Road Rage

Chapter eleven

"That sounded like a gunshot!" Deaq said looking anxiously around as the sound echoed through the canyon.

"Deaq, don't jump to conclusions, it could just be someone target shooting." Billie said trying to calm him even though her own heart was pounding with fear and worry for Van.

"Or those dealers could have decided to get rid of him. Or who knows, maybe who ever it is that is following him caught up with him."

"Deaq we don't know that. We got to believe Van is going to be okay. We got to hold it together until we learn differently." She could tell Deaq was ready to lose it.

Hollowell walked over.

"We should be in the area in about ten minutes."

He too had heard the shots and could see the anxiety on their faces.

The cliff

Van kept climbing up the side of the canyon. The pills had done their job and had taken away most of the pain. He looked down at his pursuer, his eyes widening in disbelief. The man had divided himself into four identical likenesses. Van squeezed his eyes shut and looked again. For a few seconds there was only one man but soon he had once more transformed himself into four. Van knew the pills were affecting his mind and he tried his best to fight them, but it was impossible. More and more hallucinations flashed in front of him. He wondered what Miller had given him as he continued climbing. Finally he reached a large boulder which hung out over the canyon. He climbed onto it and stood up making himself an easy target without even realizing it.

Roberts looked up at Van. What the hell is he doing? He wondered as he watched Van stand perfectly still on the boulder and look out over the canyon. Why this isn't even going to be fun, it's going to be too easy. He raised his rifle and put the crosshairs on Van's forehead, but hesitated. He decided to enjoy himself first. He lowered the rifle and squeezed off a shot which impacted on the rock right next to Van. Van glanced down at him but didn't move. Roberts looked through the scope on his rifle. He looks like hell He could see that Van's right pant's leg and left arm were saturated with blood. Dried blood also covered the side of his face. It was amazing he was still standing. Roberts fired again, this time grazing Van's side. The bullet caused Van to stagger a little but he still didn't go for cover. Instead he touched the new wound then looked at the blood on his hand as if he didn't know what it was.

He had felt the slight sting in his side as the bullet grazed him, but the pain quickly past as he looked out over the canyon. It was beautiful he thought as he watched the clouds change colors right in front of him. Red, blue, yellow, it was amazing he thought. Why didn't I ever notice this before? He looked up as a hawk flew near him. He could swear that the bird looked down and smiled at him. He smiled back and started walking toward the edge of the boulder. I bet I can fly higher then you he thought as he put his hand up and gave a small wave to the bird.

"Hey wait!" He shouted to it as it flew away.

Search Party

"There, up ahead!" Hollowell said as he pointed toward the cliff.

"What the hell is he doing!" Deaq asked as he started running faster toward the cliff with the rest of the search party right behind him. "Van! Van stay still, don't move!" His heart pounded as he watched his partner moving closer and closer to the edge of the boulder. Billie was right beside him but instead of looking at Van her eyes searched the nearby area for who ever had fired the gunshot they had heard. She pulled her gun out when she saw a man hiding in the rocks, his rifle pointed at Van.

"Deaq! Gun!" She shouted a warning to him.

Deaq pulled out his own gun as he glanced at Billie to see where she was looking.

"Police! Freeze!" Billie yelled as the other officers also pulled out their guns.

Roberts ignored Billie as he raised his rifle.

"Van look out!" Deaq shouted, but Van only looked down at him and smiled.
"Hey." Van raised his arm and waved at Deaq oblivious to the danger.

"Police! Freeze!" Billie once more shouted to Roberts but he ignored her determined to finish the job. Billie had no choice, she fired. Robert's rifle flew from his hands as Billie's bullet shattered his wrist. He tried to run but was easily overtaken by the police. They then could turn their attention to Van. The search team started moving toward him but Billie stopped them when she noticed him move closer to the edge apparently frightened by them.

When they stopped Deaq continued forward, he had to gain Van's trust.

"Vanyou got to come down buddy, you got to step back from the edge." He then glanced over at Billie. "What the hell do you think he's doing?"

"I don't know. Either he's delirious or on some kind of drug."

Van looked down at Deaq.

"Hey, I know you, you're Deaq." He then looked down at Billie and broke into a big smile when he recognized her

"Hey Billie." He yelled as he put up his hand.

She smiled back at him then looked over at Deaq, her face etched with worry. Deaq walked a little closer.

"That's right, I'm Deaq. I told you I would come. Now you got to come down buddy."

"But it's so nice up here." Van once more looked out over the canyon.

"It's nice down here too."

"Yeah, but the colors Deaq, you wouldn't believe the colors. It's so… beautiful." Van looked up at the sky and put his arms out at his sides.

"What are you doing!"

"I'm going to fly. I always wanted to fly and now I can."

Deaq swallowed the lump in his throat. Van had said it so casually like all he was going to do was go for a walk, not jump off a high cliff.

"You don't want to do that Van." Deaq said as he slowly started climbing toward Van trying not to alarm him.

"Why not? He told me I could."

"Who Van, who told you?" He said as he continued climbing.

Van put his hand up to his head.

"I heard his voice." Van tapped on the side of his head. "In here."

"Whose voice did you hear Van?" Deaq edged slowly closer, being very careful not to spook Van.

"I'm not sure…I think it was God." He frowned as he tried to think.

"Well…" Deaq climbed up onto the boulder but stayed far enough away so he wouldn't frighten him. "I think I want to fly with you."

"Sure." Van stepped closer to the edge. "I'll go first and show you how."

"No!"

Van looked back at Deaq who put his hand out toward Van, but didn't move.

"We need to go together Van."

Deaq finally could get a good look at his partner and couldn't believe he was still on his feet. His body was covered in blood and bruises. He winced as he looked at Van's leg; his entire leg was covered in blood causing the material to cling to it. His face was pale and covered in sweat, dry blood matted his hair to the side of his head. He looked terrible but at least he was alive.

"It's good to see you partner."

"Yeah." Van smiled. "You too."

"Why don't you come over here and we'll talk a little." Deaq tried to sound calm as he tried to talk Van into moving away from the edge.

Van looked back out over the canyon, then looked at Deaq, then back at the canyon.

"We can talk later." He said as he walked to the edge, put his arms out and stepped off of the boulder.

TBC