Gathering Home

by JEFF MOTES

  Mr. Wright ignores her pleas. “Into the pantry, Will.”

  Will steps in then turns and looks at Mr. Wright. Will has a dangerous expression on his face. The pantry isn’t large. On one of the shelves are a couple of cans of food, a pack of jerky, and four water bottles. On the floor is an empty five-gallon bucket.

  “Now you, Lizzy.”

  I’m forced into the closet, the shotgun prodding my back. Will is still glaring out the door at Mr. Wright. Darkness envelops us when the door is slammed closed. I hear metal on metal, then heavy footsteps walking away.

  The door knob twists slightly, yet it doesn’t yield. Amy is at the door crying.

  “Lizzy! Oh, Lizzy! I’m so sorry!”

  I reach out for Will and draw myself to him, but the chain binding his wrists gets in the way.

  “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I wasn’t expecting anything like this.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ve got to think.”

  “Could it be true?” I ask. “Could we actually be wanted for murder?”

  “I don’t think so. There is no way the sheriff could even know about yesterday. Maybe it’s about the other day when those guys came here. But all those men were going to hurt you and Amy. Why would they want you, though?”

  “I don’t know, Will. I’m scared.”

  The chain rattles as he raises his hand and touches my face. “Don’t be afraid. We’ll figure something out. First, let’s pray.”

  “Yes, please do.”

  “Dear God, I don’t understand why this is happening to us, yet our trust remains in You. Grant us wisdom as we face this trial. Soften Mr. Wright’s heart, Lord. Thank You for bringing Amy home safe yesterday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  “Amen.”

  “Lizzy, I forgot to call the folks from Repose last night to tell them our plans had changed about being home yesterday. They’ll come looking for us. When they get here, Mr. Wright is going to regret his actions.”

  We sit on the floor close together, our knees pulled up. There isn’t enough room to stretch our legs. My eyes are gradually adjusting to the dim light coming from under the door. Will is staring at the door in deep thought.

  Dear God, help us!

  Chapter 43

  Jimmy

  For Them

  Day 11

  Lynn and Amy follow me into the yard, still yelling and screaming at me. Don’t they understand I’m doing this for them? Will is wanted for murder, and Lizzy too, I think. The reward of two months of food will go a long way toward helping our family.

  I’ve had about all of this screaming I can take. “Be quiet!” I yell.

  I’m not sure if it’s my raised voice or raised hand that causes them to stop. Lynn takes a step back, but Amy advances on me, though her screaming has stopped.

  “Dad, what are you doing? This is insane!”

  I lower my hand. There is pain and confusion in her eyes. I’ve got to make her understand.

  “Honey, I talked with the sheriff’s office last night. They told me Will and his father are wanted in connection with several murders in the county, and they also want Lizzy for questioning.”

  “Dad, that’s insane. You know that.”

  “Really? He did kill a guy in our front yard, and from what I’ve been able to gather yesterday, he killed more men.”

  “Dad, he did that protecting me. Can’t you see that?”

  “Lizzy killed a man out in the woods yesterday. They’re killers, both of them. Besides, Will was probably involved in more shootings before he came out here. How else could he have been so quick to do what he did?”

  “Dad, you don’t know him. I didn’t really know him, either. But we both do now. You’ve seen what he and Lizzy have done to help us. You know they aren’t murderers.”

  I place a hand on her shoulder and look directly into her eyes. Her confusion has turned to anger. “Sweetheart, the deputies are bringing a reward of two months’ food for us if we turn Will and Lizzy over to them. Plus, they also said if Will and Lizzy weren’t here when they arrived, they would arrest all of us for aiding and abetting wanted fugitives.”

  She shrugs my hand off her shoulder. “Dad, something has happened to you since that day. You’ve turned into a monster. What you are doing is wrong, and I’m ashamed to be called your daughter.”

  She stalks back to the house. Her words cut me to the quick, and it stings. Lynn is a few feet away, and I hold a hand out for her. “Honey, come on. This is the right thing to do.”

  She turns away without saying a word and follows Amy inside the house.

  I sigh deeply. They don’t understand, but soon they’ll appreciate what I’ve done, especially when we get the food reward.

  The sounds of two 4-wheelers cause me to look toward the drive. Pastor Ezell and James Harris are driving up. They stop not far from me and get off. James’ eyes drift toward the truck. He walks over and looks on the back, picks the fuel can up and sets it back down, then strides over to us.

  “How’s Amy doing?” Pastor Ezell asks. “And Will and Lizzy?”

  “Oh, they’re doing fine. They’re all still asleep. They had a rough go of it yesterday, so I think they’re going to sleep in for a while. Once they get up, Will and Lizzy are going to her house in Jackson.”

  Pastor Ezell nods toward the truck. “Looks like Will’s got two flat tires. If you have an air pump, James and I will air them up for him.”

  “I got a hand pump. Don’t worry about it. Lynn and I are going to do it shortly. It’s the least we can do for all the help he’s given us over the past few days. And Pastor, I really do want to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. I wasn’t myself with the strain of Amy’s abduction and all. If I said some things that were out of line, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Jimmy,” Pastor Ezell says. “We all know you were under a lot of stress. Call or come get me if you need us.”

  He and James both get on their 4-wheelers. James still hasn’t spoken a word. I’m going to have to deal with him sooner or later.

  “Wait,” I call out. “I have some fuel in my truck and Lynn’s car. I’m going to try to figure out how to get it out. When I do, I’ll bring you some. Will’s going to leave the 4-wheeler. I’ll bring you some in a few days.”

  Pastor Ezell smiles and cranks up his 4-wheeler. “That would be mighty nice, Jimmy. See you later.”

  They drive off.

  Keys! I didn’t get the 4-wheeler keys from Will earlier. I go inside to the kitchen. Amy is sitting by the door talking to Lizzy.

  “Amy, get up and move away from the door. I’m going to unlock it.”

  She smiles and gets up quickly. “Thanks, Dad.”

  I unlock the padlock and remove it from the latch, flip the latch over, and step away from the door.

  “Lizzy, open the door.”

  The door opens. It’s Will pushing it, not Lizzy. “The key, Will. Give me the key.”

  He feigns a puzzled look. “What key?”

  “The key to the 4-wheeler. Don’t play dumb. Give it to me. I know it’s in your pocket.”

  The chain rattles as he pushes his hand in his left pocket. “I can’t get my hand to the bottom of my pocket with this chain on.”

  I snort. He’s plain stupid if he thinks I’m going to unlock his wrist or step close enough for him to get that chain around my neck.

  “Lizzy, reach in his pocket and get the key.”

  She timidly looks up at Will. He nods, and she reaches inside his pocket, her face turning red. It must be the first time she’s ever put her hand in a boy’s pocket before. It doesn’t matter. I need to get the key and hide the 4-wheeler before the deputies get here. Otherwise, they may want to confiscate it. She pulls the key out, and I snatch it from her hand.

  “Thank you.” I slam the door closed and lock the latch.

  “Dad, I thought you were letting them out!”

  “No, I only needed the key. If you’ll
behave, after a while I’ll let them out to use the bathroom. But only if you behave.”

  Chapter 44

  Will

  It Should Work Both Ways

  Day 11

  The door slams closed, and Lizzy and I are again engulfed in darkness. I feel for two of the bottles of water and the pack of jerky then ease down to the floor with Lizzy. Opening the top of one of the bottles, I hold it in her direction. “Here’s some water.”

  She grabs it, causing the water to gush out the top. “Hey! You got me wet.”

  “Here’s some jerky too. You hungry?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  “I’m sorry you had to do that. You know, putting your hand in my pocket.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s all right.”

  “Lizzy, I’ve been thinking. I don’t know what this business is all about with the sheriff’s office. I haven’t murdered anyone, and my dad isn’t even in Clarke County. And you…you…saved my life.”

  The chain rattles as I move my hand to her neck and bend my face closer to hers.

  “Wait, Will. I have a mouthful of jerky.”

  I softly kiss her lips. The touch sends a jolt through my body, and for a moment, I forget I’m locked in a closet.

  “I love you, Lizzy. Thank you for what you did.”

  She takes a long drink of water then quickly pulls my face to hers and kisses me more fully. My mind is reeling now; floods of emotions pouring over me. Reluctantly, our lips part.

  “Will, I love you. I will do anything to protect you.”

  I pull away, afraid I might succumb to the emotional flood sweeping over me. My whole body is shaking, and my voice must be too.

  “Hey, isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

  She laughs lightly. “I think it should work both ways.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “Have you thought any more about what we should do? I don’t have any ideas.”

  “Part of my deal with the guys in Repose was for me to call and check in every evening. I didn’t make the call yesterday. Mr. Wright ran my batteries down, and I didn’t take time to get the charger before going for Amy. They’re going to come out here searching for us. Like I told you, when they do, Mr. Wright is going to regret his actions, I promise you.”

  “Will, yesterday…with Keisha and Amy. It was brave what you did. Thank you.”

  “Lizzy, I don’t want to be a violent man. But these times are going to require good men to confront evil men with violence. Dad and I talked about it a lot. He prepared me for what might happen, although I didn’t expect it to be so soon or to be happening without him by my side. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Lizzy. Mistakes my dad would not have made. I’m sorry.”

  She hugs close to my arm. “Will, I don’t know what mistakes you’re talking about. You have nothing to be sorry for. You saved me, Amy, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, and others. The men from Pastor Ezell’s community respect and admire you. I’ve seen it in their eyes. You are a man for these times, and I promise you I will be a woman for these times, too.”

  “Mr. Wright is not an observant or alert man. We can use that to our advantage. He’s also become unstable, and that makes him dangerous. He didn’t check my pockets before putting us in here. When he gave me the key earlier to unlock the chain, I kept it. It’s in my other pocket, along with my knife, pocket flashlight, lighter, and spare magazine.”

  “You have the key to these locks?” Lizzy asks incredulously.

  “I do, but I don’t want to unlock them until the right moment. We do it too soon and we could lose the key, and our situation could become worse.”

  “What else do you have?”

  “Not much more. My billfold, paper and pen, belt, and boot strings.”

  “I have my knife and flashlight,” Lizzy says, “and my shoestrings if you want to count those. I left my can of pepper gel on the nightstand in Amy’s room, though I’m not sure how much is left in it after I used it on Cole. We also have these chains. Will, I think the wall is sheetrock. Do you think we could cut through with our knives?”

  “I’m sure we could, but we have to make sure nobody is around when we do. Otherwise, Mr. Wright might catch us before we can get free, and things would be much worse than they are now. We’re going to have to wait for the right opportunity or for the guys from Repose to get here.”

  I sit, contemplating and considering different scenarios for our escape. I may have to kill Mr. Wright. I can’t hardly believe this. Two weeks ago, I was in school, and things were carefree. Now I’m sitting chained in a closet, contemplating how I might need to kill someone.

  Dear God, show me a way!

  The soft sounds of Lizzy’s breathing tell me she is asleep. I close my eyes…

  Chapter 45

  Lizzy

  A Trip to the Bathroom

  Day 11

  The knock on the door startles me awake. My neck is stiff, and my legs have fallen asleep from being in such a cramped position. Will wakens, too. I guess we both fell asleep.

  “Lizzy,” Amy says through the door. “Dad’s going to let you out for the bathroom. Get ready.”

  Will and I both stand. My legs are numb, and it’s hard to stand without leaning against the wall. Will appears to be struggling with the same thing.

  “Will,” Mr. Wright says, “I’m going to unlock the door. Stay away from the door and don’t come out until I tell you. I have the shotgun at the ready. Do you hear me?”

  “I hear you.”

  I hear the lock being removed, and the latch opened. “Lizzy, open the door slowly. Will, stay away from the door.”

  I twist the knob and inch the door open. The flood of bright light hurts my eyes, and I squint. Mr. Wright is not far away with the shotgun pointing at me. Amy is standing at the doorway into the great room.

  Mr. Wright gestures with the shotgun for me to move toward the sink. I stop there, and Mr. Wright slams the door closed and relocks the latch.

  “What about Will?” I ask.

  “He’ll get his turn in a minute, provided you behave. Now walk to my bathroom.”

  The numbness in my legs has turned to pricking needles as my legs come back to life. I limp forward. Amy puts my arm over her shoulder to help me down the hall, but Mr. Wright pulls her away.

  “Stay back, Amy.”

  I make it to Mr. Wright’s bedroom door, walking normally now. Inside the bathroom, I move to close the door, but Mr. Wright prevents me from doing so.

  “Leave the door open.”

  I stare at him.

  Amy blurts out, “Dad!”

  “Mr. Wright, do I not mean anything to you? Are you going to stand there and watch me?”

  “No, I’m not going to watch you. Just leave the door open so I can hear what you’re doing.”

  I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all, but I have really got to go. I’ve been holding it in for hours. He’s not looking in, and that provides me with some relief.

  When I’m done, he walks behind me to the kitchen. Amy pleads with her dad every step of the way. We stop short of the pantry door, and he removes the lock.

  “Your turn, Will. Open the door slowly.”

  The door opens, and Will steps out. Mr. Wright flinches and takes a step back. “Head to the master bathroom. Take care of whatever business you need to, then we’ll come back here.”

  Will walks out of the kitchen and down the hall. Mr. Wright prods the shotgun in my back, and I follow Will.

  “Leave the door open, Will. Don’t do anything stupid. Lizzy and I are going to be watching.”

  Will frowns at Mr. Wright, then turns around and lifts the seat. I turn my head and close my eyes. I can’t believe Mr. Wright has turned into this…this…whatever it is he has become.

  Amy is waiting in the great room. Mr. Wright glances at her briefly then prods me on to the kitchen a few steps behind Will.

  “Will, get in the closet.”

  Will steps into
the pantry without saying anything.

  “Dad! Please. Please don’t put Lizzy back in there.”

  “It’s all right, Amy. I don’t mind being in there with him.”

  Mr. Wright steps forward quickly, slamming the door and locking the latch. His move has caught me by surprise.

  “But what about Will?”

  “Will is going to be fine. He’s not afraid of the dark. Are you, Will?”

  Will’s words, though muffled by the closed door, have steel in them. “Mr. Wright, you hurt her and I will kill you.”

  I think he means it. Mr. Wright lets out a short, strained laugh. I think Mr. Wright believes it, too.

  “Lizzy, up to Amy’s bathroom.” On my way up the stairs, he says, “This is nothing personal. I only have the highest regards for you. However, you and Will are wanted for murder, and I must hold you until the law arrives. If you’re not guilty of anything, I’m sure it will be straightened up quickly and they’ll give you a ride to your grandmother’s.”

  “Mr. Wright, I once thought of you as a father. Now all I see is a weak, stupid man who is going to get himself and his family killed.”

  His expression changes quickly. “Well, my dear, I’ve heard they’re hanging criminals in the courthouse square nowadays.” He pushes me roughly into the bathroom and hands me a key. “Unlock one ankle, then run the chain around the bottom of the toilet tank. Lock the chain tightly to itself.” After I do, he snaps, “Give me the key. Don’t do anything stupid. The 00 buckshot in this shotgun will go right through the door, destroying anything on the other side. You keep that in mind.”

  Then he’s gone, and Amy comes running up the stairs. She sits on the floor next to me, holding me close. She’s crying again.

  “I’m so sorry, Lizzy. I’m so sorry.”

  Chapter 46

  Will

  Sheeple

  Day 12

  It’s after midnight. I’ve been locked in this closet for nearly eighteen hours. Not long after Mr. Wright took Lizzy somewhere else, Amy came and let me know Lizzy was okay. She cried a lot, apologizing for what her father was doing and thanking me for saving her. She’s as much a victim as I am. Except I don’t plan on staying a victim. The guys from Repose have probably already been out here and scouted the area. Sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., they’ll use the cover of darkness and their NVDs to take the house. Mr. Wright may very well die tonight.