jessie's eyes snapped open. "What..." she started, then remebered. Sitting up she glanced at her watch. 4:52am. The alarm didn't go off. So why did Oddity...
An engine sounded. She crawled around so that she could see down below at the cabin. The limo was pulling away.
"Crap." Jessie growled. "Come on, Oddity. We've gotta get back to the truck." She jumped to her feet and snatched up her pack and rifel. But another growl from her dog stopped her. Again she glanced down at the cabin.
Perfect Tommy was shoved out of the cabin and out onto the ground. Four men followed him. One dragged him to his feet and pushed him ahead of them and into the trees.
jessie's heart fluttered. They were going to kill him. She was nearly overwhelmed with relief. he wasn't on their side! he wasn't a bad guy!
Of course, now they were going to kill him for it.
"Well, crap all over again." Now she had to choose between catching the witch or saving the wayward Cavalier. "Crap, crap, crap." She pointed to the trees where the men had dissapeared. "Oddity, hunt!" she ordered.
The dog leaped away and jessie took chase.
"Think we can talk about this?" Tommy attempted as he was shoved deeper into the woods. Apparently they wanted any blood spillage as far away from the cabin as possible.
None of his soon-to-be exectioners answered.
"Come on, if you can't read, you must at least watch T.V.!" Tommy pushed on. "The bad guys never win! the good guys always get them in the end."
Again he was ignored. Apparently they didn't watch the same channel he did.
"You won't get away with this." he continued. "They will get you!"
A bush shook. A low growl sounded.
The five men stopped.
Suddenly an Austrain Sheherd leaped from the bushes, skidding to halt in front of them. He crouched down and snarled at them.
The four henchmen exchanged glances. Aussies weren't exactly known for violence. he looked more hugable than frightening.
But then a flash of light reflecting off of the brass plated rifle was seen behind the dog.
The men lifted their guns.
Perfect Tommy slammed to his left, knocking two men to the ground. He kicked one's weapon out of his hands, then turned to find the other.
Oddity leaped foreward, latching his teeth on the arm of the third. Jessie quickly followed her dog into the fray, swinging the butt of her '66 Winchester at his victem, knocking him out cold. Then she and the dog turned, looking for the fourth.
he was taking a bead on Tommy, who was finishing off the second man.
"Watch it!" jessie warned, bringing her rifle up.
Perfect Tommy dropped to the ground, the bullet meant for him striking and killing his opponent instead.
Jessie did not miss.
The gunman dropped to the ground dead.
The action was followed by silence. After a moment, Tommy said "Thanx."
"Any time." Jessie answered as if the discussion was no more important than her offering him a ride. But Oddity saw the matter as being quite a bit more urgant. With a bark, he nudged his mistress.
"I know, Oddity." Jessie tossed her a heavy hand gun. "We've gotta go."
Tommy nodded. "You will get around to telling me how your friend is, won't you, Miss. James?"
"Friends call me Knuckles. And you can tell me later." was Jessie's answed. She pointed back the way they had come. "Oddity, truck."
The dog raced away.
Bullets began to hit the trees around them as those henchmen around the cabin responded to the gunfire.
"Follow Oddity!" jessie yelled, waving Tommy away. She followed in a step behind.
Struggeling throught the dark and damp forest, Perfect Tommy could barely keep up with the barks and flashes of white fur. behind him, Knuckles, more sure footed in the woods, paused from time to time to fire back at anyone who got too close.
Then the truck came in sight, parked on an abandoned logging road. Oddity already stood in the back, barking encouragement.
Perfect Tommy grabbed the edge and leaped into the back, the dog yiping at the sudden intrusion.
"Here! Keep them off our backs!" Knuckles ordered, tossing him her rifle and climbing into the cab of her truck. The engine roared to life.
Bullets hit the side of the truck, smashing the front light and window.
"Crap!" "Damn!" Knuckles' and tommy's curses overlapping.
Perfect Tommy yanked the dog down under cover, and took aim at the first man stepping out of the trees. "Go!" he yelled. "Go, go, go!"
"That's the freakin' plan!" Jessie snapped, putting the vehicle into gear. The turck lurched down the dirt road.
Henchmen filled the road behind them, firing at the escapees. But, soon, they were left behind in the dust.
When no more bullets hit her truck, Jessie let the excitement out in a screamed "Yeow!" She laughed, reaching back to open the cab window. "Now that was a thrill, eh, buddy?"
The only answer was a wine from Oddity.
"Perfect Tommy?" she called, suddenly concerned. When no answer came, she twisted about and looked back.
Perfect Tommy laid, unmoving, in the bed of her truck, his head bleeding.
