by W. R. Benton
Adolpha had enjoyed Stan a number of times and ways this evening, but now she was getting sleepy. She released him to use the bathroom and then when he returned, she used the ties on him again. Once he was secured to the bed, she showered and prepared for sleep. He'd looked all over the bathroom, looking for something to help him with the ties but found nothing. Most women would have had at least a razor in her toiletries, only she didn't have so much as a nail file.
Most of the night he'd laid in bed trying to think of a way to escape, but he thought of nothing. They were in a rundown hotel in Clovis, New Mexico, and obviously Adolpha had been here before because she'd given him directions from the highway. The night passed slowly for him as he thought of escape and the look of surprise on Rik's face when she'd killed him.
When morning arrived, it came too early for him, and he was still tired. After a few cups of coffee they were on the road again, toward Kansas. The sun was up, not a cloud in the sky and it would be another hot day in Texas.
They'd just moved into the panhandle of Texas when the truck temperature gauge began to go up, and from what he could tell, they were a good ten miles from the next town. He tapped the gauge, but it did no good. I'll bet it's the damned thermostat again. This damned truck eats them for lunch. How many have I replaced on this thing? he thought and then said, “Engine is getting hot.”
“Find some water.”
“Find some water? Just like that, and in this countryside? It's so dry here even the horny toads carry a canteen. Won't be no water found until we come to the next town.”
“How far is that?”
“I ain't sure, but maybe about ten miles or so.” I hope we don't stall out here or I'm a dead man, he thought as soon as he'd spoken.
Five minutes later, Adolpha said, “Off your right, maybe a half mile, see the gas station?”
It was an old mom and pop store with gas and Stan smiled, because he was safe again. Beside the place was an old motel from the 1960s, but he couldn't tell if they were still open for business or not. He pulled into the parking lot of the store, looked for a water hose, but saw nothing. He kept a metal bucket in his truck and if needed, he'd pack the water from the bathroom. He hoped they had a thermostat, but doubted they did. Most places like this carried milk, bread, a few canned items, beer, cigarettes, snuff, and odd staples for a home. Of course they had candy for kids and produce from local farmers. They had one near the ranch and it made the best sandwiches for only a dollar. Him and Rik ate there when heading into town for business. At the thought of Rik, he look over at Adolpha with hate filling his eyes.
When the truck stopped in the parking lot, he pulled a can of snuff from his dash, took a wad and put it between his cheek and gums.
“You try anything here and I'll kill everyone in the place, okay?”
“I'll just get some water. I need a new thermostat, but suspect they don't have any truck parts here. Eventually, I'll need to fix the thing or this could happen again.”
“Let's go in. You stay within two feet of me at all times. If I use the toilet, you go in with me and if you need to use it, I'll stand by the door until you finish.”
When they entered, two kids were giving the candy on display a serious amount of time, an older woman was looking at the dried cat food selection, and an old man, eighty at least, said, “Mornin', cowboy.”
“Mornin', suh. I hope this day is a good-un fer ya.”
“It'll do, son. What can I do ya out of today?” The old man leaned forward, his palms resting on his counter top. Stan liked the old man's Stetson and told him as much.
“Best da —, uh, dang hat made by man.” he started to say damned, but remembered Adolpha was with the young man.
“I think so, too. Listen, do ya have any truck thermostats for sale?”
“No, son, I don't keep nothin' like that here. My customers are locals who want milk, bread and tobacco, so they don't need to drive far. My prices are a tad high, but it beats a thirty minute drive to the next town.”
“Would ya mind iffen I got some water from ya to refill my radiator?”
“Not at all, so he'p yourself to the water. You'll find a spigot under the big picture winder in front of the store. I ain't got a hose, so do ya need a bucket?”
“I have a bucket.” Stan replied, then looking at his kidnapper he asked, “Ya need anything in here?”
She pulled some chips, a six-pack of beer, and had the man slice them a pound of ham. Almost forgetting, she added a loaf of bread to the counter.
“Give me two cans of snuff, too. Is the hotel beside ya open for business?”
“Shore is, but don't expect anything fancy, not for $20 a night. I don't think Clyde has replaced anything in the place since it was built back in '66. Son, ya need to latch on to that heifer with ya, she looks to have all a man needs.”
“Oh, we'll be married next month. How much do I owe ya?”
“I need twelve dollars and sixty-one cents from ya, cowboy.”
Out of cash and seeing Adolpha talking with the kids, he handed the man his debit card, hoping the police knew he'd been taken and would be looking for any use of his cards as well as any phone usage. He quickly entered his PIN and then smiled as he placed the card back in his wallet. He crumpled up the receipt and tossed it in the trashcan by the door, which was almost right beside him.
Like his shadow, Adolpha was soon by his side. Stan took the bags and held the door open for her with his free hand. After putting the bags in the back of his truck, he picked up the bucket and headed for the spigot.
He filled the bucket with water, removed his shirt and used it to shield his hand as he removed the cap to the radiator. They could both hear the water boiling in the mechanism. When the cap came off, hot water shot into the air.
“Now what?” she asked.
“We add a little cold water and wait for the temperature to go down.”
After his third bucket of water, he took the cap and put it in his pocket. He added the water and knew he had enough because it overflowed to the concrete.
“Want to get a room over there, at the hotel?” he asked, hoping she'd turn her head to look at the place.
When she turned her head and looked, he brought the bucket up with all his might, striking her under the chin. Before she struck the ground, he was in the truck. He turned the ignition and smiled when it started. Quickly placing the vehicle in reverse, he pulled back far enough to clear the cement parking block and then goosed the truck, and headed back to the highway. Two bullets struck the truck but one came through the back glass to strike him in the right shoulder. The round went through his body, struck the windshield, which caused it to fill with cracks. A bullet hole was seen through the glass and the still raised hood.
Stan had to drive looking under the raised hood. He drove about a mile and then pulled off the road. He replaced the cap to the radiator and lowered the hood. He pulled his bloody shirt off and wrapped his injury as well as he could. Terrified of Adolpha, he got back in the truck and soon had his speed up to 90 Miles Per Hour (MPH). He knew if she caught him, he was a dead man.
Five minutes later he saw a sign that read, “Perryton, Texas four miles.”
He knew the place was small, having been there a few times as he delivered a load of cows to Kansas. He knew they had a General Hospital on Garrett Drive, so he'd find it. He just hoped he'd find it before he passed out from blood loss.
Adolpha stood, saw Stan leaving her, and pulled her pistol. She fired three shots at the man, heard two hit the truck and then cursed as he sped away.
Folks from the store ran out, to see what the commotion was about and she pointed her pistol at them and said, “I want your keys and now!”
Of course there were only two parked vehicles; one was the store owner's, which was a rust bucket of a cowboy truck, and the other was a fairly new four door family car that belonged to the old woman who'd been looking the cat food over. Taking the woman's keys, she yelled, “Police, and I ne
ed your car!” She moved to the car and started it.
“Take it then, and get that bastard!” the old woman said as Adolpha checked the review mirror, placed it in gear, and then pulled from the store parking lot onto highway 54, heading north.
She didn't want to draw attention to herself, so she drove the posted speed limit. She hoped Stan's truck would overheat and he'd break down alongside the highway. She owed the sonofabitch, and intended to pay him instantly with a bullet.
As she drove, she wondered if her shots had hit the man. If so, he'd head to a hospital and report her. If he wasn't hit, he'd most likely head straight to the cops. After a couple of miles, she decided chasing him for revenge was stupid, and her safest bet was to keep this car and change directions. The car had a GPS, so she pulled off the road and programmed in Denver, and saw her next turn was just ahead, to the left. She smiled and thought, well, I can see now why all these American women love cowboys. They're rough looking, treat a woman right, and make better than average lovers. I need to get me another hat as soon as I can.
Evening found her in a roadside motel watching the news as she ate some food she'd picked up at a drive-thru. She'd also stopped at Goodmarket and picked up some scissors, auburn hair dye, a pink cowboy hat, and other small things she needed. She wanted a man and, while unwilling, Stan had gotten her used to having a man to use each night. She honestly missed the cowboy, and in more ways than one.
Her phone rang and glancing at the number, she saw it was from Spain.
“Hello?”
“Hello, and where are you?” The voice was not her usual man, but a different one.
“I am still in Texas, but lost my driver and vehicle.” She then gave him the address of the motel and explained she had a hot car.
“Do you need to be picked up?”
“No, I'm moving to Denver and will make contact with an agent there. I'll contact you once there so you can arrange a meeting. I was going to a safe house in Kansas and changed my mind.”
“I will see you have a brand new car, drivers license, and papers to pick up in the morning when the dealer in Perryton opens at 0800 hours. The name of the dealer is Perryton Smith Auto. Also, once you have the new car, go to the First National Bank and you'll find $100,000 transferred there for you in an account. I suggest you take only what you need and use their issued debit card as you travel.”
“And what is my new name?”
“Jody Burns, and you have a complete history in the computer. What color is your hair now?”
“It will be auburn by morning.”
“Just some photo touch ups will change that for your drivers license. You are from Dallas, Texas, an executive with Falstaff oil, an oil company that does deep water off shore drilling and you're based in Fort Worth. When you get your package in the morning, read and memorize it.”
“I will do what you ask.”
“Good. Get rid of the hot car in the morning. There is a grocery store across the street from the dealer's and you can dump the car there.”
“I will do that. Is there anything else?”
“No, and good luck in the morning. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
The evening was spent cutting her long hair and then dying it auburn.
The President of the United States was a mental mess, and now stayed half drunk most of the time. He had turned the war over to his Generals, and while there were some improvements and advances had been made, they were hardly better off than they'd been before. He fully understood if they lost the war, he and his staff would likely end up swinging from the same gallows. He filled a glass with whiskey and took a sip.
“Sir, General Jones reports he's pushed the CSA troops back almost fifty miles since last night. He's holding on line one for you.” a young lieutenant said, sticking his head in the door.
Picking up the phone, the President said, “Well, General, what's this I hear of a small victory?”
“We pushed the northern invaders back fifty miles yesterday, and today is looking even better.”
“Good, good, you keep this up and you'll soon have your third star, sir.”
“I'm sure today will be a repeat of yesterday. One of my young tank commanders is another General Patton, sir, and full of piss and vinegar.”
“Promote him, if you haven't already.”
“He's a young twenty-five year old, and I promoted him to major yesterday.”
“What was his old rank?”
“Sergeant, but he saw weakness in the enemies lines and capitalized on it.”
“If he does well today, make him a Full Colonel. We need good men, regardless of background or education, promoted to key spots. Your man sounds like he's just a natural tank man.”
“Oh, he is at that.”
“Keep up the good work, and let me know how well you do today. I have to go, because I have a staff meeting in ten minutes.” the President lied, and took a gulp of his whiskey.
“I'll let you know, sir. Enjoy your day.”
The bunker suddenly began to shake as a voice on a speaker said, “We are currently being bombed by three cells of B-52s, but relax, we are all safe.”
Five minutes later the bunker seemed to jump into the air, shook violently, and then come back to earth. The lights flickered on and off, and a voice said, “We have a report that a 15,000 lb BLU-82/B bomb was just dropped on us from a CSA C-130. Some of you may not know that this bomb has a large blast radius, reported as 5000 to 5500 feet in diameter. It's one of the largest bombs still in use and —.” The lights flickered off and the power stayed off this time.
Emergency lighting immediately came on, which was dimmer and was battery operated.
The big bomb shattered the President's hopes and dreams, and when the lights went, they took the last of his sanity. He picked up the whiskey bottle and chugged about a fourth of it. He then opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a 9 mm pistol. He raised the pistol to his head and squeezed the trigger.
The End, or is it really?
Coming in 2017...
The New World Order, Volume 3
If you enjoyed this book, please leave me a review at Amazon.com
To find out about future W.R. Benton book releases and
free book giveaways, join our mailing list.
Thank you!
About the Author
W. R. Benton, pen name for Gary L. Benton, was born in the Missouri Ozarks. He is a graduate of Wayland Baptist College, Texas, with a BS in Occupational Safety and health. Benton's writing has been endorsed by writers Don Bendell, Matt Braun, and Stephen Lodge, as well as actor James Drury, "The Virginian," actor Robert Woods, Mississippi Senator Terry Burton, and many others. He's been interviewed by many local Mississippi television and radio stations.
A true cowboy at heart, Benton spent over 26 years on active military duty with the United States Air Force and retired in 1997, with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8). He lives on an imaginary ranch with hundreds of horses and thousands of make believe cows. He has four dogs and two cats.
You can discover more about W. R. Benton by visiting his websites, www.simplesurvival.net or www.wrbenton.net .
Be sure to visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gary.l.benton.
His books, all of them, can be found at http://www.amazon.com/author/wrbenton/
The Fall of America:
Book 1 Premonition of Death
NOW FREE for the Kindle : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1S4BAG
Also available for Nook, iBooks, Kobo and at Smashwords
What if it all came crashing down?
It started with the "Biggest" stock market crash in history. Banks shut down under the weight of their bogus investments, and the financial sector failed. People looked to the government to make it all better. They couldn't! Hyper-inflation, mass unemployment and infrastructure started to breakdown. The food trucks didn't show up at the stores and the shelves went empty.
The Fall of Ame
rica: Book 1 Premonition of Death is the beginning of a new series, about an average man who's life goes downhill fast, once society breaks down. Set in the rural south, a scorched-earth showdown with some local thugs leaves John and his wife homeless, and on the run. He hears rumors of a survivalist group made up of former military personnel, and finding them may be his only hope. Just basic survival becomes vicious, resistance at any cost, as the devastated country comes under new siege—invading Russian troops.
Audiobooks by W.R. Benton
The Fall of America: Book 1
The Fall of America: Book 2
The Fall of America: Book 3
Available now at Audible.com or iTunes
EAGLE PEOPLE
Book 1
Kindle : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQ999IC
The year 2414...
In a devastated America, ripped apart by a second bitter Civil War, it is a time of struggle and strife - only the vigilant survive, and The Eagle People must compete with their neighbors, The Mountain People and The Wolf Clan for every life-preserving resource. Horses, bows and hatchets have replaced the ammo-less assault rifles and worthless cars. Defending their hunting grounds with their rudimentary weapons means The Eagle People stand a chance, losing them means tribal extinction.
Until now the Eagle People had some advantages - access to the sacred Books of Knowledge, culled from the blacked ruins of once great book houses. With these books, their 'Learned Ones' are slowly discovering long-forgotten skills and tools. When the Wolf Clan suddenly discovers a new terrifying weapon, the pistol, things change. Though few in number, The Wolf Clan uses their advantage to attack and enslave The Eagle People, igniting a new war and disturbing the fragile balance of power in the neighboring tribes.