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What a clusterfuck I've gotten into here. Girl’s not dead. Wolves are sorta noble when you break it down. Riskin' themselves to help out this woman. Question is what do I do? Should I help them get out of this Township and keep goin' or do I take ‘em back to confront Aiolos and the Wickett brothers? Or do I split the difference, help them out and confront the Wilds myself? I can't just sit here. Scarlet's body is gonna get found, eventually. Blaine and Davis are good about getti’ it stashed, they jump to help when I mention it. I suppose I owe them now. Fuuuck. Why do I always get involved? Especially when I gain nothin' but issue for doin' it in the first place. Can't just sit here, they're just starin' at me, like I'm gonna know.
“So—What would you like to do Maria? Seein' as this is your little pack? I've got two subordinate wolves outside town sniffin' ‘round. I'm sure that your brothers are out there too, by now.”
“Honestly?” She leans forward, “I'd like to jump on a ship going across the pacific and be gone, all of us. You could come too, if you're a lone.”
“Not an option for me. I still have a few men to kill, slowly over time, if I can help it.” My smile must be savage because Blaine and Davis shift awkwardly in their spots. “But I will help get you to the coast if that's what you want. From there you'll be on your own.”
Maria nods, looking to her pack mates. “What do you think?”
“We can handle a couple subs. They’re pussies, afraid to engage anyhow. They've had chances and have run each time. Your brothers are a problem though.” Davis answers, standing up to pack his bags.
“Yeah, I mean we don't want to hafta kill your family, honey,” Blaine adds squeezing her hand.
“They stopped being family when they started in on me.”
“Then it's settled, pack your stuff. We’re gonna make a break for it. If they are waitin' for us, I'll try talkin' ‘em into lettin' you go, if not guess we're fightin' our way out.” I holster my guns, and adjust my knife, “Time to take out the trash.”
***
GOIN' THROUGH TOWN isn’t an option, I am still covered in Marshall blood. Don’t wanna alert the rest of them to her death. Lord knows what that will do. Don’t need a lynchin' mob after my pale ass. Least not tonight. I doubt she told anyone I was here so at least I don't have to fix that mess. Though I'll have to answer for Columbine Spring in San Francisco. Glad the moon is just passed so I don't have to worry if I hafta do a few days in jail. I'm sure I can get it fixed. Fucker did pull a gun on me. I'll worry about it later. Right now it's time to get the hell out of this Township.
We take our time leavin’ the motel, makin’ sure that the manager isn’t around. Get to the back of the place and jump a fence. Cross a field and spook some cattle. Think we are gonna be home free. Think it at least. Then I hear the growls. The hair on my neck shoots straight up and I pull my guns. Just at the edge of the clearin' I can see their eyes glowin' in the darkness. I am right about the brothers showin' up. Seven on four. Not bad odds, I've seen worse. Came out of that with a few broken ribs. I am sure I'll handle this well enough. Chalk it up to practice
I step to the front, and Jason comes out from the trees.
“You plan on goin' somewhere with them Danny?” His familiarity is annoyin' the shit outta me.
“You need to step back and outta my way,” I point my gun at him, “I won't hesitate.”
“Easy, there.” He puts his arms up, as the others make way to circle us.
I pull my other gun, pointin’ it at Maria's head.
Everyone freezes.
“Now I can make this really simple. If I kill her no one wins.”
“What are you doing?” Jason reaches out. “Maria?”
Davis and Blaine make steps toward me.
“I wouldn't... That's right. She's alive. She's runnin' from you. But I can solve all my problems with just one bullet.” I cock both guns. “The real question is which one of you gets it?