by Frank Cereo
“Freddy Church give yourself up. You have nowhere to run to.” The lead agent yells into the darkness.
I don’t say a word and continue to run at full speed. Then I feel a hot burning sensation in my shoulder and I hear a shot fired. I fall down to the ground and then I slip off a steep incline. When I come to a stop, I can see I landed by the Owasco River. I look up to the top of the incline and the agents are not there yet. I look over and see I have been shot in my right shoulder. I then jump into the cold raging river for it’s my only means of escape. The current quickly carries me north towards the Seneca River. The water is so cold that it feels like spears jabbing all over my body. The current is so swift it carries me quickly past the agents. While floating in the current the cold water temperatures and blood loss, I quickly fade into unconsciousness.
Chapter 25 – The Chase
I am wakened by the sounds of dogs barking. I look up and see that I have washed up on the river bank. I try to focus on my whereabouts but I am delirious and mixed up. I try to get my bearings as I get to my feet. When I finally get to my feet my legs feel wobbly under my weight. I stagger a little but grab onto a tree for stability. I look at my shoulders and cold water has helped stop the bleeding. I look up at the sky and see the sun rising on the opposite side of the river. Now I know I am on the western side of the river. I am cold and wet but catch a break because the temperatures have warmed up during the night into the upper forties. Then I hear the dogs barking from a distance.
“Is it just a random dog or are they search dogs trying to pick up my scent?” I say
I know I have been in the water the entire time so there is no scent for them to follow me. I know I can’t stay in water because I will definitely die of hypothermia. I look around and see I’m in a gully where the river has dug down. Either way if I run alongside the river bed or take my chances climbing out of the ravine the dogs will pick up my scent.
“If stay down here they will definitely capture me. If I climb out I have a chance to get a ride or steal a car.” I say as I start climbing up the steep hill.
I use the trees and my good arm to climb up the steep incline. It’s a slow go but I need to make this happen. It takes about ten minutes to reach the top of the incline. When I reach the top the dogs barking are getting louder. When I get to the tree line there is a cleared corn field between me and the road. That is when I discover I am by Beech Tree Road. To my surprise the road is crowded with federal SUV’s, New York State Police cruisers and SUV’s, Cayuga County Sheriffs cruisers, and Auburn Police cruisers.
“What do they have the whole fucking country looking for me?” I ask myself.
I keep close to the trees but they only help a little with no leaves. The evergreens help the most but where I am there are only a few of them. I decide to walk just below the top of the ledge. Now I was walking north on uneven terrain with a bullet in my shoulder. Slowly I move at less than one mile per hour. I keep saying to myself that I finished my task at hand and anything that happens now is just fate. About thirty minutes into my run I know they are gaining on me. I look down towards the river bed and I can see the dogs and law enforcement officers. They are at the site where I exited the water. I can see the dogs are picking up my scent. I am only about a quarter mile ahead of them. I know I have to get into the open and make a run for it. This tells me my chances of escaping are dwindling. There has to be over one hundred law enforcement officers either on the river bed or on the road. Then one of the hounds starts barking out of control.
“I think old Hank picked up our perp’s scent.” An officer yells.
“Pick up the trail and go. Base we have picked up Freddy Church’s scent.” The lead officer says.
I climb up to the top of the hill again and start to run just inside the corn field. I know I am visible to all the cars parked on the road. I get about twenty feet when I see an old farm barn. I start to head towards it.
“Stop right there Fred Church.” An officer yells from the road.
“Halt right there Fred.” Another officer yells.
I disregard their requests as I run full speed towards the barn. Then I hear the dogs getting louder as they are cutting away at my lead. I look up and see the barn is about fifty yards away from me. I run as hard as I can while holding my hand against my wounded shoulder. I turn around and see two German Shepard’s come running out of the tree line. They are about one hundred yards behind me and gaining fast. I look up and see the barn is about thirty yards away. I turn and look up towards the road and there are fifty to sixty officers running towards me through the corn field.
“Fuck me, I figured it was going to end this way.” I say.
As I turn again I can see the dogs are only fifty yards behind me. They are gaining real fast as my shoulder starts to bleed again. I turn forward and see the door to the barn only ten yards in front of me. Then I hear a bullet whiz by my head and hit the wood in the barn. The gun shot follows and my heart is racing.
“Do not shoot. I gave no such order.” A male officer yells through a megaphone.
When I see the entrance to the barn I dive into the hay. I quickly get up and shut the doors behind me. I put a wooden two by four into the braces to hold the two big swinging doors shut. Within seconds I can hear the law enforcement officers and dogs surrounding the barn. I take a quick look around the barn to make sure there are no other doors or windows. I find an old rag sitting on a workbench. I unzip my coat and tear my shirt open. I apply pressure on the gun shot with the rag. I take a seat in hay and listen to the footsteps outside as they walk around the barn. I wait for the negotiator to start his plea. I know I don’t have anything to bargain with. They will give me an option to give myself up and then they will storm into the barn.
“Freddy Church, my name is Commander Ralph Fulton. The barn is surrounded and you have no means of escape. I will give you five minutes to give yourself up or were coming in with force. I don’t care how we take you in, it’s up to you. I don’t care if you’re alive or dead.” Ralph says from a distance.
I look at my watch and notice it stopped working from the water. I know I don’t want to be taken alive because I’m looking at a life sentence in prison or the dead penalty. I know the best way for this scenario to end is with death.
“Hi Ralph, thanks for the opportunity to give up but I’m going to have to pass on it. Tell your officers I have a handgun and knife and I will take some of you with me.” I say loud and clear so everyone can hear me.
“You now have four minutes.” Ralph says.
I sit back and pull out my knife and waterlogged cell phone. I know I lied to the police because I don’t have a gun. It was left in my bag at Pedro’s place. I look at the screen on the cell phone and notice there is a message. So I push the button to retrieve the message.
“I hope it works.” I say as I put the phone up my ear.
“Freddy where are you and what’s going through your mind.” The female voice says.
The message is distorted and hard to hear. The cell phone is flashing on and off and finally just shuts off. I throw the phone against the barn wall. It shatters into a hundred pieces. I can see the noise disturbs the law enforcement officers because I can hear guns cocking and safeties being released.
“Fuck you, you fucking bitch and fuck all of you.” I yell in a fit of rage towards the voice on my voicemail and the officers outside.
“Three minutes Freddy.” Ralph says.
I look around and see where I could defend myself the best. There on the back of the barn is a hay loft. I slowly walk over to the hay loft and start to climb the ladder. The hay loft is about fifteen feet up from the floor. I can see hundreds of bales of hay neatly stacked. I use my good arm to climb the ladder one rung at a time. Every time I go up one step I grimace in pain. When I reach the top I slide across the floor.
“Two minutes.” Ralph says.
I grab a few bales of hay and start to build a wall around me. I build them two high and
two deep to protect me from the bullet spray. By now my shirt is covered with blood because I cannot stop the bleeding.
“One minute Freddy.” Ralph says in a commanding voice.
That’s when I put my knife at my side. I back up and something pointed sticks into my ass. I push forward and find my second weapon, a pitchfork for hay. I pull the five foot pitchfork out from underneath the hay. It has three large forks on a four foot handle.
“Thirty seconds.” Ralph says.
I put the pitchfork down and wait for the onslaught. I know I am going to take as many of them with me. I am limited with my weaponry but this is how I am going out. I am going to fight to the death. Then I hear them scurrying around outside the barn. I know what’s coming so I take a deep breath anticipating what’s about to come through the barn door. Then I hear the cracking sound as the door is busted down. The officers come running in shooting aimlessly everywhere but where I am. It sounds like a war zone but I hold my position. The guns fire for over two minutes when it finally subsides.
“He isn’t in here?” a voice says from below.
“He is in there, he hasn’t come out.” Another voice says from the doorway.
I can hear them rummaging around below. I know it just a matter of time when they figure out where I am.
“Psst up there.” A voice whispers.
I hear the gun’s safeties release and that’s my sign. I jump to my feet with the pitchfork in hand. Before they can turn their guns at me I throw the pitchfork with all my strength. I hit a state trooper in the neck. It felt like the entire scene was played in slow motion. My next move was to pull my knife out from behind my belt. I didn’t even get a chance when three other law enforcement officers began to shoot at me. I felt a bullet penetrate my arm, another hit my leg, and yet another bullet hit the wounded shoulder and finally I felt a bullet hit me in the head. The next thing I feel is the floating sensation like I am high on drugs. Then I hit the floor and everything went black.
Chapter 26- The Dream
Then all of a sudden, I awaken in a hospital bed. I look around and see my wife sitting at my bed side. She has tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
“Where am I?” I ask.
“You’re in the hospital.” Susan replies.
All I know is I hurt all over. I see my hands are all bandaged and there are numerous bandages all over my body.
“How long have I been out?” I ask.
“You have been in a coma for over two weeks.” Susan replies as she squeezes my hand.
I sit in the hospital bed and I’m a little confused. I don’t know what is transpiring here. I know I was shot at least four more times after the initial shot. One bullet even penetrated my head and the fall alone should have killed me. Using my instincts I reach up towards my head to feel where the bullet went into my head. With the bandages on my hands it’s hard to feel but there are more bandages on my head. That at least tells me I am not dreaming.
“Where are the police?” I ask Susan.
“They are outside the door waiting to question you.” Susan replies.
“What time is it?” I ask.
“It’s about seven in the evening and its Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas honey” Susan responds with a smile.
“Merry Christmas.” I respond in a confused tone.
“Are you hungry?” Susan asks.
“Yeah I’m starved.” I respond.
“I’ll be right back. I’ll get you something from the cafeteria. Anything in particular you are craving?” Susan asks as she gets up and walks towards the door.
“No anything will do.” I reply
Susan walks out and I gaze out the window. I can see it’s snowing as I notice my left hand. I question myself, why am I not handcuffed to the bed. I am a fugitive that killed about twenty-six people in all. There is something wrong here and I’m not understanding the complete story. Then I try to sit up but I am dizzy. That must be from the concussion I sustained when the bullet hit my head or when my head hit the floor. It must be a miracle that I am still alive or maybe it’s only a dream. Susan finally returns with a turkey sandwich and a cup of chicken noodle soup. She puts the tray in front of me and I start to eat. I feel a little queasy but I manage to eat everything Susan brought me.
“I need to ask you a question?” I ask while drinking some water.
“What’s that honey?” Susan responds as she takes the cup out of my hand.
“Why are you here? I though you left me?” I ask inquisitively.
“Oh I am sorry about that letter. I didn’t mean to write it. I was totally pissed off at you and I let my emotions get away from me.” Susan replies.
“What are you kidding me? Do you know what that letter did to me?” I ask with a puzzled look on my face.
Susan backs offs and I can see she is scared. I am about to get out of the bed and strangle her. I just went on a murder spree all across the eastern sea board because of everything I had I thought I lost. I shake my head and roll over on my side. About an hour later Susan comes back over to the bed. She puts her hand on my hand.
“I’m sorry that letter upset you. I know you had a traumatic experience. That beating you took at work was death-defying. I really thought you were a goner. I didn’t think you would ever come out of the coma.” Susan replies with tears in her eyes.
I roll over and look Susan in the eyes.
“Are you telling me I have been in the hospital for two weeks after the beating I took from my co-workers?” I reply with a concerned look on my face.
“You have been here for two weeks. There were times I thought you were coming out of it and you submerged back into the coma.” Susan responds while rubbing my hand.
“You were asking me to come back and you were asking me where I was.” I say like I am asking a question.
“Yes, so you did hear me.” Susan replies followed by a hug.
That explains the phone calls I was receiving. I was dreaming the whole time and my imagination was playing tricks on me. I was totally relieved that this entire nightmare was just my imagination running away with me. In return I hug Susan back as we cry together.
“What about the kids?” I ask
“They are fine, they are at my sister’s house.” Susan replies.
Over the next couple of days I answered all the police questions and a week later I was sent home. All the furniture was back in place and kids were glad to see me. We celebrated New Year’s Eve like it was Christmas Eve. Susan cooked a roast beef with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. I was relieved to know that I wasn’t a murderer. The kids go to bed just after midnight and I sit on the couch and have a glass of champagne with my wife.
“You want to get lucky tonight?” Susan asks.
“Yes I would.” I reply as we both retire to the bedroom.
Chapter 27 – Reality Check
Then all of a sudden, I wake up tied to a gurney. There are three men in the room with me and I have an IV in my arm. Then the gurney is stood up and I see an audience on the other side of the window. I can see my wife sitting there with her hands over her face. I also see Becca standing in the back of the room. Everything going through my mind is very confusing. Standing in the corner I see Winnie Minor with a ten year old boy. There are all kinds of officials and men in uniform standing and sitting.
“What’s going on here?” I yell in hysterics.
“Freddy Church you have been found guilty in court of your peers on twenty-six counts of murder in the first degree. You have been sentenced to death by the means of lethal injection.” The warden says.
“What are you talking about? That was all a dream? I didn’t kill anyone. Susan please help me.” I yell and scream like a raving lunatic.
“Do you have anything you would like to say before your sentence is carried out?” The warden asks.
Then everything comes back to me. I can see on my arm a bullet wound that I suffered in the barn. I look into the window where the audience is and I ca
n see in my reflection where the bullet grazed my head. All the memories inside the courtroom come back to me. The dream that kept concurring over and over was the one with Susan on how nothing really happened. I really wanted to believe that it was a dream and every night in prison I dreamt it over and over again. I then realize, I was that murderous psychopath and I was getting what I deserved.
“Oh god no please don’t fucking kill me. They all deserved to die. They fucked up my entire life and they needed to pay for it. Please hear me out I’m not crazy.” I yell frantically.
As I am talking I can see the warden wave his hand. I look to my right and see the liquid begin to empty out of the three cylinders. I try to fight aimlessly to get loose but the straps are too tight. The sound of the liquid pumping out of the cylinders is so eerie.
“Please don’t kill me. I’m sorry for what I have done.” I say as I can feel a burning sensation in my arm.
I fight with all my strength to stay awake. It’s very hard to keep my eyes open but I can’t because I feel my will is fading away. I look out into the audience and see Susan crying. Becca is wiping a tear from her eyes. Winnie has her hand covering the boy’s eyes and she is turning away. All the elected officials and uniformed officers look on with intrigue.
“Fuck all of you. I was living the American dream and you took it all away. The government is corrupt and the people are corrupt. I hope someday they take everything away from you. We shall see how you act when your back is against the wall.” I say as I can feel the chemical mixing into my system.
“So long asshole.” I hear one of the guards in the back of the room whisper.
That was the last thing I heard. Slowly my senses faded away. I couldn’t hear or talk and soon my vision went black. Then my heart stopped and my life was over.
