by Backwoods
Chapter Five
The daylight had disappeared long before Tommy reached the Alabama line and a sign the read Eufaula. Deciding it best to wait until morning, he continued until he found a desolate motel and stopped to get a room for the night.
Sleep did not come and he found himself roaming the parking lot at three-thirty in the morning. The abundance of wildlife provided a good pastime as he watched the raccoons digging through the trash and an armadillo clunking across the parking lot. He had never seen an armadillo before and its resemblance to an opossum finally offered some perspective, but the shell was quite cool, he allowed.
He bought several candy bars from the machine in the lobby hallway. He wondered how long they had been frozen inside the old machine as he scarfed them down. He purchased a few more and returned to his room to watch the sunrise from the sliding glass door along the back wall of his room.
The daylight uncovered a swamp in the back of the motel and the pair of alligators watching him, from only feet away. He finished his candy bar breakfast and threw his few belongings back into his duffel. A stop by the front desk to check out and drop off the key and he returned to his car, leaving the alligators to their swamp.
He woke several hours later to an old man with a bag of trash in his hand tapping on his window. “You can keep the room till two if ya need ya sleep. Don’t look good for business, customers sleepin’ in they cars.”
He looked around the otherwise abandoned parking lot and shrugged. “Well, suit yourself, thought I’d offer.”
He looked at his watch and saw that it was nearly ten o’clock. A late morning stop would be appropriate enough, he considered, as he started his old Nova and pulled away.
He sat, parked outside the address for a long while, considering what to say once he gathered his nerves and built up enough courage to actually approach. He opened his door and stepped out onto the street. He felt nervous enough to puke as he walked up to the house.
He knocked on the door and after a moment, it swung open. A young boy stood in the doorway, staring up with curiosity, then slammed the door shut.
“Somebody is here!” the boy yelled from behind the door.
A few long moments passed and the door opened again. Edward Donnelly stood, just inches away, a crutch under his right arm, and shock in his eyes.
“How in the hell? Oh, my Lord! Private?” He fell against the door opening and stared in complete disbelief.
“Private, First Class, now. How are you here?”
“This is my home. How are you here?”
They stared at each other, trying to make sense of their odd reunion.
“I had this crazy-ass dream a couple months ago. It was like it was real. You and I was at some crazy building.” Donnelly said, “Hey, did you dream it too?” he added, hoping to have found an answer to their obvious puzzle.
“It wasn’t a dream, Brother.” Tommy informed him. “That really happened, I took a shot to the shoulder, but I survived, thanks to you. You were there. You saved my life.”
Donnelly wanted to respond, but the words did not come. He recalled the dream vividly. He had woken up when he had been surrounded by enemy soldiers and felt the bullets tearing into his chest. I was so real that he had hobbled out of bed and checked his chest and leg for injuries.
“My God!” Donnelly said, battling the possibility
“You saved my ass. All hell broke loose and I was fucked until you showed up. This is yours, too.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the old Smith and Wesson, P-89, semi-automatic 9mm pistol.
Donnelly took the weapon in his hand and quickly popped out the clip, instantly reading the inscription on the side. “My God, how is that even possible?”
“I don’t have a clue, but this is yours as well.” Tommy extended a hand with a small case in his grasp. “A Silver Star, for gallantry in battle against an enemy of the United States of America. Along with my eternal gratitude.”
“All I ever wanted was to be a soldier. Honor, respect, toughness, sacrifice… all that stuff was my life. You don’t know what this means to me.” He said, studying the medal. “I signed up as soon as I turned eighteen and was a week from leaving for basic when I was in a crash that left me needing this thing to get around.” He nodded toward his crutch and continued. “Army discharged me and that was that. Guess they can’t use cripples and gimps. I got left behind, brother. Yall went off to battle and I couldn’t be at your side.”
“You were…brother, and I surely wouldn’t have made it out of there without ya.”
They spoke for a little while longer, vowing to keep in touch and to grab a beer sometime. As Tommy turned to leave, Donnelly stopped him.
“Hey, hold up. I recall giving this to you.” Donnelly held out an arm, the 9mm in his hand. “May it keep you safe on your journey.”
~The End~
Author’s Note
This story hits closer to home than any I have written to this point. My own unfulfilled military oath, via medical discharge in 1999, has left an emptiness that can never be quenched.
“There is a soldier, somewhere, who fights in my stead.
To them I say, walk strong, walk smart, walk safe,
and give ‘em hell until you return home once more.
I am forever at your side.”
S.W.Fox
To those who risk their lives and limbs,
to preserve our freedom and our way of life.
I say thank you, my brothers and sisters.
May you find safety in your journey.
Also from Backwoods:
Unremembered, by Backwoods
After a fatal crash, Ethan Wolfe must survive the wilderness to evade capture. He flees to Colorado to seek asylum with friends, only to find them facing an evil beyond imagination. A twisted dream and a shocking premonition leave him wondering if they face the evil or are the cause of it.
Off Grid, by Backwoods
Johnny & Rae Lynn Tapper find safety in solitude, hidden deep within the shelter of the Rocky Mountains. Terrorists have taken away the country they once knew and they survive, secluded and alone, by living off the land. They live wild new lives in a wild new world, living among the wild animals of the vast Colorado wilderness. There are no phones. There is no power. There are few people. They are completely 'Off Grid'.
Stronghold, by Backwoods
Book #2 of the Off Grid Series
After a devastating attack changed the country forever, Johnny and Rae Lynn Tapper have survived solitude in the wilderness, bitter winters, brutal injuries, a deadly encounter with wolves, and the birth of their child while alone and trapped by a very unpleasant bear. Now they face an even greater danger, Howard Harvey, the serial killer who has moved into their town of Stronghold.
Seven Years, by Backwoods
Tales from the Backwoods, Story #1
Seven Years is the first story of the Tales from the Backwoods. It is a short paranormal thriller about a man sentenced to seven years in prison. The harsh realities of prison are a source of fear for many reasons, although the worst fears are likely not the realities, but the unknown. This story certainly tops my list of fears.
Lost Time, by Backwoods
Tales From The Backwoods, Story #2
What if today, was tomorrow?
Lost Time is a short, chilling tale of a man who has lost his time.
An Unlikely Angel, by Backwoods
Tales From The Backwoods, Story #3
Taking a break from the chilling, suspenseful stories that the 'Tales From The Backwoods' typically offer, 'An Unlikely Angel' is well suited for all ages and remains one of my all-time favorites. The story takes place during the childhood of Ethan Wolfe, a favorite character from my 'Off Grid' series and it is one that is sure to linger in your thoughts. I hope that you take the time to indulge in this short read. I am sure you will enjoy. Thank you kindly. ~Backwoods~
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~Backwoods~