The Final Rule (28 page)

“Yes, he would have.”

Ellis coughed. A sharp stab in his side made him gasp for air. “I wasn’t afraid.”

“I know.”

“I would have.”

“I know that too.”

Ellis blinked against the burn in his eyes. “Now I can’t.”

“Rule number five,” Danny said.

Five? What was five? Too many thoughts swarmed Ellis’s mind. Mundane things like washing dishes, cooking oatmeal, sitting on the back porch with Jon’s hand in his.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Rudy finished.

“I don’t understand.”

“The road,” Danny said. “The road runs both ways.”

“Please quit talking in riddles and just tell me.”

Rudy picked up Ellis’s hand. “If you touched him you would have killed him, but you would have killed yourself too.”

“I told you—”

“That’s why he couldn’t kill you, Ellis. That’s why he had to have a staff to his spear.”

“Jon,” Ellis said.

They both nodded. Danny said, “By using Jon,
The Big and Terrible
has carved a road.”

“Both ways.” Ellis coughed again but it didn’t hurt as bad now.

“Yes.”

“Now comes the hardest part of this battle,” Rudy said. “And Jon will have to be stronger than he’s ever been before. Because he has to be strong enough to let you go.”

Jon never would. The man loved him too much. “Why…” Ellis swallowed against the dryness in his throat. “Why would you do that to him?”

“Rule number six,” Danny said.

Rudy squeezed Ellis’s hand and said, “Save the innocent.”

“You fucking sons-of-bitches, put me down.” Terrence made a sad attempt to fight off Jon’s hold. George finished tying the straps. With some creative knots and a pocketknife they’d managed to turn the straps into a three-man sling.

Now the only problem was getting Terrance to hold still.

“If you don’t quit squirming I’m going to punch you in the face,” Buck said.

“You’re a fool. All of you are fools. You’re gonna waste all this. Waste everything we’ve managed to do.”

“Then you better hold still so we have the chance to finish.”

“You ready?” Jon said.

George nodded. “That should do it. Let Leon know.

Jon held up a hand and waved as the man made another lap. He slowed down as he pulled in close.

“How long you figure we’ve got before that shit pulls the undercarriage out from under the truck?”

“Don’t know.” Jon had a feeling it wouldn’t be long. “We’ll just have to move quick.”

They carried Terrance to the rear of the dump truck. With the bumper and hitch, they had more hand-holds. Maybe even enough to get them out of this alive.

“You go first, Jon,” George said.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re young and spry. Plus you’re stronger and the one on the bottom will have to bear most of the weight.”

The pickup stopped and Jon didn’t have time to argue. None of them did. He shimmied down the bumper to the hood of the truck. The men lowered Terrance. His face crumpled up but he stayed quiet.

“We’ll go easy,” Jon said. At least as easy as they could.

Buck stayed up top while George joined Jon. George helped support Terrance’s back while Buck lowered the sling holding Terrence’s legs. Jon shifted his hold to the straps at Terrance’s shoulders taking the one on his side. George held the opposite strap and tried to grip the ones at Terrance’s feet. He lost his hold and the sling twisted.

“Oh God.” A spray of blood followed Terrance’s words.

“Damn it. I’m sorry, Terrance, I’m sorry. Hand slipped.”

The man nodded, but the pinched expression on his face didn’t go away. Jon didn’t like the idea of him being in pain, but they had to hurry and, unfortunately, that meant a rougher ride.

Grass hissed against the sides of the truck in its climb to reach the top. The sound was thicker from underneath. Was it strong enough to damage the axle? They wouldn’t have to worry about it if it crawled into the engine and bogged it down.

Jon hopped into the bed. Buck joined George on the roof. Together they got Terrance into the bed. He was paler now.

“You still with us, old man?” Jon said.

Terrance cracked an eyelid. “You’re a dumb fuck, you know that?”

“You keep reminding me.”

“Still a dumb fuck.”

George knocked on the roof. “We’re ready.”

They crouched down in the bed, holding Terrance’s sling with one hand and bracing themselves with the other.

The wheels spun. Chewed-up pieces of grass landed in the bed and stuck to Jon’s cheek.

Leon leaned his head out the window. “Gonna have to give it more gas. You boys hang on.”

Jon planted a foot on the wheel well, Buck did the same, and George hooked his elbow over the edge.

“We’re ready,” Jon said.

The engine roared and the truck slid to the right, then the left as the tires sought traction. They gained a few inches, then a few inches more.

George closed his eyes. “Our Father who art in heaven—”

“Will you shut up?” Terrance said. “If there’s a God, he’s well aware we’re up shit creek.”

“I think we could all use a little faith right now,” Buck said.

Terrance coughed. “If you want me to have faith give me a flame thrower.”

The pickup lurched and the surge shoved them back. Terrance didn’t yell, but the cords in his neck stood out. Keeping him from sliding around was only the first challenge as the truck hit every rut and groove in the ground.

“Just hang on,” Jon said. Terrance rolled a look up at Jon that told him he wasn’t sure if he could. The road was only a few hundred yards away, but grass kept tying up in the truck wheels, slowing them down.

“Tell him to gun it,” Jon said.

“If he does, we’ll all get tossed around like potatoes.” George glanced at Terrance, then back up.

“Tell him to gun the fucking truck, George.”

He relayed the command. The engine took on a high-pitched whine as their speed increased. Blades of grass thickened until the truck rocked with the impact. More fescue crawled over the edge, licking the air. Strands grabbed at Jon’s arm.

The truck slowed until the tires spun, making thick white smoke.

“We’re not gonna make it.” George was pale.

Leon said something from the cab that was lost to the straining motor.

The pickup lunged forward only to be dragged back. Another forward thrust caught Jon off guard, tossing him over. He held himself with an elbow over the truck bed and his other hand wrapped in the straps holding Terrance. The man’s eyes were closed. Alive or dead, Jon was pretty sure it didn’t matter now.

God how he wished he could tell Ellis he loved him one more time.

The sound of the engine, George praying, and slithering blades of grass against a metal frame made Jon all the more aware of an odd silence in the chaos. It was there a moment ago and now…

The pickup shot forward, knocking them all off balance. As they neared the road the ribbons of grass shortened until there was nothing in the way.

Only that wasn’t right. It was shorter behind them too. The truck bounced over the shoulder to the safety of the gravel road. Leon pulled to a stop.

“Do you think the fuel is killing it?” Buck said. The field trying to eat them alive had returned to a blanket of green. “Jon?”

Leon got out and came around. “I think it’s scared.”

That wasn’t right either. A chill ran through Jon’s body. “It let us go.” A breeze ruffled the field.

“What?” George stepped up beside him.

“It let us go.”

“Why the hell would it do that?”

The fender of the dirt bike carved a white line just above the blades of grass.

“Ellis.” Bile rose in Jon’s throat. He climbed out of the pick up truck. “Ellis…”

“Jon…”

Someone grabbed his arm, he didn’t know who and he didn’t care. Ellis was all he could think about. Jon shook free and took off down the road. The grass shortened more, revealing the entire bike. Ellis, where was Ellis?

Jon had been so focused on the bike he almost missed the crumpled body lying a few yards in front of it.

“Jon!” George called after him. Gravel crunched somewhere far away beneath the thunder of Jon’s heart. “Jon, don’t be stupid. Stay on the road.”

But he couldn’t. Not with Ellis out there. He could still be alive. He had to be alive. If he wasn’t…

Jon plunged into the field. If he was going to die he wanted Ellis in his arms. The grass cleared a path to where Ellis lay.

Jon fell to his knees beside him.

Blood matted down Ellis’s blond hair. A large cut crossed over one eye. There was more blood on his arm. The hole in his shirt framed dark bruises across his stomach.

“Ellis…oh God…” Jon stroked Ellis’s cheek. “Ellis…” He leaned closer and kissed his lips.

“Rule number seven. The light cannot exist without the dark.” The words were barely more than an exhale.

Ellis opened his eyes and all of Jon’s fears broke free in the form of a sob. “Thank you…oh thank you…” He pushed back some of the hair glued to Ellis’s cheek. “Just hang on, I’ll get you out of here.” George and Leon stood at the edge of the road. Buck joined them, carrying the make shift sling.

“No…” Ellis said.

“Shhh, it’s okay. You’ll be okay.”

“You can’t take me.” Ellis held Jon’s wrist. “That’s what it wants.”

“We’ve got the fuel on the field. It should be enough.”

“Jon. No.” The haze in Ellis’s gaze cleared. “Listen to me. The road runs both ways.”

Delirious. There was no way Ellis could know what he was saying.

The men joined Jon.

“What are you doing out here?” Jon said.

“Helping you.” George said. “Figured since it didn’t eat you, maybe it wouldn’t eat us either.”

“That’s a risky gamble.”

“Let’s hurry up before this stuff changes its mind.” He knelt. “Hey there, Ellis. This may hurt a little bit, but we’ll be as gentle as possible.”

“Please…” Ellis pulled on Jon’s shirt.

The men unrolled the sling and laid it beside Ellis.

“You get his head.” Jon nodded at George, “Leon you’re with me on his hips and chest. Be extra careful and keep him level. His stomach is all bruised up so he could be bleeding internally.”

“I got his feet.” Buck gripped Ellis’s ankles.

“Jon…no.” Ellis pushed at Jon’s hands.

“One…two…three…”

Ellis cried out as they slid him into place.

“It’s done, baby. It’s done.”

“Jon…please. Rule seven.”

“What’s he talking about?” Leon said.

“Rudy had rules,” Jon shook his head. “Doesn’t matter, he’s confused.”

“I’m not.”

“Ready?” Jon said. “And…lift.” They carried Ellis toward the road. The carpet of grass thickened, weighing down Jon’s steps.

“I think we need to hurry.” Leon stumbled but stayed on his feet.

Their walk turned into a jog, and then almost a run. Fescue blades clung to Jon’s shoes. Compared to what it had done earlier it was only a half-hearted attempt to stop them.

They got to the road.

“Is it just me or did that seem too easy?” Buck scrubbed the sleeve of his arm across his sweaty brow.

“Maybe it’s tired.” Leon laughed.

“Jon, listen to me.” Ellis squirmed in the sling. “Jon, please, please listen to me. Danny said the road runs both ways.”

Jon didn’t want to listen. He just wanted to get Ellis to safety. That was all that mattered now.

“Jon…if you love me, stop. Stop now.”

He did and so did the other men. “We’ve got to get you to a hospital.”

“No.”

“You’re hurt.”

“You can’t. It’s what it wants.”

Jon shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I do.” Ellis pleaded with his eyes.

“Jon,” Buck said. “I think we need to listen to him. We’ve come too far in this not to.”

“No, he’s just confused.”

“We all came into this knowing what could happen,” Leon said. “So did Ellis. You need to listen to him.”

“Just because you were willing to leave Chunk doesn’t mean I’m willing to leave Ellis.” The anger building inside Jon withered under Leon’s broken expression. “I’m sorry. I’m…I didn’t mean it. I didn’t…” Tears blurred his vision, but he didn’t have a free hand to wipe his eyes.

“Put me down.”

Even Jon was powerless to ignore Ellis’s command. They set him on the ground.

“Tell us about the road, son,” George knelt.

“It can’t kill me without killing itself.”

“What?” Leon said.

“We can’t hurt each other. We’re the same.”

Jon glared at them. “I told you he didn’t know what he was talking about.”

“I do know.”

“It did try and kill you. I was there, remember? It used me to do it.”

“Because if it killed me itself it would have died.”

You are the staff and I am the spear. Jon looked down at his hands.

“It hurt me to stop me from getting to it,” Ellis said.

“Then if you can’t get to it, it’s over. We’re done. We’ll set the field on fire.” Fear cut a line right through Jon’s heart. Ellis was ready to do this, but
The Big and Terrible
had made it impossible so there was only one way left for Ellis to reach it.

Ellis nodded like he’d heard the thought.

Tears dripped from Jon’s chin onto Ellis’s hand. “I can’t.”

“You have to.”

“I was going to let you walk in there. Isn’t that enough? Now…now you want me to deliver you to its feet?” How many more would have to die in front of him, for him, because of him? A thousand lives would have been easier than Ellis. Every instinct, every grain of self-preservation, every cell in Jon’s body screamed at him to pick Ellis up and carry him away from there. Forget everything. Forget everyone. They would find somewhere to hide and the world could just continue on its path to shit.

But Jon’s heart held him where he was and his soul bled for what Ellis wanted him to do.

Jon buried his tears in Ellis’s bloodied shirt. “Why…just tell me why…” Ellis petted Jon’s hair. “Why all this? Why…” He cupped Ellis’s face. “Just tell me to take you away. Just tell me and I’ll do it. I don’t care about the consequences.”

“Rule number four. It has to happen.”