Facing Fears

A crisp evening air whips through the car. Night creatures sing a harmonious tune all around him. Heavy rain clouds slide across the full moon, making it difficult to see. Jeff sits frozen in fear, not sure what he should do. Events of the night replay in his mind. No good can come from this meeting, not after all my mistakes. He wipes the nervous sweat from his brow.

Jeff glances at the men on either side of the door. He then pictures being gunned down as he runs. I can't escape them on foot, but I can in my car. He glances at the ignition switch to find the keys are gone. Jeff looks up to see them dangling in Luigi's hand.

Shoving the keys into his pocket, Luigi motions and says, "I don't have all night."

Jeff eyes the men at the door again. "I… Ah, well."

"He ain't going to kill you if that's what you're worried about."

Jeff sighs with relief. "That's good to know. Climbing out of the car, he follows him across the lawn.

They take a few steps when Luigi chuckles and says, "Tomorrow maybe, but not tonight."

Stopping, Jeff weights out his options again and soon discovers either would result in his death. I'll go to this meeting and then figure out something from there.

Luigi exchanges pleasantries with the guards waiting for his lackey to catch up. "Get the lead out, newbie," he says from the doorway. Seeing Jeff at the top step, Luigi darts down the hall. Jeff quickly follows. Reaching a thick, wooden door, Luigi turns and asks, "You ready?"

Jeff's insides quiver. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Luigi knocks on the door. "You wanted to see us, boss?"

Bruno glances up from his desk. "Yes, come in, come in." He says in a heavily accented voice.

Jeff sees a large, rounded man on the far side of the spacious room. He's wearing a double-vested black Aragona. Jeff then notices gold rings on the man's short stubby fingers and several gold chains around his neck.

Bruno casually moves his Cobiha to his mouth as he leans back in his chair.

He reminds me of an old gangster movie I saw on TV. The bloody scene replays in Jeff's mind. Shivering from the thought, he pushes it out of his mind.

Shoving his lackey inside, Luigi closes the door.

There is a long, tense silence that shakes Jeff to his core. After what seems like a lifetime of waiting, Bambini says, "I heard you ran into trouble at the store."

Nasty-tasting bile covers Jeff's mouth. I can't get sick now, he thinks, forcing the liquid down. "Yes... Yes, sir." Jeff nods. The sudden movement makes his stomach churn causing the fluid to return. Not now, please, not now, he silently pleas. Glancing at Luigi, Jeff takes a deep breath and then continues. "I accidentally set off the alarm when I reached for the dough."

Bambini leans forward. "Go on."

Jeff takes a second nervous breath and says, "The cops were coming down Freemon, so I ran the other way."

"Did anyone see you?"

"I... I don't believe so, sir."

"If this thing goes south for any reason, you and your family will die. Do you understand?"

Jeff swallows the bile threatening to escape. "Yes, sir. I understand.

"Good. Were you able to get the cash and mess the place up?"

"Yes, sir." He pulls out a wad of money from his pocket. "I took everything that was in the drawer." Walking across the room, Jeff puts the bills on the desk. He reaches back in and takes out a handful of change. "That's all there was, sir."

Bambini glances at the wad of cash. "I figured it wouldn't be much, but that's not the point. Is it, son?"

No sir."

"You're sure that no one saw you?"

Jeff anxiously fidgets with his clothes. "I don't believe so."

"I hope for your sake no one did," Luigi adds.

"I think he gets the point."

"Yes, sir, I do, sir."

"Go home and get some rest. We'll call when we need you again."

"Yes, sir." Spinning around, Jeff bolts toward the door.

"Hey, newbie," Luigi yells.

Just when I thought it was over. Jeff slowly turns around. "Yes?"

"You might need these." Luigi tosses Jeff his keys.

"Thanks."

Running down the steps, Jeff darts across the lawn. Bambini's warning keeps replaying in his mind. "I need to get Julie and the girls somewhere safe, just in case. Starting the car, he throws it into gear and speeds away.

He seems to be traveling forever when he reaches a fork in the road. Stopping, he takes a quick look around. I don't remember any of this. Making a U-turn, he heads back the way he came. He travels a little further and comes to a second split in the road. Stopping, he glances around to find barren land all around him, none of which looks familiar. How did I get so turned around in my old stomping ground? He and his dad used to hunt back here once or twice a year, starting when Jeff was just a lad. The trips ended when his father passed. Jeff never cared for hunting but went along so he could spend some alone time with his dad.

He's trying to decide which way he should turn when a light flashes on the dash. He looks down to find the gas gauge reading empty. I wouldn't be in this mess if I had GPS. A thought comes to mind. I didn't look that hard before. Taking his flashlight out of the glove compartment, he searches the car. He's about to give up when he sees it wedged between the console and the seat. I should've known that's where it'd be. The space seems to be the catch-all for a lot of things. Jeff reaches for it. His fingertips graze the edge. Moving closer, he tries again. After a few close attempts, he's able to grab the rim. Jeff powers it up to find the battery is nearly dead. Flashbacks from the fire and his narrow escape replay in his mind. What else is going to go wrong tonight? Bambini's words suddenly come to mind. He then pictures returning home to find his family dead. How can I save the girls when I'm stuck out here? Frustrated, Jeff slams his hands against the wheel again and again. Think, Jeff, think."

He glances at the phone to find it's at two percent. The gas gauge is a little past E. It might be enough to get me out of here, but what if it's not? He usually never allows the gas to get under a quarter tank, so he's not sure how far the fumes will go. I could call Julie and tell her to get somewhere safe. Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll say that I'll explain everything later.

He speed-dials her number and then waits for the call to connect. Jewels? Damn, voice mail. Jeff starts to hang up when he realizes this may be his only chance. He practices what he'll say as he waits for the beep. Julie, it's Jeff. I don't have time to explain, but I need you and the girls to go somewhere safe. Don't tell anyone where you're." The call disconnects. Damn it. Redialing the number, he impatiently waits for the beep. Don't tell anyone. Just go. I'll call you as soon as I can, love. His phone goes dead. I hope she gets that. Jeff starts to put the car into gear when it sputters and then dies.