The King's Highway (Days of Dread Trilogy Book 1) (7 page)

Boggs lay on his stomach with his muzzle resting on his front paws. Taking out that bad man had sapped his energy. He watched as the kids busied themselves dipping water from the good-sized pool Jackson had set up camp next to. They cooked it over a bigger fire than his master ever used then took great care pouring it into their empty bottles.

His favorite, the little one, left the fire and went over to the big one. “Hey, Jackson, haven’t we done enough? I’m hungry. When are we going to eat?”

“Pretty soon, Bubba.”

Boggs stood and wagged his flag tail. If his little Bubba was hungry, he’d best get to hunting. He thrashed out several hoppers, but failed to catch one before it ducked into its rabbit hole. Fox spore hung heavy, but he never got close enough to get eyes on the little sneak.

A sounder of hog rooted the north shore of the lake, but he didn’t much want to tangle with such a large herd of wild pig. If his new pack was canine instead of human, he’d love nothing better than to take down a feral hog. He loved pork, but hated those razor sharp cutters they sported.

Overhead, a tree rat mocked him, flicking its long bushy tail, but he never hunted squirrel much. The tree climbers barely offered a mouthful for all the creeping around it took to catch one on the ground. He decided to encircle where the kids huddled around their fire, see if he could scare up a hopper or a family of fat field mice.

Might not be enough to take to the boy, but it would put something in Bogg’s belly.

He loved the little fishes Jackson shared with him. They tasted great but seemed to vanish before they even left his mouth. How many would he have to eat to get full? Probably more than all the cans the children carried away from his master.

Ahead, a soft light shined. Boggs crouched and eased closer. Nothing or no one had been there earlier when he came through. A new scent drifted on the night breeze. He sniffed, but couldn’t place the smell. He belly-crawled in nearer for a better look. The pleasant odor grew stronger, and his mouth watered. He crept forward past a clump of sawgrass.

There in the middle of a small clearing, his master warmed his hands over a small fire. And whatever he roasted on that stick over the flames smelled delightful. He pranced over and rubbed his head against the man’s side, thrilled to be once more in his presence.

“Hello, Boggs.” His man patted him on the head, rubbing his ear to its end. He was an exceptional being, so full of kindness and love.

He laid his head in the master’s lap.

The man cut a big chunk of the stuff from the stick over his cook fire and extended it. “You hungry, boy?”

He took it even though he didn’t usually eat something if he didn’t know what it was, but since the master offered it…. Boggs loved him above all. The master had found him in a dire situation, dying. He rescued him and taught him how to be a good dog, that he could trust some. Not all were as abusive as the family he’d grown up with.

The chunk tasted great. He chewed it as long as he could, then wolfed it down.

He kept an eye on his man, hoping he might offer more, but a warmth spread through his belly, and his hunger pains vanished. He laid his head on his paws and snuggled in next to his master’s leg.

The man patted his shoulder. “You’re a good dog, Boggs. You’ve served the children well.”

For the longest, he rested then finally dozed off. Wild canine spore pulled him awake. A thousand stars still shone in the night sky. His master’s place was empty and where the fire had been, green grass grew as though a fire never burned there at all.

He jumped to his feet and tasted the breeze. Coyote! The varmint traveled down by the river. Boggs ran that direction just in time to see him wade in, wetting his mangy hide. He loosed a low rumble. The varmint turned, met his eye, then swam away from him toward the opposite bank. Probably for the best; his master didn’t like him chasing the wild ones anyway.

He turned toward where his kids camped. After only a few strides, a new spore hit his nostrils. At first, it didn’t much bother him, just a feral feline, but then he got a stronger whiff. He leapt forward and broke into a sprint, racing toward the camp.

A really big cat stalked his children. 

Jackson’s eyes popped open. The hairs on his neck bristled. A sensation he’d never experienced before washed over him. He eased the blanket off then scooted away from McKenzie. Finding his backpack, he pulled out the revolver.

She sat up. “What are you doing?”

He searched the grey hues of false dawn, holding the pistol’s barrel straight down beside his far leg. “Hush. There’s something out there.”

“It’s just the dog. Lay back down, you’re making me cold.”

“No. It isn’t Boggs. Now hush, so I can listen.”

A deep growling grumble followed by a roar sent chills through his soul. A lion? Couldn’t be. What would a lion be doing in the Trinity River bottoms? More likely a cougar, but that’d be just as bad. 

“Oh no. I heard that.” McKenzie jumped up and got behind him. “What was it?”

“A big cat of some kind. Wake the others and get everything together. Quick!” Jackson’s chest pounded. He wanted to run, but knew that would be dumb. If it was a lion, he couldn’t outrun it with all his charges. He had to do everything in his power to stop it there. He wished he had more bullets in the gun.

Only one chance for a kill shot.

From his left, a blur of white streaked toward him. Boggs reached him then turned and faced toward where Jackson figured the beast lurked.

Another roar pierced the still, cool air.

“Oh, God help us. Help us, Jesus.” McKenzie stuffed her pack full. 

Boggs bellowed back a deep threatening bark.

“We need to get in the water.” Al helped Cooper put his stuff into his backpack.

Jackson glanced back. “Why?”

“Lions don’t like water.”

A closer roar sounded, followed by another challenge from Boggs.

Jackson held the pistol out, cocked and ready to shoot. “You sure?”

“Yes, they don’t like the crocodiles.”

McKenzie squealed, but softly. “Me either!”

A ray of hope danced through his heart. He glanced at his sister. “There are no crocs in Texas.”

“Precisely.” Al spoke with a cool calmness, not a hint of fear tainted his voice. “But the cat doesn’t know that. Most likely, it’s a male. Their roars can be heard by the human ear from as far as five miles away. He probably isn’t as close as he sounds.”

“Hope you’re right about that.” Jackson scooped up his pack and glanced around. The others had gathered everything. “Where’s the blanket?”

“I’ve got it.” McKenzie, on the other hand, sounded more scared than he’d ever heard her. She stepped out into the small lake. “Come on. The water’s not that cold.”

He backed to the shore’s edge. “Boggs.”

The big cat’s scream echoed through the river bottoms. Jackson’s throat tightened. It sounded close enough that he should be able to see him. But for once, he hoped Al was right. He searched the tree line. How could such an animal be in these parts? A lion could have escaped from the Marsalis Zoo. As the mockingbird flew, it wasn’t that far. What? Maybe only eight or ten miles?

Remembering his mother saying that, he smiled, but any mirth evaporated with the next roar.

Boggs’ neck hair stood straight up. He went into a barking tirade. What a brave animal. But would he have any chance against a cougar…or lion? Would he be as fast as the cat?

Why had Jackson ever left the apartment? Oh yeah—the gunshots and two dead people. Well, it might have been safe as long as he kept his siblings inside. Now he had them out in the open, their lives at risk again and again. It seemed dangers lurked everywhere. And if he didn’t make the right decision, they could all be eaten by a marauding jungle cat.

The beast howled again.

Boggs retreated to a spot right in front of him, barking viciously.

Even though Jackson had heard it before, the dog’s bark, so deep and ferocious, amazed him every time. Maybe that cat would think twice.

He held the gun up and stepped into the water. She was right; definitely warmer than the cool morning air. He took little steps backwards toward the others, continually searching the woods’ shadows for movement
.
Boggs stood right at the water’s edge. Jackson followed the others who waded almost waist high heading east.

The water lapped higher on Coop. Being mid-chest on him, the boy hefted his backpack onto his head. Hopefully, they were far enough out into the water to dissuade the lion from getting wet. After a hundred yards or so from where Jackson entered the little lake, the shoreline shot back into a creek or slough or whatever it was.

Stayed about waist deep on him, but his little brother struggled a bit.

What would he do if it got any deeper?

For a good half hour, he sloshed east, following the others. A couple of times, the lion roared, but each time, it seemed farther away. He hadn’t seen or heard any sign of Boggs since losing sight of the shore where they’d entered the water—no scrapping either. That was good. He hoped against hope that the dog had eluded the big cat.

“Hey, Jackson.” Al waded off to his right toward the north shoreline.

“What?

“Look at this.” He pointed ahead. “I think it’s an island amongst these old gravel pits.”

Jackson studied the piece of ground. The nerd might be right. He slogged to McKenzie’s side then looped his elbow under Coop’s armpit.

His little brother smiled. “Thanks, Bro.”

He winked at him and nodded toward Al. “You check it out, man. We’ll wait here.”

After not too much time, Al returned. “Water on the entire perimeter. What do you say we engage in a bit of respite?”

“Works for me.” Jackson pulled Cooper through the water toward the bank then stepped ashore right behind him. He turned and held his hand out to his sister.

She grabbed it and let him pull her to dry land. She hugged herself. “You think we can have a fire? I’m so cold now.”

“Sure, and we’ll heat up a can of chili. That’ll help warm up our insides. Still got some crackers to go with it.”

“Ummm, wish we could have a chunk of cheddar, too.” She dropped her pack.

“And a tall glass of milk.” Cooper dropped his next to hers and looked at Jackson. “I know, I know. Gather wood.”

Jackson fished in his backpack until he found the matches. He knelt and gathered what dry grass and a few twigs lay around him. Soon, he had a small fire started. “Hey, guys, where’s my firewood?”

Cooper burst through the tall grasses. “Jackson, come see! It’s a girl! She’s real hot and sweaty.”

He stomped out the fire and ran after his brother. Thirty paces or so west, Cooper stopped and nodded toward a girl who lay curled in a small clearing under a young cedar elm. He dropped beside her and touched her forehead; hot and sweaty, just like his brother said. “Hey.” He lifted her head a little. “You awake?”

The girl’s eyes opened. She stared at him for a moment then spoke with a weak voice. “Who are you?”

His sister put her hand on his shoulder then sat cross-legged beside him. “He’s Jackson, and I’m McKenzie. What’s wrong with you? Are you sick?”

Trying her best to get up on her elbow, she winced. With McKenzie’s help, she made it to a sitting position. She raised her sweatshirt a few inches revealing an angry scab on her side. “Gun shot, two days ago. I think it’s infected.”

Al, who had been standing back, leaned in and stared at the wound. “I’d say so. Appears the bullet only grazed you though.”

“Thank God for that.” McKenzie bowed to see it closer.

The girl looked up at the brainiac. “Albert Hawking at your service, my lady.” He looked at Jackson. “Did you bring any meds?”

He shook his head. “Didn’t think of it.”

“Well.” The boy looked away as though searching his memory or trying to make up something good
.
“How about onions? Do you have any?”

“No, we hate O’s.”

“Honey?”

“No.”

“I’ve got honey.” Cooper glanced at Al then faced the girl.
“
Who shot you? And how’d you get on our island?”

She looked over at McKenzie. “I’m so thirsty. Do you have any clean water?”

“Sure, come on. Our stuff’s back there.” His sister helped her to her feet. “What’s your name?”

“Aria.” She smiled at his sister then turned toward Jackson. She batted her long, dark eyelashes slowly. “Aria Angelica Aleigha Hernandez.” She leaned against McKenzie, eyes and face red. “Thank you.”

Jackson busied himself with rekindling the fire and heating the chili. Much as he hated depleting his supply, he opened two cans to feed his growing bunch.

Playing doctor and nurse suited McKenzie and Al
.
They cleaned the wound then squirted a glob of Cooper’s honey onto it. His little brother might be smitten, but he still kept a close eye on how much of his liquid gold got squeezed out.

How did Al know about honey? Jackson had never heard it helped with infection. The boy’s knowledge on almost every topic amazed him. Either the guy knew a whole bunch of stuff about everything, or succeeded with the highest grades in con artist school. But, hey, the Brainiac sure came in handy.

It tickled him some that Cooper stayed right beside the olive-skinned beauty
.
It seemed
the little boy could hardly take his eyes off her or keep his fingers out of her long, dark hair. She let him play with it and talked sweetly to him. What was her name again? Did she say Air-ee-uh or Are-ee-uh?

Not wanting to mispronounce it, Jackson rehearsed it in his mind both ways a few times.

Everyone sat around the little fire. Wet clothes were bad enough, but the cool fall air made them even colder. The fire’s warmth felt so good. Sunrise sure would be welcomed. Al suggested using jar lids for extra bowls for him and Aria, and since there wasn’t that much chili anyway, they worked fine.

Smitten Coop gave the beautiful Latino his spoon and scooped his own chili onto a knife.

Once Jackson scraped the last bit of chili from the second can, and McKenzie passed out two crackers each, he faced her. “So, Aria, what’s your story? Who shot you?”

She took a tiny bite and shook her head. “Poppy believed in being prepared. He had everything we needed. Even an extra generator in the attic and gasoline in the storage building.” She looked away and hugged herself. “We were sharing our food supplies, and the neighbors brought their food to put in our freezer, but the bangers came and wanted it all.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“They kidnapped me and left me tied up.” Al shook his head. “Animals. That’s what they are.”

“You’re right! They aren’t human! They murdered my brothers, so when there was a chance, Poppy made me run. That’s when I got shot. I just kept running. That happened three days ago.” She looked up, her eyes swimming with tears. “I heard that tiger. I thought I was going to die out here.”

“Did you see it? Is that what it was?” Cooper’s eyes widened, reflecting the firelight.

“No, only heard it, but it sounded like a tiger. Didn’t you think? It scared me, that’s for sure.”

McKenzie scooted closer and hugged the girl. “Oh, Aria, it had to be scary to be all alone out here. And I’m so sorry about your family. That’s terrible. You can stay with us. We’re on the way to our grandparents’.”

Jackson hated hearing that, but what else could he do? Leave her to die? The food was running out fast, and if Boggs didn’t come back, there wouldn’t be any more rabbits. McKenzie glared, obviously seeking a word of approval. Why not? Coop would never let him forget it if he didn’t welcome Aria with open arms. “Think you can walk?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Cooper jumped to his feet. “I’ll carry her if she can’t or gets too tired.”

Man, he’d never seen his brother like that before. Had the flash messed with his hormones, or was it something deeper? Jackson wished he’d paid more attention to a lot of stuff instead of spending so much time on his Wii. He exhaled slowly. For sure, he didn’t want to get back into the water just yet.

Since on an island though, and already wet anyway, he figured it to be inevitable. “Okay, people, after breakfast, let’s get it together. We best get on the move.”

McKenzie packed the rinsed dishes and utensils in her pack then helped Aria to her feet. “Don’t mind him. He thinks he’s king.”

The girl glanced at him. Her smile cut all the way to his heart. He shook off the feeling. The last thing he needed right now was a friend girl. Besides, Cooper would never talk to him again if he stole Aria’s affections away from him.