellar by the door.
With a whisper, Frank explained, “I think they’re leaving. This is the second time they’ve been in the area.”
“They definitely know we got away, then,” Jessie said quietly. “I was hoping they’d think we burned up with the house.”
Hearing Paul groan from across the room, Jessie rushed to his side as Allison lay cuddled next to him. Tina and Michelle both awoke as well. “Shhh,” he whispered, with his finger pressed to his lips. “They’re close.”
Letting out another groan, Paul opened his eyes, mumbled something unintelligible, and then drifted back out of consciousness.
“That’s a good sign,” Tina said, rubbing Allison on the back to help comfort her.
“Yeah, but I hope the good signs continue with as little sound as possible,” Jessie remarked.
“I think they’re gone,” Frank said softly when he joined the others. “I still think we need to lay low for a while longer before venturing out, though. We can’t risk getting caught and leading them back to Paul in his condition.”
“I’ll second that,” Jessie agreed.
“But… how long can we stay in here without going out?” Michelle asked. “I mean, um, there are things we may need to do that require a little more privacy than this cellar offers.”
“I’ve taken care of that,” Frank responded proudly.
With a curious look on her face, Tina asked, “How exactly have you done that?”
Walking over to the shelf on the back wall, Frank picked up a five-gallon plastic hardware store bucket.
“Oh, hell no,” Tina sternly objected, while placing her hands on her hips.
“You see, if you line this bucket with a garbage bag and fill it with kitty litter…”
“You’re kidding, right?” Tina asked. “Kitty litter?”
“I’ve also got a special porta-potty deodorant,” Frank added, reaching for something in a blue and white box on the shelf. “It’ll be fine. Besides, some things are more important than privacy. But for privacy, I have a curtain we can string across the room to help with that.”
Coming to Frank’s defense, Jessie said, “Ladies, I know this may not seem like the ideal situation, but Frank has really done his homework. We’re lucky he planned ahead like this. It’ll be fine. And considering the events of the past twenty-four hours, our restroom options are the least of our concerns.”
“You’re right,” admitted Tina, while the events leading to their arrival in the cellar once again, made it to the forefront of her mind. “I feel ridiculous worrying about such things.”
“Don’t feel ridiculous,” Jessie said in a reassuring tone while placing his hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes we focus on the little things when facing a traumatizing event. It can be a valuable defense mechanism that keeps us going.”
Sitting down on the wooden bench, Tina put her face in her hands and put her elbows on her knees, while she replayed the events of the preceding twenty-four hours. With the assumed losses of Mike and her father, as well as the unknown and now doubtful status of her brother Billy, Tina’s family had taken quite a hit. And with Shauna and the kids in the hands of the McCulloughs, what good outcome could possibly be in their future?
After an hour of quiet as everyone silently reflected on their situation, Paul mumbled, “Jonah. No… No… No, Jonah…”
Kneeling beside him, Allison whispered, “Shhhhh. It’s okay, honey. It’s okay. Jonah isn’t here.”
Opening his eyes, Paul looked around in confusion. “Where… Where are we?” Then, with excitement in his voice, he cried, “Jonah! Watch out for Jonah!”
“Jonah is dead,” Allison insisted. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
“Where are we?” Paul asked, in an attempt to regain his bearings.
“We’re in an old cellar on the back of the farm,” Tina responded. “It’s a long story, but Frank basically saved us and turned this place into a refuge for us.”
“It’s my bunker,” Frank announced from across the room.
Smiling, Paul said, “Well, Frank, nicely done. I take back everything I ever said about you.”
With Frank’s facial expression turning from pride to contempt, Frank mumbled, “Said about me? What did you say about me?”
Chuckling, Paul explained, “It’s a joke, man. I was joking.” Looking at Allison, he said, “Damn, my head hurts. Am I okay?”
“You’ve got a hell of a lump on the back of your head,” she replied. “It’s a good thing you’re built like a caveman or he could have bashed your brains in.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what he meant to do,” Paul replied. “I still see spots and it hurts to focus my eyes. It’s like my head is gonna explode.”
“I’d be amazed if you didn’t have a concussion,” Tina added. “You’ll probably need a day or two before you feel like yourself again.”
In a moment of clarity, Paul looked around the room and asked, “Where are the others? Are they still at the house? What happened?”
Paul could see in Tina’s eyes, there was plenty of bad news to go around. Looking to Allison and then Jessie, he insisted, “So, let me have it. Where are the others?”
“Here’s the gist of what went down,” Jessie began to explain. “It appears our plan backfired. The Hofstadters were in cahoots with the McCulloughs.”
“Oh, no,” Paul groaned.
“Yeah, exactly. Worst case scenario for our plan,” Jessie conceded. “Evidently, when Billy and Isaac visited them with our offer, they only took us up on it, or pretended to rather, to act as a Trojan horse, getting on the inside to facilitate an easy takeover. Jonah must have walloped you, taking out our rear guard, and then proceeded to the house to join up with Levi and Sam.
Sam must have done the same with Mike, who he was standing guard with up front. We’ve not seen any sign of Mike, so we can only assume at this point.
“Sam attempted to take me out in the house while I slept. Sam, Jonah, and Levi never made it out of the house. According to Frank, Shauna and the kids were taken away in an old, green Ford van by the McCulloughs.”
“What about Archie?”
“We can only assume,” Jessie replied, trying not to say the words.
Laying his head back on his pillow, Paul swore, “Damn.”
“Yep,” Jessie concurred. “We took a hell of a blow last night.”
“If Billy and Isaac did make it to the Hofstadter place, but the Hofstadters were working with the McCullough clan, what do you think happened to Billy and Isaac?” Paul pondered.
“I aim to find that out,” Jessie declared, with certainty in his voice. “Once we can begin to move outside the cellar, I plan on making my way to the Hofstadter place and doing a little recon. I have to know, one way or another. Isaac didn’t leave me for dead, and I won’t leave him behind either. If he and Billy are still alive, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“I’ll go with you,” Paul insisted.
“No, you stay here with them. They’ll need you once you’re feeling more like yourself again. Besides, this is just a recon mission I’m considering, not an assault. I’ve been moving discreetly on my own for a long time now. I stand a better chance of getting in close alone than I do with someone else tagging along.”
“He’s right,” Allison agreed. “We need you here.”
“If I find them,” Jessie assured them, “I’ll return, and we’ll go from there. Once we know what we’re dealing with, and once we know who we still have on our side, we’ll make a plan to go after Shauna and the kids.”
“Forgive me for being pessimistic, but your plans haven’t worked out for us very well so far,” Paul said matter-of-factly.
