You don’t say anything. You don’t speak. You don’t hesitate. You dart round past the teenager, heading towards the car.
His hand grabs the edge of your shirt and pulls you back, jerking you off balance. “I wasn’t done yet.”
A shot being fired from behind you makes the kid let go and you dart a glance back over your shoulder to see Martin moving down the porch steps, rifle aimed at the kid. “The next one is gonna go through your heart.”
The kid grins; a wild flash of teeth. “It’s not gonna kill me.” His voice is soft. Low. Taunting.
“Maybe not.” Martin’s voice is low. Dangerous. He takes aim. “But it’s sure as hell going to hurt. Now. Grant is going to get into the car. He’s going to drive away. And you’re going to stay here. Unless you want to be stuck here for another decade.”
The teenager shrugs. “I don’t care about getting stuck here.”
As Martin steps further towards the teenager, you spot movement behind him. “Martin!” His name rips from you in a shout.
In response, the man you love half-turns…but the other teenager killed in the joyride slams a thick branch into his stomach and Martin doubles over, the rifle falling from his grip.
“Martin.” You start to run towards him.
He raises his eyes to your face. “Go.”
The word stops you in your tracks. You back away as the teenager swings the branch towards Martin’s face. He catches it in one hand and slams the rifle into his stomach, then up into his face, making his nose gush blood.
You hesitate, but the other teenager smirks and walks towards you. “You want to stay? Watch what we’re going to do to him?”
“Grant, go!” Martin calls over his shoulder. “I can handle anything they throw at me! But you need to get away from here. I can’t protect myself and Paul and worry about you at the same time.”
He’s right. As much as you hate to admit it…he’s right. You dart away from the other teenager and reach the car door. Opening it, you get in the driver’s seat, slamming the door just as fingers reach in towards you.
As the teenager lets out a howl, you turn the keys in the ignition, leaving the sounds of flesh striking flesh behind you as you drive towards the reservation.