Twisted Retribution
Page 22
“Olivia, hand me that rifle!” Pete demanded.
The dusty wind and rain together made a muddy paste covering the windshield. Every nerve ending in Sarah’s body was on edge. She was breathing rapidly, praying to her God.
“Guide and protect me, Lord. I’m here because of you, to do your work!”
The passenger door of Sarah’s car opened suddenly. Henry grabbed at Pete Sears. Sarah’s husband was overtaken and instantly became a killer’s hostage.
“Drop the gun, Sarah,” Henry said. “You know I’ll kill him and maybe take the girl just for fun, you ungrateful bitch. Maybe I’ll just kill all of you.”
Sarah knew to do what he said. This man lived to kill, and Pete was easy prey.
Henry reached inside the patrol car, grabbing Sarah’s gun. “Get out, all of you!” he ordered. The wind was closing in, shaking the car side to side. “Get out!” Henry repeated as he stuck a knife next to Pete’s neck and pulled Sarah toward him.
Henry yelled at Olivia, “You too, little cunt!”
The teen wouldn’t budge. Olivia Sears would not obey this madman. Men had hurt her and her mother enough, she decided, and this monster would not control her.
With Sarah and Pete lying on the ground, Henry pointed the gun toward Olivia and threatened, “I’ll kill you now!”
Darkness was approaching, and the storm clouds had completely covered the sun. The wind whipped the car, and rain pelted their bodies. Henry reached over the backseat, grabbing Olivia’s neck. The car lurched sideways when the wind hit it broadside.
Henry fell back, his knife falling on the front floorboard.
Pete stood up and grabbed the knife. He flailed toward Henry’s body, stabbing him in the thigh as Henry yelped in pain.
Pete called to his wife, “Run, Sarah! Run toward the fence!”
Lucas regained his balance and aimed his gun toward Pete. Sarah was running through the mud toward a wire fence, baseball-sized hail pelting her, when she heard the shot. Turning to look at the massacre, she spotted Pete’s body on the pavement.
Henry was coming after her, brandishing a gun and a knife. Sarah pulled the barbed wire fence apart and fell through the opening. He was getting close enough for a clean shot. Sarah knew that without God, she would die on a deserted stretch of highway, a tornado carrying her to Heaven.
Henry was cursing during the chase. He looked like a madman, his body being manipulated and contorted by the wind. He climbed through the fence and was just taking aim at Sarah when she heard a shot rip through the wind.
She ran a few more steps and realized she was not hit. Turning around, dreading the sight of the killer still coming toward her, she saw Henry Lee Lucas’ body in the grass and mud. Hesitant to approach him, she was aware he had his weapons and was still dangerous. Henry’s body didn’t move. Wet sand covered his bloody shirt, and his back was oozing dark stains.
Sarah could make out his knife, but no gun.
Had her husband killed her lover? Sarah wondered. Was there another killer in the Sears family? Sarah kicked the knife out of the dead man’s hand. She picked it up and staggered toward the car. How hurt was Pete, and was her daughter okay?
Her husband was still on the cement, but he was moaning. He was alive!
Olivia, blood on her dress, stood holding her dad’s deer rifle, her body shaking. She dropped the gun and ran toward her mother.
“Is he dead?” Olivia cried..
“Olivia, did you shoot him?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, I’m not letting anyone hurt you or Daddy. Is he dead?”
***
ONE MONTH LATER
The Sears family arrived a few minutes late, sliding in the last pew of their home church in Nocona. Pete was sitting nearest the aisle. The young preacher, yet unaware of any sins committed by his parishioners, smiled toward the back of the church. Having a full house was his dream fulfilled.
For that moment, in that tiny town, Sarah Sears was at peace. At peace with her sins that God had forgiven. At peace with her husband, who no longer abused her. And at peace with her only child, who had lost her hate and learned to love.
The Texas sun burst through the stained-glass panes behind the altar. Pete reached for Sarah’s hand. A red-headed cardinal seated on the pecan tree limb outside the window chirped happily. Sarah felt that through this beautiful bird, God was sending her a message.
The church pianist stroked the keys, and the worshipers immediately stood. Sarah smiled as she easily recognized her favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art.
“Thank you, God, for allowing me to do your will,” Sarah prayed silently. God was present this Sunday morning in Nocona, Texas, and for now, all was well.