Gathering Home by JEFF MOTES

Author:JEFF MOTES
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-08-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 32

Will

The Hilton Residence

Day 10

I tear the wrapper on an energy bar and give it to Lizzy along with my water bottle. She takes it and bites a piece off.

“Thanks.”

“Will,” Pastor Ezell says, “the Hiltons live on a little dirt road that spurs off Split Road. We’ll check there first.”

He looks at Lizzy, who’s sitting cross-legged on the floor of the trailer nibbling on the energy bar.

His tone is soft. “Lizzy, are you all right?”

“I’m all right. I’m not going to think about it right now.”

Lizzy is a strong person. I still haven’t gotten the previous encounter with the Hiltons out of my mind.

“What you did was a brave thing,” Pastor Ezell says. “When you need somebody to talk to, I’ll help you.”

James veers off on Split Road where it “Ys” from the highway. Split Road is a heavily traveled dirt road. It’s wide, almost as wide as the highway. We pass a couple of folks walking along the road who give us surprised looks as we pass by. A little further and we turn right on a much smaller dirt road. Not long afterward, we turn on a logging road to the right, and James and Maze guide the 4-wheelers into the trees. They kill the engines, and we all get off.

“The Hiltons live about a half mile further down the road back there,” Pastor Ezell says. “We’re going to approach the rest of the way on foot, through the trees. We need to be as quiet as we can so they won’t know we’re coming. All talking must be at whispers. We’ll make more plans depending on what we see when we get there. Deek, you and Lizzy stay here with the 4-wheelers. If we need you, we’ll call. The same goes for you. Any questions?”

“I’m good,” I respond. The others nod their agreement.

“Men, I appreciate what each of you are doing to help Amy Wright. Make no mistake, this could be dangerous. Shots will be fired, and there is a possibility one of us could be hit. Do you each have a med kit on you?”

The men don’t say anything as they reflect on what is before them. Pastor Ezell is right. This is going to be dangerous. People are going to die. I place my hand on my trauma kit, feeling for the CAT tourniquet. It’s in place just like it’s supposed to be.

Lizzy slips her hand into mine. “Be careful, Will.”

I pull her close. “I will, Lizzy.”

The men perform a radio check, but I don’t have my radio. Mr. Wright ran the batteries down last night, and I didn’t have a chance to recharge it.

We start for the woods across the road. Pastor Ezell is in the lead with Maze in the number two spot. I follow behind Maze about five yards, and James Harris brings up the rear. These men silently glide through the trees, their stealth skills every bit as good as those of my friends in Repose. We soon approach the tree line at Roy Hilton’s house.

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