CHAPTER 23
HEADING OUT
Six hours of sleep didn’t seem enough for Chase, probably because his shoulder still ached from the gunshot wound. He didn’t know whether the bullet was lodged in there or not, nor was he really interested in finding out.
It didn’t seem likely that his injury was severe, however. From his time in prison, he’d heard all sorts of stories about bullets being lodged in people’s various body parts. What he felt right now wasn’t severe. Provided it gave him no further problems in the short term, he’d have a doctor in Grains Plains check him out at the first opportunity.
He stirred from the living room sofa and looked around for a clock. 4:40. Fifty minutes left until the next delivery was made at Peddle’s store. Chase very much doubted the demons would let Peddle’s absence keep them from showing up with the shipment.
At five minutes to five, Chase grasped the knob on the front door. Though his stomach snarled with hunger pangs, other things took precedence. He’d give Peddle another minute or two, and then he’d head out to the gas station. Provided that Brittany had left the keys in her Jaguar XJ, getting to the gas station would be a piece of cake. Despite Simon’s attempt to discourage Chase from using Brittany’s set of wheels, Chase did have Peddle close by with those anti-transformation pills.
Of course, there was the chance that Peddle might not even honor his involvement with Chase’s plan. Chase hoped Peddle would come through and do the right thing, but this was a shady gas station operator he was dealing with here. The man hadn’t shown any integrity before. Why start now?
Perhaps Peddle was in denial that his dream was over. Chase could appreciate what it was like to wake up to the sobering realization, knowing he could never go back to the way things were. Once things changed, they changed forever.
“Hey,” a voice called out from behind Chase.
Chase turned away from the door and found Dylan standing in the hallway leading to Simon’s bedroom. “Hey,” Chase grunted back.
Dylan rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, looking ready to ask what was going on. Despite Dylan’s immaturity having led the two Weaverson brothers to this point, Chase didn’t harbor any resentment just then. The possibility of death made his brother’s shortcomings more tolerable.
“I’ve got to go take care of something,” Chase said. “Peddle, too, if that man actually has a set on him.”
“You sure that’s wise?” Dylan asked with what sounded like genuine worry. “I mean, you haven’t exactly had a doctor take a look at you.”
Chase frowned. His eyes stung with a hotness he suspected wasn’t part of the ordinary desert climate. It took several short breaths for Chase to recompose himself. In just a matter of seconds, he was about to walk out that door, possibly to never return. He tore his gaze away from Dylan before such thinking jeopardized the task at hand.
“I have to do this, Dylan,” Chase muttered ruefully. “For seven years the guilt of having killed someone has gnawed at my gut. I can never take back my worst drunken mistake ever, but I can make damn sure those demons don’t hurt anyone else today.”
“You’re talking crazy, bro,” Dylan remarked, stepping further into the living room.
Chase waved his hand, trying to discourage Dylan from coming any closer. This was hard enough already without an awkward moment between the brothers. “Someone’s got to stop the demons, Dylan. I can’t ask either you or Simon to throw your lives away. You have to explain things to both our folks and Simon’s dad. And Simon has his life still ahead of him.”
Dylan crossed his arms.
“And you feel you’ve got nothing left to live for?” he asked.
“Take good care of Simon,” Chase said. With a gentle pat on the shoulder, he tried his best to soften the blow of what was about to come. “He’s in good hands with you.”
“Bro, you can’t do this!” The fear in Dylan’s voice underscored just how seriously he took this.
“Yes, I do.” Chase forced his voice cold. If sentiment distracted him for even another second, they’d lose their best shot of stopping the demons.
Dylan protested with a few more mumblings, but in the end he seemed to realize he couldn’t argue with Chase.
“What about Peddle?”
“I’m right here,” Peddle said, emerging from the kitchen. “Time to go, Weaverson.”
Peddle started forth, toward the front door, only to be stopped by Dylan’s sudden grip.
“Hold it.” Dylan gnashed his teeth at Peddle.
Chase could’ve sworn he’d heard the faintest hint of a sniffle coming from his brother. Then again, a speck of dust might’ve just tickled Dylan’s nose hairs.
“What do you think you’re doing?” said Peddle, his eyes glinting with unease.
Dylan squeezed tighter on Peddle’s bicep and pointed toward Chase.
“This is my older brother, Peddle. He’s a Weaverson. You don’t mess with Weaversons. If he dies and you survive, well, let’s just hope he comes back with you,” he said before pushing Peddle away. “No matter what happens, Chase, just know that I really am proud of you, and I’m sorry for half the crap I’ve put you through.”
Damn it. Chase needed to get out of that house, and soon. He couldn’t waste any time on a group hug.
Unfortunately, Dylan picked that awkward moment to throw his arms around Chase. Seeing no alternative, Chase embraced the moment. The instant Simon’s house disappeared from view might possibly be the last time Chase ever saw his brother.
“Don’t do this, Bro,” Dyl implored, slow to break away from the hug. “We can find another way.”
Chase peeled himself free from Dylan’s grip, making his way to the door. Peddle joined Chase seconds later.
“Goodbye, Dyl,” Chase said, pausing as one final thought struck him. “If you do ever get back to Grains Plains, tell Pa and Ma I…that, is, I…”
Dylan growled and flung his hand at Chase.
“Screw that, Chase. You tell them in person.”
Chase opened the door without looking back. An instant later, he heard Peddle close the door behind him. There was no turning back now. Chase popped a pill into his mouth, swallowed, and then handed the bottle over to Peddle.
“Was that alcohol I smelled on Dylan’s breath?” Peddle asked when they’d put some distance between themselves and Simon’s.
“Yeah.”
“And you left him in charge of Simon’s safety?”
Chase didn’t answer. The first hint of daylight cracked in the northeast. 5:30 was coming upon them fast.