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Question: When is the last time you took a nice, long walk!?
Hand in hand, up the winding gravel path they walked!. She learned to walk slower for him now, enjoying the scene as they strolled!. To their left, the lake rippled slightly as a wind swept through the Junipers near the shore!. On the right, craggy rock and dried brush, radiating the heat of the day!.
They were almost home now, a few hundred feet to the end of the drive!. From behind them they heard a car, coming fast, and they moved towards the shore so it could pass them!. It slowed down as it went by and he glanced in the driver's side window!. The driver smiled oddly, and came to a stop about ten feet in front of them!. She felt his hand tense in hers, and she stepped back, letting him shield her from the stopped car!. Only the sound of dust falling now, the wind was resting above the lake, the air thick with waiting!.
He watched as the man got out of the rusted El Camino, a two-tone blue ride with bald tires wrapped all around it!. He spoke!.
"You need somethin'!?"
"Well that depends, mister!. What's the little lady’s name!?"
"We're gonna go on by now!. You best stay where you're at!."
"Oh, no!. We gonna talk a bit, you and I!. I think I'll keep it parked right here!. What's your name, missy!? Don't be shy, now!."
She stared at him, fearless!. She did not speak or move!.
"Listen to me now!. We're gonna move on by!. That's the last time I'm gonna tell you that!."
Laughter!. Another man got out of the passenger's side back seat and leaned on the roof, smiling!.
"What's the trouble, Bill!? Don't these two wanna go for a ride!?"
More laughter, and the wind began again, turning waves onto the rocky shore!.
"Well I can't get a word out of the lovely lady, but this here cripple says they's just gonna walk on by!"
"Ha! Can you beat that!. Walk on by, eh!?"
"Well that's what he says!. Ain't that right, cripple!?"
He was a small man, his legs thin and weak from Polio, his arms strong and awkward at his side!. He glanced back at his wife, his eyes telling her he loved her!. Her eyes danced back at him!.
"Well, fellas, today ain't your lucky day!." He drew the pistol from the back of his waistband and slowly leveled it at the proud owner of the rusted El Camino!. He fired once, hitting him just below the chin, at the top of the neck!. He fell silently, his leg kicking once, his head coming to rest on the rocks near the front tire of the car!. His chest turned red and his mouth hung open in a scream!.
He stepped around to the front of the car, hobbling as he went, his crippled legs moving him into view of the second man!.
"GOD MISTER, DON'T DO IT, WE WAS ONLY PLAYIN'!!"
Five shots rang out in the Ozark night, four of them hitting their mark!.
She was shaking now, her hands going back and forth from her hips to her face as she walked in random circles!.
"Go on up and call the police, Ruth!. Hurry now!."
He sat back against the car, the gun hot in his hands!.
He closed his eyes and prayed!.
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
"Ruth" means "mercy!." coincidence!? I love this Mag, you have outdone yourself (again!)Www@QuestionHome@Com
You left a lot to the readers' imaginations!. I think that adds to the drama and makes it more tense and interesting!. It does for me anyway!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
I agree with rhj_123!. The "who is doing the shooting" is a bit choppy, otherwise, it had my attention!. The whole scene suggests that something dastardly led up to this!. Sign of a good write!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Amazing descriptions; really creating a sense of dread, that then gets turned totally on its headWww@QuestionHome@Com
More, more, more, please!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Great story!.
No one "plays with guns"!.
He done right by shootin' their nasty asssses!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Awww, (sobs) and what happened in the end!.!.!.!.!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
good story! i don't walk with a gun, but i have a loveable pit bull who can look like a lethal weapon to some!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
Weird, man!. El Caminos don't have a back seat!.And only buckets!. I bought one in 1972, brand new !.Good memories!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
His options were limited, and narrowed to one since he had a pistol!. Well, he done the (just) right thing, ( even if the darn El Camino didn't have back seats)!.
Man, my heart was beating fast while reading!. You are bloody marvelous!
Thank God that I'm not the only reader hungry for such (word) food!
Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com
It's amazing how your life can change just a short ways from the safety of your own home,life or death,!.!.!.That was a great if not sad read for first thing in the morning for me, you are so talented!.!.!.I'm confused abouth the fifth shot!.!.!.xxx
You always leave me scratching my headWww@QuestionHome@Com
This will come out all wrong when in black and white!.
I was not confused reading, knew who was shooting whom!. Knew a 'cripple' can sometimes move quickly, surprisingly quick!. Yes, this I know!.
and sometimes!.!.!.just sometimes I think I hate you!. You have a gift, a gift I can only dream of!. The power of imagery you can put into your words!.!. I can only dream that my words could be as !.!. strong!.
sigh!.
Note: cannot hate that which I respect and admire!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I wanted to be on that walk at first!.!.!.hand in hand with the one i am coming to care so much for!.!.!.but as I kept reading, I got sooooo scared and am grateful we will not go on a walk tonight!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Not very long ago!. I walk a lot!. This was an excellent little story here!. And if it is from the Ozarks I can understand what he did!. You don't mess with a mountain man and his missus!. ?Www@QuestionHome@Com
A riveting tale, indeed!. Captured from the start!.
Going from Elys Thanksgiving to this, with a five minute break!.
To answer your question!. The last time I went for a walk was to vote!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
This was a riveting tale!. You have disclosed on board that your father has polio, so when I read the line "she learned to walk slower for him," immediately I was personally engaged!. Because of your gift of story telling, I always assume these to be true, because if not, how could one tell them with such gripping force!? But then I remember your mind!. Whether true or not, this was a heart stopper!. Well done!.
maWww@QuestionHome@Com
Very good and dramatic!. i was a bit confused at the end though, i'm not sure i know who shot who and who walked round the car etc!. Good though : )Www@QuestionHome@Com