by E. E. Borton
“He was friends with both of them,” said Joey. “Real close to Kelly. Don’t get me wrong, I always thought he was an asshole, but I don’t see how he could do that to them. They liked him.”
“He sat at my table, ate my food, and drank my whiskey,” said Perry, “on more than one occasion. I don’t know why he’d want to hurt them?”
“Well, you can ask him shortly,” I said. “Remember, he survives. We need to have a chat with him.”
“I certainly will,” said Perry. “Anybody have a plan of attack?”
“I do,” I said.
“Kinda funny, ain’t it,” said Tucker, looking at Joey.
“What’s funny?”
“Two days ago, you and I would’ve been rolling around in a tussle trying to kill each other,” said Tucker, grinning. “Now, we’re gonna be killing for each other.”
It took me a few hours to move into position. I spent the rest of the day in the creek bed behind the cabin, waiting for dusk. I was close enough to hear them talking. When their voices got louder, mixing with laughter, I knew the booze was starting to flow around the campfire.
We were all glad to see the clouds moving in before the sun set. It would eliminate any light from the moon or the millions of bright stars. When darkness settled over us, I rose out of the creek, crawling to the back of the outhouse. The order was set when he came around the corner of the cabin. I verified that it wasn’t Scott.
Hearing the door shut on the outhouse, I pulled my knife. When it opened a few minutes later, I slammed it into the side of his neck while he finished buttoning his pants. With my hand over his mouth, I pulled him back into the darkness. Nine became eight.
The first kill was the signal to the shooters up on the ridge who could see everything happening around me. When I took out number nine, they’d each choose a target around the fire. After I pulled the dead coward out of sight, I moved up to a window on the back side of the cabin. Peering through, I saw number eight sleeping. The unlocked door beside the window sealed his fate. Eight became seven as I wiped the blood off my knife with his sheet.
There was only one lantern burning inside the cabin. When I put it out, the countdown started. I had five seconds to get into position and draw my guns.
Seven, six, and five never heard their death coming, but I’m sure the remaining four saw it arrive. They became witnesses as the heads exploded from the high velocity rounds coming down from the ridge. Perry, Joey, and Tucker hit their marks.
J.D.’s primary task was to put a bullet in Scott’s leg, eliminating the possibility of him running into the woods to escape his destiny. At dusk he was to move down off the ridge, crawling as close to the campfire as possible. I was confident he would complete the task. When he did, he was to open fire and kill anything else that moved.
As we expected, four, three, and two bolted for the cover of the cabin. I had removed that as an option, kneeling in the dark, waiting for the door to fly open. Even if Scott managed to get to his feet with a bullet in his leg, there was a mistake he never knew he made. He was the only coward not wearing a hat.
When four’s hat was silhouetted against the firelight behind him as he came through the door, I put two rounds into his face. He dropped, revealing number three behind him. Two rounds from each of my pistols drilled into his chest, changing his speed and direction dramatically. Three became two.
Waiting for two, I heard moaning coming from the direction of the campfire. I had a strong feeling J.D. was successful. He was also successful in turning two into one when I heard him yell it was all clear. As I stepped over number two’s body at the bottom of the porch stairs, I held a steady aim on Scott. He was writhing in agony, holding his knee.
“You were that close?” I asked, turning to see J.D. standing thirty feet from the fire.
“Yep,” replied J.D. “Nearly got pissed on twice waitin’ for you. I used my pistol to put him down. My rifle would’ve taken that leg clean off. Wouldn’t want him bleeding out too quick.”
“Did you hear that, Scott?” I said, standing over him, kicking away a shotgun. “He saved your life. You’re not going to be happy about that when Perry and Joey get down here.”
“Who the fuck are you?” asked Scott, rocking in pain on the ground.
“I’m the guy delivering a message,” I said, grabbing his hands and tying them behind his back. “You’ll know who it’s from when I give it to you.”
Rolling him over on his side, I put my knee across his neck. I made sure he saw the knife before I pushed his head into the ground to keep him from jerking. When I pierced the skin on the side of his face, I made sure to hit bone before I dragged it down to his chin.
Chapter 48
Demon
His screams echoed off the valley walls as he tried to kick away from the pain. It took a fair amount of restrain not to continue carving down across his neck. I had plans for Scott. They didn’t include a quick death. It didn’t matter how much he begged us.
J.D. was collecting weapons and ammunition, throwing them into a pile near the fire. They had very little food but plenty of decent whiskey. Taking over two chairs, he handed me a bottle as we waited for the others. Scott was staring at us, crying.
“He doesn’t look like much of a demon,” said J.D., hoisting the bottle.
“I prefer to call them cowards,” I said. “Demon makes them sound powerful. Does this guy look powerful to you?”
“He does not,” replied J.D.
“They all end up like this,” I said. “At least ones I’ve come across. When they’re attacking defenseless women or stealing from the weak, they usually jump around beating their chests, thinking they’re invincible. Do you feel invincible right now, Scott?”
Silence.
“Well, from where I’m sitting, you don’t. You just look like a scared piece of shit who’s about to die a horrible death. Come on, buddy. Say something to us. Tell us what a badass you are. Tell us the details about how you brutalized and raped the women we care about. Tell us how strong and powerful you are for killing a little girl by burning her to death.”
“This will get him talking,” said J.D., standing and pouring whiskey into the large open wound on his face.
“Stings, doesn’t it?” I said after he stopped screaming.
“Get him to his feet,” said Perry, coming out of the woods with Joey and Tucker. “Cut those ropes off of him.”
The two men grabbed Scott under his arms, pulling him up. Tucker sliced through the rope, freeing his hands. He didn’t try and fight, balancing himself on one leg. They stepped away from him. Perry stepped toward him.
“Look me in the eyes, boy,” said Perry.
Scott raised his head, wiping away the blood and tears. His lips were pressed together as he breathed heavy through his nose. It was time for the show to begin.
“Why?” asked Perry. “River was your friend. How could you hurt her? How could you beat her like that after all the kindness our family showed you? Kindness I showed you. How could you do that to her?”
“You need to answer to him,” said J.D. “You’re gonna die here, son. Ain’t no gettin’ around that, but you need to help that man understand why you did those things to his people.”
“Answers don’t matter now,” said Scott. “All that matters is that I get what I deserve.”
Perry landed a punch, sending Scott into a backflip. We could hear the bones snapping in his face. I thought he killed him.
“Get him up!” said Perry, rubbing his knuckles.
Tucker and Joey lifted him up again, but he couldn’t stand on his own. In the low light of the fire and shadows, I could see his nose pinned to the side of his face. He wasn’t breathing through that thing anymore.
“You wanna play games with me, kid?” asked Perry, lining him up for another blast.
“I’m sorry,” said Scott, trying to open his eyes.
“You’re sorry? For which part? The part where you raped my daughter or the part wher
e you murdered my grandbaby!”
Another crushing blow followed his question. Tucker and Joey held on to him, not allowing him a break between blows. I was glad to see he was still conscious when Perry stopped.
“He was going to kill them if we didn’t,” said Scott, recovering enough to speak.
“What the hell are you talking about?” asked Perry.
“I want to die by your hands,” said Scott, spitting out teeth and blood. “Not his.”
“Whose hands?”
“Pastor Jenkins,” whispered Scott, fading.
“Don’t worry about that,” said Perry. “It’ll be my hands that kill you. If he were here, he’d be beating you to death, too. I can’t forgive you for what you did and neither would he.”
“Forgive me?” said Scott, managing a laugh. “You have no idea, do you?”
“Let me shoot this asshole,” said Joey.
“I’m ready to pay for my sins,” said Scott. “I just hope you make him pay for his. He’s your demon. He’s the one who raped them first. I swear to you Mr. Perry, I never would’ve touched her if he didn’t make me.”
“Now I am going to shoot him,” said Joey, pulling a pistol and holding it to his head.
“Hold on, Joey,” I said, standing and pushing the gun away. “You’re telling us Pastor Jenkins was there when you and your boys raped Kelly and River?”
“I know I’m gonna die here,” said Scott. “I got no reason to lie. I welcome the end of this.”
“Answer my fucking question.”
“He wasn’t just there; I’m telling you, he was the first to rape them after we beat them down. When he finished his business, he made me go next on River. Then he gave everyone else there a turn while he watched. He ordered us to do it or they’d kill our families.”
“Who’s they?” I asked.
“He’s got twenty or so men at his church that’ll do it,” answered Scott. “They’d do anything he told them to do. They think he’s God’s messenger. He’s got my momma, daddy, and little brother with him at that compound. If I didn’t do what he says, he’d kill them. He’d kill all of them.”
“He raped Kelly?”
“Yes, sir,” said Scott, turning to look at me. “She was the first woman he wanted. River was next. There are two other women in town he took, but they kept quiet.”
“He attacked four women?” asked J.D.
“It’s more than four,” replied Scott. “He’s got a graveyard near the church we use to bury the bodies. They were all strangers passing through or looking for help. We’d take them from the road and bring them to him. He’d kill the men outright and use up the women. He’d kill them after. There’s got to be a dozen bodies in those graves.”
“You’re not seriously believing this crap, are you?” said Perry, looking at me. “He’d say anything to save his own ass.”
“I’m telling you the truth, Mr. Perry,” said Scott. “I can’t do this no more. I never hurt anybody before he took my folks and made me. I know I’m going to hell, but it would be a better place than staying here. I don’t want to save my ass. I need you to kill me, Mr. Perry. It’s gotta be you.”
“It will be.”
“I’m so sorry about your granddaughter,” said Scott. “I didn’t set that fire, but I didn’t try to stop it either. I didn’t go get them out. I just stood there scared, like a coward. Just like that man says. I’m a coward.”
“Do you know why he didn’t kill Kelly or River?” I asked, hoping for an answer that would help me believe.
“Yes,” said Scott. “He told me that night. He said it was sweeter, them not knowing it was him that did it. He said every time he got near them, it was like living the moment over and over again in his head. Every time he hugged or touched them, he thought about, you know, his stuff being inside them. He was laughing when he said he hoped they weren’t on the pill. He’s waiting to find out. I’m telling you the truth, he’s a goddamned monster.”
“Don’t believe him,” said Joey. “How do we know he isn’t the one who buried those bodies? How do we know he isn’t the one that went first, making up all this shit about the preacher? He could’ve done it all.”
Joey had a point, but it was weak. Looking into Scott’s eyes, I knew he was telling the truth. I needed to find a way to convince Perry.
“Do you believe him?” I asked, looking over at J.D., trying to find that way.
“I don’t know,” answered J.D. “I’m not a fan of the pastor, but I don’t know if he’s capable of the things this asshole is saying.”
“I believe him,” said Tucker. “I believe every word. I think a man will tell the truth knowing he’s gonna die anyway. You know, clear the guilt before he meets his maker.”
Thank you, Tucker. You just gave me what I needed.
I walked in front of Scott, standing between him and Perry. Pulling one of my pistols, I cleared it except for one round. I told Joey to step away.
“Where are those bodies?” I asked.
“Pastor has a house next to the church,” said Scott. “There’s a path at the edge of the woods in his backyard. At the end of the path there’s an open field. Most of the bodies are buried in the northeast corner. The freshest are buried in the northwest.”
“Perry, do you believe him?” I asked, turning around.
“No, I don’t,” said Perry. “It ain’t possible. It just ain’t. Rick is a good man. He’s got a few quirks, but who doesn’t? No, it ain’t possible. No way he hurt River or Kelly.”
I handed him the gun with only one round in the chamber. After whispering to him out of earshot from the others, I walked away. Regardless of the outcome, Scott was Perry’s to kill.
“Look me in the eyes,” said Perry, lifting up Scott’s head. “Can you stand on your own?”
“I think so.”
“Tucker, let him go and stand over there with your brother,” said Perry. “Go on now.”
Tucker complied as Perry handed Scott the gun. As soon as he did, Joey raised his. I pushed it back down. It was the only way for Perry to know the truth.
“If these are lies to save your ass, then it worked,” said Perry. “I ain’t gonna kill you.”
“Dad!” said Joey, taking a step forward.
“He’ll be okay,” I said, stopping him. “He knows what he’s doing.”
“I’ll carry you on my back to Doc so he can patch you up,” said Perry. “That leg shot and cut on your face won’t be the end of you. You’ll survive. After that, I’ll make sure nobody hurts you, and you’ll stay in my home until you heal. Then you’ll be free to go. You have my word. And you know I always keep my word. Do you understand what I’m saying to you, son? I ain’t gonna kill you if you’re lying about Pastor Jenkins.”
“I understand,” said Scott.
“If you’re telling me the truth about him,” said Perry, “and if you’re telling me the truth you want this to end, then you gotta do it yourself. I’ll believe you then, Scott. I’ll believe you’re truly sorry for what you did to River and her baby, and I’ll forgive you. Right here, right now, I’ll forgive you and pray to God to take your soul to heaven. Do you understand all of this?”
“I do, Mr. Perry,” said Scott, smiling. “If you believe me, will you get to him before he hurts my little brother? He’s too young to know what’s going on around him. Please, Mr. Perry, help my brother.”
“You have my word.”
“Your forgiveness means everything,” said Scott.
Without hesitation he raised the pistol to his ear and pulled the trigger. Perry dropped to his knees as Scott’s body fell to the ground. I got what I needed, but it hurt seeing my uncle in so much pain.
“Go to your father,” I said, releasing Joey.
He ran to him, falling by his side as his father cried. I didn’t know if the tears were from the betrayal, the loss, or for River. I imagine they were for all of those things. I didn’t shed any. Rage was the only thing I felt.
“Wha
t if he didn’t do it?” asked Tucker. “I mean, what if he just walked away a free man after everything he did? Perry would’ve kept his word, you know. He would’ve let that man live in his home with his family even after what he did.”
“Would you have shot him if he tried to walk away?” asked J.D., looking at me.
“Yep,” I said. “Listen, those other men you were with at the dance, are they as sneaky as you?”
“Two are kin,” said J.D., “and the other two are old family friends. Pretty sneaky, but I’d whip all of them. Why?”
“Gather them up and anyone else you think might help us,” I said. “We’ll meet up at Doc’s tomorrow evening. You know Perry will walk right up to Rick and get himself killed.”
“We won’t let that happen,” said Tucker.
“Do you have a plan?” asked J.D.
“Not yet, but it’s a long walk home.”
Chapter 49
(Day 47)
King of Cowards
It took us five hours to hike out of the hills and make it back to Stevenson. J.D. offered us his home for the evening, but Perry was on a mission. We all were.
Trying to convince my uncle not to confront Pastor Jenkins as soon as we returned was falling on deaf ears. He didn’t understand the dangers of confronting a man like that on his own turf. All Perry saw was the man who hurt his family. He didn’t see the manipulative, intelligent, evil, homicidal sociopath I did.
Rick didn’t become those things when the power went out. He had been that way his entire life. I imagined there was a long list of unsolved rapes and murders in whatever town the pastor took up residence, brainwashing his flock into believing he was the Second Coming. He prayed on the vulnerability of weaker minds during times of duress. And we were in an epic time of duress.
We couldn’t call the local authorities or the FBI for help. There were no laws to be broken in our new world. Any enforcement of rules established by local authorities fell on the shoulders of the people who created them. In Stevenson, Pastor Jenkins created the rules. He held a Bible in one hand and a leash on his dogs in the other. If you broke his rules he’d let go of the leash, sending the most devout of his flock to punish the offenders in God’s name.