by A McKay
“He told me to find you, to save you and that it was time.” Slade looked back up from the floor to Zach in confused manner.
“Time for what?”
“He never said, I asked but he never said. He was positive though that you lived. I thought maybe it was the disease taking him.”
“Disease?” Slade asked the same way people said Slade’s father died from the disease of being drunk.
“Drinking,” the word that killed Zach as much as it did Killed Slade.
“Your dad didn’t drink.” Slade, thought back to when their fathers did get home, they could smell the alcohol but they never acted drunk.
“Only if the town knew the truth.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Slade then remember what Zach said. “So are you doing this for your dad?”
“I didn’t kill you for my father. I am training with you for me. I will fight alongside you for the betrayal that I don’t necessary blame you for.”
”I think tomorrow will be the last day of training, before we re-appear on the grid.
Zach nodded and both men went to bed.
The morning came and no one spoke, they just went to their space they were fighting at before. A tree now laid in the middle of it, and they both sighed at it. Slade walked over to the tree to kick it, just for it being in the way. With a kick, the tree wiggled, and Slade studied the tree.
Zach saw it and went to try to push it. It didn’t budge. “It’s solid; it must have been on an angle or something.”
Slade ignored Zach’s idea and put both hands on the tree. With every ounce of strength he had, he pushed at the fallen tree that he broke. The tree acted like it wanted to move, but it just wouldn’t move. Slade grunted knowing the tree had to move. This tree started to piss him off, maybe it was his punishment for leaving Zach for turning his back to their brotherhood. His arms started to shake and his shirt ripped as his muscles bulged from his stomach. He felt more air pumped into him.
Zach saw the struggle and saw the pain in Slade’s face. He didn’t quite understand why the tree bothered him so much, but now the tree bothered him. Zach walked over next to Slade and with a heavy heave and a grunt, the tree started to move.
First by inches and then by feet, Zach’s muscles ripping through his shirt like Slade’s were. The tree pushed to where their clearing met the forest that surrounded them.
Without saying anything, the two brothers turned to each other backed away from each other. They stared at each other. Bodies mixed with sweat and bark. A slight head nod and they started to square each other off.
Punches and kicks collided with each other’s bodies. They were using all their will against each other. Soon the kicks and punches turned to holds. They grappled and soon, the grappling turned into punches again. They both kicked each other sending each other skidding backwards.
Both of them by the fallen tree, Slade grabbed a limb and broke it off. Zach followed suit and they again charged each other. The cracking of the wood colliding, blood dripping from their lips from previous punches that made contact. Slade slipped a little on the dirt that they were pounding on and that was enough for Zach to take an advantage and take the stick and sweep Slade’s feet off the ground.
Zach stood over Slade breathing hard, and then a smile formed from his bloody lips. “I win.”
“Not even close,” Slade brought his legs up and in precise movement; he put Zach in a scissor hold his legs hitting points on the body that made the body collapse. Zach fell backwards and Slade tightened his legs around the upper half of his chest on neck blocking his air. “I win,” with that Zach tapped on Slade’s leg giving in to defeat.
4The sun was shining in Slade’s eyes on the walk to the hidden Jeep parked miles away. They reached the Jeep and it appeared to be peaceful. Zach had covered it with brush and several tree limbs that made it a perfect camouflage. Slade signaled for Zach to go behind a tree with the new sniper rifle in his hands to cover him. With that, Slade approached the vehicle and waited for someone to jump out.
A rustle came from one side of the Jeep, and Slade stared at where it came from. A squirrel jumped from a limb to another, being chased by more of the little creatures, birds were chirping, and somehow Slade new it was a peaceful chirp. No agents, no sabotage, nothing, it was only Slade and Zach. Still not satisfied of no one being there he checked the sides, the tires, under the frame, the roof and anywhere else, a bomb could be placed. He exhaled in relief when nothing appeared out of place.
He glanced over to where Zach hid. Slade stared hard and could see a bird sitting funny like on a branch that wasn’t there. He spoke up, “Clear,” seconds later with no other movement the brush moved, the bird took off from the spot, and Zach appeared. His rifle was now over his shoulder as he walked towards the Jeep where Slade was standing.
Zach got close enough to touch Slade and they both stared around never certain they were alone. “I’m clear over here,” Zach replied to the non-spoken question from Slade.
“Same.”
“Should we get the Jeep started then?” Zach sat his gun against the front tire as he walked in front of the hood. He unlatched the one remaining latch that relocked after Slade closed it again from checking for explosives. He reconnected the cables taken off the battery when he abandoned it so it wouldn’t die. Slade was watching the surroundings covering for Zach to get the vehicle started.
Zach opened the door, got in, and turned the key. It clicked and then grunted. The engine roared to life, Zach gunned the engine making it roar. “Let’s go,” Zach said with a smile on his face. He slid over to the passenger seat apparently not caring anymore that Slade was driving.
Slade grabbed both rifles and put them in the back of the Jeep, loaded and ready for use. The air was stale in the Jeep from sitting for weeks with no movement. As soon as Slade got in with the powered window buttons, he rolled the windows down. So he could feel the gentle breeze of air taking over the interior of the Jeep.
They drove the off road trail which was either a loggers trail or a fire lane that was made of sand, mud and roots. The Jeep bounced but maintained control on the terrain that it was made for. The warm summer air was starting to replace the chill of the morning, the sun made when the clouds left it open. The autumn chill was only days away as it fought the warmth.
“Slade, just wondering how long it will be till the agency finds us.” Zach was coursed for saying that as a red corvette appeared behind them, gunning it down the trail. Slade didn’t jump yet, knowing that sometimes, hillbillies had nice cars, and that the agency usually drove black cars.
“Okay, lady you can just pass us, I won’t hold it against you.” Slade spoke to the mirror, making Zach look behind them.
“Why would you have a corvette on these roads, idiots.” Zach said now watching the corvette make up the distance that divided them.
The Jeep suddenly jolted forward the corvette moving in to perform a PIT maneuver making Slade slam on his brakes. The corvette bounced off the larger vehicle and soon regained control. Slade jumped on the throttle and the Jeep’s improved engine roared the vehicle down the rough road onto a paved road. The corvette caught up and tried again to PIT the Jeep as Slade rammed the side of her car.
Zach un-buckled his seat belt and started to crawl in the back. “Bro this is not the best time to un-buckle.” Zach didn’t reply as he grabbed his rifle and sat in the back end. As he lifted his gun up, Slade found the window release button and opened the back window.
“You don’t think someone found you this fast do you?” Zach asked as he looked through his scope. The Jeep squealed its tires when it went around a twenty-five speed limit curve at about eighty. Zach bounced to the side. “Easy!” Zach barked out as he regained his posture. “It’s a damn shame I have to wreck this nice of a car.” The corvette revved up again and rammed the back of the Jeep. “Come on, a Jeep can’t be rammed off the road by such a small car.”
“Let’s not prove it and just shoot the bit
ch.”
A gunshot echoed in the Jeep causing Slade’s ears to ring. “Happy,” Zach said crawling back to the front of the Jeep.
“She is still behind us,” Slade replied.
“Not for long.” Slade believed when Zach said it, for the man never missed a shot. “How hot do you think a Corvette will get before it overheats with no coolant?”
They started to gain distance from the Corvette that was slowing and pulling to the side of the road. “Now who the fuck was she?”
“What, you don’t think it was the Sanctum?” Zach asked
“They don’t have women agents,” was the simple reply.
“Okay, then who else did you piss off?”
Slade ignored the smart-ass comment as he looked at the dash. “We need gas.”
“You know I never did get to grab cash from when you barged into my life.”
“I have about ten thousand in my coat.” A smile never formed on Slade’s face.
“You know a cheeseburger would have been nice, and maybe some beer at the cabin.”
“That does not include a credit card I stole from the Sanctum also.”
***
Zach didn’t speak again, until they reached a sleazy looking gas station/diner. The place was surrounding by twenty or so motorcycles that told them it was a biker’s bar. Zach slowed his pace and was about to say something to Slade after they filled the Jeep with gas. He was cut off when he heard his Jeep start and Zach jumped back in the Jeep.
“Thank god, I thought we were going in there to eat.”
“We are. I am just moving the Jeep from sight of the road.”
Slade parked the Jeep behind a large boulder behind the building hiding the sight of it. Zach took a gulp and followed Slade as they entered the bar. “You know I love to fight but these are bikers.”
Slade entered the bar first Zach nervously staring at every scumbag that sat there who stared back at them. The waitress came up to them, very jumpy like she wasn’t use to the bikers being there. “Just the gas?”
“I wished,” Zach, replied.
“Four cheese burgers, and two pitchers of water.” Slade wanted to see if the water tasted as good as it did before.
“You guys don’t want to eat here,” an older waitress, said that wasn’t as shaky as the first one. This waitress was stout with hooded green eyes. Her fine, curly, short hair was the color of smoke.
Slade had enough of being pushed around, the last two bars he was at, had un-welcomed guest. “Why do all of the bars say that to me these days?” Zach couldn’t reply his attention started to wonder the crowd. Zach wasn’t scared as much as worried that their training didn’t prepare them for twenty bikers at once.
Slade elbowed him and surprised Slade with another smart-ass comment. “You must smell.”
“We will be fine just bring us the water and burgers.” Slade started to notice the bikers all staring at them. Slade still had his shades on eyeing each one not seeing different appearances. “Good news.”
“What’s that,” Zach on the edge of fear and excitement.
“They are just human.”
“Great,” he rolled his eyes and stared at the mirror behind the bar, calming down a little. “Why does everyone want to kill us now?” Zach sighed. He knew a fight was coming and fear couldn’t mingle in the fight.
The lady that took their orders started to come out of the kitchen, when two biker girls grabbed the plates from her. “Here we go,” Slade mumbled to Zach. The two-biker girls were close in age; one of the vain women had beady brown eyes, fine, straight brown hair to her shoulders. She was a little short but with more of a graceful build then the other one. They both had a bikers tan, and both needed their eyebrows done. She clearly was in charge as the other girl slapped the waitress across the face knocking her down, tears welding up in the waitress’s eyes. That biker girl had a flat stomach and eyes like charcoal. She wore tight cloths and almost looked attractive if she didn’t have such beady eyes from the cocaine she injected into herself.
They both ignored the two girls, “You know maybe it’s just that you are a big guy making everyone jealous.”
“You know Zach, I think your right.”
“Boys, was this for you?” the leading girl asked
“That one is mine,” Zach said pointing to her left hand. She handed it over him and the other plate to Slade. Then together the women spat on the burgers.
“Sorry, I don’t need a tenderizer on the burger,” Zach said
“Are you a funny boy, mister?” The leader said clearly trying to get us to react so the guys had a reason to fight.
Slade just looked at Zach, showing he had his back. “Shit you going to eat that Slade. I am not eating this food they probably got Aids or gonorrhea from one of these pretty boys.” Zach laughed, looking at Slade seeing him not laughing. “Come on that shit was funny.” Slade nodded his head in agreement. “You see ladies, this man doesn’t laugh anymore, and my life goal is to make him laugh again.”
Slade finally spoke now, seeing how Zach was trying to get the bikers off guard. “Now be serious Zach, if they are pretty than I’m small.” Zach busted a laugh.
“Wow a joke from Mr. Serious, or how about if they are pretty than you are…” he was cut off as a fist slammed on the table from one of the pretty boys.
“You’re what?” the guy only a head shorter than Slade and body size similar to Slade.
“Well Mr. Ugly,” Zach said trying to stand up, only slammed back down to his seat by Mr. Ugly. “Nothing I think Slade was about to say something I believe.” Zach said acting as if he was nervous or something, which confused Slade.
Slade only nodded, as he took a bite of the burger that was spat on. He chewed for a bit and started to speak as food crumbs started to hit Mr. Ugly in his face. “First I am going to stand up, then Zach is going to stand up.” Slade pushed away from the counter and stood, the biker’s face getting red his mouth set for destruction. Without missing a beat, he said, “and to finish what Zach was going to say, if you’re pretty then I’m skinny.” He waited for a moment and nothing was said the biker just waved for his other bikers to approach. “You see I’m not skinny so you must be... what did he say before… Mr. Ugly.”
The biker quickly went for a pistol that was in the butt of his jeans, but Zach drew his first and pointed it too Mr. Ugly’s head. “I will take that,” he drew the gun out and pointed it towards the crowd of bikers that stood behind them as Slade took the position of pointing a gun to Mr. Ugly’s head.
“See what happens when you hold the head of the snake, the tail stops moving.” Slade said watching the other crowd not moving an inch through the entire scene.
“Should we see what happens when the head is cut off then?”
“Zach we are cops don’t forget, maybe put him under arrest for something.”
“How about for drugs, murders, and just downright ugly.” Zach snickered at the last bit of his joke.
An engine roared outside making gravel skid as a vehicle pulled into the parking lot. “Shit, the red Corvette.” Zach looked surprised, as Slade started to look around for an escape.
“That’s impossible, I shot the radiator hose, there is no way she could have fixed it that fast, without having welder inside her trunk or something.” The bikers looked outside, some now smiling seeing the tall and well built female assassin out there. Zach shoved the leader back to the crowd, now his KRISS pointing at the crowd as well. “If anyone follows, the worker, Zach or myself they will eat lead, got it.” He didn’t wait for them to agree and Zach and the two workers at the diner went to the kitchen. Slade stopped them from exiting through the back door and opened the freezer door. No one would be able to know they ducked inside. Something wasn’t right about the woman that chased them and figured he could fool her on leaving the establishment. Slade kicked at the gauges and controls of the freezer, breaking the connections so the freezer turned off and shoved everyone inside. He closed the door and
locked it.
Nothing was said; Zach held the girls and kept them warm, as Slade had his ear to the steel door. They stayed there for thirty minutes before Slade gestured them to be ready. “It’s quite,” Zach, whispered, either it was trap or everyone left. The freezer now was just above the temperature a refrigerator would run at. Zach moved to the door and Slade stood back with the sub-machine gun ready to fire. Zach put his hand up with three fingers out and started to put one by one down. Zach unlatched the door and shoved at, only to un-successfully move the door.
“Something is wedged against the door.” Zach moved back.
Slade knowing something was off about the situation went to the door and as hard as he could the hinges snapped and the door crashed forward falling on top of the debris that once was a bar. Now the bar was leftovers from a bonfire.
Zach led the way out of the freezer the two girls too scared to come out when they saw the mess, so Slade followed. Slade walked over where the entrance would have stood. “Slade that gang tried to burn us, after they had fun with the girl.”
“I don’t think so,” Slade picked up what looked to be a black stone, and threw it towards Zach.
Zach caught it and turned the so-called stone until a face looked back at him. “Holy crap,” Zach pronounced as the skull was thrown back to Slade that shattered on the ground instead. Slade already checked another place out; “what you thinking, she ignited the place after she killed the bikers?”
Slade looked around looking for another possibility to the identity of who she was. The burning was even, the heat from the flames were constant. Not a scream made, because they couldn’t move fast enough to make a scream. This only led to something that was extinct, that didn’t exist. Slade’s problems were growing exponentially.
Slade walked over to the Jeep, the vehicle wasn’t touched, and the flames were direct and deadly. He thought he figured who she was, but he wanted to go through the evidence again in his head.