Tommy's Final Stand

I run through the passage as fast as I can. I'm not exactly sure where it leads, but I figure anything has to be better than the situation I'm in. I quickly discover the tunnel is cold, dark and eerie. A nervous tension hangs heavily in the air, making it very unsettling. Hearing footsteps behind me, I spin around only to find no one is there. Ghosts from the past, I think. Hernandez said it was used by the slaves during the civil war and then again during the prohibition. I keep pushing on despite my crippling pain. After what seems like an eternity, I reach the cave. It was a retreat Jen and I used when we were young. Plopping down on a boulder, I examine my wounds. 

The bleeding has stopped, but my leg is so red and swollen that I'm afraid I might lose it if I don't get medical assistance soon. Glancing around I think, I wish I was at home with Jen and the boys instead of being stuck in this dark, dank place. 

 My mind drifts back to all the wonderful times we've shared. The fun-filled days we'd spent in the park. Swinging, sliding, chasing the ball around. I then remember the day Timmy decided to take our oversized pup for a walk returning a wet, muddy mess. With tears streaming down his dirt-caked face he says, "I lost Rufus, daddy. " Hearing barking, we turn to find our hundred plus pound mutt trucking it across the lot. "Rufus Timmy yells running toward him. The pup knocks the lad in the mud again. We all ended up a muddy mess that day, even my beautiful wife, Jen. 

I then picture my frail wife fighting for her life. Oh, what was I thinking, doing what I did? Putting poor Jen through all of this? She shouldn't have to endure my BS on top of her ill health. A harrowing thought comes to mind. The situation will only worsen until I turn myself in. That's what I'll do, I'll set this right for Jen and the boy's. I just hope they can forgive me someday. 

Wiping the moisture from my tear-streaked face, I try to stand. Excruciating pain travels up my leg, radiating throughout my body. It becomes so severe that I topple across the large rock. I've got to do this for my family's sake. I push myself into a standing position. Gritting my teeth I hobble towards the entryway. I'm attempting to take another step when I hear my name echoing through the cave. They found me. Frightened, I spin around, and start wobbling back the way I came. 

The pain becomes so fierce that it stops me in my tracks. Gritting my teeth, I try to take another step but fall to my knees instead. The voice gets closer. I have to hide. Struggling to my feet, I try again. The pain becomes so intense that I plummet to the ground. 

***

The K9 unit and crew are scoping out every inch of the forest. The police copters continue to circle overhead. Their orders were to use any means necessary to bring their fugitive in, and that's just what they planned to do.

The sergeant is pacing back and forth at the park entrance, anxiously waiting for some news. I can't stand not knowing any longer. She starts to head their way when the captain orders for her to stand down replays in her mind. 

"I'm only four months, Joe," Rachel argues, massaging her small baby bump. 

"Four months, or fifty, I don't care. I don't want you or our baby hurt chasing this mad man around." 

 I wish I'd hear something soon. She looks at her watch to find that it's only been a few minutes since she last checked. She glances towards the woods again. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Pulling her gun from her holster, she darts towards her crew.

***

I'm struggling to my feet when I hear footsteps coming towards me. I turned to find a strange-looking woman headed my way. Pushing off the ground, I take an unsure step. I start to take another, but my pain is so overwhelming that I fall face-first in the dirt. I've got to get away. I've just got to "I'm halfway up when my legs give way. I plummet to the cold hard ground.

"I'm so glad you're alright," the lady says, stooping down beside me. 

The voice sounds familiar, but I can't place the face. A familiar scent wafts through the room. "Linda?" I ask. 

She removes her disguise. "I came as soon as I heard."

How did you know where to look?"

"Never mind that. We need to get out of here before the police show up."

"Tommy, Linda?" Jimmy asks, darting inside the cave.

"Jimmy?" I ask, surprised.

"Linda told me where to find you. I would've been here sooner, but it took me a minute to figure it out."

"Imagine that," I laugh. I always tease Jimmy about not being the sharpest tool in the shed.

Jimmy scowls. I chuckle again.

"Help me get him up," Linda orders. "Good, now put this on." She hands me her wig and overcoat. Seeing the look on my face, she rolls her eyes then adds, "Just do it."

I glance over at Jimmy to find a smirk on his face. "One word, Jimmy, Just one word, and I swear." 

"Mums the word." He chuckles, pretending to zip his lips. 

"Ready?"

"I think so." Linda and Jimmy each grab hold of my arms.

"Easy now, Tommy," Linda instructs as they continue towards the entrance. We're almost to the front when a woman steps through the door. A gun pointed towards us. Frightened, we stop in our tracks.

"Lana?"

"Daddy told me where to find you. Said I need to take care of some unfinished business, tie up a few loose ends." She cocks her gun.

That's typical of Hernandez, sending his daughter to finish the job. "You don't want to do this, Lana. You really don't."

"Says, who?" she questions, walking closer.

Tommy nervously glances at his friend. Pulling away from their grip, I take a wobbly step towards her. "It's me you're after, not them, so shoot me and let them go." 

"And leave witnesses behind? Yeah, I don't think so."

I take another unsure step.

"Don't come any closer," she warns. I choose to ignore her.

"No, Tommy, stop," Linda tearfully begs. Grabbing my arm, she tries to pull me back. I jerk away.

"I mean it, Tommy. One more step, and I'll shoot."

"You're not killing my friends."

We hear shuffling coming from the front. A blue uniform quickly rounds the corner. "Police. Drop your weapon. Do it now," Rachel orders. Lana turns to see three cops in the entryway with their guns drawn. "I said drop it now." Realizing she's defeated, Lana tosses her weapon in the dirt.

"Hands above your head. Do it now." Rachel holds her at gunpoint while a second officer slaps cuffs on her wrists.

"You better watch your back, Tommy. Watch it close cause the crew is coming for you. You and everyone you love." Her blood-curdling laugh echoing through the cave sends shivers up my spine.

"That's enough out of you," Rachel says, pushing her out the door. 

"They're coming for you, Tommy. For all of you," Lana yells one last time.

Tommy

The police hauled all of us off to jail that day. After a brutal night of interrogation, the DA agreed to let me go on two conditions. I tell them what I know about Hernandez, and I agree to testify against him. Knowing the crew would kill us if I did, I refused. Joe agreed to post an officer outside Jen's hospital room and a second at the apartment. He then promised to move us into witness protection when Jen is well enough to travel. 

Things were looking up for us, better than what we'd hoped. Jen recovered from her operation, giving birth to our beautiful baby girl two months early. I'm the district manager for several electronics stores. The boys love their new school and our fancy home. 

Despite all our good fortune, all the precautions we'd taken, there is one thought that continues to haunt me. The crew is out there, waiting, watching, anticipating sweet revenge.

***

Deep in the backlands of Utah, two large, cold, brown eyes watch Tommy from afar. Waiting to make his move.