The Simple Truth

Rufus, he hollered. On the count of three.

Start counting, Rufus shouted back, tremors of fear in his voice. Three seconds later Josh opened fire on Tremaine, the bullets pinging off the Jeeps frame. Rufus hustled to the back of the truck. He was stopped there, however, when Tremaine managed to fire a burst between the truck and the shack. The air smelled of gunfire, and of the sweat of frightened men. Josh and Rufus looked at each other, and then Josh cracked a smile, sensing the rising panic in his brother.

Hey, Vic, Josh yelled out, how bout you throw down that damn widowmaker and come on out with your hands up?

Tremaine responded by blowing a chunk of wood off the shack a little above Joshs head.

Okay, okay, Vic, I hear you. Now, you be cool, you hear me, little buddy? Dont you worry, well bury you and Rayfield. Aint go

Josh opened his eyes and looked over at Tremaines twisted body, both relieved and sickened by what he had done. Even the worst enemy in the world didnt look so terrifying dead. He looked back at Rufus. You done good, little brother. Shit, bettern me.

Id be dead if you hadnt killed him.

Aint go

Rufus ripped open his brothers shirt and looked at the wounds. The knife had only cut a slice in his side. Probably hadnt hit anything vital, Rufus concluded, but it was bleeding like a bitch. The bullet, though, was something else. He saw the blood dripping from his brothers mouth, the rising glaze to his eyes. Rufus could stop the bleeding on the outside, but he could do nothing about what was going on inside. And thats what could kill him. Rufus took off his shirt and put it over his brother, who was now shivering despite the heat.

Hold on, Josh. Rufus ran over to the Jeep and quickly looked through it. He found the first-aid kit and hustled back over to his brother. Joshs eyes were now closed and he didnt seem to be breathing. Rufus shook him gently. Josh, Josh, dont do it, keep your damn eyes open. Dont be going to sleep on me. Josh!

Finally Josh opened his eyes and appeared lucid. You got to get outta here, Rufus. All the shooting, people might be coming. You got to go. Now.

Wegot to get out of here thats right.

Rufus lifted Josh up a little and checked his back. The bullet hadnt gone through; it was still in him somewhere. Rufus started cleaning both wounds. At one point Josh gripped his arm. Rufus, get the hell out of here, he said again.