Page 35 of Joker
I’d noticed a few days ago the land to the West of the clubhouse is for sale. It’s a large chunk of land. I had the idea we could pull resources and buy the land to build houses on for the core members of the club first and then anyone else who wants one. This would ensure the families are protected, but also have space from the main clubhouse. I’d need to bring it up at church after we get Carrie back. I check on Beau. The boy is sleeping like a baby. Making my way to my own bed, I get settled and try to sleep. Hopefully, we would be bringing Carrie back with us tomorrow.
The next morning I’m one of the first up. After a quick shower, I re-check my guns, and I’m ready to go. The mood in the clubhouse is a mix of nervous energy and rage. We all meet in the main room.
“We stay together as planned, no one’s to be hero, and we all come back. Watch each other’s backs. Let’s go!”
With Prez’s orders, we all head to the vans. The bikes would be too loud and alert anyone to us coming. I’m in a van with Prez, Reck, Bull, Tank, Cass, and a few others. It takes about 30 minutes to get a few miles from the cabin. We pull off the road and hide the van in the forest. From here, we head to the cabin on foot. We settle at the edge of the forest and watch the cabin. All seems quiet, eerily quiet. It all feels off to me. My gut knows it.
Nudging Tank next to me, “Something’s off, brother,” I declare.
He nods his head and gets his phone out.
“Prez and Bull feel the same, so do a few others,” he adds.
We wait a little longer, and no movement is seen inside.
“Okay, you, me, and Bull are taking the front, Prez, Reck, and Cass are taking the back. Everyone else surrounds the cabin in case we need them,” Tank orders.
Nodding, we slowly make our way toward the cabin. The uneasy feeling grows as we get closer. We reach the front door, and just before Tank kicks it in, I grab him to stop. Pointing at the door, flecks of red can be seen. Tank lets the others know; we had found blood on the front door. Slowly Tank opens the door, and the smell of death hits us.
“Fuck, this is not good.” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.
There is blood everywhere, and there has definitely been a fight. The place is trashed. The others come from the back and confirm the kitchen is much the same. Heading down the hall, smudges of blood are everywhere as if someone was running. My heart drops, thinking this could be Carrie’s blood, and we could be too late. The bathroom is clear and the other bedroom. Reck opens the door that seems to lead to the basement. He heads down with Bull behind him. Tank and I carry on down the hall toward the remaining bedroom. The smell of death is getting stronger. Pushing the door open, a man’s body is slumped in the corner. Blood is everywhere, pooling around the man. Clearly, he’s the smell of death. Prez joins us in the bedroom.
“This is the guy from the video,” he states.
My head turns to Prez. “How do you know? We never saw his face.”
Turning to face me, I can tell by his face he doesn’t want to tell me.
“There was one other video that we didn’t share with anyone. He showed his face in it,” Prez explains.
“You kept another video from us?” I rage. My hands are fisted at my sides, and I’m shaking. Tank places his hand on my shoulder. Not sure if it’s to calm me, hold me back, or because he’s feeling the same level of rage as me.
“This video was different from all the others. It was more like couple porn. You could tell she wasn’t willing, but it was softer,” he confirms. “You didn’t need that shit in your head. From the video, you would think he loved her. So yes, I kept it from you,” Prez adds warily.
I start to settle a little. He’s right, that shit would have fucked with me more, but I’m still pissed. Storming from the room, I meet everyone else outside.
“She’s not here. The sick fuck that had her is dead in the bedroom.”
“Could she be elsewhere?” one of the other guys calls out.
Just as I start to think about that question, Tank and Prez come running from the cabin.
“Get to the vans quick,” shouts Prez.
We all take off running, fuck what’s going down now!
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CARRIE
Slowly I start to come back around. My head is pounding, and my body hurts all over. Shaking, I attempt to sit up. The pain is worse now that I’m sitting up straight. Taking a look around, I’m still in the cabin. He’s slumped in the corner, blood pooling around him. You can smell death in the air. Fuck I had killed a man. I know it was either him or me, but I still took a life.
I’m shaking as I try to stand, holding onto the dresser for support. I need to get out of here before one of his,‘guests,’come. Who knows what would happen if they got a hold of me? Grabbing my bag from under the bed, I pull out some clothes and my personal bits I can’t live without, throwing them into the bag. In the bathroom, I grab some medical supplies and anything else I may need. I have no clue where I am, but I know where I’m going. I’m going home.
After grabbing what I can, I find the car keys and head outside. The car is parked at the side of the cabin. Throwing my bag on the seat next to me, I get in and drive down the hill toward the road. Once I’m at the end of the drive, I need to decide which way to turn, left or right. After sitting there for a few moments trying to decide, I follow my gut and turn left. I keep driving until I pass through a small town and out onto the main highway. I’ve not been driving for too long when I see a sign that makes my entire body tingle with happiness. Home!
I was closer than I knew. Heading in the direction the sign says, I follow the road until it all starts to look familiar. My head is feeling woozy again, so I put my foot down and head for the compound, praying it is still in the same place. Just as I come around the bend, the gates are up ahead, all lit up, guiding me home. I’m getting dizzy and know I’m going to pass out again soon. I put my foot down more and head straight for the gates, passing out just before I crash through them.
