Starting Over (Starting Over 1

by Kathy O'Rourke

  He shrieks, “Motherfucker.”

  “You better answer me. Who are you and why were you taking my son?”

  The guy spits blood on the ground and tries to wipe his face on his shoulder. “Why should I talk, you’re gonna kill me anyway.”

  A man’s voice calls out from down the block, “Trent, you there?”

  I put my hand over his mouth. “Not. One. Word.”

  God, these guys are stupid. It’s obvious they’ve had no training. Even in the dark I see a man moving close to our position not even trying to be stealth.

  When he gets near the park bench, Leo steps out of the shadows and holds his rifle on him. “Gottcha, you idiot.”

  Leo leads the second guy over to where his friend lays bleeding on the ground. “Sit,” and pushes him to the ground. He then goes back over to continue his watch.

  After securing guest number two with zip ties, I start the interrogation again. “You. New guy. Maybe you can talk better than your friend Trent. Who are you and why did you try to take my son?”

  He bares his teeth at me. “We’re gonna hunt you down.”

  I laugh at him. “You think you’re getting out of this alive? Better start saying your damn prayers.”

  Trent, bloody man, chimes in, “Even if you kill us, our gang will still hunt you down.”

  “Good, now we’re getting somewhere. You guys are in a gang. Thank you.” I kick Trent right in his arm wound.

  He screams and curls away from me.

  “Why were you taking my boy?”

  Number two answers, “We’re recruiters. We were gonna make him one of us.”

  Michael runs over and kicks him in the back. “I’ll never be one of you.”

  I push Michael behind me. “Enough, son, let me handle this.” I squat in front of guy number two and hold my gun to his nose. “You been driving around in fast cars? Shooting at people?”

  His face breaks out in a sweat. “Yeah, we have cars. So, what?”

  I press for more info. “You’ve only been out in the days, why are you here at night now?”

  No answer from either of them.

  I pull out my razor-sharp dagger and lightly run the blade along guy two’s throat leaving a trail of blood. “You know I could cut much deeper. Now tell me, why are you out at night?”

  “Cause, we’re looking for some guys that shot at us the other day. The boss is pissed because they killed his brother. We figured since we don’t see them during the day, that they must be going out at night.”

  Trent speaks up. “Alberto, you idiot, these are the guys. Remember the German shepherd? These are the guys who killed Jose.”

  I stand up. “That’s right, we are, but only because you guys shot at us first.”

  Leo calls over. “What are we gonna do with them?”

  God, I’m going to have to kill them. I can’t risk them going back and telling their boss about us. I’ve never killed anybody outside of combat. It’s either me, or Leo, and as the leader, I know it falls on me. “Good old-fashioned frontier justice.”

  Michael pulls on my jacket. “You can’t let them go. They’ll bring all the other guys.”

  “I know that.” I grab Michael by the shoulders. “Go over by the bikes and turn your head the other way. Do. Not. Watch. This.”

  Michael’s voice stutters, “You, you gonna kill them?”

  “I have to, son. It’s too dangerous to leave them alive.”

  Michael hugs my legs then runs over by the bikes.

  “Sorry about this.” I say as I pull my dagger across Alberto’s throat. He starts to struggle against his ties trying to loosen his arms. It doesn’t work and soon his strangling noises stop.

  The smell of urine hits my nose. I flash my light over at Trent. His pants are wet. “Please don’t kill me. I’m not really a bad guy.”

  I lean over him. “I’m sorry. I can’t take any chances,” then slice through his throat.

  Leo pats my shoulder as we watch him die. “It had to be done.”

  “Yeah, I know. Help me with the bodies. We’ll put them in the bushes over there.”

  “No, I think we should put them in their car. I’ll drive it far away and hide it. I’ll put a bike in the backseat and ride home later.”

  “Smart.” I find the keys in Alberto’s front pocket and throw them to Leo.

  “I’ll be right back.” Leo says as he takes off down the street.

  Within minutes, he’s back with an older model Ford Taurus.

  After the bodies are loaded in the trunk, we use their jackets to mop up most of the blood then wash down the sidewalk with the water we found in their car. We end up having to remove the front wheel of the bike to get it to fit it in the back seat.

  Michael asks, “Can we still go get the chickens?”

  Leo shrugs his shoulders, “I don’t see why not. I’ll drive slow and you guys follow.”

  We head to the chicken house.

  “Are those guys really dead?” Michael asks as he peddles next to me.

  “Yes. You know I didn’t want to kill them. I’m not a bad guy, but I had no choice.”

  “I know, Hank. You were protecting us.”

  “That’s right.”

  We ride the rest of the way in silence.

  Michael ends up being king of the chicken catchers. It takes less than an hour to catch the nine chickens. We tie the top of each bag, so the chickens can’t wiggle their way lose then secure them in the bike trailer.

  “Okay, I’m gonna go ditch this car. I’ll see you guys at home.” Leo says as he and Adolph climb in the bad guy’s car.

  “Be careful,” Michael whispers.

  “I will, little man.” Leo leans out the car window and messes up Michael’s hair. After starting the engine, he tells me, “Don’t worry if I’m gone for a while, I’m gonna drop this car somewhere on the other end of the valley.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you at home.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Shelley

  The sound of bike brakes and the soft clucks of chickens has me rushing out to the driveway to meet the guys. “Where’s Leo and Adolph?”

  Michael speaks first. “He took the dead men in the car,” as he puts his kickstand down.

  “Dead men?” My voice squeaks as I look over at Hank. “What’s he talking about?”

  Gus comes over from across the street. “Where’s Leo?”

  Putting both hands up in a stop position, Hank tells us, “Leo’s fine. He’ll be home in a while.” He walks closer to Gus and me and whispers, “We ran into trouble. I’ll tell you about it later.” He then nods over at Michael and in a louder voice, “Right now, let’s get these chickens in their coop and Michael off to bed.”

  Michael grabs two sacks. “Leo told me I’m the chicken king ’cause I caught the most.”

  “You did? Wow.” Gus tells him while looking at Hank and mouthing the words. “What happened?”

  I grab Hank’s hand and pull him out of ear shot. I give him a one-armed hug. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I just don’t want to talk in front of Michael. It was bad enough he was there.”

  “Okay. Later then.” Stepping over to the trailer, I grab a chicken sack. “Come on, let’s show these babies their new home.”

  The three of us carry the sacks next door and get the birds settled in their new home then head back to my house.

  After we get Michael a snack and off to bed, Gus, Hank and I sit down in the living room where Hank tells us what happened.

  “I can’t believe Michael was almost taken from us.” I say. “That does it, the kids can’t leave this house ever again.”

  Gus asks, “You slit their throats?”

  Hank slams his hand down on the arm of the couch, “Jesus!” His face beet red he tells us, “It had to be done quietly in case there were others in the vicinity, so yes, I slit their throats. Did I want to? No. But I did it.” Hank shoots back.

  Seeing the pain in his eyes, I lean over and ge
ntly squeeze his arm. “You only did what had to be done, Hank.”

  “I didn’t want to kill them. I had to,” Hank whispers.

  Gus gives him a knowing nod, the kind of look a soldier would give a fellow soldier during battle then changes the subject. “So, Adolph protected Michael.”

  Hank gives us a halfhearted chuckle. “He sure did. You should have seen that guy’s arms and legs. Adolph ripped him up.”

  Cindy starts to fuss in the other room.

  “I’ll go check on her.” Gus jumps to his feet.

  Finally alone, I pull Hank’s mouth to me and kiss him. “I’m sorry you had to do that tonight but thank you.”

  He whispers against my lips. “I hated it. I feel like a murderer.”

  “You’re not. You’re our defender. My hero.”

  At the sound of the kid’s door opening, we pull apart just in time for Gus to walk back in the room. I’m not ready to share our relationship with the guys yet.

  Gus whispers as he comes back in the room. “She was thirsty. I gave her some water and patted her till she went back to sleep.”

  “You’re good with her.” I tell him.

  He smiles and shakes his head. “It’s kinda weird, I never wanted kids, but now, I have to admit, I love that little girl.”

  “You’re her favorite.” Hank adds.

  “I know, funny, huh. Well, right behind Michael, of course.” Gus says as he moves toward the front door. “I guess I’ll go back to our house and wait for Leo.”

  Hank stands. “Remember, Leo said he’ll be real late. He’s taking the car far away.”

  “I just hope he gets back in one piece.”

  “He will. He has his rifle, handgun and Adolph.” Hank reassures us.

  “Yeah he does.”

  I’m awake by six a.m. Even with the late night, I can’t sleep in. Rolling over, I rub my hand down Hank’s back. “You awake?”

  My answer is a grunt.

  “Okay, you stay here then. I’m getting up.”

  Without moving off his stomach, he reaches a hand out and pats me arm. “I need another hour, please.”

  “And you deserve it.” I kiss his head and slip out of bed.

  First thing I do is check on the kids. Michael, in the top bunk, has one arm hanging over the side and looks like he’s going to fall out of bed. Should I move him? If I do, he’ll wake up and I sure could use a few minutes alone with a cup of coffee. I leave him as is; if he hasn’t fallen yet, I doubt he will. Cindy, her mouth open in a gentle snore, has her hand around her teddy bear. She looks like a curly haired angel. I can’t help but be thankful we found these precious children.

  Now it’s coffee time. With my first cup of the day in hand, I walk to the front door and peek around the curtains. I wonder if Leo made it home? Gus is sitting on the front stoop across the street. I open my door and wave.

  The minute he sees me, he rushes over. “Leo’s not back. I’m worried.”

  “Not back? Have you tried reaching him on the walkie talkie?”

  “Yeah, every hour. I’ve gotten no response.”

  Stepping aside, I wave him in. “I’ll make you some coffee.”

  He follows me to the garage. “I know I shouldn’t worry ’cause Leo can take care of himself, but I still do. He’s the only brother I have left.”

  I hand him a cup. “Hey, it’s still early. He may have had a flat tire or something. Let’s not panic yet.”

  By nine a.m. everyone is up and worried, but we start our daily chores; the work still needs to be done. We’re on our knees in the backyard pulling weeds when there’s scratching and a bark at the side gate. Cindy takes off running and yelling, “Duff home!” Michael is right behind her.

  Gus springs to his feet, relief written all over his face. “Thank God, they’re back.”

  We pile out the side gate but there’s no sign of Leo or his bike. Just Adolph who is acting strangely. He’s pawing at the ground and whining and there’s no tail wagging at all.

  Hank catches my eye as he kneels and rubs Adolph’s head. “Where’s Leo, boy?”

  Adolph’s looks down the street and howls.

  Adolph wouldn’t come back here alone without Leo. Something’s wrong.” Hank says as he stands and brushes dirt off his knees.

  “I agree.” I pick up Cindy who is trying to play with Adolph when he clearly wants no part of her right now. “Cindy, Adolph is working, he can’t play.”

  Her lips push out to a full pout. “Duff busy?”

  Gus pulls Cindy out of my arms. “Yes, Sweet pea, Duff is real busy.” He then looks at Hank. “We don’t even know where to start looking for him.”

  “But Adolph does,” Michael says with his hands on his hips.

  I grab Michael’s shoulders. “Do you know the commands to get Adolph to find Leo?”

  He nods. “Yes.”

  “We need to go find him.” Gus puts Cindy down and puts her hand in mine.

  Hank takes over. “Okay. Michael and I will ride bikes so we’re right next to Adolph. Gus, follow us in the van in case we need it.”

  “I’ll set up a medical station in case he’s hurt.” I tell them.

  Pointing at the house, Hank gives us all an order. “Okay, get ready. We leave in five minutes.”

  “I’ll get you some supplies.”

  Rushing in the house, I take water bottles and nutrition bars out of storage along with a traveling first aid kit. What if he’s really hurt? They’ll need more than band aids. I grab towels and several washcloths out of the linen closet. I dip the washcloths in a bucket of clean water, wring them out and stick them in a plastic bag.

  Hank comes out of his room with his pack and weapons. I hand him two bottles of water to add to his pack. All I get is a quick, “Thanks,” but I know he’s deep in preparation mode.

  “I want you to be ready if he’s hurt.” I show him the first aid kit, towels and wet washcloths. I’ll put these in the van just in case you need them.”

  He kisses the side of my head. “Beautiful and smart.”

  Michael is sitting on the front porch with Cindy on his lap. “I’m gonna go help save Leo. You stay here with Shelley, okay.”

  “K,” Cindy answers and wiggles away.

  I slip two bottles of water into Michael’s pack along with a package of his favorite jerky. “You pack what you need for Adolph?”

  “Yeah, he’s ready to go.”

  Walkie talkies, weapons and supplies ready, Michael kneels and gives Adolph his first command is a deep authoritative voice. “Such. Find Leo.”

  Adolph barks and takes off heading west out of the neighborhood with our two bikes and a car close behind.

  I double check the front yards and windows of our five houses making sure they still look abandoned. Muddy footprints in front of Levi’s house worry me so I grab a broom and clean them off before heading back inside.

  I admit it, I’m nervous here by myself with only little Cindy. The guys haven’t left me home alone in a long time, not since the shootout with the Car Guys. I’ve taken all the precautions I can. My loaded shotgun is by the front door on a specially built shelf out of reach of little hands. I’ve got both handguns strapped on, one on my hip and one on my ankle with an extra magazine for both guns tucked in the pockets of my cargo pants along with extra shotgun shells.

  I’m hoping like hell Cindy doesn’t have a screaming tantrum. She may have a little body, but boy can she hit the high octaves when she gets going. Just to be on the safe side, I’m keeping her at the back of the house, away from the street.

  “You wanna play with Legos?” We found an entire bucket of them across the street at the Gonzales house and they’ve quickly become one of her favorite things.”

  She jumps up and down and cheers. “Legos!”

  I grab the Lego bucket out of her room and set it on the floor by the back door. “Let’s build something.”

  She claps her hands and sits down next to the bucket. “Build castle.”

&
nbsp; “Can I help?” I sit down next to her.

  She tells me in a bossy princess way, “No,” then pushes the bucket over by me and gives me an order, “Red.”

  “Okay, I get it. Red ones only.” I get to work handing her red blocks to add to her growing creation.

  After about twenty minutes she beams me a big smile and proudly announces, “All done.”

  Truthfully, it looks nothing like a castle, but what’s important is she thinks it does. “It’s beautiful, Cindy. I love it.”

  She runs over to the front door. “I want Duff.”

  Oh God, no. Distraction time. “Duff is with Michael working. How about we have some cookies and juice then read a story?”

  It works. Cookies are Cindy’s weakness.

  As Cindy chews on an oatmeal cookie and feeds ds one to her teddy bear, I try reaching the guys. “This is Shelley. Over.” I get no answer.

  I try again and this time I get an answer.

  “Shelley? Well, girl. Where are you?”

  My hands shake, and I almost drop my walkie talkie. The male voice doesn’t belong to one of my guys. Should I answer him? I’m pretty sure he can’t track my location. Maybe I can figure out who he is. I click the on button. “I’m not telling you were I am. Who is this? Over.”

  “My name is Marco. Where are you, Princesa?”

  “Like I said, I’m not telling you where I am. Over.” I stress the word Over. It pisses me off that he doesn’t use Over, plus, his tone is condescending and dripping sex innuendos.

  “Are you alone? It would be a shame for a woman to be alone, scared, without a man.” He clicks back on, “Oh yeah, Over.”

  “None of your business. Over.”

  “You’re not very polite, Shelley. Here we are, both survivors, and we should be working together, not being mean to one another. Over.”

  He’s giving me the creeps. I think he’s one of the Car Guys. I click the on button. “I’m not talking to you anymore. Goodbye.”

  “Listen here, I will find you beautiful lady, and when I do, you and me are gonna have a party.” He laughs, then adds, “Shelley, I’ve got a big package waiting for you. You’re gonna love it. See you soon.”

  I hear male laughing in the background. Lots of it.