Chapter 19

(US Army Base)

Goggle was struggling to remain strong. It seemed that, the longer he suffered in silence; the more violent General Ryan became. Currently, the vengeance seeking General was cutting into Goggle with his knife. Crank and Delmar were now more concerned about the prisoner's well being than following orders. Goggle squeezed his eyes shut, and choked back another cry of agony; as General Ryan dug the knife into his arm.

"Jesus fucking Christ man. I never thought I'd say this; but I feel sorry for that Goggle fella." Crank said.

Delmar nodded.

"Yeah. Poor guy. I mean; it ain't right to help his family hunt innocent people. He also killed two of our guys; but he obviously was either acting out of fear, or concern for those he cares for. He clearly loves that one girl, Vanessa. Otherwise he wouldn't have kept her for himself; odd and strange as that may sound." Delmar replied.

"I agree Delmar. Hey, did you notice he only went violent when he saw her get hurt?" Crank then said.

"Yeah. I did. He has an odd, and clearly atypical understanding of concepts like love; but at the same time - he gets it." Delmar responded.

Crank nodded in agreement.


"How many victims did you and your family claim Goggle?" General Ryan asked.

"A hundred…maybe more." Goggle answered.

"I want a number!"

"I dunno how many…I swear."

"Give me a fucking number!"

Goggle could hear the rest of his shirt tear apart. His chest and stomach was now exposed. He could feel the blade lightly press against his skin.

"Give me a number Goggle. How many victims are there?" Asked the General.

"One thousand, at least." Goggle admitted.

General Ryan nodded. He then chuckled darkly.

"Typical Sawney Bean scum." He then said.

Goggle watched in horror; as General Ryan used a blow torch to heat up the blade of his knife. As the tip of the knife glowed, Goggle's heart began to beat wildly in his chest. Goggle could feel the searing pain of his flesh being torn and cauterized by the blade at once. Goggle, could no longer fight back his cries of pain. General Ryan smiled cruelly; as Goggle pleaded for the torture to stop.


(Test Village)

Big Mama sobbed, as she hugged a picture of Goggle. She knew her son was suffering at General Ryan's hands. Her maternal instinct was never wrong. Big Mama stood up, and began to walk out of her house. Just as she neared the front door, Papa Jupiter stopped her.

"Aileen, where are you going?" He asked

"He's crying!" She replied.

"Who is?"

"Goggle! He's crying for me! I can feel it!"

Papa Jupiter understood where his wife was going with her thought process. He then began to guide her back into the house.

"What are you doing Jupiter!? Goggle needs me! Let me go!" She protested.

"Aileen, we can't just go after him. We need a plan."

Big Mama stopped struggling; and just held on to her husband and cried.

"Oh Jupiter, what are we gonna do? What if our baby boy is dead?"

Jupiter rubbed his wife's shoulders; and kissed her. He then brushed away her tears.

"Aileen, I am worried about our boy too. However, you ain't gonna help him by gettin' yourself killed." He explained.

Big Mama nodded.

"Don't worry Aileen. Vanessa 'n' I are working on a plan to save Goggle. He'll be home soon."

Big Mama blew into her handkerchief; and wiped at her eyes some more.

"I hope you are right Jupiter." She replied.

Jupiter nodded in understanding. He then lead his wife back into the house. Ruby came by with Hansel to keep Big Mama company.


(US Army Base)

Goggle groaned, as the electrical shocks halted. General Ryan had gotten tired of cutting Goggle; and was now electrocuting him. General Ryan then removed the cloth rag from Goggle's mouth.

"I told ya everythin'…Why must you do this?" Goggle said.

"Because this is exactly what you and your kin deserve." Replied Ryan.

He then stuffed the rag back into Goggle's mouth. Turning up the voltage; General Ryan continued the electric shock torture. Goggle bit down on the cloth rag; and screamed. Every blood vessel felt like it would burst. Every nerve was on fire. Goggle trembled and shook, as spasm after spasm racked his body. When that round was over, Goggle could barely keep his eyes open. Crank and Delmar could no longer watch the torture; and had asked to be excused. General Ryan dismissed them. As the men walked out of the room, they could hear Goggle's pained screams.

"Please…just kill me…Just kill me now." Goggle begged.

"Don't tempt me." Was all Ryan said.

For days, the torture continued. To keep Goggle awake; General Ryan would throw ice, cold water on him. After a while, Goggle completely broke down; and detailed all the crimes his entire family committed. This included the crimes of his Uncle Hades; and his family. Sometime later, General Ryan handed Goggle a written confession to sign. Sheriff Martinez was brought in to receive his own copy of the confession. When he saw how beaten Goggle looked; he turned to the General with a look of disgust.


"You realize no judge will accept a confession signed by him!? He's been tortured half to death!" Ranted the Sheriff.

"Come now Sheriff Martinez. You and I both know Goggle is guilty of conspiring with his lunatic family; and accessorizing his family's crimes." Responded the General.

"Yes, but he is still a citizen of this country! He has rights! Did you even recite his rights to him!?" Sheriff Martinez then ranted.

Sheriff Martinez gave Goggle a sympathetic look.

"Goggle, I am very sorry for the idiocy of this man. Come with me. I am taking you to a hospital; and we shall continue the investigation the proper way. Come on."

Goggle nodded, and was being helped out of the room by the Sheriff. Suddenly, General Ryan took out his pistol; and shot the Sheriff multiple times in the back. Goggle looked terrified; as Sheriff Martinez fell dead at his feet.

"You killed him!?" Goggle shouted.

"He interfered with my plan." Was all General Ryan said.

"You're crazy!"

General Ryan hen took the metal bat; and connected it to Goggle's stomach once again. Goggle was on the ground writhing in pain. When he coughed, some blood leaked out of his mouth.

"Now, go back; and sign the fucking confession!" Ryan bellowed.

Goggle nodded; and slowly got to his feet. He then went over to the gurney; and sat down. A pen was shoved into his hand. Goggle then signed his name on the confession paper.

"Now, I can finally end your life." He then said.

Goggle said nothing. He just slowly got up; and began the walk back to his cell.


(A Few Days Later)

Despite the fact that General Ryan had gotten his confession from Goggle; the torture still continued. Everyone at the Army Base knew what was going on. However, No one spoke out against it. Finally, Goggle was paid a visit by Father McAdam. The priest saw the physical state Goggle was in; and was moved with sympathy.

"My son, I heard from yer loved ones what had happened. I can see the situation is far worse though. What's going to happen to ye lad?" Asked Father McAdam.

Goggle looked at the priest forlornly.

"I'm gonna die Father. General Ryan said he's gonna kill me." Goggle explained.

"I don't wanna die Father. I have a wife 'n' a little boy. I also have another baby coming. I can't die yet. It ain't my time."

Father McAdam nodded. He felt very sorry for Goggle. He knew if Goggle died, the motivation for the Sawney Beans to change their evil ways would die with him.

"Goggle, ye must put yer faith in God's providence. God chose ye an' yer family to live for so long. To what end, is for ye an' yer kin to decide. But I truly think, that ye were born into this family to help them redeem themselves. When I was a lad; I used to pray that if the Sawney Bean Clan did survive their persecution - they'd find redemption. I have been sending the recovered items home to their loved ones. They all have returned their utmost gratitude. Many o' the victims' loved ones are at peace knowing the truth. Perhaps, I can speak to General Ryan to show leniency on ye." The priest said.

Goggle nodded. Father McAdam then went to speak with the General. A few minutes later, Father McAdam returned. Goggle could tell the priest's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears.


"I'm sorry lad." Was all Father McAdam could say.

Goggle nodded.

"Thank you for trying Father." He replied.

"I'll come back to help ye through yer last rites."

"Of course. Oh 'n' Father."

"Yes lad, what is it?"

"Please tell my family what is happening."

Father McAdam nodded.

"I'll cut through the village on me way home; and tell them."

Goggle thanked him. Father McAdam then left Goggle.


(The Next Day)

Father McAdam had told Vanessa and the rest of clan everything. Vanessa and Ruby gathered what items had yet to be returned to victims loved ones; and headed over to the Army Base. They begged for Goggle's life to be spared; but General Ryan refused.

"Goggle shall die by week's end. Of course you are all invited to attend the execution." The General said.

Ruby began to cry. Her brother was going to be killed. Vanessa put her hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Come Ruby. Let's go home." She said.

Ruby nodded; and they left the Army Base.


(Test Village)

"We have to attack the base as soon as possible." Papa Jupiter said.

"I will not allow that tin star General to spill my boy's blood. Goggle did nothing to him. His fight should be with me."

Everyone in the village agreed.

"Goggle ain't ever harmed no one. He ain't savage like that." Cyst said.

"Yeah. Goggle is good like that." Said another mutant.

"He was only trying to protect me. He said, as long as he lived; he'd keep me safe." Vanessa then said.

"Then it is decided. We will rescue my son on the day General Ryan intends to kill him." Papa Jupiter declared.

Everyone agreed.

"Ruby, Vanessa; I want you girls to show up at the execution. This'll give Ol' General Slaughter think he's won. Meanwhile, I shall lead the charge. The Sawney Bean Clan needs their leader."

Vanessa and Ruby nodded. The girls went to prepare for the upcoming siege. Hansel and Pluto volunteered to go with them. Ruby and Vanessa found two black dresses, with accessories. Big Mama had fixed up the dresses to fit them well.


(Friday Morning)

Ruby had spent the night at Vanessa's house. As the sun rose over the desert landscape, Vanessa opened her eyes, to see that Ruby was still asleep. She sighed softly, and shook Ruby slightly.

"Hey Ruby. Wake up. We have to get ready and head to the base." Said Vanessa.

Ruby nodded and got out of bed. When they were finished getting dressed and ready; they were covered head to toe in black. Ruby had a black Sunday dress and wore a black silk bow in her hair. Vanessa was wearing a revived early 20th century widow's dress; and was wearing a long black chapel veil. It was a sad parallel to the beautiful wedding dress she had worn. However, she figured that's how widowhood was seen - a sad parallel to marriage. When Pluto and Hansel arrived, the four started heading towards the Army Base.


(US Army Base)

During the last few days, Goggle had been visited frequently by Father McAdam. He was now at the end of the last rites process. The priest held Goggle's hand and recited many different invocations and prayers. Goggle felt like a mourner at his own funeral. Then, Father McAdam recited key verses about death and dying; and explained their context. Goggle listened; but only half-heartedly. He was too upset to fully grasp what the Lord had to say about his terrible demise. Goggle only returned his full attention to the priest; when it was time to receive the final blessings. By the time Father McAdam had finished, two soldiers entered the room. Goggle recognized them as Crank and Delmar.

"It's time to go. You ready?" Said Delmar.

"Yep." Goggle replied.

Standing up, Goggle shook Father McAdams hand.

"Thank ya kindly for all ya have done Father." He then said.

"Excuse me sir, but may I walk with Goggle? I wish to be able to comfort him." Father McAdam chimed in.

"Well, I don't know Father." Replied Crank.

"Ye have yer duty to fulfill gentlemen. Please, let me fulfill mine."

The soldiers nodded. They then cuffed Goggle's hands and lead him down the hall.


(Execution Site)

The place Goggle was to die, was a half mile away from the base; and in the hills. As Goggle neared the site, he saw Ruby, Hansel, Pluto; and Vanessa.

"May I please say goodbye to my family?" He asked.

Delmar glanced at Goggle. He then addressed General Ryan.

"Sir, the prisoner requests permission to say goodbye to his loved ones." He said.

General Ryan glanced back at Goggle. Without looking at him he gave his reply.

"Granted." He said.

Goggle nodded. They stopped him in front of his family; and Crank un-cuffed his hands. Vanessa and Ruby hurried over to Goggle. Goggle embraced both of them. He could hear them softly crying.


"Why are they doin' this? Ya did nothing wrong." Ruby blubbered.

"Ruby, I ain't got much time left. Please promise me y'all will be a good girl for Mama 'n' Papa." Goggle replied.

"I will Goggle. I promise."

Goggle nodded; and gave his little sister a kiss on the cheek. He then brushed her tears away; and kissed her hand.

"Don't cry Ruby. This ain't goodbye. It's see ya later. Chin up. Y'all got yourself a fine partner. Ya don't need me no more."

Ruby sniffled and nodded. Goggle then kissed his wife, and held her to him.

"I love you Vanessa. Please look after my sister. She's like a little bird; so sweet 'n' gentle. Yet she is also very delicate." He said.

"I will Goggle. She's my sister too." Vanessa replied.

Goggle hugged Vanessa one last time.


"Thank ya for everything. Tell my boy, and baby I love them."

Vanessa nodded. She kissed Goggle one last time. Goggle then spoke to Hansel and Pluto.

"You boys take care of my girls now, ya here? I don't want nothin' happening to them while I'm gone. Otherwise you'll really be in the soup." He then said.

Hansel and Pluto nodded.

"We're good boys." Pluto responded.

"Yes we are." Said Hansel.

Goggle nodded. He was then taken away from his loved ones. Pluto, Hansel, Vanessa and Ruby watched helplessly; as Goggle was bound to a thick wooden pole. A blindfold was then placed on him. General Ryan then spoke.

"Goggle Sawney Bean has confessed to the crimes of conspiracy, accessory to murder,,homicide, kidnapping; and cannibalism. He is sentenced to death. I, General Ryan of US Army; shall carry out the sentence." He said.

"No! Please let him go!" Ruby cried.

Vanessa wrapped her arms around Ruby. The girls held each other and sobbed. Hansel and Pluto tried comfort them. Meanwhile, General Ryan took aim at Goggle's heart.

However, right before the trigger was pulled; a pick axe came flying down from and landed inches from Ryan's feet. Papa Jupiter and the rest of the clan had arrived; and not a moment too soon.


Here is Chapter 19. Reviews are love!