Between Hell and El Paso by Derek Adams

Author:Derek Adams [Alchemy, Elemental]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

I needed a distraction and there was only one thing I could think of that would make me forget the disturbing turn my life had taken. I went to the rodeo, back to Charlie. If there was one person in my life who wasn’t crazy, he was the one. I sat in the stands, cheering Charlie on. I’d got a seat dead center, right behind where the event judges all sat keeping score. Charlie rode, even though I knew he was all bandaged up from the day before. Nobody would’ve known it from the way he handled that horse. He made it look as easy as anything that wild and crazy could possibly look. Right after the bareback riding events were over, I slipped out of my seat and made my way down to the participants’ private area. I wasn’t really sure where I’d find Charlie—if I could find him—but I figured I’d start at the infirmary. Maybe he’d be getting his ribs rewrapped after his ride. Just as I got to the door, an arm shot out, blocking my way.

“This here’s private,” a gruff voice barked.

“Hello, Jason.” He didn’t look any happier to see me this time than he’d been the day before. I didn’t know what his problem was, and I didn’t much care. I was there to see Charlie, not him. “Charlie told me to look him up the next time I came to the rodeo.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he did.” Jason folded his arms across his chest, giving me the distinct impression that he wasn’t planning to move anytime soon. “Charlie’s polite and he says a lot of nice things to people—even to people who don’t deserve the time of day. Get it?”

“I got no quarrel with you, Jason,” I said, my face flushing. “If Charlie don’t want to see me, he can tell me to my face.” I tried to slip around the man, but he didn’t budge.

“He’s not in there.” Jason’s eyes bored into me.

“Then I’d like to go in and ask somebody where I might find him.” I edged forward again and this time Jason planted a hand in the middle of my chest and shoved me, hard. The force of the move knocked me back against the opposite wall of the corridor. My head slammed against the solid concrete, my hat flew off, and I went down on my ass. I think I was out for a minute, because when I opened my eyes there were a couple of people standing around who hadn’t been there before. Jason loomed over me, his hands balled into fists.

“Get up,” he snarled, his eyes flashing fire. “Get up and get out. You’re not welcome here. I know what you do.” He kicked out, aiming for my crotch, but I managed to roll to the side and the toe of his boot connected with the back of my thigh instead. It hurt like hell. He kicked me again, the lower back this time, and I cried out.

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