Mule

Chapter Thirteen: Torn

Sanders insisted Officer Lee act as their escort, so he became their personal taxi. They took a few detours so she could show Derek the many changes around town. Since he'd disappeared, they'd added quite a few restaurants as well as the famous clock roundabout, the monuments and statues along Second Avenue, the new neighborhoods along Yanezawe Boulevard, and the college on the old Larson Airforce Base, which locals now called The Base.

Eventually, they made their way back to the house to get the guns. Her dad was at a friend's with an officer looking out for him as well. Lee parked in the driveway then searched the house before going back out to wait for them. Her father kept their guns in a large locker in the second family room.

Using her dad's code, she got in on one try and opened the doors. Sure enough, she found her pink Remington right where she'd left it eighteen years ago.

"Wow," Derek said, taking it out. "I almost forgot about this beauty."

"So did I. It's technically still brand new. Never even fired it once."

"Really?" He opened the bolt action, staring down into the chamber. "Yep, still see the serial number. Your dad never even used it?"

She shook her head. While her father did go hunting once in a while, they never went back to Winthrop. He went with friends and Connor and she stayed behind. Neither of them could bring themselves to hunt without Mule. It felt wrong. Their father had always coped better than they did.

"What ever happened to that gun my dad gave you?" she asked.

"Not sure. It wasn't on me when I woke up in the woods." He handed the gun to her. "I hope we can find it and return it. Your father was generous to give it to me, and he deserves to have it back."

Ana closed the chamber then looked through the scope. Save for some dust, it still gave a clear view. It was time that this gun was put to use, eighteen years late but at least she wasn't afraid to use it. She feared holding it or even seeing it would bring back bad memories.

"I think I'll use Conman's gun," Derek said. "I've always liked the kick on this. Made me feel like I was in an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie."

She chuckled. "I'm sure he won't mind." She handed him Connor's 7mm then grabbed bullets for both as well as some cardboard and sharpies to make targets. "Let's go."

Officer Lee took the freeway toward Mae Valley then took the route toward the neighborhood behind the Highway Patrol Station. He took the first right toward the area that said 'No Trespassing' but no one payed attention to the sign. He parked close to the sign then Derek and she got out.

"Be careful, you two," Lee said. "Don't be pointing your guns at each other."

"No worries, dad," Ana joked. "This isn't our first rodeo."

Derek and she stepped over the chain and Ana crossed the field toward the cliff. While there were a few houses on top of the hill, the area was safe for shooting, and it would be easy to see if any children or unsuspecting visitors popped out.

She set up the targets, shoving the thin boards into the dirt, then walked back over. They used their dad's small folding table to set everything up, and she loaded the gun. Derek did as well, but he loaded quickly as if his life depended on it then aimed and fired, reloaded, fired, reloaded, and fired a third time. Ana stared with her mouth again as he lowered the gun.

"What the hell?" she said. "How did you do that so quickly?"

Derek crooked his mouth. "I'm not sure. I was standing here getting ready to load and it's like my mind took over."