Chapter 34

Travis wandered a short way into the brush with his gun out. Winston followed after locking the car. He didn’t want to have it stolen the second time.

There was rustling in the brush, and Travis called out, “If you’re human, we mean you no harm. If you’re an animal, we’ll likely shoot you and take you home to eat you.”

Winston said, “You are a sick puppy.”

“Why thank you.” They walked a bit more. “I guess whatever I saw is gone.” They turned to head back to the car, and Travis spotted a man crawling in the brush. “Winston, it’s a man.” He called out, “Sir, we live around here, and we mean you no harm. Are you okay?”

The man tried to sit up. He had worn and torn shirt and pants, and he wore an old faded baseball cap that read ‘Wilson’s Logging.’ His mouth moved, but no words came out.

Each guy knelt next to the stranger.

Winston said, “I used to work for Wilson’s Logging.” He nudged the man. “Can you hear me?” The man nodded. “Are you injured?”