Category: Chapter 3

“Now I have to kill you two,” the Gunman said. The man with the gun busted out in laughter. “I’m just yanking your chain. I heard you scream while I was fishing. I thought you were in trouble, that’s a relief,” the Gunman said. He unscrewed the flashlight from his pistol, put his pistol in his pants and shuffled the flashlight from his left hand to his right. “I guess you two can stay. Wait, you two were in a car accident? Are you two hurt? The Gunman asked. I spit some blood onto the wooden floor.

“Sorry, that’s my bad. In my defense, I thought you were killing your sister,” the Gunman explained remorsefully. My sister scoffed and folded her arms in irritation.

“We were fine before you showed up and beat up my brother! You can’t just come into a situation without knowing what’s happening, and punching the first person you see,” Jamie said. The Gunman shrugged. He pointed his flashlight upwards under his chin, revealing the contours of his face.

“I’m American, sweetheart. That’s who we are. You broke into my place, without thinking about the consequences. You did wrong, I did wrong, let’s let bygones be bygones and call it truce?” The Gunman suggested. Jamie’s mouth flew open awestruck.

This isn’t your… okay let’s just put this behind us. I’m Jamie and that’s Andy,” Jamie said. I waved at him with a fake grin. He extended his hand downwards toward me. I reached up and grasped his hand, he pulled me with an iron grip.

“Ted. Are you hungry? Today was a good day by the lake. You guys like fish?” Ted asked. 

“No, but we are starving and could eat a family of possums raw right now. We’d appreciate it very much,” Jamie said.

“Stop being paranoid. I know you had one of the worst days of your life today. This is definitely the worst day of my life. I’m on edge, you’re on edge, let’s just take a breath,”Jamie said.

“I thought that’s what we are doing. Stay here, I’m going to close and lock the door. Maybe that will get me to breathe easier,” I said. 

“Good idea. We should’ve done that to begin with,” she said. I slowly rose to my feet and pointed my flashlight in front of me.

“Remember, if you see a big rat, don’t scream,” I said.

“I see you and don’t scream. I think that’s a good sign,“she responded.

“You’re hilarious. I think San Quentin has open mic nights. You’re gonna kill,” I snickered. 

“Asshole!” She yelled back.

I turned the flashlight back to the dusty abandoned cabin in front of me. Every step I took through the hallway made a crackling sound on the antique wood floor. Framed maps, photos of endangered species, and John Muir filled the hallway walls. Black mold and spider webs spread throughout the nooks and crannies of the interior. The door, propelled by the strong winds, opened and shut violently. A heavy gust of wind blew debris through the hallway, hitting my eyes. My eyeballs immediately revolted with stinging pain. In complete blindness, I rubbed my ocular cavities trying to rid them of the debris. I suddenly remembered my Dad telling me if I rubbed my orbs after something irritated them, I might make the damage worse. He told me to hold my eyes open instead and wait till the substance leaves my peepers. Peepers, that’s what the old generation called eyes.

“What’s taking you so long?” Jamie asked. My sister’s voice boomed through the echoey walls.

“Shhhh! I told you to keep your voice down. I got something in my eye, I’ll be right there,” I exclaimed. My vision slightly blurred as I turned my flashlight on. I pointed my lighted device toward the flimsy door. Partially blind, I clumsily made my way to the entrance. I put my hand on the fluttering door to stop it from moving, when suddenly I was struck in the rib cage. I collapsed to the floor from the blunt force. As I moaned in agony, a metallic clicking sound perked up my ears. I looked up into the barrel of a handgun with a flashlight rigged to the bottom.