The truck started to sputter. Mumbling to himself, Reed glanced down at the gas gauge. It sat flat on the red line.
“
We need some gas, and quick,” he said. I could hear the rising nerves in his voice.
At that moment, as if called into existence, a gas station emerged from behind a thick gathering of trees. Eddie sat up, his eyes scanning the surroundings as Reed pulled the truck alongside the gas pump. With a single nod to each other, they both climbed out before the engine had even quieted. I followed Reed, staying close to his side as we all scanned the station.
A man stood inside at the cash register, carefully watching us. Trying to act casual, Eddie leaned against the hood as Reed started to pump gas into the old truck. Just as the gas pump clicked alive, the sound of tires crunching on pavement cut into the quiet air. We snapped our heads toward the source.
A police car had just pulled in to a parking space in front of the station. The officer stepped out, hand on gun as he made his way inside. Eddie looked over to Reed, his eyes alert. “Let’s speed up that pumping a bit?”
Reed heaved a sigh. “It’s going as fast as it will go, Eddie.”
Eddie watched the pump a moment then looked back to the officer. He had walked out of the station, a soda held in one hand. The other hand still rested on his gun. He was about to turn to his car when he saw us and meandered in our direction instead.
“
Everything good over here?” The officer’s voice was low and clear.
I could see Reed’s shoulders stiffen a moment before he let them relax, his easy gaze turning to the officer. “Just fine, Officer,” he said, a smile on his lips. “Just getting a fill up.”
The officer nodded, still watching us carefully. “Can you believe these prices? Nine dollars a gallon. Seems a bit high, ya think?”
Reed just shrugged. “Anything that betters the Nation betters us.”
A thin smile spread on the Officers stubble covered face. His eyes wandered to Eddie. Recognition flashed across his eyes. Taking a step closer, he studied Eddie’s reddening face. “Do I know you?”
Eddie shook his head. “Can’t say you do. First time in these parts for me.”
“
I swear I have met you before.”
“
Well, you know us redheads. We all look alike.” Eddie smiled and winked at the officer. I could see the forced lines of his smile. The lines seemed strange and foreign on Eddie’s face. His smile had always come so easy to him.
The officer watched him a moment longer, then shrugged and turned his eyes to me. I could feel Reed tense beside me. The Officer just watched a moment, his eyes flicking down to the metal bracelet on my wrist. He smiled, tipping his head in my direction. “Well then, have a good day. Ma’am. Boys.” With that, he wandered back to his car and drove away. I thought I saw him speaking into his small radio, but the sun shone into the tinted windows and blocked even his silhouette as he disappeared around the corner.
Eddie ran in to pay. Reed, his hand on the small of my back, led me back into the truck. The engine was already rumbling as Eddie climbed back in.
We drove in silence. Reed kept glancing at Eddie. Eddie’s face had darkened, his eyes piercing as he stared out the window. “He knew me,” Eddie finally said into the quiet.
“
That’s impossible, Eddie.” Reed answered, his voice sounding like he already doubted what he said.
Eddie shook his head. “My mom always told me that my brother Bill and I looked like twins. Two years apart in age, twins in looks. Even in temper.” Eddie sighed, his breath shuddering. “That officer knew Bill. So, he knew me.”
I glanced at Reed before looking back to Eddie. “Bill. He is in prison now, right?” I asked carefully.
“
My brother Bill was living in Portland when he got busted.” Eddie answered. “He had sniped a pack of cigarettes. In the old days, he would have been slapped with a fine and maybe a few days in jail.”
I remembered what Reed had told me. Eddie’s brother had been sentenced to twenty years. Eddie finally looked away from the window, rubbing his eyes. I thought I saw the glitter of a tear, but it vanished before I could look again.
“
I guess there had been some prostituting on the nearby street corner. The cop that busted Bill reported that he had seen Bill interacting with the prostitutes. Turns out the group had just stolen a whole lot more than a pack of smokes. And Bill had had the luck of passing the group when they got caught. So he got locked away for twenty.
“
I wouldn’t be surprised if that cop back there was the one who busted Bill. Wouldn’t be able to tell anyway. They all are the same.” Eddie tore his eyes from the city. “I hate cities.”
“
Stupid Po,” Reed said, smiling to Eddie.
“
Stupid Po,” Eddie answered, a smile cracking on his face. A quiet moment passed, they both chuckled. “Let’s get away from this place. How much longer, sir Captain?”
“
I don’t know,” Reed said. “Guess we just stay on this road. That’s what the signs say at least.”
Eddie nodded, leaning his head back. “Want me to take a turn at the wheel?”
“
Are you kidding?” Reed laughed. “I’ve seen how you drive. We won’t even make it a few miles before you crash.”
Eddie snorted, then leaned his head back against the torn headrest. The last glimmer of the city disappeared behind us.
| | |
I found myself getting lost in watching the tall green trees that grew thick around the road. I had never seen trees like this before. Eddie told me they were evergreens. Their branches were full of deep green needles, heavy and dropping over the worn road. I could smell them as we passed. Their musky aroma filled the truck’s cab. It was intoxicating.
I wanted to wander through the dense trees. The bark of the trunks looked rough and thick, small bushes and grasses rising high around the roots. I imagined what it would be like, to sit in the shade of these towering giants, completely covered by their shadows. To hear the birds lightly singing, the breeze rustling the pine needles as the drip of last night’s rain fell to the forest floor.
I wanted to hear the music of the free world.
My thoughts carried me away. I lost track of time. The smell of the trees, the rumble of the old truck, and Reed’s warm hand on my knee wrapped around and pulled me away into a sweet, safe world of my own.
The trees disappeared. Buildings appeared, old and falling apart. We turned on a small two-lane road, and slowed as we made our way into the town. Everything looked dead. I felt a chill as the ghosts of the town covered it in a strange forgotten dust. Windows on the buildings were boarded over, a few which hadn’t been covered now shattered into jagged shards. The entire town had a cold, gray tinge to it. A memory long abandoned, and long forgotten.
Ahead, in the distance just past the town, was the Wall.
It rose high, reaching the tips of the few evergreens that still managed to grow. Razor wire was twisted along its top, casting a web-like shadow down to the dirt below. Eddie rolled his window down. Muffled behind the Wall, we could hear the rolling crash of water.
“
Shit,” Reed suddenly hissed, hitting the breaks hard. The truck jerked to a stop, throwing all three of us forward as its wheels dug into the asphalt.
Parked in the road, blocking our passing, were three cars. Their lights flashed, illuminating the three police officers that stood, aiming their guns in our direction.
“
Get out of the truck, slowly, with your hands up!” one of the offers yelled.
I looked at Reed. His eyes bore into me, heavy with sorrow. I swallowed, my throat dry, then reached down and squeezed his hand.
“
We tried,” I said.
“
No,” Reed said in a low voice, his lips barely moving. “This is not it. This is not how it is going to end.”
“
Damn right!” Eddie yelled. Before we could stop him, he swung open the door and jumped out.
“
I said slowly with your hands up!” the officer called again, his gun now aimed at Eddie.
Reed pushed his door open and climbed out. He lifted his hands above his head, his eyes glued to the second officer who carefully watched him. Motioning for me to follow, Reed stepped away from the truck. I climbed out after him, my hands shaking in the air.
Keeping my face forward, I searched with my eyes for Eddie. He stood on the other side of the truck, his hands clenched into fists at his side. The first officer had his gun locked on Eddie’s chest.
“
I will not say it again. Put your hands. In the air. Now.”
Eddie suddenly barreled forward. The officer shot a hand down to his hip, pulled out a smaller gun and aimed it at Eddie’s chest. As Eddie ran towards him, the officer pulled the trigger. Eddie jerked and fell to the ground, his body twitching. I could see two small metal claws dig into his chest, a long wire attaching them to the gun held in the officer’s hand.
The officer watched Eddie twitch on the ground, then took a step towards us. My eyes focused on the officer, watching out of the corner of my eyes as Eddie’s jerking finally stopped.
“
Millie 942B, you are in violation of your probationary period. You are now hereby under arrest.” He turned his face to Reed. “Reed Taylor, you have been charged for grand theft auto, breaking of Nation Contract, plotting against the Nation, and kidnapping. You are hereby under arrest.”
The two remaining officers were slowly making their way toward us. I could hear the clink of their handcuffs as they pulled them off of their bulky utility belts. My mouth went dry, my eyes burned against growing tears. Had he just said kidnapping?
Reed moved closer to me. I could feel his raised arm press against mine. I knew he was trying to comfort me, but at that moment his touch only reminded me that somehow I had become responsible for his doom. Reed pressed his arm harder against mine. I could feel it tense.
Perplexed, I looked away from the officer’s cold face. As my vision focused, I saw Eddie. He stood rigidly behind the three officers. Blood dripped down his chest where he had ripped out the metal prongs. His face contorted in rage.
Before I could even gasp, Eddie launched himself at the guards. He tackled both at once, his arms wrapping around their necks as he hauled them to the ground. Never giving them a chance to recover, he started slamming his fists into both of them, screaming in a coarse voice, “Reed, get out of here!”
Reed wrapped his arms around me, his fingers digging into my skin like iron clamps.
“
Come on,” he urged in my ear.
I couldn’t move. My feet were cemented to the ground, my eyes glued to Eddie as he pummeled his fists into the two dazed officers. Reed managed to drag me back a few steps, then stopped.
The third officer had aimed his gun at Eddie, and fired. The air cracked with the echo of the bullet shooting out of the small metal barrel. Everything seemed silent for a moment before we heard the dull thud of Eddie dropping to the ground. He clutched at his chest, his shirt deepening in dark red at a sickening rate.
The two officers Eddie had been pummeling stood up, bracing each other as they rubbed their swelling and bruised faces. The one who had shot the gun stepped closer, his sidearm still carefully aimed at Eddie.
Eddie gasped for breath. He squeezed his eyes shut a moment, then turned his head enough to look at us. Cracking a painful smile, he raised a finger and pointed at his matted hair that gleamed like copper in the rising sun.
“
S-Stupid… red hair…” he forced out. I could see blood covering his teeth. The officer stood over him now, glaring down at Eddie.
Without another pause, he spun his gun around and bashed the handle hard against Eddie’s head. Eddie flailed once then went limp, his head rolling awkwardly to the side.
The feeling of ice-cold metal shook me from my daze. While we had watched Eddie die, the two battered officers had made their way behind us. My arms were pulled painfully behind me, the handcuffs locking together. I could heard Reed choke a sob next to me, his eyes still watching Eddie as if he hoped his best friend would suddenly sit back up and smile.
The officer who stood over Eddie wiped the butt of his gun off on his pant leg then turned to us. His eyes smoldered in anger, but a smug smile spread on his chubby face.
“
You have the right to remain silent,” he said, his voice booming out the dreaded words. “Anything you say can and will be used against you −”
“
I will take it from here.”
My body went ice cold. My eyes slowly turned toward the source of the voice that had just cut off the officer’s memorized words.
He emerged from the shadows of a nearby building. His short blonde hair shone in the sunlight, his smile wide as he stepped closer.
“
You three are excused,” he said smoothly.
The officer’s eyes widened. “But −”
“
I am a Prison GF, officer. I outrank you. And 942B is under probation from my prison. Do I need to cite you on jurisdictional arguments?”