The Scarring by D.E.L. Connor

Author:D.E.L. Connor [Connor, D.E.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Published: 2014-07-14T00:00:00+00:00

AS WE WALKED OUT of the trees back to the head-banger pickup, we paused to look back towards where we left our beloved animals. Charlie raised his head and roared as he slapped his right fist over his heart and raised his hand to the sky. He looked at Bets; she raised her head and growled and hit her fist to her chest and stood there with her hand to the sky next to Charlie. Ollie howled, Jack whooped, and I shrieked until we were all standing there with our hands raised to the sky. We looked around at each other. “Lilly,” we all screamed. Then “Arion.” From the darkness of the trees we heard the whinny of a mustang at the same time as we heard Eros, Hercules, Zephyr, and Electra answer us back.

As we drove back, we discussed what to do about the poachers’ bodies. We finally decided to leave them. When, and if, anyone ever found them, it would look like wild animals had killed them. It was highly unlikely they would be found before the scavengers found them. They were deep in the mountains where there were no trails, and even on horseback, it was hard to get around in there. Bets didn’t like that we left them there to rot, but none of us could think of a better solution without causing problems with the animals. We also agreed to not tell anyone about the bodies, not even Archie. No one could know our secret. We had to protect the animals and ourselves. Bets, of course, had the last word. She told us, “No killing goes unpunished. We will pay for this. I hope you are worth everything we have done for you, Emme.” I stared out the window. I didn’t bother to try and answer her. It wouldn’t do any good. It was just another excuse for Bets to hate me and wish I had died instead of Lilly.

It was noon when we pulled up to our vehicles. Charlie asked all of us to come to Archie’s house for lunch. I got in the car with Ollie as Jack backed the Bugatti down the driveway. Bets was in the head-banger pickup with Charlie. We drove to Archie’s house. Archie stepped out on the porch and waved to us. As I opened the door, I smelled hamburgers on the grill. Suddenly, I was starved. We sat down at the picnic table outside by Archie’s house. Archie walked over and hugged Charlie. Then he grabbed each one of us and hugged us. Archie plopped the platter of hamburgers in front of us and we grabbed them. It was quiet as we all ate quickly. Archie looked around at us. “Gee, you guys must have been starving! You are never this quiet.” When we finished eating, we sat at the table telling Archie about having to move the animals. As we had agreed, we did not tell him about the poachers or the battle. If we told him, he would be a part of the killing.

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