Gifts and Consequences by Coleman Daniel

Author:Coleman, Daniel [Coleman, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-02-19T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

The southern Utah sun was comfortable on Allen’s skin when he started walking. It was the only upside of the laborious trek. Before long temperatures were in the nineties, and he carried only a water bottle and cane. The GPS watch Jonathan had given him tempted him, but looking at it wouldn’t do any good, just make him more nervous about falling behind schedule when there was nothing to be done about it.

Walking without bending his ankle made that pain tolerable. The pain in his ribs was minimal if he leaned slightly to one side as he walked. The cast kept his hand stable, but when he swung it with his stride it throbbed, so he held it close to his side.

I probably look like Quasimodo, he thought. But he felt like Job. Let’s just hope it turns out as good for me as it did for Job.

The physical pain was bearable, thanks to a heavy dose of Oxycodone, but the uncertainty of every step was agony. All the hours planning, the hotel reservations, the meals he’d arranged to have delivered—all as useless as wet drywall.

Yet he continued to shuffle step through the red dessert.

“One step at a time. That’s all I can do.”

The decision to keep walking without even taking a day or two to re-plan the details surprised even Allen. It was the right decision; he just couldn’t believe he’d made it. His pace was drastically slower, but he could put in extra time each day. Within a couple weeks he’d get back to his goal pace. Until then, he had long days to look forward to.

When the Yukon reappeared, pulling to a stop a short distance in front of him, Allen checked his watch—five point one miles so far. He climbed into the air-conditioned SUV. A mid-thirties man with light brown skin, faint freckles, and a strong jaw sat in the back seat with him. He was well-dressed in a black blazer and dark blue slacks. Three days of beard growth looked plain fashionable on him. His most striking feature, however, was the rust-colored hair that matched his light freckles.

Jonathan handed Allen a grape Gatorade, bottled water and a Subway sandwich. By way of introduction he said, “Oscar has some good news for you.”

The newcomer offered his hand, and with a heavy Irish accent said, “How d’ya do?” The Batman symbol was tattooed on his wrist.

“I’ve been better,” said Allen.

“You’ll be glad to hear I met your friends, George and Spider. They said they’re very sorry for the rude treatment. So sorry in fact that they’ve decided to turn themselves in to the authorities. Gave them a ride meself, I did. They wanted you to have this back.” He gestured to the back of the car.

Allen turned gingerly to look behind him and saw his backpack, shoes, and belt.

Oscar patted Jonathan’s shoulder and commented, “That George was as big as Bane, and Spider was as goofy as the Riddler. It was a pleasure draggin’ that pair in.

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