Free Primal by D.A. Serra

knows bad when he sees
it. His eyes roam as he considers his best move. He considers the brothers. The
one with the carburetor seems reasonable, intelligent, calm. The mute one seems
only interested in food. The other two - they are several clicks from normal -
something is very wrong. Ed Hutchinson moves his chair a little closer to his
new wife. Ben doesn’t want to waste energy, time, or ammo dealing with these
people. Gravel is oblivious to the atmospheric shift in the room. He doesn’t
have an empathetic antenna and wouldn’t care if he did. Bella has caught his
attention and he can’t ignore the rise in his pants. Bella takes a small step
backwards.
    Ben speaks a little too calmly to Hobbs, “So, where’s that
toolbox?”
    “Porch.”
    Gravel leans into Bella inches from her shoulder; he smells
her like an animal would. “You’re a mighty attractive woman, there, honey.”
    Kent interjects, “Jesus, you got weird taste.”
    Bella doesn’t know how to react. Her instincts are
screaming. Hank sees the alarm on her face.
    He says, “I think the lady wants to be left alone.”
    “Who asked you?” Gravel practically spits at him.
    With a warning in his tone, Ben says to his brother,
“Gravel, we’re guests here.”
    Not taking his predatory stare from Bella, he responds,
“Guests hoping for a little hospitality is all.” Dan, Mike, and Bruce stand.
They feel confident. There are only four Burne brothers and they are seven
strong men.
    “Look man,” Mike says feeling his way, “we’re on vacation.
No one wants any trouble.”
    Dan’s bristling middle-class macho adds, “But if you’re
looking for trouble.”
    Gravel snaps and turns on them with inappropriate fury.
“Hey, you dicks find your own slot. I’m workin’ this hole.” The pretense of
civility disintegrates. Dan takes a swing at Gravel. Bella jumps back out of
the way. Gravel wrenches Dan’s arm and snaps his wrist. Dan yells in pain. Mike
jumps on Gravel.
    “Aw shit.” Ben says disappointed and annoyed by the ruckus.
He exposes his handgun and shoots once into the ceiling. Everyone freezes.
Jimmy jumps toward his dad who grabs him! He wraps his arms around his frightened
son. Ben speaks calmly, “Okay, let’s have a little order here.” Terror is
written on all of their faces. No one moves. Dan is holding his broken wrist
and clearly in pain. “Okay,” Ben says, “Better.” Patiently he chides Gravel,
“Jesus, Gravel.”
    “What? These guys jumped me! Didn’t you see that? They
jumped me.”
    Ben turns to Grant and asks calmly, “Is everyone here?”
    Hank’s eye catches Alison standing confused in the recess of
the doorway to the kitchen. She is unnoticed. Ever so slightly, Hank indicates
for her to step back. Bella sees her recede back into the kitchen.
    With a raised voice, “You” indicating Grant, “I’m talking to
you. Is everyone here?” Grant is too scared to speak. He manages a nod. Ben
looks around. He wants to be sure. “Take your dinner seats. Everyone! Sit down
in your chairs.”
    Jimmy says, “Mom?” Hank and Bella exchange an understanding.
She walks over and takes Alison’s seat.
    “Right here, honey,” she says to Jimmy as she sits.
Acknowledgment passes silently between everyone at the table. They all agree.
    Ben looks at the table. Since originally a place had not
been set for Bella there are ten seats - ten people. Everyone looks accounted
for but Ben is a careful man. He nods at Gravel.
    Gravel says, “I’ll check around.”
    No one at the table moves. No one breathes. In silent pain,
Dan holds his wrist. Julie hides her face in Ed’s chest. He has his hand on her
head. Bruce and Grant look much younger than their twenty years right now.
Hobbs’ eyes trail Gravel. Gravel heads for the kitchen and Hank swallows hard
scared for Alison. He squeezes his son’s hand. It says be quiet, be calm.
    From inside the kitchen, Alison sees Gravel approach. She
tears across the kitchen and back into the