Collateral Damage Part 5
Early afternoon.
Route 15 was swapped for Route 26. Narrow roads and serpentine curves held speeds down to 45 MPH. White metal signs with black lettering identified rural crossroads---Willow Lane, Miller's Lane, Round Hill Road and, Duo's favorite, Bear Run Gap.
Houses with tree-shaded yards and enough acreage for quaint barns and stables dotted the pristine landscape. Corn fields and green meadows were stitched together by the watery ribbons of meandering creeks. Cattle lounged on hillsides and lazily grazing horses put Duo in mind of the pastoral picture on Redwood Diner's wall.
One picturesque township blended into the next, each having neighborhood schools, regional banks and post offices with unfamiliar zip codes. Dollar stores and quant shops were mingled among voluntary fire departments and Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting halls.
After bumping over the fourth railroad crossing in twenty miles the runaway travelers stopped at the Wayside Country Store with two gas pumps. While Heero filled the tank, Duo played fetch-the-stick with a blue tick hound the woman watering roses said was Maggie Mae.
Inside the rustic store Maggie received a treat from the man in a blue flannel shirt then curled up on her padded bed in the corner.
An intriguing diversity of merchandise lined the shelves. The usual cans of corn, peas and beans shared space with bread, buns and baby food. Baskets of "fresh from the garden" potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages and something leafy called kale set on the floor.
In a glass front refrigerated unit, bologna, ham and turkey, cheddar and Swiss cheese resided beside milk, butter, eggs and packs of hot dogs. A smaller cold case held a variety of 20oz. sodas and bottled water. An upright freezer contained vanilla and chocolate ice cream and Nutty Buddies.
Rounding out the curious assortment were bags of dry dog and cat food, kitty litter, charcoal, paper towels, toilet paper, feminine products, cleaning supplies and greeting cards.
Heero nodded to the shopkeeper, took up a green shopping basket then began his quest for portable provisions. A jar of creamy peanut butter, jar of grape jelly, white sandwich bread and a family size bag of potato chips were gathered with ease.
"What you want to drink?" he called to Duo who was scrutinizing a two-tiered rack of chewing gum, candy bars, M&M's, mini Oreo cookies, salted peanuts and trail mix.
Peering over the Hershey Bars, milk chocolate and almond, he answered, "Diet Dr. Pepper." then grinned, "Gotta watch my figure."
Two diet Dr. Peppers and two bottles of Aquafina joined the various items. Lastly assorted deposable cutlery, moist hand wipes and a roll of paper towels rounded out the intended purchases.
Duo caught up and set a box of Vanilla Wafers on the counter. "Midnight snack." he declared as he reached for his wallet.
"I've got this." Heero said, counting out the required payment.
Duo frowned, "You need to let me help." was stated as a reminder of their newly forged partnership.
Each man carrying a tan plastic grocery bag with "Thank you." printed in bright green stood aside to let the rose woman come inside. "Have a nice day." She wished as an excited Maggie Mae wagged her tail and begged to be petted.
*********
While the Escape was relocated to a corner parking space, Duo totted the bags to a wooden picnic table nestled beneath a white pine's fringed branches. By the time Heero sat down the simple fare was waiting to be assembled into lunch.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips were served on sheets of paper towels better known as poor man's napkins. Duo took a sip of soda to wash down his partly chewed wad of sticky bread.
"How far we gotta go before we stop lookin' over our shoulders?" he wondered before crunching a mouthful of chips.
Heero took the time to properly chew and swallow then replied frankly, "The Syndicate has a long reach. We'll have to remain vigilant until we land in Nassau.
Catching a glimpse of uncharacteristic apprehension in Heero's brooding blue eyes, Duo acknowledged the severity of their situation. "We're in deep shit but", determination fixed his features, "the Green Dragons or the devil himself don't know who they're messin' with."
With that realization, while sharing an unpretentious meal, the urban soldier and tenacious street kid were offered a ray of hope. Maybe they could outfox the Fates. Perhaps expectations of a reasonably normal life weren't such a farfetched notion.
With renewed resolve Heero took Duo's hand. "Whatever happens, whatever we have to do, even battle the devil himself, we WILL have a future together."
*********
Dashboard clock ticked off the minutes. Odometer counted the miles. Heero and Duo settled into a precautious acceptance of their reality.
Heero constantly checked the rearview mirror. Running strategies in his mind he evaluated risk factors; calculated every angle, every outcome. Duo also pondered potential hazards, asked questions about how to avoid detection and sought advice on helping instead of hindering if a Green Dragon confrontation did occur.
Their discussions weren't all gloom and doom. Voluntary bits of information, like Heero's favorite color was turquoise and he liked cake better than pie, were divulged. Duo hadn't cut his hair since he was eight and he hated sauerkraut. Another insight into the Irishman's preferences came when he wondered if he could listen to the radio.
"Of course, you don't have to ask." Heero stated.
Digital tuner scanned local stations. K92 transmitted the latest contemporary tunes, Q99-60's oldies and 70's disco. When Duo stopped on WYYD, "The Best in Country Music." the announcer claimed, Heero commented on the unexpected choice.
"Got to keep ya guessing." Duo declared while a twangy guitar and soulful fiddle harmonized with a male singer's melancholic Southern drawl as he pined for the love of a green-eyed girl.
Seventy miles.
Duo drifted to sleep. The radio was silent. Soft snoring and the engine's steady hum lulled Heero into a calmer mood but, much like an irksome moth flitting around a flame, the urgency of their flight was never far from his mind.
As the sun slithered closer to the graying horizon purple shadows mimicking trees and signposts became harbingers of twilight.
The long day of driving had taken its toll. They'd stopped briefly at a wayside park to use the toilet and drink lukewarm Aquafina but the short walk hadn't limbered up tight legs and back muscles that were now begging for relief.
Heero's shoulders were taut, a dull ache bloomed along his temples and hunger was urging him to stop for the night. Like a lighthouse beckon slicing through the foggy night, Traveler's Rest Motor Court offered a hospitable harbor.
Road higher than the parking lot, the downward bump jolted Duo from his slumber. After a moment's acclimation he rubbed his eyes and squinted at the bright red neon sign mounted on a tall pole which thankfully confirmed, Rooms Available.
Traveler's Rest was a long, one story building with a central office. A series of five connected rooms branched off to the right and left. Behind the main structure six cabins set in a row.
Since Heero reasoned the remote site and inadequate security lighting would make the SUV harder to spot from the highway, Duo opted to wait while his partner inquired about a cabin.
Stiff joints were evident in Heero's sluggish strides as he walked into the office. Guilty for not being able to share the driving, Duo vowed to get his license as soon as some valid form of identification was obtained.
Ordinarily sunset would blush the sky with blended bands of red and orange. This evening thickening clouds tempered the fiery hues causing Duo to speculate about the chance of rain. Quickly cooling temperatures also prompted optimism for adequate heat or, at least, heavy blankets.
"We're in number four." Heero informed as he parked beside the, hopefully, cozy cabin.
Door unlocked and light switched on revealed the wood paneled sitting area. A brown sofa and low coffee table sat against the left wall. An end table topped with a green ceramic lamp sat at the sofa's side. A brass tone floor lamp kept company with the matching chair by the front window.
The right side closet, fitted with a hanging bar and upper shelf, would remain unused as neither man planned to unpack. Centered on the same wall, the double bed was flanked by nightstands each holding a smaller version of the ceramic lamp. To Duo's delight the bed was swathed in a brown quilted comforter and an extra russet blanket was draped over the footboard.
Next to the back window, a door opened into the bathroom with a combination tub/shower, sink and toilet. Conspicuously absent was the standard television and telephone.
Both duffel bags, the sniper's case and Duo's suitcase, boots and toiletries, including the cheap whiskey, were carried inside Leftover groceries were stowed under the coffee table.
Front door secured and curtains drawn tight, Heero turned his attention to procuring a much-desired evening meal. Since Duo had been asleep, he informed, "We passed a diner five miles back but I'd rather get takeout. Any preferences?"
"Anything except sauerkraut."
"Want to ride with me?"
"Got no energy. If it's all right I'll stay here"
Uneasy about leaving Duo alone, Heero offered. "Want me to load another Glock?"
"Nope. Nothing's gonna happen."
Reinforced by his grave demeanor, Heero instructed. "If there's any trouble crawl out the back window and hide in the woods. I'll find you."
"Okay." was sworn with the same solemn seriousness.
"Lock the door after me."
The deadbolt clicked. Taillights flickered momentarily through the curtains then the Escape was gone. Flopping on the sofa Duo sucked in a breath then exhaled slowly to stifle the onset of nervous tension.
Realizing this was the first time since their fateful meeting on the docks he'd been without Heero's protective presences, Duo sighed. "He won't be gone too long."
*********
Twenty minutes crawled at a snail's pace. Duo inspected the bathroom which was clean, no black fuzzy mold, rust stains or mouse turds like his South Hills squalor. Five minutes more. Headlights washed across the window.
For a nanosecond alarming images of Green Dragon henchmen, dressed in SWAP team black, busting through the door with a spray of bullets made his heart skip a beat. A quick, wary peek confirmed the Escape slipping backwards into the gloom.
"Hey." Duo greeted when his long-awaited partner, laden with two large paper bags, stepped inside. "Something smells good."
Two multi-section Styrofoam containers and two large ice teas were set on the coffee table. "No sauerkraut." Heero teased as he unveiled a scrumptious supper of sliced turkey, creamed potatoes with brown gravy, green beans, cinnamon-spiced apples, rolls and individual tubs of margarine.
The previously purchased plastic cutlery and paper towels were again called into service. Duo poked a spoonful of gravy-drenched potatoes in his mouth, closed his eyes and emitted a guttural groan Heero compared to orgasmic ecstasy.
Hearty appetites circumvented conversation. In light of their fugitive status not one bite was taken for granted. Duo slurped ice tea through his straw then wiped his lips.
"I assume we're hitting the road early in the morning."
Heero nodded, "Got to keep moving."
"In that case I'm gonna to shower and wash this ratty hair." (Duo really wanted to issue the invitation, "Want to join me?" but thought it more prudent, at least for awhile, not to push for more than friendship.)
Half an hour. Freshly scrubbed, dressed in a white undershirt, boxers, gray sweatpants and socks, with his long mane detangled and secured in a loose ponytail, Duo joined Heero on the sofa.
Empty food containers had been cleared away. A tri-state map covered the coffee table. Ink pen in hand, Heero traced routes and counter routes. In the map's margins daily mileage was calculated then each ETA modified to fit the amended timetable.
Duo studied the hurriedly scribbled computations but couldn't make sense of what appeared to be random numbers. Lines tracking their intended course were easier to follow. However, he decided, symbols scrawled haphazardly at various locations were proof Heero was either an alien sketching extraterrestrial hieroglyphics or he was bored and doodling just for the hell of it.
But despite the erratic lines and peculiar cryptograms there was no doubt about their destination. Duo tapped an inconspicuous dot circled in blue, "Is Midville where your computer wizard lives?"
"Fredrick moves around a lot but he'll meet us there."
"Then to Nassau?"
Heero folded the map and put in his duffle bag. "Eventually." Stretching kinks from his back he informed. "I'm going to shower."
Once Heero gathered the duffle and disappeared into the bathroom, Duo switched on a bedside lamp, added the extra blanket atop the comforter, shed his sweatpants and slipped into the soft bedding's long-awaited embrace.
Twenty minutes. Clad in a navy blue tee shirt and tan cotton sleep pants, Heero reappeared with the Glock.
Duo smirked and rolled his eyes. Nodding at the automatic which seemed to be permanently affixed to his roommate's hand, he inquired. "Did you shower with that damn thing?"
"No." was replied curtly as bare feet padded to the door. The deadbolt's security was verified and lamp by the sofa switched off. The gunman and gun came to bed.
When the pistol was tucked under Heero's pillow, Duo protested. "Ain't no fuckin' way that gun is stayin' in this bed!"
"The safety is on."
"I don't care. If ya move the wrong way ya could blow your brains out."
"Is on the floor acceptable?"
"Yeah. And don't try to sneak it back 'cause I'll know."
*********
The bedside lamp went dark. Duo snuggled into the comforter and without so much as a mumbled "Good night" succumbed to the Sand Man's serene spell.
Sleep didn't come as easily to Heero. Staring at the ceiling he instinctively knew by now Chang realized his prized falcon had slipped the gilded cage. When the safe house telephone's insistent ringing was unanswered and Heero's discarded cell phone was also unresponsive, Chang would've gone to check the empty hideout.
Heero envisioned the furious Lieutenant having a full-blown hissy fit. Wild-eyed, cussing in Chinese, he'd brandish his favorite 357 Magnum and most certainly threaten his entourage of dim-witted lackeys with bodily harm.
Next Chang's venomous psychopathic fury would be directed at the smart-assed underling who dared to defy him. Hunters highly skilled in tracking and retrieval would be dispatched with strict orders to bring back the AWOL assassin to suffer the agonizing consequences of his blatant defiance. Heero also knew anyone caught with him would be terminated without hesitation.
Suddenly cold, not from lack of heat but lack of heart, acute pangs of guilt stabbed through Heero's gut and once more a cowardly midnight desertion was re-evaluated. Of course Duo would have every right to feel betrayed, every reason to hate him, in fact he'd be devastated but he'd be alive.
Slipping out of bed with practiced subtlety, bare feet provided soundless steps across the floor.
Duo sighed.
He paused.
Until that moment he hadn't noticed the muffled patter of raindrops on the front window. His distorted reflection, tinted red by the neon sign's phantom glow, presented a disconcerting visage. Like a haunted funhouse mirror or ripples fashioned by stones in the water, rivulets slithering down grimy glass further disfigured the grotesque image.
Gazing at the surreal illusion of a hell-spawn portrait of Dorian Gray, Heero contemplated the method of his demise-gunned down in a shootout or, to evade capture, by his own hand. Yet devotion to Duo be it duty or compassion or that mystifying concept called love proved to be a stronger incentive than resigning himself to death.
Without warning Duo materialized amid the apparitional figments of face and form mirrored in the wavy pane. Heero's failure to detect the crafty Irishman's approach testify to his distracted concentration and when arms encircled his waist from behind sparks of anger kindled an inferno.
Pivot, launch a scathing rebuke. his soldier's logic demanded. A stinging slap will dissuade Duo from his misguided mission to salvage your sin-damned soul.
However as warm breath feathered over his earlobe and a steady heartbeat pulsed against his back the fiery resentment faded. If he and Duo were promised only the next minute it would be all right. If they shared a lifetime in a single night he'd willingly pay the Ferryman and sail with Hades across the River Styx.
Comforted by Duo's unspoken reassurance Heero closed his eyes to exorcize his rain-warped doppelganger. Then in that one decisive moment of clarity he surrendered all control and basked in the simple contentment of being held.
TBC...
Back to Karen, The Huntress's Fanfictions Page