CHAPTER THIRTY‑TWO

“Johnny, no. ”

“Here, give me the rifle. ”

“You can’t make it. ”

“I can try. You two hold out as long as you can. If I don’t get back with help, go on out to the Krulls and make the best of it. ”

Sherri handed the rifle to him.

Using it as a brace, Johnny pushed himself to his feet. He hobbled across the candlelit room. Sweat poured down his back. Neala saw that he was putting no weight on his bandaged leg.

“Johnny…”

“Once I get to the car, I’ll be okay. It’ll just take longer than…” The rifle slipped in his grip. He winced and fell.

Neala rushed to him.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, ” he said.

“No, it’s not. ”

He planted the rifle butt, and started to push himself up. He gritted his teeth. He blinked sweat out of his eyes. His body trembled.

Neala took hold of his arm. “Wait. Just sit down and rest for a minute. Please. ”

He lowered himself.

“Here, I’ll take the rifle. ”

He gripped it.

“I need to go out for a second. ”

“Again? ” Sherri asked.

She sighed. “Must be something I ate. Or didn’t eat. ”

“I’ll go with you, ” Sherri said.

“Christ, I don’t need a guard. ”

“Okay. Well hurry. ”

“Be right back. ” She kissed Johnny lightly on the mouth. Then she went out the open door. She walked quickly to the rear of the cabin. The gibbous moon hung low over the distant trees. She wished it weren’t so bright.

Propping the rifle against the cabin wall, she stepped out of her corduroys. She took Johnny’s key case from a pocket, and slipped it into the front of her panties. Then she took off her shirt.

The breeze had died, soon after dark, leaving the air still and warm. In spite of the warmth, she shivered as she picked up the rifle. She put the sling over her head. The rifle slapped against her back. The sling tugged at her shoulder. It crossed her body, its wide leather strap digging into her right breast. She adjusted it so it passed between her breasts. Then, crouching, she made her way toward the pikes.

“Neala! ”

Sherri’s voice. Glancing back, she saw her friend run at her.

She rushed for the crosses, but Sherri grabbed her by the hair, yanked her to the ground, and dropped onto her. She grunted in pain as the rifle rammed her back. Sherri clutched her wrists and pressed them down.

“Let go of me, damn it! ”

“You want to go off and get yourself killed! ”

“Get off me! ”

“No. I can’t. I can’t let you do it, Neala. ”

“If I don’t go, Johnny will try. ”

“We can stop him. Between the two of us…”

“Sherri, for Godsake, don’t you realize? We can’t stay in this cabin. We’ll all die. Even if the Krulls stay away, even if this devil never comes, we’ll just die in here. ”

“We could give up, and live with the Krulls. ”

“Sure. Only what happens to Johnny? ”

“Yeah, I know. ” She stared into Neala’s eyes. “You love him, don’t you? ”

She let go of Neala’s wrists, and gently stroked her face. “Oh Neala, ” she whispered. “Oh goddamn it, Neala. Don’t forget me, huh? ”

“Wha…? ”

Sherri’s fist swung down. It struck the side of Neala’s head. She saw the other fist come down, and tried to block it, but she couldn’t get her arm up fast enough. The fist hit, rocking her head.

The weight of Sherri’s body left. She tried to raise her head, but couldn’t. She felt drunk, powerless to control her movements.

Sherri pulled the rifle sling away from her breasts. Rolled her. Pulled the rifle away. She flopped onto her back again. The ground felt much better without the hardness of the rifle.

Sherri, standing like a giant above her, quickly stripped.

“Don’t. ”

Sherri slung the rifle onto her back.

Neala raised her head. “Don’t, ” she said again.

“Oh Neala. ” Sherri crouched beside her.

Neala concentrated on her arms. They felt heavy, as if she held a large stone in each hand. But she forced herself to lift them. She felt the girl’s big hands slide under her, and raise her off the ground. She felt the breasts brush lightly against her breasts, the mouth push against her mouth. She hugged Sherri as hard as she could. Then Sherri forced her down.

“You and Johnny stay put, ” she whispered, “till I get back with the cavalry. ”

Her fist smashed down.

Neala tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t. She tried to lift her head, but the muscles of her neck wouldn’t work.

Not even when she heard Johnny calling.

Then he was above her.

“Neala? Neala, what happened? Where’s Sherri? ”

She found that she could open her eyes. “Gone, ” she managed. “Went… for cavalry. ”

A few minutes passed before she was able to get up. She put on her shirt. “I was going to go, ” she said. “I stripped, you know, so I’d look more like one of them. But Sherri stopped me. She… Oh, my God! ” Neala pushed her hand into the front of her panties. “No! Oh Johnny! ” She pulled out the leather case.

“My keys. ”

“I took them while we were bandaging you. I forgot… When she… She just attacked me, Johnny. I couldn’t… Oh God, what’ll she do, now? ”

He shook his head. “If she makes it that far–well, she’ll be fairly close to the road. She can hitch a ride. As long as she doesn’t get picked up by Barlow people…”

“She hasn’t got a chance. ”

“Sure she does. She’s got as good a chance as…” He didn’t finish.

“As we do, ” Neala finished for him.

“Let’s get back inside. ”

She fastened her pants. Johnny struggled to stand, using the fire poker as a staff. Neala helped him up. He leaned on her, and they slowly made their way to the front of the cabin.

As Neala shut the door, a single gunshot blasted in the distance.

Her eyes met Johnny’s.

He said nothing.