G.I. Joe: Agent Blue Jaye and the Beasts of Lakeside

Chapter 20

Jessie and Elise slowly drove down the long dirt driveway that lead to the home of Captain Minh. Small enough for only one car at a time, the driveway was covered by a natural canopy of trees rising up from each side of the road. Streaks of sunlight broke through as they made their way down the road.

Before turning down the drive, Jessie had stopped at the Riverbury Country Store, an old New England style home renovated for retail. The store provided a wide array of essentials from groceries, to sweaters and hats, to fishing and hunting gear, to deli sandwiches, and creemes. Having lived and traveled around Vermont for her entire life, Jessie knew that a small-town store would have someone who knew where the Captain lived.

After grabbing a couple of waters and some peperoni sticks, Jessie had begun inquiring about Captain Minh. Deciding to be completely honest, Jessie told the clerk that she was a reporter for Lakeside University and that they had come from the Lakeside Global Alliance reception where Deborah Minh was attacked. Jessie said they had drove up to tell the Captain and to offer him a ride back to Lakeside to see his granddaughter.

The clerk asked if the Captain's granddaughter was ok. Not knowing Deborah's status, Jessie relayed that she was rushed to Lakeside Hospital. The clerk had written down directions to the Captain's house without hesitating. In these small towns, people looked out each other, the clerk had said, handing the piece of paper to Jessie.

Jessie continued the slow drive down the narrow dirt road to Captain Minh's house. When they were back in cell phone range, Jessie and Elise had agreed they would call the police and let them know they were taking Captain Minh to the hospital. Jessie was hoping that during the drive back to Lakeside, the Captain might provide the connection between Dr. Brian Binder and Private James Thompson.

The sun began to stream through the windshield as the natural tree canopy disappeared above them as the driveway opened into a small clearing. Captain Minh's trailer home sank into a corner by the tree line. Weeds and vines snaked around the sides of the house, and the front was stained with shades of green from years of use.

A rusted red pickup truck was parked to the right of the trailer with no wheels, propped up on large wooden blocks. Jessie pulled to a stop. Turning to the passenger side, Jessie saw Elise had taken out a small revolver and was checking the cylinder.

"Why did you bring that?" Jessie asked a little alarmed to see the gun.

"For protection, why do you think?" Elise responded. She put the gun in her bag and turned to face Jessie. "A mountain lion has already killed three people, maybe four. I am not taking any chances. I like us better when we're alive." Elise said as she smiled at Jessie.

Jessie knew Elise owned the revolver. Elise had mentioned a few times that she owned a gun and knew how to shoot, clean, and take it apart and put it back together. She believed it was a valuable skill to have.

Jessie didn't have an opinion in the matter. She had never owned a gun but never felt strong either way. Now however, with a blood thirsty mountain lion on the loose, having someone who owned a gun and knew how to use it didn't seem like such a bad thing.

Elise opened her door and stepped out of the car. As they walked up to the front of the trailer, Jessie took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There was no reply. Jessie knocked louder but again, there was no answer. Walking back down the front steps, Jessie and Elise looked around the trailer.

"Maybe he isn't home?" Elise suggested.

"Or he went out on a walk or something." Jessie added and walked back up to the front door and knocked loudly, this time calling out for Captain Minh. Still no response.