"You can do it," Charlie whispered fiercely in Don's ear, trying to alleviate the doubt in his brother's eyes. "I know you can. You're strong and stubborn."
"Like a mule," Don sighed as his head lolled against the tree trunk.
"Yes," Charlie agreed. "Which is why you are going to get up and get moving. We can get you the help you need once we get to the cabin."
"I don't think I can," Don confessed for the third time in five minutes. "I'm exhausted, Buddy. My legs don't want to work. I... I can't."
"Dammit, Don," the younger man growled. "If you don't go, then I won't either. Is that what you want?"
Don's eyes were drawn to the bloody gash on his little brother's head, and his stomach churned with worry. Charlie needed medical attention too, and if he waited with him... "You can't mess around with head injuries, Charlie."
"Nor can you with puncture wounds, Don." The brothers locked stares, each one steadfast in his position. "I mean it, Don. We go together or we stay together. It's up to you." Sensing that his brother's resolve was crumbling, Charlie pushed, "I'll be with you the whole way. You can lean on me as much as you need to. We make a great team, remember?"
Don nodded. He did remember. After the horrible case was over last week, the two had been called into the Director's office and been praised for how well they worked together. "One of the finest teams I've ever seen," the Director had told them. "Okay," he relented. "We'll go together."
Charlie beamed at Don and carefully helped him to stand, slinging his good arm over his shoulders. He led his big brother toward Gary and nodded. "We're ready."
"Can I help?" the hunter offered as he gestured at Don. "Maybe hang onto your belt or something?"
"We're fine," Charlie assured him. "But thanks for the offer."
"Let me know if you change your mind."
"What about him?" Don asked as he looked at the dead stranger on the ground.
"I'll radio the locals to come check him out," Gary promised. "They'll probably be very excited."
"How so?" Charlie asked as he guided Don along the path behind their savior.
"There have been three hikers who have gone missing in this area. I have a strong suspicion someone as unstable as him might be the person responsible."
"Wow," Charlie whispered. "Then we're really lucky that you came along."
Gary just smiled and remained silent as he continued leading them to his cabin.
--
"I think we need to stop for the night," Charlie said as the sun started to disappear behind the horizon.
"If you want," Gary said. "But the sooner we get him to my cabin, the sooner we can get him help."
"But we can't see the trail at night," the younger man pointed out.
"I grew up here my whole life. I know the trails like the back of my hand."
"Yes," Charlie replied, forcing himself to be patient. "But we can't see the ground, and it's hard enough for Don when he can see where he's putting his feet." He glanced worriedly at the aforementioned man who hung limp and panting against his side. "I don't think one night will make much difference, do you?"
"How's his pulse?"
Charlie pressed his fingers to Don's throat. "It feels pretty strong and regular."
"He might be okay," Gary shrugged. "I'd still say keep going, but he's your brother." Truth be told – as horrible as the older man looked, Gary didn't think he would die in the night. His pulse was steady, and the bleeding was almost completely stopped. The only major thing seemed to be an infection and the fever sapping Don's strength would probably be lower in the morning. But Gary didn't want anyone to stumble across him and his two companions or Ralph's dead body and have the authorities take a look at him. Even though Ralph had been living in the mountains for years, no one knew that he lived at Gary's cabin, just 'somewhere in the wilderness'.
"Then we'll rest for the night," Charlie announced, bringing Gary out of his musings.
"Okay," Gary nodded. "Why don't you two get settled and I'll get us a fire going?"
"Sounds good," Charlie thanked him. As Gary disappeared into the surrounding woods, Charlie settled Don against a tree and retrieved their food and water from the pack. He dumped the last two pain pills into his hand and sighed ruefully. Well, at least we should be getting out of here tomorrow, he thought as he sat next to his brother.
Looking over at Don's pale, drawn features, Charlie fought back a wave of despair. Tomorrow, he reminded himself. "Hey, Don," he whispered as he cupped the injured man's cheek. His brother's eyes fluttered open and Don stared blearily at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," he mumbled as his eyes drooped closed.
"Stay awake," Charlie commanded, giving Don' uninjured shoulder a squeeze.
Don obeyed and fixed his little brother with a sleepy glare. "Tired."
"I know, but you need to eat and drink and take something for your fever – it's getting worse." Charlie lightly gripped the back of his brother's neck. "Besides, we'll be getting out of here as soon as we get to Gary's cabin."
"Maybe," Don sighed. "You trust him?"
"He saved our lives," the younger Eppes reminded him. "Why would he have done that if he didn't want to help us?"
"I guess," Don whispered, though he still sounded doubtful.
"I'm keeping your gun where I can get to it in a hurry, just in case. All you need to do is relax and trust me."
"I do," Don nodded. "Always."
Charlie smiled warmly, his confidence soaring at his brother's words. He popped the pain pills into Don's mouth and watched as the weakened man shakily washed them down with water and then handed him the bag of trail mix. "Now eat something and then you can go to sleep."
"I've got something better than that," Gary said as he returned with some kindling. "Canned beans. The protein will be good for you."
Don's stomach churned at the thought of real food but to his chagrin Charlie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, that would be good for him."
"Let me get the fire started and I'll heat us up a can." Gary turned and busied himself building the fire.
"Charlie," Don whispered plaintively as he tugged on his brother's sleeve. "I don't think I can eat beans. My stomach's still too queasy."
"Give it a try, Don. He's right – they'll be good for you. Help you keep your strength up."
"Not if I can't keep them down," Don grumbled.
"Try it for me, please?"
Don sighed, knowing that Charlie was perfectly happy to manipulate him to get what he wanted. "One day that's not going to work."
"What?" the younger man feigned innocence.
"That look," Don sighed as he forced a grin to his face. "You abuse it, you know."
"I know," Charlie nodded, not bothered in the least by his confession. He shifted closer to his brother so that his shoulder was just below Don's chin.
The older man smiled gratefully and let his head rest on the proffered shoulder. "Thanks, Buddy."
After a few minutes of silence, Gary brought two tin plates of food. "Go ahead and eat – it's just the right temperature."
"Thanks," Charlie said as he accepted the dishes. He set one plate down and scooped up a spoon of beans from the other, slipping them into Don's mouth. "How are they?"
"Not bad," Don admitted as he accepted another spoonful. They ate in silence, Charlie slipping him a bite and then taking a bite for himself while Don slowly chewed his food. After a few minutes one plate was empty, and the other was missing just over half of its original serving.
Charlie set the dishes beside him and pulled Don to lie across his chest. "Thank you for eating," he whispered as he rested his head on top of his brother's. "You'll feel better soon, you'll see."
"Sure, Buddy," Don yawned as his eyes slid shut. "You staying awake?"
"Yeah," Charlie nodded, stifling a yawn of his own. "I'll keep watch."
"'Kay," Don whispered as he relaxed into his brother's warmth. "Good night."
"Night, bro." Charlie smiled as his brother instantly fell into a peaceful slumber. He had every intention of staying awake, but the flickering flames and warmth from the fire were so comforting that his eyes started drooping. He cast one last look at Gary, who nodded reassuringly, stroking the rifle that lay across his lap.
"I'll keep watch," the blond man whispered. "You two rest."
Charlie didn't want to but he was utterly exhausted from supporting Don the past two days and he felt himself slipping away. Just before he was gone he rested his hand on Don's gun which lay right beside his leg. Satisfied that he could grab it quickly if he needed to, Charlie gave in to the inviting darkness.
--
Gary smiled as the younger man dozed off. So far his plan was proceeding flawlessly. Poor Ralph, he thought. If only you could have been a little smarter. But that's the hand fate dealt you.
The blond man rose from his seat and silently moved to where the two men slept. He glanced down at the plates of food and shook his head. Campfire beans. What a last meal. He bent down and noiselessly picked the plates up, pausing as something caught his eye.
Well, Charlie, he thought with a silent chuckle. Aren't you the clever one? But I'm afraid I can't let you get away with that. He set the plates back down and began fiddling with the object that had captured his attention.
TBC
