Travis continued, “Anyhow … I used to pick and pick it. It’d bleed and then the dang thing would just grow back bigger. Till one day, my Daddy told me to stop picking at the wart. And he took me out to the shed. Know what he did?”
“No.”
“Guess.”
“No.”
“Come on, guess.”
“Fine,” Jeb huffed. “He beat you?”
“Eew, Dog, for picking a wart?” Travis laughed. “Hogs a runnin’ your pa must have whipped you for nothing.”
“Travis …”
“Bet you got beat for not eating your vegetables. Probably why you’re so big. You ate all your vegetables because your pa beat you.”
“No, I like vegetables.”
“I don’t.”
“Travis.” Jeb stopped. “Why did he take you out to the shed?”
“To burn off the wart.”
“Your father burned off your wart?” Jeb asked.
“Yep, lit a switch, poker red, and held it to me. Burned that wart right off.”
“So the scar was from being burned.”
“No, it was from picking the wart. Weren’t you listening?”
Jeb grumbled “Do you ever shut up?”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you asking me that? Is it a trick question?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh,” Travis thought. “Yeah, I do. There.”
Jeb tried to ignore him, and kept moving.
“Wait,” Travis called out. “Stop.”
Jeb did. “What’s up?”
Travis pulled him back, and then pointed outward. “Invisible eyes. Sam made them. You get close and they’ll see you coming in.”
“Is there any way around them?” Jeb asked.
“Yep. Gotta mirror?”
“A mirror? You have to be shitting me,” Jeb moaned. “OK. Stop. I saw a car about two miles back on the road. Let’s go.”
“I’ll wait.”
“Fine.” Jeb started to leave.
“Or …” Travis sang out.
“Or what?”
“Well, these are always going down. They take a day or two to send someone out to fix them. Bears and stuff. Don’t know if they’re bears, but animals take them off. I suggested squirrels but …”
“Travis, what’s your suggestion?” asked Jeb, irritated.
“I was just saying, if you can shoot one of the eyes, you could get by it. You can shoot it. Your aim any good?”
With a look that said, ‘I can’t believe you asked me that,’ Jeb stepped forward and raised his gun.
Although the tree was a good fifty feet away, and the invisible eye was only about six inches in diameter, Jeb nailed it. A single shot, a searing ping, and the eye was gone.
They continued their journey forward to Red River.
<><><><>
The dress probably belonged to some older woman, or perhaps it was an old dress from years earlier. Robi couldn’t possibly imagine anyone she knew wearing it. And yet, there she was, forced to change into the dress. The thin, country dress was plain, with a flowery pattern, and a V-neck. No real style or shape, just a one-shape garment.
She changed while they watched her at gunpoint or she changed without them. Either way she had to put on the dress. Bud’s orders.
“A lady should always look like a lady,” Bud told her. “And sorry to say in them Army pants you look like you might be a lesbian.”
“Maybe I am,” Robi said snidely.
“You got a husband.”
She sniffed and tossed her head in the air. “Maybe I fake it.”
“Well, maybe it wasn’t good enough for you not to fake.”
Robi was pretty certain the conversation wasn’t going anywhere, so she decided to change it. “Look, Bud, I’m not putting on a dress.”
“You will.”
“I won’t.”
“You have to look pretty. Don’t you want to look pretty? I mean, you have potential.”
“Gee thanks,” Robi said.
“Because, to be honest, you don’t look pretty now.’
“Bite me.”
Bud whistled. “Feisty.” He made a sizzle sound. “I like that. If you want that, I can handle that. Now get ready.”
“For what?” Robi asked.
He tossed her the dress. “Me.”
It was then she was given the ultimatum, dress, under gun or not. She chose to get changed alone. All the while, she plotted an escape. Looked for a route out. The window would work. She could always jump out the window. It was only a couple stories high. But amidst all those thoughts, she remembered Jeb. Jeb had to have had a plan.
He would be there. Of that, she was certain.
But he had to see where she was. She drew the curtains open a bit to aid his search.
Bud returned holding a bottle of wine. He was wearing a red silk robe, and it was obvious he was either naked or only wearing shorts beneath it. His bare chest showed through the part of the robe and his thin, pale, legs poked out the bottom.
What frightened Robi wasn’t the robe, it was the fact that he returned with four men.
“We’re gonna have some fun tonight,” Bud said. “Would you like some wine? It might help you relax.”
Robi nodded. A drink wasn’t a bad idea. He poured her a glass; she downed it and extended the empty container. “More,” she said.
Bud refreshed it.
She finished the second glass as fast as the first, the whole time thinking of how she could waste time until Jeb arrived. Where was he?
“Why are they here?” Robi asked.
“Assurance,” Bud replied. “You and I … we’re gonna be intimate.” He winked.
A sick knot formed in Robi’s stomach. “Like with the dress? I either do it at gun point or not?”
“No.” Bud shook his head. “I wouldn’t make you be intimate with me under gun point.”
“I’m not having sex with you, Bud. Forget it,” Robi stated.
“Not sex,” Bud whispered, “seduction.” He pronounced the word slowly with a long hiss to ‘S.’
Robi laughed. “Sorry.” She covered her mouth. “But the seduction thing is out as well. Let me repeat … you will not … seduce me. We will not … be intimate …. There will be no sex. Period.”
“Final word?”
“Yes.” Robi was adamant.
“Boys,” Bud called them.
The second Robi saw the four men move her way, she bolted. Her route to the door was obstructed, so she headed for the window.
She was grabbed; one of them locked an arm around her waist. She elbowed back, caused a grunt, and flipped the man over her shoulder. She shot her foot directly to his chest, turned and was greeted with three shotguns. All aiming at her face.
“You can make this easy …” Bud stepped forward, “or you can make it hard. I’d rather …” He smiled. “Make it … hard,” he snickered, “and fun.” Bud gave a twitch of his head.
Robi saw the butt of the rifle head her way, but she blacked out upon connection.
“There. There. See?” Travis said excitedly, as he laid belly down on the roof of a structure a few streets away from Bud’s building.
Jeb used his binoculars. “Yeah, I see. But I don’t like what I’m seeing.”
“What? What?”
“He’s carrying her somewhere.”
Travis laughed. “Probably seduced your wife and is heading toward the bedroom...Ow!”
Jeb had hit him in the back of his head. “He didn’t seduce my wife. Something’s wrong.” He lowered the binoculars. He didn’t need them to see the streets between him and Bud. The barbecue was still going strong, a fire burned, and everyone was drinking. “All right,” Jeb said. “I can make it across the street. But I got to figure out how to get into that building. He has men guarding it. If I shoot them, I’ll draw attention. Think you can distract them?”
Travis nodded. “Yep. Can do that. But what about
just taking the fire escape up there? Ain’t no guards on that.”
Jeb looked to where Travis pointed and smiled.
<><><><>
It didn’t take Robi long to return to consciousness. The pain aided in awakening her and so did the stuffed feeling in her mouth.
Her temple throbbed, her wrists pulled, and she couldn’t speak. Bud had not only gagged her but also had her tied spread eagle to the bed. She couldn’t move. She was still dressed, but somehow Robi didn’t think that would matter.
Jeb had better hurry. She was running out of ideas.
Bud entered the room and whispered, “They’re gone. We’re alone.” He sighed. “Set the mood. Are you feeling in the mood, my love?”
Robi widened her eyes in a warning way.
“Of course, you are? I’m being silly.” He walked to the dresser and set down his wine. On top of a table was an old Victrola. Bud lifted an old vinyl album, set it on the turntable and wound up the record player.
The music began.
Queen’s We Are the Champions.
Only the old 1980’s song sounded demonic, and slow. It was music which Bud seemed to hear as a symphony.
He danced slowly, swishing his body back and forth. “You like this. Yep.” He turned backwards and wiggled his backside in front of her, side to side, then in a gyrating, manner.
Robi could see his clenching butt cheeks sucking in the robe as he tried his hardest to be an erotic dancer. All she could think was, “Oh my God. Where’s Jeb?”
Bud walked over to the bed and sat down. “Let me tell you a little about myself, princess. I am a giver. I like to give. You like that.” He nodded. ‘Yeah. I’m not a selfish lover so I aim to please before I am pleased.” He leaned down to her, bringing his lips near her face.
Robi turned her head.
“What was that? Oh, absolutely.” He brought his lips to her neck and began to kiss her neck. Wide mouth, wet and slippery he moved up and down. Bud moaned and raised his head. “You want me to do what?” he chuckled. “Princess, of course.”
He stared at her, and then trailed his fingers down the center of the V-neck. He pulled until the ‘V’ moved lower, and then Bud shifted the garment to the side and exposed Robi’s breast.
Her bra covered her flesh, but not for long, Bud moved the cup and released her.
Robi concentrated elsewhere, on anything, anyone. She could wiggle her body, but in her mind, Bud would only take that as a sign of her excitement.
So, Robi lay still. Completely still.
At first, he touched her breast with his fingers, and then he lowered his head, parted his lips, and extended his tongue.
Robi groaned in disgust. Turning her head, not wanting to see. It was bad enough she was getting a mouth bath from Bud.
Bud stopped. He pulled away from her breasts slowly and with suction. A chuckle and he shifted his body so his arms could reach for her dress. With his hip digging into her hip, he raised her dress to just mid undergarment. “Pink undies,” he said. “You knew I liked pink.” Reaching under the dress, like he was peeling an exotic fruit he lowered her underwear just a bit. “What was that?” he asked.
Robi closed her eyes. Jeb. Jeb. Where was Jeb?
“You’re constricted? Of course, what was I thinking?” He brightened his voice. “Ahead!” he reached for the nightstand and lifted a pair of scissors. He lifted the dress slightly just enough to get an aim.
Like a surgeon, he performed surgery. Two cuts and the underwear dropped from her body. He lifted them and then tossed them away.
Although not much of Robi was exposed, since she was still covered by her dress, Bud locked his eyes on her. He moistened his lips as he climbed on the bed. A crawl, a taunting crawl.
Kneeling between her legs, Bud arched forward, lowered his head and mouth, stopping when he felt the cold, hard steel of a gun to his temple.
“Move that mouth any closer,” Jeb graveled, “and you’ll give new meaning to the last supper.”
Bud looked up.
“Back away,” Jeb ordered.
“Look,” Bud said. “You have no right to be in here.”
“Fuck it.” Jeb revved back and nailed Bud, rendering him unconscious. He rolled him onto the floor, and immediately rushed to Robi. “You OK?” he undid the gag and pulled the cloth from her mouth.
After catching her breath and nearly regurgitating, Robi breathed out. “Thank you.”
Jeb worked at untying her.
“Hey.”
“What?” Jeb asked.
“I thought … I thought you had a thing for me.”
“What?” Jeb laughed. “Where is this coming from?”
“Weren’t you frantic to find me?” Robi shook her arm when it was freed.
“Absolutely,” Jeb freed her other arm.
“Well, I thought you’d be more excited to see I was all right.”
Jeb smiled. “I am.” He leaned into her. “I am very excited to see you. Especially with your breast exposed.” he nodded at her. “And … well,” he cleared his throat, “nice breasts.”
Robi fixed her shirt, then reached down and grabbed her dress and lowered it. “He cut my underwear off.”
“I see that.”
“What?”
“I mean … well, they’re on the floor.” Jeb freed her legs. “Done. Let’s go.” He extended a hand to her. “You want your clothes. Then again, climbing down that fire escape might be interesting if I head down first.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” Robi went into the other room. “They're still here. Give me a second.”
“Not a problem.” Jeb walked around the bed and looked down to Bud.
Within a minute Robi returned. “I feel weird.” She stomped her foot into her boot, then raised her leg to lace them.
“Why?”
“Just not wearing any underwear.”
“Look at it this way. No embarrassing panty lines.”
She snickered and laced her other boot.
“Ok,” Jeb said. “What about him.”
“I don’t know.”
“I can kill him. Do you want him dead?”
Robi shook her head. “No. He didn’t hurt me. Just pissed me off. He copped a feel, but he was at least gentle.”
“Nice, the gentle rapist.” Jeb stared down. “We can leave him here or …” he turned with a bright smile.
“What? What are you thinking?”
The ornery look stayed with Jeb. “I got an idea.”
<><><><>
It had been hours since Bud’s men had heard from him and they grew not only a little concerned but envious as well. So, they went to disturb him.
What they found they didn’t expect and two of the four men even laughed.
Bud was in the bedroom as they thought, but it was Bud tied to the bed, and he was wearing the dress that Robi had sported.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
They had driven until the darkened skies told them it was time to stop. They had enough food supplies and planned to do a ‘camp out’ until the next day.
The bus really made a difference in that.
Two tents were pitched.
It was quiet on the bus; Robi possessed the back end where the two bunk beds and desk were located. Bishop’s soft reading voice carried to her, but it didn’t disturb her.
She had maps on the desk and held the baby food jar. Leaning back in the chair, she chatted. “You know you can come over here and we can discuss this. You’re like …” she peered through the window, “fifteen feet away.”
Greek replied, “But isn’t this so old world?”
“Yeah, it is. Sort of. OK, where were we?” she lifted the map.
“I have to agree with Jeb. I say we go to Vegas.”
“But like with everything else, the last signal we have noted was from Bishop’s list.”
“True,” Greek said. “But, think about it. People may associate that place with the Stephen King novel and go there.”
“You r
eally think?”
“It’s worth a shot.”
“Ok, then …” Robi made a note. “Well head up to Vegas, see what’s there. Any luck reaching anyone else on the radio?”
“No luck.”
“Any … any word from Red River?”
“None.”
Robi breathed out. “We’re good then.”
“That’s what I think.”
“Ok. Here’s the deal. Don’t drive yourself crazy with calling out all the time. Anyone that’s listening for radio transmissions are going to listen on the hour. Just do a sweep on the even hours. How’s that.”
“Works for me, boss.”
“We'll head out first light. Hit the next town. Pick up supplies, clean up and move forward.”
“How many miles tomorrow you want to accomplish?” Greek asked.
“Five or six hundred? You think that’s pushing it.”
“Nah, with the stopping, it’s a full day. Should be good. Get us to Vegas day after tomorrow.”
“My thoughts, too.”
“Well, good night, Robi, glad you’re safe.”
“Night, Greek.” Robi rested the radio lid on her lips, staring down at the maps before setting and down and grabbing a notebook.
<><><><>
There was a roof trap on the bus, and Jeb probably could have taken that inside, but he opted for the long route. After informing Tate—whose sleeping bag was sprawled on the bus roof—that he’d be back, Jeb hang jumped from the side of the bus. He did a quick check of the perimeter. He could see Robi sitting in the back of the bus; the light was still on, but she wasn’t sleeping, she was writing something.
Glasses? Robi wore glasses? He made a mental note to tease her about that, but not on this night. She probably was too preoccupied with all that happened.
His watch read ten PM, which Jeb knew wasn’t correct. He always set his watch ten minutes ahead.
Entering the bus, he saw Travis sleeping in the front row of bus seats and the other new guy in the next row. He walked through the curtained area, where Bishop was laying on the couch. Martha was curled up with him and a book was open on his chest.
“You sleeping?” Jeb asked in a low voice.
The Last Mile Trilogy Page 23