Dead Center, page 18
part #2 of Nemesis Series
“I can tell that you liked that,” Ava said, laughing at how fast Lexi put the muffin away.
“Sorry, I bet that was rude,” Lexi said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Looking up at a clock on the wall then outside, Lexi said, “We should get moving along.”
“Where are you going?” Ava asked.
“We’re just on the move,” Lexi answered.
“You left San Diego and are just roaming around?”
“No, we’re heading to Idaho. We have friends up there,” Lexi lied.
“I’d love to go there. Heck, I’d love to go anywhere,” Ava complained.
“Well, hopefully that will change for you,” Lexi said and got to her feet. “Thank you for the hospitality but we need to get moving.”
“Are you sure? I have some other good food, and how about getting a shower or bath?”
“No, we should be going,” Lexi replied.
“Can we, Mom? Please, a shower or bath sounds really good and more food too,” Sasha begged.
“No, we should keep moving,” Lexi said.
“Please, I’ve never—” Sasha said but caught herself before saying anything more. “Please.”
“Sasha, no.”
“That’s your name? I love it. My name is Ava. We never truly introduced ourselves.”
“Sasha, now,” Lexi snapped.
“Fine,” Sasha growled and got to her feet. “I have to go.”
“It was fun, thank you; I like meeting new people,” Ava said.
“Again thank you for the coffee and muffin,” Lexi said as she headed to the front door where she’d set her rifle and pack. Before she picked anything up, she said, “I think I’ll use the bathroom one more time. And you, best be ready when I get back.” Lexi rushed off.
“Thanks for all of this, it was great,” Sasha said.
“Like I said, I never meet new people. I’m always around family and such. So how long have you been on the road for?”
“A while.”
“Listen, I know your mom is being…a mom, but you want a place to lay your head that’s not the ground, go down the road a bit and you’ll find a house. It’s abandoned but nice, not like that other one where I found you.”
“No one is using it?”
“No, it was owned by a friend of my uncle. He’s dead and it’s been just sitting there. Go down the road a half mile, you’ll see a red mailbox on the street.”
“Thank you,” Sasha said.
“So how does a San Diego girl never have milk or eat a muffin before?” Ava asked.
Looking over her shoulder to ensure her mother wasn’t close, Sasha leaned closer to Ava and said, “My mom is from San Diego; I was born here. We’ve been living out in the woods since I was a baby. My mom is sort of nervous about stuff. You’ve been so nice I thought I owed it to you to be honest. I don’t think I’ll ever see you again, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You’ve been living in the woods since you were a baby?” Ava asked shocked by the revelation.
“Yes, but don’t mention anything when my mom returns, she’ll get upset.”
“Where?”
“A tiny cabin, nothing as nice as this, about a day’s hike or more,” Sasha said. On the wall behind Ava were vintage national park and forest maps framed as wall décor. Seeing one was of the forest where they’d been living, Sasha pointed and said, “I grew up in that forest.”
Ava turned to look at the map. “You’ve been really living there?”
Sasha walked up to the map, scanned it quickly and recognized the features because Lexi had trained her to do land navigation with a topo map like this. “Right there, we live right there.”
Ava looked and saw exactly where her finger was on the map. “Why would you live in the woods?”
Sasha was about to answer but heard the bathroom door open.
Lexi came out of the bathroom, turned down the hall, but this time stopped in her tracks when she saw a photograph of a smiling family on the wall. A couple of faces looked oddly familiar. She leaned in and spotted Gavin right away, then recognized Nancy and the two small kids; one was the boy she had killed. His face she’d never forget. A chill ran down her spine, the little girl in the photo was this woman. Not wasting another second, she raced back to the dining room to find Ava and Sasha chatting. “Time to go.”
“Are you okay?’ Ava asked, noticing Lexi’s ashen appearance.
“We just need to get going,” Lexi said, grabbing Sasha’s arm firmly.
“Ouch,” Sasha cried out.
“I said it’s time to go,” Lexi barked.
Ava was beginning to put two and two together although it was hard for her since her memory of that time was almost nonexistent anymore. She wanted to say something but decided against it.
Lexi and Sasha donned their packs and grabbed their rifles.
An odd sensation similar to déjà vu struck Ava. She approached Lexi and asked, “Are you sure we’ve never met before?”
Lexi’s eyes widened upon hearing the question. She lowered her right hand down towards her knife and readied herself.
Seeing her mom’s hand move, Sasha stepped in between of Lexi and Ava. “Goodbye, Ava.”
“Goodbye, Sasha and I didn’t catch your name.”
“Thanks,” Lexi said, threw open the door and rushed out with Sasha in tow.
Ava went to the doorway, stopped at the threshold, and leaned against the doorjamb. She watched as Lexi and Sasha scurried down the steps of the deck and towards the trail. Had she just run into the woman who had killed her family?
TRUCKEE, REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA
“I don’t care what he said, I need to see my uncle now,” Ava barked at the guard who stood in front of the office door like a towering statue.
“Miss Ava, he gave specific instructions not to be disturbed,” the guard, a tall and lean man with a goatee, said.
“Brandon, you know me, you’ve known me since I was this tall,” she said, holding her hand out. “I have something urgent to tell my uncle. Now let me past or I swear—”
The office door opened abruptly and there stood August, his face flush and sweat glistening on his brow. With wide eyes, he barked, “What the hell do you want? I’m busy.”
“I’ve got something to tell you, it’s important!” Ava barked back, her hands positioned on her hips.
“Leave whatever list of things you want with Scott.”
“This isn’t about things, I need to tell you something, and it’s very important,” Ava snapped.
“I don’t have time for trivial girl things,” August said and went to close the door.
“She was at my house,” Ava said.
August froze; he knew exactly what she was insinuating. “Who was at your house?”
“If you’ll let me come in, I’ll explain,” Ava said.
“Let her pass,” August told the guard, who stepped aside.
Ava smugly walked through the door and to his desk. She spun around and waited for him to close the door.
“Well?”
“I think you should hear this in private,” Ava said.
Rolling his eyes, he grunted, “What is up with today and private meetings.” He slammed the door and sauntered over to his desk.
Looking around on the floor at the smashed items, Ava asked, “What’s going on in here?”
“Pay no attention. Now tell me who was at your house?”
“I was hiking, and I ran into two people at that old cabin, the one where the black guy and German lady lived. You know the one…”
“Old Joe, go on.”
“Yeah, they were there. I spied on them but they saw me. They were nice and I wanted some attention, so I invited them to my place for coffee.”
“Ava, you’re boring me. Who do you think these people were?”
“I think I just had coffee with the woman who killed my family.”
Intrigued but not convinced, he said, “It’s been thirteen years. What on earth would that woman be doing back here?”
“I don’t know, but here’s where I began to get suspicious. The older woman looked familiar, although I can’t say I recall what she looks like. But more importantly, the girl who was with her, her daughter, was thirteen years old. If you’ll recall, the woman all those years back was—”
“Pregnant,” August said, interrupting her.
“And the girl told me that they’d been living in the forest all those years. You should have heard her. She never had milk, muffins, you name it. The girl has been living in the woods the entire time. They’ve been hiding that long.”
“It just seems so unlikely, but then again, I guess anything can happen,” August said rubbing his chin in deep thought.
“Are you going to tell me what happened here?” Ava asked.
“It’s not important. Where did they go?”
“I told them to go up to the next house up for shelter, but I’m thinking the woman caught on to something off. She rushed out of the house rather quickly.”
“Any idea where they might be going?” August asked.
“That house and where they’ve been living for the past thirteen years is all I can guess,” Ava replied.
“And exactly how do we know where they’ve been living all these years?”
“Oh, the girl told; in fact, even better, she showed me.”
OUTSKIRTS OF TRUCKEE, REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA
“Why are we running away like something is wrong? What’s going on?” Sasha blared.
“We don’t have time to talk. We need to get back to the cabin; it’s safe there,” Lexi snapped back.
Not satisfied with the answer, Sasha stopped and barked, “That’s not good enough. What are you not telling me?”
“I’ve told you everything. We just need to get back. Running into people so close to what happened all those years ago is not a good plan. Now come on, let’s move.”
Sasha grunted her displeasure, looked to the western horizon, and saw the sun was closing in. “Do you plan on hiking all night?”
“If we have to. We need to get as far away from there as possible,” Lexi answered, her strides long and fast.
“Mom, you seem freaked out. What is it?”
Lexi stopped and turned. She opened her mouth but before she was about to tell Sasha what she saw and who she suspected Ava to be, she rethought telling her. She didn’t want to upset her, and she didn’t want her to again feel that she’d made a mistake. “I’m just nervous, now please come.”
“No.”
“Sasha, come on!” Lexi barked.
“I liked her, she was nice. I had coffee and a muffin. I liked them. I want that, I want a real life, not this. Not this running, hiding, I want a real life.”
Letting out a loud sigh, Lexi approached Sasha. “When we get back to the cabin, we’ll plan another outing next week, but this time go north. Heck, maybe it’s time to go way north to, like, Idaho. How does that sound?”
“You’re lying. You’re just saying that,” Sasha seethed.
“I’m not lying. That town back there is bad; it’s run by bad people. But I know people to the north, up in Idaho. Maybe we’ll go there, okay?”
“Do you promise?”
“I do. Now please, let’s get moving,” Lexi said, turned and marched on.
Finally finding satisfaction in Lexi’s offer, Sasha followed.
TRUCKEE, REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA
Standing in three rows of ten, like a military platoon, were thirty of August’s best men, all armed and ready to do whatever his bidding was.
The orange glow of the overhead parking lot lights cast down and projected August’s shadow long.
Behind him on the steps were Ava and Scott.
August paced back and forth in front of them. He stopped and said, “After all these years, we’ve found the woman responsible for my brothers’ murders. We’ll leave from here to go get her, but I need to tell you that we aren’t going to kill her, no. I want her alive. I want to bring her back here to face judgment. Do you understand?”
The men gathered replied in unison, “Yes.”
“However, before we go, I must take care of something else. I know you’ve heard that there is a traitor in our midst. I have to say that seeing you all here tells me the traitor isn’t in your ranks. And I for one am glad to see that. No, the traitor is someone I’ve trusted for a long time, someone I love.”
Hearing him, Ava furrowed her brow, unsure where this was going.
Several armed men exited the hall and stepped to either side of Scott, who looked at them nervously.
August spun around. “Take him.”
“What?” Scott asked as the men grabbed him by each arm and held him firmly.
“My very own brother has betrayed me. He worked with the governor of California to have me killed. Can you believe that?”
“August, this is a lie. I haven’t done anything of the sort,” Scott complained.
“It all makes sense. You’ve hated the way I’ve led this clan, always complaining about my tactics. Brother, I’m saddened, very, that you would work against me. What exactly were you thinking you’d accomplish?”
“I haven’t done anything,” Scott protested.
“Uncle Auggie, what’s going on? I don’t understand. This is Uncle Scott, he’s not like that,” Ava cried out.
“Don’t get involved, Ava,” August snapped and pointed at her, his finger jabbing inches from her face. “He lied. He worked against me, the clan and you.”
“Are you sure?” Ava asked.
“Yes, I’m positive. Now he must suffer the consequences.”
Scott lowered his head. “It’s true.”
“Ah, now he’s honest. Just know this won’t get you mercy,” August said.
Lifting his head, Scott looked August squarely on and said, “I don’t expect mercy, but what I’ve always expected we should give those people living around us is some dignity. Yet you have them living under constant fear.”
“What do you know about ruling or leading?”
“I know that many of the men out there don’t trust you, and if given a choice, would rather not see you in power,” Scott spat.
Ava approached August, put her hand on his arm, and whispered, “Please, Uncle Auggie, don’t kill him; he’s your brother, he’s my uncle, he’s our blood. Put him in a jail or something, or banish him, but don’t kill him, please.”
“Girl, you need to grow up and do what’s right; remember I told you that. We live by a code,” August said.
“My code isn’t killing my relatives,” Ava snapped.
“Ava, stop, you can’t reach him; he’s been lost for years,” Scott said softly to her.
“This isn’t right. Don’t do this,” Ava said to August.
“Just when I think you’re coming around, you disappoint me once more. Step away,” August ordered Ava.
“No.”
Turning around to the men assembled, August barked, “Someone please take my naïve niece away from here.”
“No, don’t do this!” she again screamed.
Two men got on either side of her and forcibly removed her.
“You’re making a mistake. Don’t kill your brother,” Ava shouted.
The men took her to the edge of the parking lot where she still could see. The entire time she was thinking that August might change his mind, but deep down she knew, she knew that he was a sick and twisted man. He relished hurting and killing people, even family now. Suddenly the one comfort she had of being a Clancy evaporated. If August could kill Scott, he could also kill her.
“Go ahead, kill me, but soon you’ll pay the price of your evil ways. You’ll have to cash that check,” Scott said and spit on August’s shoes.
Looking at the spit ooze off the toe of his boot, August grinned. He looked at his watch, saw the time and said, “Does everyone understand what I have to do here?”
Like robots the men shouted, “Kill him.”
He laughed and said, “You’re smart, all of you. So who wants to do it?”
The men began to look at each other, none remarking or raising their hands.
“Well, who wants to carry out the sentence?” August asked.
A lone hand raised.
August squinted and said, “Step forward.”
From the ranks stepped forward Nellis. “I’ll do it.”
“Nellis, yes, come up here.”
Nervously Nellis made his way up to August. “I’ll do it, sir.”
Calmly, August stepped out of the way and motioned with his hand towards Scott. “You know something, Scott. I gave you everything. I would have given you more, all you had to do was ask.”
“I tried to talk to you,” Scott said. “You never listen.”
Nellis stepped up to Scott, leaned in and said, “I’m sorry.”
“After all these years, all we’ve shared; it’s you, huh?” Scott asked.
“I’m sorry,” Nellis said, put his pistol to Scott’s head, and pulled the trigger.
Scott’s head snapped back and his body slumped in the men’s arms. They released him, allowing his lifeless form to fall to the ground.
“No!” Ava screamed.
Nellis walked back to the ranks and got in line.
“Good, now that’s done, let’s go get that woman.”
AUGUST 1, 2030
“Love is not a feeling of happiness. Love is a willingness to sacrifice.” - Michael Novak
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST, REPUBLIC OF CALIFORNIA
Lexi sprang from the cot the second she heard the trip wire of their perimeter get triggered. She grabbed her rifle, which she always kept next to her, and ran to the only window. She and Sasha had only just returned from the long hike days ago, and now someone was outside, but who?
Peering out, she saw men taking cover behind trees and rocks to the south. “Sasha, get up!”
Opening her eyes, Sasha looked around and quickly spotted Lexi at the window. “Mom, what is it?”
“Men, intruders, get your gear, grab your weapon, and ready yourself to flee,” Lexi said.
Not questioning Lexi, Sasha did exactly as Lexi said.
From her vantage point, Lexi counted only eight men; all were armed. “You know what to do,” Lexi said.
