Part 208: The Mini-Rescue

Locke jolted on the metal wall, back and force. Every the energy pulsed through his body, he kept trying to hold on. He felt the wires around his wrists and ankles burning his flesh but he did his best to ignore the pain. The whole process, he kept his mouth shut the whole time. Then the electricity stopped and leaned forward, breathing through his nose. Pristine crossed her arms and walked up to him. “I am . . .HIGHLY impressed, Mr. Locke,” she whispered, “There is no shame in screaming but yet, you do not. You are either very strong or you are stupid in thinking you can hold out forever. NO ONE…holds out forever.”

Moe flipped the switch again, jolting him. Locke closed his eyes and lurched upward. He felt a strange twitch at the bottom of his spine. Was the electricity hurting his new ability to walk? He wasn’t sure; he hoped it wasn’t the case. The pulsing soon stopped and Locke caught his breath; a burst of mucus erupting from his nose. “Why did Mecha try to pull you into the pit?” she asked.

Locke said nothing.

“Do they want you to head underground?” Pristine asked, “WHY?”

Locke still said nothing.

“HOW DO THE CREATURES IN THE HATCH KNOW YOUR NAME?” she screamed.

And Locke said nothing.

Pristine then leaped up and slapped Locke hard across his right cheek. “ANSWER ME, YOU BASTARD!”

Locke coughed and tilted his head. He then glared at Pristine with an intense hatred. The woman held her ground, waiting for him to say something. Then his brow went smooth and his frown turned into a smile. An orange peel smile. “What the hell?” Pristine gasped.

“OH MY GOD!” Moe laughed hard, holding his stomach, “That guy is crazy!”

“I can’t believe this,” Pristine walked away, in shock, “This crazy. I can’t believe he’s held out this whole time cause he has got a orange peel in his mouth.”

“It was funny, you have to admit,” Moe wiped his joyful tears.

“I am not hear to be amused by him, Moe,” Pristine grunted, “If he doesn’t answer the questions, then I am just going to torture him further.”

Locke finally spit out the orange slice, letting it land on the ground. “The peel was to help me not swallow my tongue,” the bald man panted, “The questions you were asking, I have no choice but to give you the same answer I gave Belmont; I don’t know.”

The door to the interrogation room then opened and Belmont stepped in. “Status, Priss?” He asked.

“His status is crazy,” Pristine walked out the door, “My status is I need a cigarette.”

Belmont looked at the bald man with curiosity. What could have he done to make Pristine look at him with such strange awe? Locke offered no words; he just smiled a warm smile at the second-in-command. Belmont sighed and closed the door behind him. He walked over to Pristine and Moe as they lighting up their cigarettes. The blonde man crossed his arms and looked at them. “I don’t think they know anything, sir,” Pristine replied.

“That is not what I expected you to say.” Belmont sneered.

“I don’t want to say it, “ the woman protested, “I’ve torched that bald-headed bastard in there and all I get for it is an orange peel smile. He doesn’t know anything. . .neither does the blind man.”

Belmont looked around. Texas slowly approached him, looking at his leader. The blonde then turned abruptly back to Pristine. “I refuse to believe that!” he scoffed, “They know something!”

“They don’t know anything about the security systems,” she said, letting the smoke come out her lips, “Maybe we are asking them the wrong question.”

“But yet, these monsters treat them both like saviors, and they don’t know why? That is absurd.”

Texas then lurched up his head, looking around. Moe blinked at the abrupt behavior of the giant. Belmont then turned to his minion, looking at him. “What is it, Texas?” he asked.

The large man then pointed to his ear, like he had heard something. “Gun . . .shot,” he said in his slow slumbering voice.


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Barbara, Jilly and Kellye arrived at the area they picked up fruit in last time. The older woman put down her bucket and began to pick the fruit from the tree. Jilly gently started to help her. Kellye stretched a little as she felt good to be out of the bunker, even if only for a little bit. Frakes stayed behind them; looking around. He checked the trees, always wondering when Raven would show up. After scanning the tree line for a few minutes, he realized the bird-man was no where to be found. Kellye looked at him, watching him holster his weapon back. The soldier then pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and popped out one. He then pulled up his matches and struck it; bringing it to the tip of the one stuck in his mouth. His eyes went wide when he heard the cocking of a pistol behind him. “Mom, run,” Eddie said.

Barbara then stopped and turned around. “Eddie??” she gasped.

“Mom, I got him,” The little boy assured them,” You and the girls run into the jungle toward your left.”

“What the hell?” Frakes said, staring at the little boy with a gun in one hand and a toy Kangaroo in the other.

“Eddie, where did you . . .that gun, you .. “ Barbara was in shock.

Frakes then reached for his gun. Eddie jolted forward, pointing the gun directly at him. “SLOWLY, MISTER!” the boy barked, “Pull you gun out . . .SLOWLY . . .and toss it away.”

A bead of sweat rolled down Frakes’ forehead. He wasn’t sure if the boy knew how to work the gun, let alone have it off of Safety. He wasn’t sure if he was willing to take the chance either. He slowly pulled out his gun and tossed the gun as hard as he could into the jungle. Kellye was about to go grab it but she realized it would take her hours to find it. Frakes knew that too. “Sorry, girl, “ he apologized, “But I would prefer to only have one gun pointed at me.”

“Eddie, where did you come from?” Barbara cried.

“Mom, not now, “ he replied,” Run into the jungle and wait for me there. I got him covered.”

“Do you, boy?” Frakes started to approach him.

“Don’t move, mister. I am warning you.” The boy grunted.

“I don’t think you’ll pull the trigger.” Frakes continued to approach him, “I know a killer when I see one and you ain’t even close.”

“Oh, God, “ Jilly whispered.

“Frakes, please do not do this,” Barbara begged, “Just let us go.”

“It’s too late for that now, old woman,” the soldier moved forward even close, “You should have picked a better rescuer. This boy of yours is not a killer.”

“Good eyes, mister “Eddie winked at him and smiled.

Then he shot him.

“OH MY GOD!!!” Frakes screamed as he grabbed his crotch area, “YOU SHOT ME! OH MY GOOOODDDDDD!!! YOU LITTLE SON OF A BITCH!!! I’M GONNA KILL YOU! OH, MY BA . . . .AAHHHHHHHH!!”

“MOM, RUN!” Eddie screamed, as he turned toward the jungle.

Frakes tried to make a grab for Eddie but he missed, as he tried to hold the bloody blossom pouring out of his crotch area. Barbara, Jilly and Kellye quickly ran into the jungle after the young boy. The continued to run, pushing past bushes in their path. Eddie led the way as they ran. Jilly was trying to keep from laughing as the prospect of being free was filling up inside her, like her joy had been taken away and now it was given back to her. Barbara grunted as she felt the sting of debris strike her feet as she ran. “Eddie, slow down!” she screamed.

“Not yet, Mom!” he replied, “We got to go a little ways further, so they won’t be able to find us yet.”

The group continued to run. Eventually they arrived at the small lake where Eddie had obtained his guns. He quickly ducked behind a tree and then stopped, catching his breath. Barbara collapsed on her knees near her son. Jilly fell beside her and Kellye leaned up against a tree. The red-headed woman then looked at her son and quickly embraced him; crying. The little boy held onto his mother, the first time in a month. “I love you, mom,” Eddie smiled, “I am so glad you are alive.”

“My boy,” she wept, “My boy.”

“You got one brave kid, Barbara, “ Kellye smiled, panting.

“We got to keep moving, mom, “ Eddie parted from her, “Let me get this stuff and we’ll go.”

“Get what stuff?” Barbara replied.

Eddie ducked into the bushes and then within second he dragged out the vest holding the two rifles and the other pistol. Kellye gasped then walked over and immediately picked up a rifle. She pulled out the clip, checked the load, then slammed it back and cocked the breech. “You know how to work that, Kellye?” Barbara asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” she smiled, taking another clip.

“Jilly, you want the other rifle?” the older woman pointed.

“I don’t like guns,” she half smiled.

“It’s all right, I’ll take it,” Kellye said, slinging the other rifle over her back.

“Mom, you take this gun,” Eddie gave her the small gun he used.

Barbara held onto it, making sure it was loaded. Eddie then placed on the man’s vest, as it went slightly to his knees. He handed them the two canteens of water, which they drank from heavily. The little boy then motioned for them to follow them. He had to lead them back to McKay, not only so they would be safe but he had to tell his adoptive Uncle where their friends were.

He hoped they would make it back in time.