Joel bounded two steps and then dove at Carl. The shorter man attempted to use his speed to side step him, but at that range he wasn't quick enough. Joel caught him square on, his shoulder hitting the other man in the stomach, the momentum of the collision causing both men to tumble. Carl landed on his back with a thud, the wind knocked out of him, with Joel on top of him.
Joel wasted no time, sucking up air as he sat up to give himself a better angle to launch and attack. He punched Carl twice on either side of his head. A solid one two motion with both of his fists. In an attempt to counter the thin man swung his right hand at Joel's chin but lieing down he had no momentum and the glancing blow did little to slow the onslaught.
Right.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Joel kept raining the punches down, not giving the other man a chance to come back.
You've got nothing, have you ?
Blood poured from Carl's mouth as he held his right arm across his face to protect himself.
"All right. All right. You win man. Stop. Please stop!" Carl managed to shout through broken teeth and rapidly swollen lips.
The plea cause Joel to pause. He sat up, still leaning on the other man. He took a deep breath.
"It's over" he said.
Carl put his head to one side to spit out some blood. He looked back at Joel, and managed to contort his face into a hideous grin.
"Jose. Jose. Can you hear me? It's gone bad at this end. Grab the girl. Do you hear me ? Grab the girl."
Joel frowned, confused. Before he could speak or process the meaning of the sentence he heard a faint metallic tinged voice coming from the floor at his right hand side.
"Sure thing, will do. I'll let Victor know..." Said the voice.
Joel looked down. In Carl's left hand was a small walkie-talkie, his boney thin fingers opened and the device rolled out of his hand and ended up resting on the grass.
Carl laughed. Loudly.
"You're right tough guy. It's over...for your woman..." He spat more blood as he spoke.
Joel rolled off him in a daze. He watched Carl as he continued to laugh, the man finally started to cough with the effort.
Joels mind raced.
Tess...what have I done?
Joel for a moment didn't know what to do next. He weighed up his options as Carl spoke again.
"You lose my friend. You're too late. I did warn you..."
Joel stood up and turned, the rasping voice breaking him out of his indecision.
Carl laughed again, looking up through puffy swollen eyes at Joel who towered unmoving over him. Carl's prone body shook with each breath. He moved his head slightly as he noticed Joel start to walk away and out of his eye line. With eyes closed in pain and effort Carl managed to lever himself up slowly, firstly onto his elbows and then into a slumped sitting position. After a second he opened his eyes, and turned his head to look at Joel, speaking as he did so.
"Maybe your woman will..."
Carl broke off his sentence. Joel was looking at him, rifle in hand, pointing directly at his head. He never finished the sentence, the muzzle flash being the last thing he saw.
Joel gave no reaction. He bent to pick up the walkie talkie, switched it off and then stuffed it into his belt band. He didn't even turn around as he headed in the direction of Boston.
Hold on Tess. I'm coming to get you...
