Nightwatch

Chapter 38

“The more I think about it, the more I fear that Coach didn’t believe my warning,” said Andrew Chapman.

Vince was seated on the same fallen oak trunk as the VP, and he replied while gazing up at the ever-darkening portion of sky visible from this portion of the overlook.

“You’ve got to admit it was an earful, sir. It’s only natural for him to be cautious at first. And if he’s really the outstanding officer that you say, he’ll get over his initial skepticism and begin looking into the matter.”

“I’m beginning to have second thoughts myself,” mumbled Chapman, strain and frustration clearly visible on his tanned face.

From the other side of the clearing, Miriam could be heard talking with her father.

“Pa, I think I’ll go down and see if I can help Junior find Satan.”

“Absolutely not, young lady!” retorted Amos, who had been passing the time whittling a maple branch.

“I told your lame brained brother that we’re gonna skedaddle from these parts once night falls, and if he doesn’t hurry and get back up here, he, Tiny, and C.J. are gonna be traveling solo.”

“I sure hope they’re staying far away from Tater Hill,” offered Vince.

“Those boys don’t have any idea what they’re up against out there. Mariano’s a skilled tracker who’s specially trained to hunt down and kill his fellow humans.”

Amos peered across the clearing, and made it a point to slice off a thick piece of wood before responding to this warning.

“My boy might be a little short in the brains department, but one thing he can do is survive in the woods. Shit, I taught him myself, and Junior was stalking deer when most boys his age were still on the breast.”

A booming explosion sounded nearby, seemingly punctuating this bold comment, and after flinching, the occupants of the clearing nervously stood. They stared into the blackened hollow, vainly trying to see any visual aftereffects of this resonant blast, which Vince attributed to either a grenade or a mine.

“Junior!” exclaimed the worried parent, who dropped his knife and went sprinting into the woods, toward the direction of Tater Hill.

Miriam followed her father, and Vince cried out, “Damn it, Miriam, come back!”

She didn’t, and Vince listened as the VP beckoned toward the woods, saying, “We can’t go and abandon them now that there’s trouble afoot, Kellogg. Besides, one of those boys might be hurt, and could use our help.”

Vince could hardly believe his eyes when Chapman brazenly pursued Miriam into the forest, leaving him no alternative but to curse angrily and follow.

“Sounded to me like a claymore,” Sergeant Reed told Thomas and the other Sappers gathered at the head of the formation.

“And best guess is it blew a couple of klicks due south of here, smack in the heart of Freeman Hollow.”

Thomas nodded in agreement, listening carefully as the senior Sapper instructor began detailing the manner in which they’d proceed, now that yet another threat had to be contended with.