On his way there his mind started bouncing back and forth from the incidents of the past few weeks, his meeting up with Mallory, the strange visits from Joey, and the date last night. Trying to figure out what was up with his life, then back to wondering what had happened with Mallory. And why, after only being together a couple times, did he already feel such a strong connection with her?
As Billy pulled onto the highway he started to feel an urgency that he get there quickly. Racing down the highway, the Bronco was giving out all it had, he caught something in his peripheral vision. Could it be the white wolf running hard at the edge of the woods by the highway?
Suddenly a deer leaps into the highway in front of him. “Damn”, he slams on the brakes. He shouts out, “Mallory!”
Instantaneously there is a brilliant violet flash of light. He is no longer on the highway, the Bronco is sliding, and surrounded by a cloud of dust. His mind is crazily trying to assess what is going on. The Bronco comes to a stop and the dust starts to settle.
He is sitting in front of Mallory’s cabin. His heart is racing and his body feels as if it is filled with electricity. She is on the porch with Gomer, shotgun in hand. Duke Rasby is standing at the hood of his truck with a sledgehammer in his hand, there’s another guy Billy hadn’t seen before on the other side who also appears to be holding something. Now everyone is looking in his direction.
Feeling like he should have something to hold he reaches across to the passenger seat and his hand grasps a handle. As he climbs out of the Bronco he looks down and realizes he has the Indian tomahawk in his right hand. What the…
Get your focus on the situtation at hand Billy.
“I got here as quick as I could. Is there a problem?”
Mallory looked toward Billy, momentarily a look of confusion on her face, “Duke here seems to think that I should sell my place to him. That it’s too much for a GIRL to handle.”
“Clearly, you don’t know my girlfriend very well. I suggest you leave and don’t come back again.”
Duke raised his sledgehammer into a two handed grip positioning himself for a fight. “All I see is a girl and a boy in need of some convincing. One and a half against two I’m fine with those odds. What do you think you can accomplish with that Indian antique?”
“Look again, I think you underestimate us. You forgot about Gomer. And you really shouldn’t ignore her pet wolf. That’s four against two.”
“Ha. That’s a good one. Pet wolf, give me a break.”
“Ahh, Duke.”
“Not now Dave, hold your ground.”
“Really Duke. Look over here.”
Duke shifted his gaze towards Dave, who was standing very still. Not six feet away was the white wolf. Its jaws snapping, fangs bared, it let out a throaty snarl as its body tensed ready to leap.
“What the…” He lowered the sledgehammer and the wolf backed down slightly, yet still alert.
“Give it up Duke. This was my uncle’s place and now it’s mine. I don’t know why you’re so interested in it but it ain’t for sale.”
Billy was unaware that he was waving the tomahawk as he spoke, “I suggest you guys get back in your truck, get off her property, and don’t ever come back!”
“I don’t know who your friend is little girl. But this isn’t the end, you’ve made an enemy today.” The two men cautiously climbed back into their truck and spun out of the driveway.
Billy approached Mallory, “You okay?” He touched her shoulder.
“Yeah. I’m good, thanks. Girlfriend huh?” she raised an eyebrow.
“I thought it would carry more weight than friend.”
“I see. Well my new friend, you’re going to have to earn that title.” She laughed.
“How did you get here so fast? Burn up the highway?” She probed.
“I’m not sure. The phone line just went dead and things didn’t feel right. I probably broke every highway law getting here.”
“Duke cut my phone line when he arrived.”
“What’s his deal? Why’s he after your property?”
“I have an idea what he’s after. But it doesn’t exist at least not the way he thinks it does. My uncle spent years researching it but it’s your typical legend.”
“Waddya meana?”
“A small part based on reality and the rest misinformation and misunderstanding added over time as the story was retold. Why don’t we go inside and talk.”
She opened the door and Gomer scooted his way through before her and then Billy followed. “You can put your weapon down. I’m no threat, at least not to you”, she laughed.
“Huh?” Billy looked down. He was still clutching the tomahawk. “Oh this.” He laid it on the table.
“Where did you get that anyways? I’ve seen something like it before.”
“It’s a long story. We can talk about it later. What’s up with this Duke character?”
“Thanks for your concern, I really appreciate it.” She reached out and gently touched his arm.
Billy felt briefly nauseous as the world seem to be tilting and the space around them swirling. Then an iridescent mist enveloped them. Suddenly they were in darkness.
Stay tuned for a new episode in the continuing story of Billy Einkhorn next week.
Episode 17 – 9/03/21
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