Through Hell and Into Heaven

Chapter 24

     Taran bit his lip as the pain in his right arm increased. He'd rather die than be put through this sort of pain. He felt Tina push him onto his ATV. Seething uncomfortably, Taran made room for her to sit up front. Once she did, she stared at the controls and the handles with confusion. Taran fished around in his pockets with his good arm and handed her his keys to the four wheeler. "Here is the keys," he grunted, "Turn it on by twisting the keyhole, then hold the clutch on the left handle bar and push down the engine starter beneath your left foot. To get it moving, hold down the clutch while pushing down on the pedal, which is in front of your right foot. After that, you can let go of the clutch, but continue to hold down the pedal. When you want to stop, press in the break, which is below your right foot, and squeeze the clutch."

     Tina blinked and twisted the keyhole with Taran's keys. "This is very difficult," she mumbled, gripping the clutch firmly. "You'll get used to it," Taran muttered as the ATV's engine started and it rushed down the road, carrying Tina and Taran with it. Taran winced and held on to Tina's shoulder with his good arm. "Tina," he said over the roar of the engine, "I'm sorry for making everything more-" he paused to draw a sharp breath from the burn of his wounded arm, "-difficult." Tina spun her head back briefly to stare at him. "What?" Tina asked in surprise, "No! Don't be sorry! You saved Israel's life. I just wish we could find away to repay you." Taran barely grinned. "You could get me to the hospital so they can get this bullet out of my arm." Tina laughed and said, "Yeah, I'm working on that. Hey, you just hold tight, okay?"

     When they got to the Pirrans' apartment, Tina hauled Taran off the ATV and rushed up the steps, tugging Taran by his good arm. Taran felt very dizzy, but he did not know if it was from the ride on his four wheeler or of his lack of blood. Tina did not bother knocking and busted through the door, knowing it was unlocked. Mrs. Pirran and Mr. Pirran were both sitting at the kitchen table, folding their hands and bowing their heads. They immediately jumped off their chairs and dashed over to Tina and Taran. "What's going on here?" Mr. Pirran demanded, "Where's Israel? I want a talk with him. He's been acting strange lately and I want to know why. And why are you over here at three o'clock at night?!" Tina took a deep breath and replied, "Mr. Pirran, I know this sounds silly, but I want you to listen to me. What I'm about to say is crazy, but you've got to hear it. We need to hurry."

     Mrs. Pirran gave her husband a worried look. Mr. Pirran, after scratching his chin thoughtfully, replied, "Okay. I'm listening." That's when Tina told the Pirrans everything that had been happening with them and Israel's demon problem. After a twenty minute explanation, Tina began to wrap up. "-and Izzy's still at the excavation site, holding off those guys, probably along with Jeff. He has them in surrender, but there's no telling what they'll do." Tina wiped a tear out of her eye and looked Mr. Pirran dead in the face. "Please, Mr. Pirran, you've got to believe me." Mr. Pirran paused, then said, "Stay here, Tina and Taran. I'm going off the excavation site. You said Israel's called the authorities? Then they should be there very soon." Tina gasped and said, "Oh! I forgot to tell you!" She grabbed Taran's arm and showed it to Israel's stepfather and mother. "Taran was shot by that Jeff guy," Tina said desperately, "he saved Izzy's life by diving in front of him when Jeff fired his gun."

     "He needs a hospital," Mrs. Pirran said bluntly out of shock. "YES, he does!" said Tina, "please Mrs. Pirran, call an ambulance." Mrs. Pirran yanked out her phone and began dialing.