Blood Games

    ‘None of the others did,’ Vivian pointed out.

    ‘I guess that proves it,’ Finley said. ‘Old Batty’s gone and put the whammy on us. We’re doomed for sure.’ This time, nobody laughed.

    Abilene unbuttoned her blouse and spread it open. She felt a mild breeze stir over her skin, cooling the sweat. ‘Whammy or not,’ she said, ‘we’ve sure been running into a lot of crap ever since we went to Batty’s place.’

    ‘My friend,’ said Finley, ‘the crap started before that. Just ask Helen.’

    They made their way slowly through the woods, Cora hobbling along with the aid of the shotgun, Vivian supporting her. They didn’t get far, however, before the belts came loose and Abilene had to rewrap Cora’s ankle. They continued their trek, Finley hanging onto Cora. When the belts came undone a second time, Abilene fixed them, then knotted her blouse tighdy around the straps. ‘That oughta hold things together for a while.’

    She was staggering along at Cora’s side when they finally reached the edge of the forest and she saw the lodge at the far end of the field.

    ‘Let me down,’ Cora gasped.

    Abilene lowered her to the ground. She wanted to flop, but hated the idea of having to get up again in a couple of minutes. So she bent over and clutched her slippery knees. Sweat dripped off her nose and chin, streamed down her neck and back and sides and chest and legs. Her skin felt crawly goosebumps. She was shaking all over.

    ‘And you thought nothing could ever be worse than climbing the Statue of Liberty,’ Finley told her.

    ‘This… is… almost as bad.’

    ‘I can’t go on,’ Cora said. She was leaning forward, kneading the muscles of her left leg.

    ‘We’re almost there,’ Vivian said.

    ‘I can’t. Not right now. Gotta rest.’

    ‘Yeah,’ Abilene gasped. ‘What’s the hurry? We’re… not going anyplace… once we get there.’

    ‘I’m going in the pool,’ Finley said. ‘I don’t care if it is hot water. It’s gotta be an improvement. Might drink it all down, while I’m at it.’

    ‘I’m so thirsty I’m spitting sand,’ Vivian said.

    ‘Why don’t you two go on ahead?’ Cora suggested. ‘Bring back a water bottle. I’ll be okay in a while.’

    ‘It’s not a good idea to split up,’ Vivian said.

    ‘We can keep an eye on you till you get to the lodge. It’s an open field. Nothing’s gonna happen. Just go right around to the car and hurry back.’

    ‘What about you guys?’ Finley asked.

    ‘We’ve got the shotgun.’

    ‘I’ve got Batty’s knife,’ Abilene added. She straightened up and patted its handle. ‘Go on. We’ll be all right. And get me some shoes. And a blouse or something.’

    ‘Anything else while we’re there?’ Vivian asked.

    ‘How about flashlights?’ Finley suggested.

    ‘Get going,’ Cora muttered. ‘And keep your eyes open.’

    ‘You too,’ Vivian said. ‘Be careful.’

    She and Finley started across the field, walking side by side. Abilene watched them. The sunlight out there looked very bright, very hot.

    ‘Glad it’s them and not us,’ she said.

    ‘Our turn’ll come. I’m just glad to have Finley out of my hair. What a pain.’

    Abilene smiled. ‘I’d really start worrying if she stopped being one. Did you see how she acted after Batty grabbed her boob?’

    ‘Yeah. She didn’t make a crack for all of ten minutes.’

    ‘I think it made her a little crazy.’

    ‘That’s for sure. Christ. When she’s not being a wiseass, she’s dangerous.’

    ‘Viv’s taking everything pretty well,’ Abilene said.

    ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her lose her head, you know that? Even when stuff hits her hard. She could be tom to pieces inside, but she always keeps her cool. She’ll complain about shit. She’ll cry her eyes out sometimes. But she always gets on with business. Never flips out. Smart, gorgeous, and she’s got balls of brass. I could kill her.’

    Abilene laughed.

    Vivian and Finley were halfway across the field now. Walking slowly as if the sun were pressing down on their shoulders.

    Finley looked around.

    Abilene raised a hand.

    Finley nodded, turned to Vivian and said something. Vivian elbowed her.

    Abilene swept her eyes across the rear of the lodge, then up and down both sides of the field. Satisfied that no one was approaching them, she turned to Cora.

    ‘Are we gonna need those flashlights?’

    ‘I’ll be ready when they get back. I think. Get a load of this,’ she said, and raised her right arm. The skin of her armpit was red, abraded raw by the stock of the shotgun.

    ‘God,’ Abilene muttered.

    ‘My leg might last long enough to get me to the lodge. I hope so.’

    ‘We’ll get you there, one way or another.’

    ‘I’m not gonna be hiking to town, that’s for sure.’

    ‘Maybe we can find the car keys.’

    ‘Sure.’

    Abilene sat on the ground beside her. She was tempted to lie down, but knew she wouldn’t like the feel of the weeds and twigs and leaves against her bare back. She crossed her legs, then folded her hands behind her hpad and stretched, straining her arms backward and arching her spine. It felt so good that she moaned.

    ‘How would you like to stay with me?’ Cora asked, looking her in the eyes.

    ‘Huh?’ Abilene lowered her arms.