by Sasha Cain
The man pulled a gun, stopping Darrios cold. He put his hands up. Where in the hell had he gotten that? Guns were few and far between in Celio, and the Ruffians certainly didn’t have the means to own them. He must’ve stolen it.
The ruffian smiled. He was missing at least three teeth and the ones he did have were rotted with decay. “Now, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to step away from my wagon,” he said smugly.
Darrios heard a faint whistling noise, right before the arrow came protruding out of the ruffian’s chest. Darrios jumped back as the dead man fell face first into the dirt. His companions all ducked, glancing wildly around for the shooter. Evan did the same.
Maniacal laughter sounded off in the brush behind the ruffians. Darrios relaxed. He glanced at Evan. Evan met his gaze, knowingly. Crouching down, Darrios took the gun from the dead ruffian. He called out, “Loon? Is that you?”
More laughter. A stocky man wearing camouflage and a crazy grin appeared from the brush, bow in hand, poised and ready to fire again. “Howdja know buddy?” he asked. He nodded at Evan. “Evan.”
Evan gave Loon a tense smile and a half-hearted wave. Darrios handed Evan the gun. “Watch them,” he said gesturing to the remaining three ruffians.
“Jesus, Loon, will ya point that thing somewhere else before you accidentally kill me?”
Loon lowered the bow and embraced Darrios. “If I killed you, it wouldn’t be an accident, you crazy son of a bitch.”
Darrios laughed. Evan shook his head.
“His name is Loon and he calls you crazy,” Evan muttered.
“You looked a little surprised when this mook pulled that piece, Darrios.” Loon laughed. “You should’ve seen your face.”
“Yeah, I sure didn’t expect that,” Darrios admitted.
“What brings you out to these parts?” Loon asked him. “I heard you hooked up with some pretty little thing, got married, and settled down. Tell me it isn’t so.”
“ ’Fraid it is. My hunting days are behind me. Got a wife and a child, now. Gotta play it safe. Evan and me, we’re ranching now.”
Gesturing with his head toward Evan, Loon said, “I always knew he’d quit, but you? I never thought I’d see the day. And you married? Damn, maybe the apocalypse is upon us.”
Rolling his eyes, Evan cleared his throat. “Uh, can we forego this happy little reunion for now and address the issue at hand? What are we gonna do with this little band of assholes?”
“Oh, I got this,” Loon said, pulling a rope from his belt.
He began wrapping it around the ruffians, securing their hands and feet. “I’ve been tracking them for a couple of weeks. The family of the man who originally owned that gun isn’t very happy with this group. They robbed him, shot him with his own gun, and left him for the viocomen and scabras.” He tossed the end of the rope to Darrios. “Tie that off, will ya?”
Darrios knotted the rope. These prisoners weren’t going anywhere.
“They paid me a lot of money to find you,” he said to the woman, tapping her nose. She jerked away defiantly. Loon laughed.
“What are you going to do with them?” Evan asked.
“He still the conscience of the operation?” Loon asked Darrios, ignoring Evan’s question.
Darrios chuckled. Loon and Evan had never gotten along, but he was a fellow hunter and he’d saved Darrios’s life on more than one occasion. Mainly because he was completely crazy and feared nothing. A good man to have your back, but a dangerous man to follow.
“Loon,” Evan said more firmly. “What are you going to do with them?”
“Actually, Mr. Morality, “I was hoping we could toss ’em up on your wagon and take ’em on to Brick’s Place. I have a guy meeting me there from the Council.
The woman whimpered.
“Yeah that’s right, you murderous bitch. You’re going before the Council,” Loon said.
“I’m stunned,” Evan said. “You’re not into playing judge and jury anymore?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Loon answered. “Of course I am, but I’m more into money. The family paid to have him delivered to the Council so that’s what I’ll do. When the price is right, I’ll do just about anything.”
“There’s a newsflash,” Evan muttered.
“Actually, we’re heading to Brick’s Place anyway, so we’d be happy to help you with your prisoners,” Darrios offered.
“Woohoo, Evan, I’m shocked. Your old lady let you off your leash to let you play with the big boys?”
“Darrios, put a muzzle on your buddy, here, or I’m gonna kick his ass.”
“C’mon, Loon,” Darrios said.
“Well everyone knows he’s pu—”
“That’s it!” Evan shouted, advancing on Loon.
Darrios stepped between the two men. “Can we please focus? We need to be fighting alongside one another, not against each other.”
Placing his hands on his hips, Evan stood staring daggers at Loon for a minute or two. Loon stared back, grinning like the village idiot.
“Argh!” Evan growled. “Darrios is right. We shouldn’t fight among ourselves.”
He offered his hand. Loon took it. They shook hands quickly.
“Even if you are a first-class asshole,” Evan added.
“And you’re still whipped,” Loon sang out, ducking out of the way as Evan reached for him.
“Enough,” Darrios barked. “Let’s stop fucking around and get moving. I’d like to get home before dark.”
They hoisted their prisoners onto the wagon then continued on to Brick’s Place. Luckily, the viocomen and scabras left them alone. The scent of that many humans together probably kept them away. Darrios told Loon about the goings on at the prison. Loon eagerly offered his assistance.
“In fact, once we get to Brick’s, I’ll bet you’ll get a shitload of volunteers,” he said, laughing. “Hell, I’m betting some of those guys did time there. They’ll love the chance to go after that piece of shit warden. Abusing young women. What a sick son of a bitch.”
****
Brick’s Place hadn’t changed a bit since the last time Darrios had been there. The smell of sweat, smoke, and rotting wood hit him full force as soon as he stepped onto the porch. The seasoned wooden bar was still warped and uneven. None of the stools matched. If you were someone looking to go unnoticed, the dark, smoky atmosphere was perfect. The hard-packed dirt floor gave away all the years of hunters and cowboys pacing over it.
The bartender turned around when the men came through the door. He smiled broadly as he dried his hands on a dirty towel.
“I’ll be damned. Darrios Derosa, as I live and breathe. And is that really Evan Wilson with you? Holy shit.”
“Hey Brick, how have you been?” Darrios asked, shaking the man’s hand.
“Can’t complain. What brings you boys out this way? We heard ya’ll retired.”
“We’re ranching, now, Brick,” Evan said. “The money’s good and it’s considerably safer.”
“Don’tcha get bored?”
“I wish. Definitely not lately,” Evan muttered.
“Can we talk openly in here?” Darrios asked, glancing around.
“Sure, Darrios. Nothin’s changed around here. We don’t let no spooks in here. We got each other’s backs in these parts.”
Darrios assumed that’s why the Council member who was meeting Loon had been waiting outside instead of in the bar. He had taken the prisoners into custody and made a hasty exit.
Darrios pulled out his knife, banging it on the bar to get everyone’s attention. The whole bar quieted, then upon recognizing Darrios and Evan, began cheering. Darrios waved his arms trying to shush them. They willingly gave him their attention.
“Excuse me, fellas. I’m sorry to interrupt your good time, but we have a situation that needs addressing. I thought maybe some of you might be interested in joining up for this cause.”
“How much?” somebody yelled.
Darrios held up his hands. “Just hear m
e out. Anybody familiar with Midland Prison?”
Several murmurs and mutterings sounded within the crowd.
“How about the warden, Guarros?”
Louder, less flattering words and phrases travelled through the room.
“Good, so you do know that corrupt motherfucker. Due to some recent information Evan and I have obtained about his activities, we want to take him out.”
A man Darrios didn’t know stepped forward. “I hate that son of a bitch as much as the next guy, but taking out a prison official? Sounds mighty risky.”
Darrios turned to Brick. “Is he kidding?”
“I think when he says ‘risky,’ he’s talking about consequences from the Council.”
“If we can’t get him into the hands of the Council, it’ll have to be an accident...with lots of witnesses.”
Another man came forward. “I don’t care what the risks are. That piece of shit made my life hell for two and a half years. Count me in.”
A few others expressed similar thoughts. Darrios eyed the first man curiously. “How long you been a hunter?”
“Just under two years.”
“Do you like killing monsters?”
“More than anything.”
“Are you good at it?”
The man hiked up his chin defiantly. “I’m one of the best.”
Darrios chuckled. Brick cleared his throat.
“Ah, Sam, didn’t you hear me earlier? This is Darrios Derosa. Nobody’s better than he is.”
“Was,” Darrios corrected with a smile. “Sam, is it? Aren’t you wondering even a little, why we’re going after the warden?”
The rest of the bar became silent again.
Sam swallowed, suddenly self-conscious knowing the company he was in. “Why?”
“He’s skimming money from the funding, and he’s abusing young women, sexually.”
Multiple gasps sounded out throughout the bar, leading to grumblings, and finally loud outbursts demanding Guarros’s death. Darrios stood on a stool and whistled.
“Hey, hey, calm down, everyone. We need to do this the right way, not like some half-assed vigilante mob.” He had their attention again. “We have a plan in place. We strike one week from tomorrow.”
Sam extended his hand to Darrios. “I’d like to be a part of your team, Darrios. I got into this business to make the world a better place. To get rid of the monsters. As far as I’m concerned, any man, especially one in a position of power, who abuses those weaker than himself is every bit as much of a monster as any scabra, viocomen, or molterg.”
Darrios grasped Sam’s hand, as the rest of the bar broke out into cheers. Darrios and Evan spent the next couple of hours making diagrams, strategizing, and assigning duties. They all agreed to meet at a specific point outside the gate well before noon. Eighteen men had volunteered. If they all showed, the plan just might work.
****
Darrios held Maggie in his arms. He kissed her forehead.
“I can’t believe you have to go back there tomorrow, and again next week. That warden is being unreasonable,” Maggie said.
“It’s no big deal. I screwed up on the order. I have to make it right.”
“I think you’re being far too generous with him.”
He slid down so he was face to face with her, a devilish grin on his face. “Hmmm. How about we see how generous I can be with you?”
He dove under the covers causing Maggie to squeal with delight.
Later, with Maggie in his arms again, spent after their love-making, Darrios sighed contentedly. He hadn’t told Maggie about their plans. He saw no point in worrying her and he knew she’d be against it. He had no intention of arguing with her about it or changing the plan. This had to be done. Guarros had to go.
“How’s Brendan?” Maggie asked.
“He’s fine.”
“Is he any closer to finding anything?”
“As a matter of fact he is. He talked to a guy that gave him quite a lot of information. Brendan seems to think we can wind this up pretty soon.”
“God, I hope so. I worry about him every day.”
“He’s not a little kid anymore, Maggie. He can hold his own.”
“But he’s still my baby brother and I’m allowed to be concerned.”
“I’m not gonna let anything happen to him,” Darrios promised, praying it was one he could keep.
****
Darrios finished his letter just as Evan came through the door. He’d come to the farm early to get things ready to go.
“The wagon’s ready. I had Jerric load the smaller one. Good thinking, huh?”
“Yeah. Dragging that big one from Midland to Inland two days in a row would’ve killed me.”
“Let’s do this.”
They boarded the wagon and started their second trek to Midland in less than twenty-four hours. Both Darrios and Evan stayed quiet during the first leg of the journey.
Finally, Evan asked, “So, what did you tell Maggie?”
“About?”
“All of it. Today, next week, her brother.”
“I told her Brendan’s fine and he thinks this will be over soon. As far as today goes, I stuck with the screwed-up order story, only I said I did it.”
“What if something goes bad next week, Darrios? Then what?”
Darrios shot his friend a glance. “Nothing will go bad. We’re gonna do this and everyone will be fine. Maggie and Sandra don’t need to know the details. They’ll only worry.”
“I agree. I just don’t want to be the one to have to explain to Maggie why you’re hurt.”
Darrios laughed. “Yeah, I’d worry more about that than facing Guarros and all of his men.”
Evan laughed along with him, pointing up ahead as they neared the passage to Midland. Darrios sighed.
“Here we go again,” he said, hopping off the wagon so he could signal the gatekeeper.
Burgess was working the gate. Raising his eyebrows, he said, “You two again?”
“Long story,” Evan said. “We needed to bring more meat as a cover so Darrios could get word to his brother-in-law.”
“Got it; the big sting operation.”
“Yeah, and if all goes as planned it should be over by next week,” Darrios said.
“Well, best of luck to you both. I hope you nail that sick bastard.”
“We will,” Evan and Darrios said in unison.
Burgess took the hoodlas’ reins, gently coaxing them to the small barn near the exit.
Evan picked up the yoke in front of the wagon and Darrios took the rear. The smaller wagon was much easier to move, so they could go faster.
“Darrios, do you think we’ll be able to keep the contract once this is over?”
“I don’t see why not. If this goes right, we won’t be implicated. The Council will be grateful we were in the right place at the right time to regain control of a potentially anarchic situation. Think positive.”
“Okay, I’m positive there is at least one, maybe two scabras around that bend up there.”
“I see them. There’s definitely two. What’s with that lately? They never used to band together.”
Without stopping, Darrios unsheathed his machete-like knife and set it on the wagon. Evan did the same with his weapons.
“Why don’t you have that gun Loon gave you?” Evan asked, exasperated.
“No need.”
“Really?”
“Jesus, Evan, I’ve been killing scabras with this knife for over ten years. I prefer it. Besides, I have a limited amount of ammunition and I’d rather save it for Guarros’s party next week.”
“Yeah, I guess that does make more sense.”
They stopped the wagon just before the bend, knowing the scabras wouldn’t be able to resist attacking. Strategy wasn’t really in their repertoire. Darrios climbed up onto the wagon. Evan moved around to the far side.
The monsters charged together, their teeth gnashing and their screechy roar piercing the quiet. Th
e matted down fur covering them smelled like musty, wet dog.
“Good lord, can’t someone teach them how to bathe?” Evan asked rhetorically.
Darrios grinned, giving Evan a sidelong glance. “No need. They’re gonna be dead.”
He leapt off the wagon, driving his knife into the chest of the larger scabra, drawing the attention of the smaller one. That move gave Evan an easy opening. He threw three knives, one after the other. The first one, buried itself in the scabra’s chest, the second one into its throat, and the third, right through his eye, but he probably never felt that one.
“We are just too good, ya know?” Darrios said, yanking his knife out of the dead scabra. He wiped it off on the fur of the beast and then snapped it back into its sheath.
Evan retrieved his knives, cleaning them off the same way. Evan took the back of the wagon. Darrios picked up the yoke. They heaved it forward, continuing on.
After a short while, they could see the prison up ahead. “Almost show time, Ev.”
Evan grunted. Darrios’s shoulder jerked as the wagon suddenly stopped.
“What the fuck, Evan?” He turned around, but didn’t see Evan. He did see the viocomen running toward the wagon. “Oh shit!”
Darrios dropped the yoke. Hopping onto the wagon, unsheathing his knife at the same time, he slid across the rail and off the back to find Evan crumpled on the ground, semiconscious, blood seeping from his forehead.
“Evan, c’mon, you gotta get up right now, buddy.”
Evan moaned. Darrios tried to help him, but Evan didn’t move. Darrios looked up at the viocomen closing in. Under his breath, he said, “You just had to mention that gun.”
He pulled two of Evan’s knives out of his jacket and stood up. When the viocomen got close enough, Darrios let one fly. It stuck in its shoulder. The creature dropped to its knees howling in pain. Evan threw the other one. The vile, hairless creature ducked and the knife sailed over its head.
The viocomen plucked the knife out of its shoulder like it was a piece of lint. Giving Darrios a menacing stare, it pounced. Darrios hadn’t expected such a quick recovery, so his reaction was a hair slower than it should’ve been. The creature charged before Darrios could raise his knife.