Sorry for the long update, Vacations, writers block, and summer starting up. Be sure to read and drop a review if you like.
Chapter 48
Me and Scarlett strolled to the kids at hand. In my gut I was bit nervous hoping that Scarlett wouldn't out right start doing a hard interrogation with them. I hope some of my advice to her would sink in. Once we reached to them, we started to sit down on the ground before us in the shade. I chose to sit right across from Brian, while Scarlett chose to sit right across from little Katie.
Just from the look on Katie's face, I could tell that she was really excited to meet Scarlett. Yet as I saw Scarlett, I could tell that she was a little nervous on the idea at hand. So, I broke ice for her and introduce her to the both of them.
"Ok Scarlett this is Katie and her brother Brian." Of course, Scarlett wasted no time in holding out her hand to shake to greet the both of them. To me Katie seemed really excited as she shook Scarlett's hand and with much enthusiasm.
Katie giggle at bit while adding, "you have a funny name."
Scarlett then focus her attention to Katie saying, "why do you think it's funny?"
"Because I've never heard of a name like that before."
"Hmm, I could see why. Do you know what Scarlett means?" Katie nodded no to Scarlett. "It means Red, like my hair," Scarlett added.
"Oh, so you're a ginger then," Brian blurted out. In a small way Reap started to laugh a bit but then regain his composure. Of course, the look on Scarlett's face, did looked rather annoyed.
"No, I'm not a ginger little boy, my hair is just naturally this red."
As I sat there, I sort of had to diffuse the situation to a lighter tone. So, I took notice of Katie once again, seeing how awe struck she is in seeing Scarlett. In a way she sort of looks like that she is looking up to her. I bet I could milk this opportunity.
"Hey Katie, do you want to know something really cool." When I said that, she completely focuses on to me as she nods her head rather ecstatically. "You see Scarlett here, well she's actually my teacher." Instantly I see Katie looking towards Scarlett only to ask her own questions to her. I also notice Scarlett pausing a bit looking towards me with a strange look.
"Is it true Ms. Scarlett, are you Mr. Reap's teacher."
Scarlett responded in a causal way saying," more or less."
"What do you teach him, can you tell me pleasssssse?"
"Sure, thing kiddo since you asked me nicely. I taught Reap over here how to defend himself."
"Defend himself, what do you mean Katie asked."
"I'm his self-defense teacher. I taught him how to defend himself with hand to hand combat."
"Awe wow that is so cool," Katie said as if it was unbelievable.
Brian just scoffs at the idea saying, "yeah right like a girl could ever do that."
Again, I see Scarlett looking towards Katies older brother with annoyance. "Now why would you say that," Reap asked.
"Because look at you, you are much more muscular and bigger than her. You could easily man handle her any day of the week."
Reap just laughs at the idea. "All right kid I'm going to stop you there. Scarlett may look small, but trust me kid she's tough. Also, I wouldn't go that route, by insulting her like that. The ladies here deserve just as much respect as the men do, if not a little more. If Scarlett really wanted to, she could beat the stuffing out of me. Brian you treat others as you want to treat yourself, especially in respect. Now would like to apologize to Scarlett here?"
Well at least he did listen to me this time around and apologize to Scarlett. After all this, Scarlett wanted to press a bit more for some intel out of them. Yet the moment she tried both kids didn't really say so much as a peep. I guess in some sort of way they still didn't trust us. Then I see Scarlett faking on getting a call on her com so that it could be a good distraction to get her and me out of ease dropping range.
"All right Reap, I'll leave this to your capable hands in trying to get more intel ok. I got to get in touch with Cover girl and the pit. Just keep trying all right."
"Not a problem will do."
With that being said I see Scarlett going towards Dusty to relay the situation to everyone else. In the mean I draw Strikes attention to me by waving her down. "What's up Reap," Strike said.
"Oh, nothing really, I just need your help that's all".
"Help, what kind of help."
Reap just shrugged his shoulders and added, "just trying to get some intel out of those kids." Then Reap leans into Strike a bit more getting close to her ear. "You know the little girl over there."
"Yeah, what about her."
"Well she's the type that really looks up to the strong female types. So how about this you come with and I'll introduce her to you. In the meantime, I'll figure out a way to separate her brother from her. By then I'm sure she'll be more impressionable to give up some vital intel to you."
"Oh ok, I see a divide and conquer strategy I'm game for that."
"That's the plan Strike, I'll distract her brother and you try in a coaxing way to get her to spill the beans on why they are here and where they are from." Strike just nodded back to and we proceeded to the task at hand.
At first glance I could see Katie getting excited again as I introduce Strike to her. She especially loved it that Strike was also one of my teachers as well, but was just as impressed to see how strong Strike was when Strike rolled up her sleeves to show her by flexing her guns. In the mean time I made some small talk with Brian.
"So, Brian, that's your ride over there right." He just nods to me. "You want to show me how it works."
"Uh ok." We got up as Brian led the way, I turned around ever so slightly to nod to Strike. Which was her que to get work on getting some intel from Katie.
To me Brian was most likely the one pulling the strings in keeping his younger sister quiet. But that didn't mean that I wouldn't try to pry some info from him as well. For the most part I just look over his ATV. Like I said before it looks really old and past its prime. "So how long have you had it Brian?"
"A couple of years Mr. Reap."
"Huh, really. You mind starting it up for a few seconds."
"Um ok." I stand back a bit as I see Brian, turning the key ignition switch to start it up. Not to my surprise at all, the kid was having a little bit of trouble getting the thing on. It took a good few tries. But once it was on, I see him nodding in approval as it was roaring to life. I on the other hand had a look of concern. For one it shouldn't take him five or six tries to get it on, it should only take one time. No, the biggest issues that I could spot, was the sound of the engine knocking, and its misfiring at the same time. Brian then shuts it off looking rather pleased. "So, what do you think Mr. Reap."
"Umm, its ok I suppose. You mind if I take a look at it?"
"No, I don't mind." The first thing I check was the oil. Of course, Brian is looking over to me.
"What are you checking Mr. Reap?" I look to him for a split second, only to realize that this kid has no idea what I'm doing. But still I answered to him to throw him off.
"Oh, I'm just checking the oil."
After all, if he did own it, he should know exactly what I'm doing. My suspicions were made up from then on. This thing was probably stolen or just taken by this kid. Needless to say, I check it. Just as I thought, the oil was black as night could be. And its on the low end to point of barely getting any readings at all. Its needs an oil change and a new filter.
Next, I check the fuel at hand with a flash light. I look at for a few seconds only to see how yellow brown the gas is. Again, just as I thought the gas was old, possibly a few years. Not to mention some debris in the tank. Also, the kid only had about a gallon left of fuel. Just from the visual inspection alone, this thing had a lot of issues. I could only image what I could find just from taking some things apart. At this point I've seen enough. Yet I still give a nice smile to Brian to throw him off.
"Well looks ok, say Brian can I ask you a question?"
"As long as I get to ask you one."
"Ok fair enough. So, what are you and your sister doing out here in the wilderness?"
"Just sightseeing," Brian said plainly and to the point.
Hmm I could tell that he was still apprehensive on letting me dig any further about why he is out here. But then he starts up. "All right my turn Mr. Reap. So, who are you guys with and what are you doing out here?"
I answer back just a plainly and nicely back to him. "Oh, we're with the armed forces doing some routine exercises."
Just then I get a wave down from Scarlett. So, I take Brian back to his sister and collect Strike on the way. By then Tunnel Rat showed up to watch these two.
I touch base with Scarlett and Strike. Scarlett started up first. "I just got off the horn with Cover girl and the Hawk. First off Cover girl is on her way up here so we can setup for the night. As for Hawk, he wants us to try and identify if not find out where these two came from. He's checking with local townships to see if there have been any missing person reports filed. But none the less we are to escort them back to where they came from. So, you two got anything to report."
"Well I was able get a few things from little Katie Strike added. For the most part all she really told me was that her and her brother were seeking a new beginning. In other words, I think they are run aways."
"Hmm… I see" Strike Scarlett said with some concern in her voice.
"I have to agree with Strike on this one Scarlett. I just took a good look at that kids ride. Its old and possibly on its last leg. And the side fact that Brian had no idea what I was doing suggested that it was stolen."
"I see then Scarlett added. All right I'll relay this new info to Hawk and look over the mapping to see what town these two might have come from. Till then just keep those two in the dark about it, till the time is right."
So, I walked a bit with Strike over the matter. "So how was Katie?"
"She's a cute kid, what about her brother."
"He's a bit dry and defensive, which I assume is normal for boys his age."
Forty-five minutes pass on by and finally our MBT makes it to our position. Of Course, once the kids saw it, they can only watch with their mouths gaping open at the sight of such a behemoth before them. Immediately they wanted an up-close and personal view of the tank. The only person I could think that would object would be Scarlett, but she was pretty cool about the idea. Which to me was great, since it gave me the perfect distraction from the kids when me and Cover girl would tinker a bit with their ATV.
Again, once Cover girl saw the ATV all she could say is, "you got to be kidding me." As she looked to me in disbelief.
"Yeah, I know Cover girl, but Scarlett wants some reassurances on the condition of it at hand." We were preparing for the worst and that's what we got. Cover girl pulls out the carburetor only to see how gunk up it is.
"Yeah fuel carburetor is in pretty bad shape" as she added.
I myself was about to check the oil pan, but instead started o remove more covers to the engine block. Of course, what I saw next only reaffirmed my beliefs before. "We got cracks along the piston head and side wall of the block." Cover girl just puts down the carburetor only to take a second glance of the engine.
"Good eye Reap." Yeah, we wouldn't be doing this kid any favors. This thing is done. Go ahead and put back together, and I'll notified Scarlett of the situation Cover girl added."
By then I was called in again by Scarlett along with Strike and Cover girl. "Here's the news, Hawk wants us to grill it out them to see which town they came from. So far, no missing persons reports have been filled. However, I did some research and back tracking on which possible town these two might have came from. Only two come to mind from the distance of possible travel, either Sand City or Pebble Parks." I then spoke up rather bluntly.
"I'll interrogate Brian myself. Since he would most likely have a good reason as to why. The only thing is let's keep his little sister occupied and away from the conversation." Scarlett herself started to nod in approval at my idea.
"All right Reap, we'll do it your way. Strike Cover girl keep an eye on Katie."
"Will do Strike responded."
Me and Scarlett started to walk towards the kids. On que Strike and Cover girl took Katie to different area. Before her brother could really notice what had happen, it was already too late as we cornered him to side of the MBT so he couldn't escape.
"We need to talk ok Brian."
"Uh ok…um what do you want Mr. Reap."
"For starters what are you doing out here."
"Again Mr. Reap me and my sister are sightseeing."
I sigh a bit and just pressed on. "Look Brain lets cut the crap ok, you're not sight seeing alright. In fact, I don't even know what you're seeing out here to begin with." Reap waits for an answer but gets nothing as the kid is doing the silent treatment. "Look we get it ok, you want to watch out for your little sister and yourself. We totally get that. But you're not doing your little sister any favors by bringing her out here."
"Brian whatever problems you have, you can always work them out Scarlett added."
Brian then looks up with a bit of anger in his eyes as if we touch on something sensitive. "What would you know about my fucking problems and I don't need help from people like you, I can take care of myself and my sister?" I lean back a bit as I was some what shocked by this kids' foul langue.
"Whoa…whoa... there's no need for foul langue ok kid. We are talking very politely and civilized. What's wrong then." Again, the kid clams up again not talking. Reap then sighs again but only to start up. "I'm going to lay down some simple harsh truths to you Brian ok. I don't know what problems you have. Or if you and your sister are running away from something. But that ATV you have over there is in really bad shape. Me and another mechanic looked it over and took it apart. We found a lot of issues. From old gasoline on the brink of turning into turpentine to having a crack piston and block. And even if you manage to get it back on again, you only had enough gas for thirty miles at best. If you haven't run into us Brian, I assure you that you would have been out of gas and wandering the desert till you either starved or died from thirst. And trust me you've wouldn't have lasted more than a day without water. Because the nearest town is three hundred miles due west."
"Yeah well at least me and my sister would be better off dead."
Again, l look to Scarlett who looks at me back wondering what this kid meant.
"Now why would you say that Brian Scarlett asked."
"Look Brian if you're in some kind of trouble now is the time to lay it all out." But before the kid could say anything further Scarlett got a call on her com from Cover girl. She then interjects again before Reap could continue.
"No need to keep continuing on Reap, we got some new intel from the pit. Apparently, these kids are from Sand City. Someone has filed a missing person report there that matches their descriptions." I again look back at Brian only for him to go completely white.
" Look you guys don't have to send me back there ok, I'll do what ever you want ok. I don't want to go back."
"Sorry but orders are orders kid and we've been order to take you back asap," Scarlett said.
Now where have I heard that before Reap thought to himself. But only for a split second. As Scarlett orders me to get ready to move on out. I really wanted to know what was bugging Brian so much. The orders were rather simple, just drop off the kids near the edge of town of Sand City. Basically, local law enforcement was going to meet us there. The only problem was that MBT had limited space. Since we were taking on two new passengers a couple of Joes' would have to say behind.
Dusty decided along with Tunnel Rat to be our volunteers. Though necessarily we didn't have to pick them back up, since a transport was enroute to pick them up. For the most part the drive was rather pleasant for me. After all its just me in the driver seat. But after this drop off, we would be heading back to the pit.
Even though I would concentrate on my driving and directions from Cover girl, I still kept thinking about what Brian had said. If I didn't know better, I guess he was begging us to not let us take him back. Again, I can only think about it for a few seconds, till I get call on my com to slow down to a halt and shut off the engine.
I poke my head out only to notice that we were in fact at the edge of the city limits. Soon everyone was disembarking from the MBT except for Cover girl. After that I could see a few cars coming in our direction. From the sight alone it was a couple of sheriff's deputies and a civilian truck.
By this time, it was me, Strike, Lady Jaye, and Scarlett with both kids in tow. The only deal was that we had to holster our respective weapons back inside the tank. Scarlett was the first to go up to the sheriff's deputies to meet and greet. I myself was next to Brian, who was silent the entire time. I tried to make some small talk with him. Yet I could tell that he was in no mood. His little sister however was just talking to both Lady Jaye and Strike very happily. That is until she too went completely silent when the civilian truck pulled up in the distance. But by then I get call from Scarlett to go head and bring Brian before the cops at hand.
About half way over again I tried to make some small talk to Brian. "Well little buddy you're almost home huh," as I gave a slight pat on his back side. Only the one thing that I really didn't expect out of him was a slight grunt. As if he might be hurt or something. So, I grab on to Brian's shoulder and asked him to stop. I then take a peek under his shirt towards his back side.
My worst fears came to me in bit of a rush. The thing that no kid ever wants to go through, being abused. I know the feeling all too well. From my own experiences growing up in an orphanage. Poor Brian's back was marked up really well, the sight of purple blotches on his skin, meant that they had been at least a few days old. "Brian, why didn't you say anything about this before." I looked at him with sympathetic eyes, only for Brian to look down in shame. Then I get a little bit serious with him. "Who's been hurting you, them?" As I motion my head towards the cops. He shook his no. I then pointed my head to the civilian from the truck. "What about him?"
Brian shook his head yes saying with a soft voice "yeah."
"And what about your sister as I asked again."
Brian's only response was for him to look down in shame. "If only I was stronger, I would be able to protect her like I should." That alone made Reaps blood boil, hearing a young child pleading for help.
"Wait right here."
I started to walk towards Scarlett's direction waving her off to join me. My eyes alone had the determination to give this kid some kind of help or justice. Of course, to Scarlett she seems a bit confused but none the less came forward, so that we are only a few feet away from Brian and the cops.
"What's wrong Reap, what is it"
"We can't give Brian and Katie up to that civilian over there."
"Why not."
"They have been clearly abused by that asshole. And if you want proof, just look under Brian's shirt."
"All right Reap, I'll take your word for it. But there's not much we can really do other than notified the sheriff's deputies. And even then, they might not do much either, but I'll try."
I let Scarlett go over the new information to the Sheriffs deputies at hand hoping they could at least intervene. The only problem was that once Scarlett went over to talk with them, she came back rather promptly.
"I'm sorry Reap but unless we could provide some hard proof that the kids have been abused, they have to go back to their dad over there."
"Proof you want proof, then here." As I lifted Brian's shirt up for Scarlett to see.
"Reap calm down. I know you're upset, but that's still not enough. We have no choice but to give them up to their guardian."
"Then let me go to him so I can gather the evidence."
"Fine, but you better not let your emotions get the better of you, you hear me Reap."
"Crystal clear Scarlett."
I asked Brian to come along with me, while I question his father to see if I can get him to confess or spill it. When I came up to him, he did look middle aged. His skin was rather rough looking with a few wrinkles near his eyes. Could be from too much sun to say the least. He had rather three-day old beard and stubble as if he didn't give shit what he looked like. His clothes were a bit rugged with holes near the knees. If anything, this to me looked like a classic case of a child molester. So, I did what normal people would do, I exchange pleasantries.
"Hey there, how you doing."
"I'm doing fine who are you?"
"The names Reap, and I found your son here."
"Hmm… interesting name. The names John and thanks for finding my kids. I assure this kind of thing will never happen again I assure you of that."
Before I could ask how that would be, I take good whiff of this dude's scent. Good god I could smell the cheap whiskey from his breath and the scent of stale cigarette smoke from his clothes. But then I continue on.
"And how would you assure that Mr. John."
"Just good old fashion strict discipline." As I see Mr. John reaching for his boy.
I shove Brian to my backside to protect him. "You know Mr. John if you have any problems why don't you just talk it out with your kids. I mean I don't know what would compel the both of them to run across the desert. If you asked me, I would say something was up at home."
"Well its none your business soldier boy. Now if you don't mind, I got to teach my son a lesson. Get over here boy, I'll teach you from running from me again!" As I see Mr. John pulling out a belt while snapping it hard to make a loud crack sound. He pushes me aside hard to get to Brian. I see him raising he right hand that his belt is wrapped up about to strike him to his back side.
Poor Brian was bracing and shutting his eyes to wince in the coming pain that he was about to receive, only it didn't happen. He takes a slight peek only to see his eyes widen in shock. Mr. Reaper was right, he was protecting me. Brian sees him holding to his dads' right hand with firm and strong grip, that even his dad was struggling to get free.
"You want to try that on me," Reap said with his own sternness to Mr. John
"I told you to stay out my business soldier boy." As Mr. John finally was able to get his hand free. Only to take another swipe towards Reap with his left. Instantly Reap shoves Brian back telling him to get back. At the same time Reap uses Mr. John's own momentum against him. Kind of the same way as Reap remember when he was doing his first self-defense lesson with Scarlett many years back.
As Mr. john lunged forward with his left only for Reap to grab on to his arm and throw him to the ground hard. To say the least Mr. John didn't like to be made a fool of, as he scrambles to his feet to get to his truck.
Reap knew all too well what his opponent was doing, either reaching for a weapon either knife or a gun. He sees Mr. John opening his driver side door to reach inside. Sure, enough Reap sees the stock of a shot gun. He moves quickly to get the shot gun out of his opponent's hands or aim outwards to prevent anyone from getting blasted. Luckily the rifle fired outwards in an angle towards the sky, as Reap then knocks it out of his opponent's right hand to the ground and kicks it away.
For the most part Reap was holding back, since he had the upper hand in hand to hand combat. He did his very best to use non-lethal force on his opponent. But once weapons were involved, he knew all too well that he has to subdue his opponent by any means. That's when he let him have it with all of his pent-up rage and fury.
He uses all his force on his left hand into an upper cut to kidneys and rib cage. In response Mr. John lets out a huge gasp of air out of his lungs as he grunted out loud in pain that he just got. He was about to double over in pain holding his midsection. When instead, Reap held him up only to deliver a straight right hook that landed squarely on Mr. John's jaw. Reaps next move was a straight hard punch to Mr. Johns face as his knuckles from his own hand felt the crunching noise of bones cracking. Reap had in fact broke this assholes nose. Blood was pouring out from the nasal cavity and mouth. From that moment on Reap was going stop since his opponent was bleeding and severely weaken. Yet by some miracle or possibly a death wish Mr. John was still coming after Reap, even though he was tripping on his own feet to get to him.
As for Reap, he was more than happy to give him more pain and suffering that asshole couldn't even strum up in his own worse fucking nightmares. Reap then takes his left hand to grab on to the side of Mr. Johns right head and slam it hard to he driver side passenger window. Of course, the glass shatter completely. Now Mr. john had some new head lacerations to match his bloody broken nose and cut up mouth.
This time he new that Mr. John had enough. But he had to add insult to injury. Reap then grabbed on to Mr. John's shoulders and shoved him as hard as he could to his open driver side door. That it causes it to bend over a bit backwards as he fell to the ground in a heap. Of course, what Reap didn't expect, was that some loose papers got loose as it started to scatter a bit to the dried-up ground.
Naturally Reap bent over to get one. As he held it, he knew right away that these were some kind of photos. He takes a good long look, only to feel even more rage building up. As certain memories started to pop up from his past. A past part of his life that he really wanted to forget, until now at that this very moment of his life. He was reminded of the horrors he faced when he too was growing up in the Novosky orphanage. Being exploited by the sex crave sadistic priests and nuns. He looks over to Mr. John seeing how he was squirming and groaning from the punishment that Mark gave him.
"You sick son of a bitch. You're not a father to these children, you're a fucking sick ass pedophile. I'm going kill you piece of shit. Make your peace with your god." Instantly Mark gets Mr. John into a schoolboy pin, exchanging blow after blow to this sick baster's face. Mark got in three good whacks, till he felt someone grabbing on to his arms.
In the pure adrenaline rush and excitement. Reap couldn't hear both Strike and Lady Jaye pleading him to stop, as they both held on to his arms. With Scarlett's help the three of them were able to pry Reap off and trying to get him to come back to his senses. But it was no use, Reap had lost it, that is until Scarlett intervenes by knocking out Reap using her berretta.
All matters aside, Scarlett, Strike, and Lady Jaye saw the gruesome evidence of why Reap was in a murderous rampage. Scarlett handed the sickening photos over to the Sheriff's deputies as the new found evidence that these children deserve much better. In the mean time they had to report in and be heading back to pit.