Blackfly Season

51

KEVIN’S WRISTS WERE BLEEDING. He had been trying now for hours to work the knot loose by hooking it on the point of a nail, but he could not see if he had made the slightest progress. Nor could he tell if the knot was any looser. All he could feel was the ache in his arms, the savage pain in his wrists.

Terri lay slumped over on the floor on the other side of the cabin, unconscious. Leon had injected her with something in the car to keep her quiet. Knowing Leon, he had probably used just about enough to kill her. Her breathing sounded laboured and shallow.

Kevin’s head had cleared, now; the withdrawal symptoms had passed. Despite the fearful stench in this place, hunger was gnawing at his belly.

“Terri,” he said. “Terri, wake up.”

She didn’t stir.

Kevin hooked the rope once more on the nail and leaned away. The rope slid off like dental floss. He tried again, to no avail.

“Terri, you have to wake up.”

With his feet bound at the ankles, he lurched across the floor to her on his knees. He lay down on his side and nudged her with both knees.

“Terri! For Chrissake, wake up!”

She groaned. It was the first sound she had made since Leon had slung her in here and tied her to the table leg.

“Boy, you fucked up big time,” Leon had said as he’d tied the rope.

“Why is Terri here?” Kevin had said. “Let her go, Leon. She hasn’t done anything.”

“She’s too curious, man. That’s her problem. Inquisitive.” Leon finished tying her hands to the table leg. He gave the rope a couple of sharp tugs. “Tough, though. I’ll give her that.”

“What’s wrong with her? What did you give her?”

“Little Seconal. Keep her peaceful.”

“Leon, please. Terri’s never hurt anyone in her life. Why do you want to do this?”

“Boss’s orders,” Leon said. “Unlike you, I know what the fuck I’m doing.”

Leon came over and squatted in front of Kevin.

“Jesus, man. Stealing Red Bear’s dope. Of all the stupid moves, that’s gotta be the stupidest.”

“I was wired, Leon. Why the hell else would I do something like that? Listen, help us out of here. Red Bear’s gonna kill us.”

“That’s the least of it, I’d imagine.”

“Come on, Leon. How can you go along with him?”

“That’s just the way it is, bro. Red Bear and me just clicked. He’s shown me a few things. Opened some doors. He’s one powerful witch, and you crossed him. Not smart.”

“Leon, I thought we were friends, man.”

“Did you?” Leon cocked his head to one side. “You never seemed all that friendly to me. In fact, I got the distinct impression you looked down on me. You, with your fucking poetry and all.”

“I didn’t. Jesus, man. You know what Red Bear’s going to do to us?”

Leon stood up and stretched.

“Gonna work a little of that old Indian magic. Gonna get you working for us.”

Leon had left, then, deaf to Kevin’s begging. Kevin had been shredding his wrists ever since.

He kneed Terri in the shoulder. Harder this time. The wound in his side howled.

She groaned, and her eyelids fluttered.

“Terri, wake up. Terri, you gotta wake up.”