Concerning A Murder

Chapter Five: A Fight And A Legend

Mort Rainey sat in his favorite chair, across the living room from the unconscious Alex. He had been there since the boy had fallen asleep eight hours before, and he continued to sit, watching, thinking. Mort had had a lot of time to think these days. This young man that he'd allowed into his home now asked him of his wife, why he lived alone, why he didn't go into town for his groceries. Soon the boy may even begin to piece things together.

Mort sighed and stood carefully, stretching his arms as high as they'd reach, popping his jaw as he brought his arms back down. He stared blankly at the boy for a few more minutes, then began to walk out of the room.

"How long?"

Mort turned and stared in the direction of Alex. The boy was now lying on the couch, flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

"How long… what?"

Alex didn't move, didn't blink, just stared at the ceiling. He remained inanimate for several moments before finally closing his eyes.

"How long was I asleep?"

Mort chuckled, letting out a relieved sigh. "About eight hours… A healthy nap. You feeling better, kid?"

"Yeah, I am. I don't think I have anymore questions for you though… Not today."

Mort nodded. "Well, it's only fair that I get to ask some questions then."

Alex sat up and turned to watch Mort's actions.

"You ask me?"

Mort nodded as he stepped into the light of the fire, revealing a slightly mischievous grin upon his features. Alex cringed away from the older man, then fell to the couch, resting his hands across his chest.

"Alright, ask away."

Mort nodded and began to pace, keeping his right hand trained on his chin. "Here's one. What are you doing all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere, New England?"

Alex stretched, considering the right way to answer this first question. "I am… on the run, as it were. I ran away from home. My father had been killed back home. My mother, who was cheating on my father at the time, blamed me. The cops wanted me for murder of my own father. I didn't kill him, you understand… But they want me locked up."

Mort shook his head and stopped pacing. "I don't know how much of that is true, but I do not it's not the full truth. Do you not trust me, Alex? Is that why you're holding back?"

"You're holding back too, Rainey. There's things about you that I'm sure you're hiding…"

"Like what, pray tell?" Mort turned on his heels, glaring at the boy.

Alex shrunk back into the couch. "Next question?"

Mort sighed, straightened up and shook his head. "I'm sorry. Uncalled for. I should have been more caring and sympathetic. After all, everyone in this busy little town think I killed my wife and her beau. Alright, next question. What happened to you? The day I brought you in, the day you came to my door… You were covered in blood and cuts. What happened?"

Alex took a quick glance towards Mort, before spinning about, throwing his sock-covered feet over the back of the couch, letting his head dangle somewhere in the general vicinity of Mort's feet.

"I was attacked. There was a mob of people that wanted me dead. My dad, you see. He was a hero in our little town. We don't have any of this high tech stuff you have, like phones and junk. My town is pretty much Amish Country, to be blunt. They chased me out of town. Then, in the woods just outside your place, I met wolves. Big wolves, sharp and terrifying fangs, too. It wasn't pretty."

"I can agree with that," Mort muttered, the thought of the blood on the poor boy's arms and face coming back to his cloudy memory. "Okay, final question for tonight. What do you think of me?"

"Beg pardon?" Alex glanced up at Mort, the blood still rushing to his head.

"What do you think of me? What was your first impression?"

Alex sat up, straightened his shirt, and yawned. "When I first saw you, I was relieved, because I'd found someone that could help me heal my wounds. Then, I felt a bit frightened. You are all alone out here. And that whole corn bucket bit you pulled the first morning, I don't think I want to know what that was about."

"You don't. And you won't know anyway."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, figured."

Mort shrugged and pulled Alex to a standing position. "Let's get some dinner. I know a place in New London that's very good." He grabbed a coat by the door and threw it in Alex's direction. He then stepped out the door and proceeded to the car, not even looking to see if the boy had followed. And of course, Alex was stock-still in the middle of the living room. He stared after Mort with a slightly confused, mostly frightened look in his gray, usually emotionless eyes.

Alright, Mister Rainey. All's well. The kid's gonna just think you're a normal guy. And you are, right?

"Right…"

There's nothing odd goin' on in that little brain of yours… Except me.

"And why did you come back?"

This boy, Alex… He's goin' to get hisself in trouble Mister Rainey. One never knows what's gonna happen to that curious little critter, but… you remember Chico, right?

"Leave the kid alone. He knows nothing. He's just as confused and frightened as I am. He's been through a lot, can tell in his eyes."

You can hide pain like that though, can't you Mister Rainey? You're coverin' up your fear, your pain. You're happy that that little wench is dead, aren't you?

"I loved Amy. You understand, goddamnit! I LOVED HER!"

Easy now, Mister Rainey. Wouldn't want the legendary author to crack under pressure. Not in front of the little one. He's your respons'bility now, Mister Rainey. Nothin's gonna stop me from takin' his life if he figures out too much.

"Leave him out of this! He's innocent, just like she was!"

Was she, Mister Rainey? Was she?

"She…"

Your little friend is comin' now. Easy does it Tiger. Don't want to scare the little boy all too fiercely now. Wouldn't be too good to have him runnin' off now, would it?

"SHUT UP!"

Alex slipped into the passenger seat and stared over at Mort. The older man had screamed, right as he walked up. Now, Mort's face was buried in the steering wheel, hidden from Alex. He reached out a tentative hand and felt Mort's shivering shoulder.

"You… okay?"

Mort jumped at the sound of the boy's voice. He stared blankly in Alex's general direction for several moments, then turned and started the car. Silence filled the space between the two of them for a good half hour of their drive. Then, Mort spoke.

"I'm sorry. I just… Got to thinking about my wife. Miss her, you know?"

Alex nodded, clutching his arms to his chest. "Yeah, miss my dad, just the same. He was everything to me, you know? He taught me all the things I'd ever learned in life… And then, in a flash, he was gone, and everyone said it was my fault. I didn't get it. But that's how it happened."

"Harsh." Mort stole a glance at the boy. "So, pick up at the drive through better than sit-down restaurant style tonight?"

The boy gave a weak nod, and Mort turned into a Carl's Jr. parking lot.

TBC

Hehe, you thought that Alex and Mort were gonna fight, but it was really Mort and… this voice in his head? Oh, come on, if you don't recognize him, reread the book or watch the movie again. It's all right there, black and white…

Read, review. All these wonderful things make me stronger as an artist, and I am an artist… in Mort's sense of the word.