Going Back
The boys and I had reached the top of the pass and could see the highway below when we heard the first gunshot. All of us turned and looked back in the direction we had come, back toward Spider Hollow, where a wounded Ron was facing two heavily armed mercenaries. I glanced at the boys to see the expressions on their faces and found that they were all staring at me.
“We can’t just leave him,” Joey said. The countenances of the other boys said they agreed with him. I started to go through all the reasons in my head why going back was a bad idea. Ron was a trained combat operative. He wasn’t expecting any of us to be around. Adding a person to the equation might not only be dangerous, but it might also interfere with his plans. Yes, he was wounded and operating on one arm and leg. Yes, he had passed out for over an hour from loss of blood earlier that evening. Yes, it was two against one. And yes, I felt I had received clear instructions from Hope and maybe someone higher that my first priority was to make sure these boys were safe . . . Going back was definitely a bad idea.
Light seemed to be creeping up the backs of the mountains. It would be dawn soon. I looked down at my watch, but it wasn’t on my wrist. I must have lost it in the fight with Tiny. It was a small thing, but I felt a sudden pang of loss. That watch had helped me get out of some tough situations, and it probably could have been useful in the very near future. Turning on the GPS would have allowed someone to locate my position. But no one would be looking for my signal unless I alerted them.
I turned around and looked toward the road. I could see a light down below, a camper or maybe a motor home beginning to come to life. No more than an hour’s hike and the boys would be safe. I swore I smelled pancakes cooking.
I tried to listen to my heart, but I kept hearing Joey’s voice in my head. We can’t just leave him. “Okay,” I said. “Peng, you get the boys down to that campsite. Tell the people there that you’ve been separated from your leaders and have been lost in the woods all night. Ask them to take you to Park City, where your parents have a time-share. Have them drop you off at Ron’s condo, and wait for us there.” I pulled a key out of my pocket. “Here’s the extra key.” Then I pulled out my wallet and handed Peng a fifty-dollar bill. “Order some pizza. I’ll call you as soon as I get out of the mountains and have cell coverage.”
“Where will you be?” Peng asked.
“Joey’s right. We can’t leave Ron. I’m going back to help him.” I didn’t want to leave the boys, but we had taken care of our giant. The lights below represented the promise of safety and civilization. Ron was still out there, wounded and with two killers to face. Right now he needed me more than the boys did. But still . . .
Peng must have seen my hesitation. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll make sure they’re safe. They’re my responsibility.”
I nodded and began running back down the mountain.