Page 16 of Madison
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We’ve been on the road for at least thirty minutes, if not longer, and I don’t think I’ve ever gone up the mountain this way. We were going at a good clip but if this was the long way around, that doesn’t fucking matter much. Max, Samson, and Micah are crammed in the back seat.
Max asks the question that was on the tip of my tongue. “Where the fuck is Grant taking us? This ain’t anyway I know to get up the mountain to the pass. We sure he knows what he’s doin’?”
Rory tosses me the radio and I’m about to click on and ask that very question when Wyatt comes over the radio. “Where the fuck are we, Grant? Are we going so fucking out of the way that we’re not gonna get there in time to help?”
A few other clicks and voices chime in with the same worry. Grant must take the radio in the truck he’s in. “Yes, we’re goin’ the right fucking way. In about three miles up, we’ll be back on the highway and only a couple miles from the turnoff to the compound.”
The road swerves again, causing the tires to screech as Rory turns with more speed than was probably safe. I can’t help but question him again after what seems like a couple of miles. “Are you fucking sure we’re gonna come up on the highway here soon, ’cause we fucking haven’t yet.”
Grant responds, “Yeah. Trust me. Rabbit is good, rabbit is wise.”
Both Max and Samson respond to that, Samson grumbling at his dad, “Mother of God” with Max declaring, “Jesus fucking Christ”.
Rory grabs the walkie-talkie from me but before he can say anything, we hit the highway and we’re way further up it than Icould’ve guessed. Color me shocked that Grant was smart with this shortcut. Maybe he does really deserve the Road Capitan title he now holds since giving up his VP spot to Rory and Juan. We’re only a few minutes out.I’m coming, baby.
Madison
Anna just hung up the phone and turned it off. “Don’t need them blowing up my phone while I’m driving.” As soon as she heard Mary’s dad was her brother, her face turned full of rage. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. Even if I had wanted to, there was no stopping her going. She got us all in line and had us completely unload the safe of all the guns they had. She even took the shotgun, telling us, “This one you rarely have to shoot ’cause the sound will have grown men pissing in their pants.”
We’re only about half an hour ahead of the guys, I’m guessing, but with Mary and Christy’s knowledge, we know the fucktards who we’re looking for will be meeting at Mary’s parents’ house. Her dad is set to take another wife and have more kids. When she shared that little tidbit, the speedometer on the truck edged over into three digits. She told us she and Mary were the ones who were going to send “the one they unfortunately share DNA with to meet Hel.” Christy is determined to get the guy she was supposed to marry and the one who gave her most the bruises. I want the lugs who took me, and Joseph. I want to get Joseph for me, but especially for Ma. He is way overdue to start his time with Hel.
As we get closer, Anna tells us that if any other man is there, we’re either going to do the same or at least knock ‘em out. We get to the turnoff that Mary points out and Anna slows down just a bit since we’re on a gravel road. Anna, completely in charge, tells us, “Girls, get your guns out and ready. Make sure the safety is off. We need to go in hot and ready to shoot. The element of surprise is our biggest asset right now. If any of you think you’re not going to be able to pull the trigger, that’s okay, but stay in the truck so you’re safe.” All three of us answer that by taking the safety off of our guns. Anna gets this smile on her face that can only be described as determined, maybe a little maniacal.
Mary tells us it’s only about five more minutes on this road, then we turn right and it's about three more minutes. “Mom hated living in the house and not just because father lived there. It was originally built for a family but the couple died in an accident when they were driving down the mountain. I think it was around the time that Linnea escaped. All I know is that it was someone important to Joseph.” Oh fuck. It has to be Ma’s old home. Well, the gods sure knew how to play that one, didn’t they?
Mary tells Anna where to turn and to slow down after she does ’cause the house will appear as we reach the crest of the hill. If we speed over the hill, it will give away the element of surprise because Joseph decreed that no one speeds on the land. Anna slowed down to what’s gotta be fifteen miles an hour.
Mary speaks up as we get to the top of the hill. “It’s their meeting time at father’s, so no women will be there. Apparently, years ago, there was some issue with one of the wives overhearingthings and actually doing something because of it. I’m not sure ’cause it was before I was born.”
Christy adds in, “Before I was born too. It’s always been that way. They think if we’re in the dark, we don’t know anything, but my mom taught me how to seem invisible to them. It’s kept me from being married off and Mary too.”
Mary nods in agreement then gives Anna instructions. “See that house? Drive around to the back of it. They never notice women coming in and out of the kitchen so we can go in that way. I could be clanging pots in the kitchen and I swear father wouldn’t even bat an eye. Women have become good for only one thing for him and that’s—”
Anna stops Mary from continuing by putting her hand over Mary’s. “I know. Let’s go make him pay for everything he’severfucking done.” Anna puts the truck in park and we all get out, as quietly as the four of us can be. We all follow Mary, guns out. I’ve got my gun at the ready, just like Pa taught me.
We get to what must be the back door and Mary doesn’t hesitate to open it, knowing it’ll be unlocked. Of course up here, who would come in but bears or other woodland creatures?Focus girl.Mary doesn’t stop in the kitchen but continues through the doorway with her gun up and pointed out in front of her. She stops walking suddenly and we barely keep from crashing into each other. We ain’t exactly trained in this type of stuff.
“Hello, Father.” I can’t hear what the fucktard says back to her, but it must be something asshole-ish ’cause it sets her off and she walks further into the room. “Did you even notice I was gone or just that your meals weren’t ready when you wanted them?” I follow Anna into the room and see Lug One and Twoboth standing in the room, blocking someone on the couch. Some other asshole is standing next to them. They all look both confused and angry at the same time. Maybe both brain cells they have are trying to work at the same time.
Anna chooses now to speak up. “Hello, dear brother. More than thirty years and I can’t say I’ve missed you one fucking moment.”
I can tell one of these assholes is about to say something stupid, but before they can, a shot rings out and Christy is flying through the air, catching herself on a chair so she doesn’t crash to the ground. The one I’ve referred to as Lug Three in my head yells out in pain as he falls to the floor, cupping his crotch, his hands covered in blood. I can’t help but chuckle.
“Shit, girl. You are the clumsiest person I’ve ever met, but damn if you didn’t shoot him in his little brain between his legs.”
Christy gets a big smile and shrugs her shoulders. “I know I have two left feet, but at least my aim was on point.”
Lug One decides to open his mouth. “What in the hell are you doing? You women better explain yourself ’cause—” He’s interrupted by another gunshot.
Lug Three on the floor cries out in agony again and I look over at Christy. She shrugs. “I wanted to make sure his little brain was gone for good so he couldn’t use it again.”
Enough talking. Anna and Mary must be thinking the same thing because two shots ring out and Mary’s father falls to the floor. I aim my gun at the dickhead who put his hands on my neck. I shoot before I have a second more to overthink this. He instantly falls to the floor and doesn’t move. The other lug starts lunging toward me and I fire the gun again, but only hit him inthe shoulder. I try to get another shot in but he tackles me to the ground. I still have the gun in my hand and I try to hit him with it as he’s tries to grab my hands. I only get a couple of hits in before he’s got my hands pinned to the ground above my head. “I’m gonna show you how to obey. You need to be taught a lesson and I’m gonna be your teacher and your punisher.” This guy is fucking certifiable.
I hear commotion all around me, and I start kicking my legs since he’s straddling me and they’re free. I feel someone beating on him, trying to get him to let me go. The fucker looks possessed as he tries to secure both my hands in one of his so he can have one free, but I get one hand loose and stick my thumb in his eye and push. He falls on top of me as he grabs his eye. He’s like dead weight on top of me, and I can feel Christy trying to shove him off me. I know my gun must be nearby, but I don’t want her shooting him while the lug is on top of me. “Hit him with the gun!” All of a sudden, something shoves the lug off of me and I can breathe again. Shit. I’m staring up at another guy, dressed just like the rest of the fuckers. He looks like he’s maybe in his early twenties, if that. He also looks like he’s glaring daggers at the lugs who’re all laid out on the floor.
I remember I’ve got another gun in my waistband and go to grab it out but stop when Christy speaks as she sticks her hand out to help me up. “David? David, what are you doing here?” I stand up and look at this new guy, hoping he’s not going to be added to the list of those we have to dispatch today.
