THE DESOLATE SOUTHLAND

CHAPTER 22: DECISION TIME

Minko continued asking questions about his dad as they rode. The two laughed and shed tears together, as Riko would recall to mind those long ago years. Minko felt himself to feel like he did years ago when he would see his dad driving up in the drive. Riko would talk about him as if he was sitting on a horse right next to them. As Minko took in every word that Riko spoke, he felt closer to his dad, he felt like he was back home. Riko had called him little brother. Minko wondered if he really meant it.

They were about thirty minutes from the house when Riko stopped. He looked at the ground and Minko stared as well trying to figure out what was he so nervous about, it was just indentions in the ground, most likely from a wild animal. He heard the leather of Rikos saddle squeak as he turned in it obviously looking all around them.

"Minko, we have visitors. Unwanted visitors."

Minko looked at him and back at the ground. "Are you sure, those look like armadillo holes where they were chasing worms?"

"I am positive."

Now Minko sensing his intensity as Riko looked about, started feeling a little spooked and began to look all around also. "Jibbers, you think?"

"No, I don't think Jibbers could scale the wall."

"If not jibbers, then who and what do you think they want?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out, let's ride."

They dug the spurs into the horses like a couple of professional cowboys racing into town for a night in the saloon. They yelled, "haaa, haaa" and the horses took off like a wild fire. In a full gallop their steps echoed as each hoof pounded the ground beneath them. Their riders leaned forward a little in their saddles as their feet in the stirrups flared outward, angled toward the back helping them maintain balance and control. It was a matter or minutes when the house was in sight. The others heard the thundering sound of the horses running and seen them as they topped the hill in full stride. They all gathered on the porch watching them come to a halt, pulling back on the reigns, lifting the horses head upwards, as their hoofs slid and dug pits into the grass. Before Harley could get, "What is wrong?" out, Riko had dismounted and running up to the porch, looking and making sure everyone was ok.

He looked at Harley, "Not sure." As he turned, "Minko, take the horses and put them in the stables. Remove their saddles, give them some water. Drake, go get the side by side and meet me here."

Drake nodded and jumped off the porch and ran to the shed where all the ATV's were kept.

"Damn it, Riko. I asked you what is going on." Harley said, raising her voice in a very stern tone.

"Not sure I said, but I plan to find out."

"Then I am coming with you."

"Hell no you're not."

"Oh yes I am!" she said hatefully.

Riko looked at her and realized he wasn't going to win this argument. He wanted her and the girls safe, but also realized that he would feel better if they were where he could watch out for them, for everyone actually.

"Then you go with Drake and get the other side by side."

She ran after Drake and caught up with him as he was unlocking the shed door. Hannah and Ange stood stunned and scared from all of the commotion. Minko, did what he was asked and ran back to the house.

"What is happening Minko?"

"We saw some tracks that didn't belong. Looks like someone is trespassing."