Free Slowly We Rot by Bryan Smith Page A

care.”
              Nick nodded at the
revolver.  “The gun’s not necessary, son.  I told you before, I don’t bear you
any ill will.”
              Noah aimed the gun at
the man’s midsection.  “That’s nice.  But I still don’t fucking trust you.”
              Nick stared at him
levelly for a moment, his expression hooded and unreadable.  He then slowly
slipped the rifle off his shoulder, taking care to show he had no intention of
aiming it at Noah, and tossed it aside.  “I’m only interested in seeing this
end peacefully, kid.  And, for the record, I still don’t sanction this.  Left
up to me, you could stay here.”
              Aubrey sneered and kept
her gaze on Noah.  “But it’s not up to him.”  She glanced at the backpack. 
“Looks like you’re all set to go.”
              Noah slipped the
revolver back in its holster, picked up the backpack, and pulled the straps up
over his shoulders.  After tightening and securing them, he grabbed his rifle, stepped
off the porch, and started off in the direction of the road, giving Aubrey and
Nick a wide berth.
              But Aubrey moved
quickly to put herself in his path.  “Hold up, brother.”
              Noah sighed, stopping
in his tracks.  “What now, Aubrey?”
              “Open your pack.  I
want to see what’s in it.”
              Noah shook his head. 
“I’m not doing that.”
              “Do it, unless you want
me to have Nick kill you.”
              Noah glanced at the
ex-soldier, who shook his head and rolled his eyes.  His gaze returned to Aubrey,
whose expression was sullen and hateful.  “I’ll take my chances.”
              He moved to go around
her.
              She hurried to put
herself in front of him again.  “Open the fucking pack.”
              Noah groaned.  “What do
you think I’m carrying?  Gold?”
              “It looks overstuffed. 
I think you’ve got a bunch of shit in there I should have.  The way I see it, you
should be leaving here empty-handed.”
              “I’m done humoring
you.  What I’m carrying with me is mine.  You can’t have it.  You should be
happy, Aubrey.  I’ve handed you the keys to the kingdom.  Enjoy it.”
              He moved to go around
her again, picking up the pace this time.  He’d gotten almost all the way to
the road when he heard her footsteps pelting down the slope after him.  “Noah,
wait!  Please!”
              Against his better
judgment, Noah, hearing the plaintiveness in her voice, stopped walking and
turned around in time to see her come to a panting stop just a few feet away
from him.  Nick hadn’t moved from his position at the top of the slope, which
relieved Noah.  Maybe the guy was sincere about his desire for peace between
them.
              Aubrey had tears in her
eyes as she spoke.  “Don’t go, Noah.  Please.”
              Noah frowned.  “Don’t
go?”  He shook his head.  “Oh, I get it.  You’re fucking with me now.”
              Tears spilled down her
cheeks.  “I was just testing you.  And punishing you, I guess.  But I don’t
want you to go, not really.  Please, Noah, please stay.”
              He stared at her for a
long time, trying to discern whether she was being sincere.  In the end, he
decided it didn’t matter.  He’d been rotting up here on the mountain long
enough, staying alive just for the sheer sake of it, existing with no purpose. 
Well, he had a purpose now, a new course fate had set for him, and he meant to
pursue it as far as he could.  Chances were good he was setting off on a dangerous
fool’s errand, but at least he would be doing something.  He’d be out in the
world again, looking for something lost long ago.
              Noah turned away from
his sister and resumed walking