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Post by cutter on Apr 15, 2018 14:14:34 GMT -6
I haven’t forgotten, but the ongoing medical issues have been demanding all of my free time. Sorry guys
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Post by gipsy on Apr 15, 2018 16:11:11 GMT -6
Well you just have to get better then. Nothing else will do.
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 15, 2018 16:31:13 GMT -6
I haven’t forgotten, but the ongoing medical issues have been demanding all of my free time. Sorry guys Take care of the important things. We can wait. Not that we want to...
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Post by cutter on Apr 15, 2018 16:39:59 GMT -6
Many thanks for your understanding, ladies and gentlemen.
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 15, 2018 19:07:40 GMT -6
Well, cutter, we all know that the good stuff you do is worth the wait.
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Post by texican on Apr 16, 2018 21:48:26 GMT -6
I haven’t forgotten, but the ongoing medical issues have been demanding all of my free time. Sorry guys Take care of the important things. We can wait. Not that we want to... ^^^^THIS^^^^ Get well Cutter.... The Moar Hounds will wait for another feeding.... Maybe impatiently.... Texican....
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Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2018 20:52:02 GMT -6
It's not me. My best friend is fighting for her life and I'm picking up the slack on her homestead and with her disabled mother. Between work and them, all of my available time has been sucked up. I'm running myself ragged, but that's what you do for the people you care about. I'm trying to write tonight, but my muse is not being overly cooperative. I'll stick with it and maybe I'll win a round.
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Post by texican on Apr 22, 2018 20:56:22 GMT -6
It's not me. My best friend is fighting for her life and I'm picking up the slack on her homestead and with her disabled mother. Between work and them, all of my available time has been sucked up. I'm running myself ragged, but that's what you do for the people you care about. I'm trying to write tonight, but my muse is not being overly cooperative. I'll stick with it and maybe I'll win a round. C, Keep doing what is needed.... Texican....
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Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2018 21:44:29 GMT -6
I thank you for your support, Sir. It is welcome and much needed right now.
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Post by supermag on Apr 22, 2018 21:47:12 GMT -6
Can't say that i don't miss your writing but take care of what is important first, we can wait.
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Post by darkwolf on Apr 22, 2018 21:59:34 GMT -6
Take a deep breath, do what needs done, then come back and have fun.
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Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2018 22:12:00 GMT -6
Well, I finally convinced my muse to give me a little help. She was cranky, so I won't promise anything. I don't have a single word written past this chapter, but I do have some idea where it's going to go. It ain't pretty. I'll write more when I can, but I have to take care of things. I'm sorry you guys have to wait because of it. Thanks for understanding and please enjoy.
Chapter 18
Mark woke up Tuesday morning without a hangover to a very attentive Stacy. Once he convinced her that he was fine and had no after effects from overindulging, they got up and got dressed. The rest of the week was uneventful. When Friday lunch came around, Jess had a surprise waiting for her.
(Friday, May 7, Franklin high school lunchroom, noon)
“Hey Jessica. What do you think?”
“You cut your hair! You look good with it short. I can’t see your butt anymore either. You look good!”
“You can sees my butt anytime you want; all you gotta’ do is ask.”
“Don’t ruin it by gettin’ stupid on me.”
“How about if I ask you on a date?”
“You goin’ on the campout this weekend?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s see how it goes then; I’ll be there.”
“You on!”
“Don’t get too excited. I’m not easy.”
“What that mean?”
“It means you might get a kiss if you behave yourself.”
“That be ok. Mark said I’d like that.”
“He did, did he? I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Eat lunch with me?”
“I think I can do that. Let’s sit over there where it’s more private. We can talk better.”
Over at the table with the crew, Mark and Stacy are watching things unfold.
“So is he stalking her or is she stalking him?”
“I think Jess is just seeing where this might go. She’s still cautious from everything with Malachi. Did you really tell him he might like a kiss from her?”
“Yes I did.”
“So you would rather be kissed by Jess?”
“Don’t start something we can’t finish until we get home. You were standing right there when she kissed me. You know full well that I enjoyed it and so did she. She’s a good kisser, but she’s no match for you with me and you know it.”
“Just making sure.”
“I’ll prove it to you tonight. Wait until we turn the lights down at the cabin.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to try to make you forget your name. Right now, I’m more worried about them.”
“Who?”
“The retards over there. They haven’t stopped staring at T since he walked in. I’m sure they’re ticked off that he has Jess’s attention. I’m worried they’re up to something.”
“What do we do about it?”
“We say something to Eric and we keep an eye on T. Maybe between our school resource officer and us, we can keep him out of trouble. We need to bring Bobby and Kit in on this.”
“What about Sam and Sky?”
“We’re family, they’re not. We need to keep them out of the loop so they don’t end up in the middle of trouble if things go bad. I don’t think T will start anything, but I’m sure he can’t finish it by himself if they do. If shove comes to shoot, I don’t want them involved.”
“You think that could happen?”
“You don’t?”
“With Malachi, anything’s possible. Yeah, we need to keep an eye on him, but we need to not be obvious about it.”
“I agree. Hi Bobby. You and Kit sit close; we need to talk.”
“What’s up?”
“It looks like T has our local gang bangers’ attention. We need to watch his back for a while, but Anastasia thinks he might take it badly if he catches us and I think she’s right. We need to keep this low key.”
“We’ll do the best we can. Mark, when did you decide it was your job to save the world?”
“When I was six, I wanted to grow up to be a superhero. When Dad died, I felt like I had to be one.”
“How do you feel about it now?”
“Like I’ll do all I can and it’ll have to be enough.”
“Lover, it’s more than enough. Everybody at this table owes you their lives at least once. You’ve had a very real part in putting all of our lives back together.”
“Yeah, you gave me the second chance I needed, and now you’re doing it for T. Mark, whether you want to see it or not, you’ve made a real difference in the lives of a lot of people. Probably a quarter of the people in this room right now were with us in that lunchroom at Franklin Middle. This place would have been a lot quieter right now if it hadn’t been for you.”
“Tim Donovan did the hard work; I just asked a few friends to clean up the mess.”
“And between the two of you and those friends, you saved a lot of lives. So what do you think the corncob mafia is up to?”
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good. They know way too much about T. I wish I knew where they got their information.”
“I still don’t think T gave it to them.”
“I think you’re right, which means they have a connection in Louisville.”
“It’s probably where they get their drug supplies. Some of the stuff they’re selling can’t be made here. It makes sense that they would get it from a big city like Louisville or Nashville to distribute it out here.”
“Still, why T?”
“He has experience and is expendable to this bunch?”
“Now that makes sense. I wonder if they’re thinking of recruiting him.”
“Do you think he’d do it?”
“I’d like to think not, but the money’s good for selling, as long as he doesn’t get caught. Guys, T’s never had anything in his life. He and I have talked quite a bit since you two finally got him to act decent and open up a little. Before he got in the gangs, their mother would let all the kids go without food for days at a time. CPS took T and her other kids away from her twice before the time when she was sent to prison. His sister ended up in the hospital the second time because she was so malnourished. Even with all of that, they kept sending them back until his mother went to jail.”
Kitty, we need to watch him close. We can’t let him get sucked back into that life again. The next time he wears gang colors, might be his last time to do anything but stop breathing. He goes back and about the best he can hope for is prison.”
“We’ll do what we can, but he has to make the decision himself. Bobby, you were easy. You’d already figured it out by the time you came to us.”
“I think he’s starting to figure it out too. I saw you two on the roof of the summer kitchen a couple of nights ago. It sure looked like he was into working on the solar panels.”
“He did a good job. Once I showed him how to make the joints in the wires, he had it. He did almost a third of them.”
“Will they hold?”
“I checked five of them. He made them up just as good as Brian would have. I think they’ll outlast the panels.”
“How much does it add?”
“Almost two kilowatts. It’ll be enough to run the fountain pump in the new pond. We’re getting close to having enough fish in the combined ponds to be able to harvest at will, I think.”
“That’d be good. I love a good steak, but we’re a little beef and pork heavy in our diet. We eat too much chicken for my liking too.”
“I thought you liked chicken.”
“I do, Stacy; but three and four times a week gets old. I prefer the dark meat. That only leaves the legs and thighs for me. I end up eating a chicken breast because Eliza won’t touch them.”
“Then have we got a deal for you! We’re getting some ducks to start a paddling over at our pond. It’s a new food source for us and they’re dark meat. Mark got one the other night and I fixed it. It was really good.”
“Cool. I want to buy one of your sheep too. I like my lamb chops.”
“We’ll butcher one and split it, how’s that?”
“How much you want for it?”
“Help us butcher it. We don’t want your money; we all work together and share the wealth around here; you know that.”
“Yeah, but I had to offer.”
“And we appreciate it, but you know better.”
Ok, ok! I know better. So how are we going to work this with T?”
“Stacy and I are going to have a talk with Eric to let him know we think something’s up. We’ll all four keep an eye on him whenever we aren’t in class as best we can. Keep your phone on. If it looks like something’s going to go down, we let each other know and try to get there to interrupt before it goes bad. We’ll give Eric a call too so maybe he can deal with it.”
“So, how much of an interruption are you willing to be?”
“I’ll do whatever the hell it takes. I’m not asking any of you to go that far.”
“Mark, you’re a dumbass. You know we won’t throw you to the wolves. We’ll back you up like we always have.”
“Yeah, I know. By the way Kit, you shouldn’t call me a dumbass. Have a little respect for your uncle.”
“Ok, and you should respect your elders; I AM older than you, you know.”
“Ok, Grandma.”
“Oh, now you’re just gettin’ nasty. I will get even, even if I have to get Stacy to help me.”
“You do that. Just remember, I can play that game too. Just ask Sam.”
“I still can’t believe you convinced Sky to go along with that! The look on his face when she handed him a positive pregnancy test was priceless though!”
“Yeah, Morgan’s timing was perfect on getting pregnant. I thought Sam was going to mess his pants.”
“I’ll say one thing, I’ve seen some good practical jokes over the years, but the ones our bunch pulls off take things to a whole new level.”
“Speaking of practical jokes, are we ready for the campout this weekend?”
“It’s our engagement party! How is that possibly a practical joke!?!”
“Stacy, you realize you are sixteen years old and you are getting yourself stuck with this goofball for the rest of your life, right?”
“Yes Kit, I do. I don’t hear Bobby complaining about being stuck with you!”
“Oh, he complains.”
“Don’t you believe it, Stacy.”
“I don’t. Any word from Sarah?”
“She and Val are still looking. Sarah said they had to ask Greg for some help to cut through the red tape.”
“I’d have loved to have overheard that conversation. Greg has no patience for anybody who stands in the way of putting kids in a better situation. I bet he got downright nasty, but with a smile on his face.”
“Sarah told me that Louisville started bending over backwards to help, once he talked to them. It sounds like heads rolled over Stacy and the boys a few years ago.”
“I know two did. They gave the woman who delivered us the option of quitting or going to prison and the one who pulled me out of school and had Mom arrested was fired outright for ordering a false arrest and child abuse for refusing to let me go to the bathroom or eat until I gave her the right answers to back up her arrest of Mom.”
“What did you tell her that were the wrong answers?”
“Nothing. I clammed up and wouldn’t even tell her my name.”
“You always did know when to keep your mouth shut.”
“Except with you. You came at me from out of nowhere over at Brian and Morgan’s and I never had a chance. You had me wrapped as soon as I saw you.”
Anastasia, you’ve got that backwards. I saw you in that dress and I was toast.”
“Are you complaining?”
“Only that I screwed up a couple times along the way. We would have had it so much easier if I had kept my head out of my butt.”
“It’s one of your endearing qualities. At least I know how to handle it now.”
“There is that. Lunch is over soon. T will be on second floor for the rest of the day so Stacy and I will have to do the watching.”
“Just be careful and don’t get in over your head. I don’t think T will side with them if there’s trouble, but there’s still five of them.”
“So they need to get more people?”
“Don’t get cocky, Lover. Mark, you’re scary good, but five to one is still bad odds.”
“Five to two, you’ll have my back.”
“I will, but those aren’t much better odds.”
“They’re good enough for us. Let’s get moving.”
The rest of the school day was uneventful. Mostly, the talk between members of the crew when they passed in the halls or were in class was about the campout and engagement party. Mark and Stacy both took quite a bit of good natured teasing about their engagement. They took it in stride and laughed and teased right along with their friends. By the time classes let out for the day, there was a lot of excitement about the coming party. Sam seemed especially excited and strangely nervous about the weekend. Mark knew why, but didn’t let anybody know. Sam had come out to the farm earlier in the week and the two of them had taken a trail ride together. They had a private conversation that Mark thought was long overdue. He had refused to tell Stacy what Sam wanted or what they talked about. Stacy had been bugging Sam about it, but he hadn’t given anything away. For her part, Stacy was about to beat Mark and Sam’s heads together until they told her. The suspense was killing her.
“Is T still in there?”
“Yeah, Mr. Pyle is talking to him. It sounds like T is asking some questions about what they covered today. It looks like they’ll be a few minutes.”
“Mr. Marshall, Miss Waters; would you please join me for a moment?”
“Sure, Mr. Bauer. What’s up?”
“Come into my classroom please and close the door.”
“Mr. Bauer, can it wait? We need to get to our ride home.”
“It will only take a moment. Join me, please.”
Stacy and Mark go into Mr. Bauer’s class and close the door behind them.
“Relax, I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement. I just heard about it today. I think you two are still a bit young to be marrying, but experience has taught me that your families tend to make the unusual work well for you. I wish you both all the best.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bauer.”
“So when is the happy date?”
“We haven’t set one yet. We want to wait until summer break so our friends can easily be there and it won’t interfere with school.”
“Wise choices. Perhaps the newness will wear off before the fall semester starts and you will be able to properly concentrate on your studies.”
“Do you see problems with our grades now?”
“None at all. Your coursework is superb and your grades couldn’t be much better, no matter what you did.”
“Would it surprise you that we have been living together in our own home since the night we got engaged?”
“Not as much as it should. I take it you both have your respective parents’ blessings?”
“Sir, my parents are both passed away. My brother and sister-in-law are my guardians. I have their blessing and had it before I proposed. I asked for and received permission to propose to Stacy from her adoptive parents. They too gave me their blessing. It so happens that my sister-in-law and Stacy’s Mom are sisters. Our marriage will be legal under Kentucky law because there is no blood kinship between us, and at our ages, we are above the age of consent.”
“It’s true. Brian and Morgan see Mark as both brother and son. They told me they are gaining a daughter and Mom and Dad have said repeatedly that they are gaining a son out of our marriage. We have our families’ blessing and support. Our home shares a common property line with my parents’ home, so help isn’t far away if we need it. We’re both smart enough to ask if we do.”
“I have no doubt of that. I suspect your ‘crew’, as you call yourselves, also all stand ready to assist you if you need.”
“Yes Sir, they do. You know how we work; in everything, we’re in it together. Now, they’ll not be in the middle of our marriage, but they will stand at our side, as we stand at theirs.”
“I never thought I’d see the day that any student or group of students would ever become so dear to me. I am very proud and impressed with all of you in your crew. I hope you have a long and happy life together.”
“Thank you. Mr. Bauer, would you like to come to the wedding?”
“I would be honored to attend.”
“Then we’ll send you, your wife, and your children an invitation. We’d like for you to be there. The reception should be a good party too.”
“I look forward to it. I have kept you long enough. Go home and enjoy your weekend.”
“Thank you. You too.”
Mark and Stacy leave Mr. Bauer’s classroom and go to check on T.
“He’s gone!”
“Oh shit, Malachi! Call Eric and tell him to come to the Mezzanine! Let’s move!”
(Meanwhile, down in the student parking lot.)
“I wonder where Mark, Stacy, and T are.”
“They know we’re waiting for them.”
“Sam, you guys wait here. Kit, let’s go see if we can find them.”
“Good idea. You guys stay here. We’ll be back in a few. I’m sure they just got hung up with a teacher. Here’s the keys; fire up the radio if you want. We’ll be back soon.”
“Ok, don’t be too long or we’ll leave without you. I’m getting hungry!”
Bobby and Kit exchange worried glances as they head back into the school. Both of them have a bad feeling about this.
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Post by catspaw65 on Apr 22, 2018 23:31:32 GMT -6
Now is Mr. Bauer just being a nosey teacher or is he in on the gang thing and deliberately distracted Mark and Stacey?
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Post by cutter on Apr 23, 2018 4:49:26 GMT -6
Cat, you are one devious thinking woman. Where Mr. Bauer stands will remain a mystery for the moment. It is interesting that he is a science teacher and has access to a very good science lab with all sorts of equipment and supplies. Breaking Bad, anyone? I promise, guys; I'll crank out the next chapter as soon as I can. Until then, please stay tuned.
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 23, 2018 11:36:00 GMT -6
Cat, you are one devious thinking woman. Where Mr. Bauer stands will remain a mystery for the moment. It is interesting that he is a science teacher and has access to a very good science lab with all sorts of equipment and supplies. Breaking Bad, anyone? I promise, guys; I'll crank out the next chapter as soon as I can. Until then, please stay tuned. Take care of those near and dear to you. Even the MOAR hounds will manage ;-)
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Post by cutter on Apr 23, 2018 11:46:32 GMT -6
I will, but my fans are near and dear to me too.
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Post by texican on Apr 23, 2018 22:18:01 GMT -6
C,
Thanks for the chapter and kliff....
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Apr 24, 2018 7:12:47 GMT -6
Cutter,
I'm sure you are dealing with a lot right now. Please take care of your friend. I hope she gets better soon. Don't worry about us, we'll manage, somehow.
A.
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Post by 2t2crash on Apr 24, 2018 16:52:02 GMT -6
thanks for the chapter Cutter, Take care of your friend and yourself.
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Post by udwe on Apr 25, 2018 22:24:36 GMT -6
Thanks for the chapter. Glad you left us hanging
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Post by cutter on Apr 26, 2018 7:27:18 GMT -6
When I finally get the chance to get it written, I hope you find it worth the wait.
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 26, 2018 17:29:59 GMT -6
When I finally get the chance to get it written, I hope you find it worth the wait. It always is. Writers on this board alwys seem to find a way to keep us hangin' and more often than not, you guys hit a home run each time you come to the plate.
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Post by cutter on Apr 29, 2018 2:05:22 GMT -6
Well, I finally managed to get the next chapter written. I hope it's the home run you are expecting. I can't decide if I'm happy with it or not. As long as you guys and girls enjoy it I'll be ok with it.
Chapter 19
“T-bone.”
“Man, what you want?”
“I’m Malachi and I want to know why you ain’t with you own.”
“My own what?”
“We know you a Crip. Why ain’t you with us? You not thinkin’ o’ turnin’ over on us, is ya’?”
“What us? Man, the Crips in Louisville, not in this little backwoods town.”
That’s where we get our stash to sell. Happy told us about you. He say you real good at movin’ the shit on the street.”
“If I’s that good, the popo’s wouldn’t caught me. I’m done with that gang shit. That shit just get you dead.”
“So you bailin’ out on us?”
“Man, I was never with you. I’m goin’ straight. I’m done. Let me by.”
“You ain’t goin’ nowhere, T-bone. You gonna’ make a delivery for us.”
Malachi pulls a handful of baggies out of his pocket. T takes a step back from him.
“I ain’t takin’ that shit! I done went to jail twice for that shit and I ain’t goin’ back again! Get out of my way.”
“MALACHI!”
“This ain’t none your business, Mark. You and you little bitch just go away.”
“Malachi, T’s family to us. That makes it our business. Why don’t you just leave him alone and we can all walk away from here; no harm, no foul.”
“You don’t walk now and you won’t be walkin’.”
“Like I told you, T’s one of our own. I can’t do that. Neither one of us wants this. Let him alone.”
“They’s four of us and just you. You cain’t count, white boy?”
“Malachi, there are two of us and I don’t think T will be fighting on your side. It seems to me things are pretty even here. Listen to Mark and let’s all walk away and forget this ever happened.”
“You gonna’ fight with us, T-bone?”
“Stop calling me T-bone and hell no I’m not going to fight them! Stacy kick all our asses and not break a sweat all by herself! Are you crazy!?!”
“Last chance, Malachi. And you two best just go back down the stairs. You don’t want any of this.”
“We standin’ with Malachi and our boyz. We kick you and you girlfriend’s asses, then we have a little fun with her.”
Mark and Stacy both take a step forward.
“No, you won’t. I’m telling all five of you for the last time; walk the hell away now.”
T takes a step toward Mark and Stacy to get away from the bangers and Malachi blindsides him with a punch to the head. T goes down, but isn’t out. The fight is on. Mark and Stacy separate a few feet and close. Mark is engaged with three of the bangers and Stacy is fighting the two that came from downstairs. T is still shaking off the punch to the head but is trying to get up and back Mark and Stacy up. Stacy has one opponent down and is more than holding her own with her second one. Mark has his hands full, but is managing to land a few blows and still defend himself. He finally manages to put one opponent out of the fight with a kick to the groin, but the other one and Malachi are still in the fight. It dawns on Mark that Malachi has had some martial arts training. He finally manages to land a solid hit on Malachi, knocking the wind out of him, but does not put him out of the fight. It does give him the chance to put his second opponent down with a punch to the head.
“MARK, LOOK OUT! AH!”
Mark turns to see Stacy on her knees with a knife in her chest. Malachi is standing over her and reaching for her.
“NOOOO!”
Mark launches forward in a blind rage. He punches Malachi in the kidney and then throws him. Malachi is propelled toward the rail of the mezzanine. Mark realizes what’s going to happen a moment before it does and launches himself at Malachi as he flips over the railing. Mark manages to catch Malachi’s shirt with one hand, but can’t hold him. Between his momentum and Malachi’s weight, Mark is pulled over too. He tries desperately to hold on with one hand and keep from following Malachi to the floor below. He sees Malachi land head first in a heap. He knows he just killed a man.
“Mark, help me! Grab my hand! Come on, Dammit! Stacy needs you now!”
Mark manages to grab Bobby’s hand. Bobby pulls him back over the rail. Mark looks over to find Stacy lying on the floor with the knife still in her chest and T kneeling over her. He’s reaching for the knife. Just then, Kit comes out of nowhere and tackles T. She begins giving T a savage beating, cursing him for stabbing Stacy.
“KIT, STOP! He didn’t do it. Help me with her!”
When Mark and Bobby get to Stacy, she’s lying on her back, a trickle of blood coming from her mouth, but there is no fear in her.
“We...we did it...Love. Are you...ok?”
“I’m fine. Anastasia, try to stay still. Just breathe and save your strength. Bobby, call an ambulance! Get me my bag! Kit, help me!”
“It’s...it’s ok...Love. I...love you...Timothy...Marcus.”
Stacy smiles as she touches Mark’s cheek. She closes her eyes as her arm falls, leaving her fingerprints in blood on Mark’s face.
“God, no! Stacy, don’t give up on me! Please, God, Stay with me! Don’t leave me here alone!”
“Get out of the way, Mark! Get out of the way so I can treat her!”
Kit pushes Mark out of her way and starts putting a surgical dressing out of Mark’s bag around the knife. She does not take it out, but instead secures it in place so it won’t move and do more damage or come out and open the wound. Stacy’s breathing is labored, but she’s still alive. Just then, Eric tops the stairs.
“Oh my God! Kit, ambulance is on the way. I heard the dispatch over my radio. What happened?”
Kit ignores him and Mark is too upset to care what he said. It is T who answers.
“Them assholes cornered me and Mark and Stacy saved my ass! Where the hell were you!?!”
“I came as fast as I could. Stacy called me, but I was at the other end of the school, outside.”
“It wadn’t fast enough, you popo piece of shit! Git’s Stacy a damn ambulance, NOW!”
“They’re on their way. Kit, what do you need?”
“I’ve bandaged the wound and immobilized the knife. It’s all I can do, Eric!”
“Bobby, go to the nurse’s office. Tell her to bring her bag and the oxygen! Take T with you to help carry! Hurry! How is she?”
“Eric, she’s alive right now. Her breathing’s labored and she’s got blood coming from her mouth. The knife has to be in her lung. I don’t know what else it got. I’ve got a pulse. Eric, we don’t have much time!”
Mark is still kneeling beside Stacy, holding her hand in his. His tears are coming fast. He’s begging.
“Anastasia, please, don’t leave me here alone. Please stay with me. God please, don’t die on me now. We’re supposed to get married. We’re supposed to live a life together. Please don’t leave me now. Please, stay with me.”
“Mark, it’s in God’s hands.”
“Take your hands off me, Eric. If you’d have done your job, this wouldn’t have happened. Go to Hell!”
Just then, EMS and Franklin PD top the stairs.
“Let us in there girl. Get out of the way! We’re taking her to Franklin Hospital. Somebody call her parents.”
“I’m going with you. I’m her fiance.”
“You’re not going anywhere but prison, boy! You threw that kid over the edge. You are under arrest for his murder and the attempted murder of this girl!”
Bobby, Kit, and T all take a step forward to get between the officer and Mark. The officer puts his hand on his pistol.
“One more step and I’ll shoot you all!”
“George, what the Hell’s the matter with you!?! Take your hand off that damn gun! Stop, guys. This stupid fool will shoot you and then I’d have to shoot him. You can’t win this one right now. Mark, will you cooperate?”
“I don’t care what you do to me. Anastasia’s gone. I’m alone now. Arrest me, shoot me; I don’t care.”
“George, let me bring him in.”
“Screw that, he’s mine! On the floor, boy!”
“Mark, do as he says. Do not say anything, not one word. Answer no questions. Make no statements. Keep your mouth shut, no matter what. I’ll call Brian and we’ll get you out. George, you mistreat this man and I WILL have your head for it.”
“He murdered an innocent kid and you’re defending him!?! And how stupid are you to threaten a fellow officer?”
“I’m not threatening anything. If he so much as has his hair messed up, I am coming for you and your whole, pathetic department won’t be able to stop me. When I’m done with you, I’ll send what’s left to prison with the words I was a cop tattooed across your forehead. Do you understand me?”
“Eric, you better hope you never need backup in this town. Come on you little shit!”
George roughly lifts a handcuffed Mark to his feet and half drags him down the stairs. EMS is long gone with Stacy.
“I’m the school resource officer here, so I’m the authority. You put those four in cuffs and haul their sorry gang banger asses to jail. Do not get them anywhere near that man your ignorant partner just took away or I will make sure it is the end of your careers. Bobby, Kit, T; you three stay right at my side. Leave everything right where it is. Kit, don’t touch that bag.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Eric leads them down the stairs to Malachi. He wants to be there when the body is examined by forensics.
“Find anything?”
“That’s an understatement. He had about three grand in heroin on him and an ounce or so of pot. There’s also some pills that I’m not sure what they all are yet and a couple hundred dollars cash. There’s no way a kid his age here could ever have that kind of money on him honest.”
“Any of these three and the two they just took out of here could, but I know what you mean.”
“It looks like the landing broke his neck. He had just enough time to realize he was going to die before he did.”
“Make sure you lift his prints. My bet is that they will turn up on the knife that’s in the girl EMS took out of here. Orville, this one’s important to me. Don’t miss anything and get it right.”
“I’ll do it right. I know you think of the students as your own kids.”
“It’s not just that. I can’t be involved with this investigation. The girl who was stabbed and the boy that dumbass arrested are both special to me. I’ve known them a long time and quite a few of the students here owe their lives to those two. I mean it; make no mistakes and get this one absolutely right.”
“I will, Eric; I promise.”
“You three, with me.”
(Eric makes a cell call)
“Pete, I need you at the High School by last week. Roll code and get here as fast as you can. We have big trouble and Mark Marshall needs your help. I need chain of evidence established for security footage and independent verification of physical evidence here. Get Todd over here for independent forensics.”
“What happened? Franklin PD is closer and it’s in their jurisdiction. You’re asking me to step on a lot of toes.”
“Franklin PD is part of the problem. George Dyer just arrested Mark for murder and Stacy is on her way to the hospital with a knife in her chest. I have another student dead, and five more beaten to a pulp too. Pete, I need you now and I need you bad. Hurry up while I can still control the situation.”
“I’m on my way and I’ll get Todd rolling.” (Click)
“Eric, the rest of the crew is waiting in the van for us to take them home. We need to let them know what’s going on.”
“Is Skyler with them?”
“Yeah, why?”
She has her license doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, unrestricted.”
“Call her and tell her to drive the rest home, then go to the farm. She can ride home with her Mom from there. Tell them as little as possible.”
“We were all going to the farm for Mark and Stacy’s engagement party this weekend.”
“It ain’t gonna’ happen this weekend. Tell her to take them all home or take whoever can’t go home to the farm. Their parents will have to pick them up from there or somebody will have to take them home when they can go. I want the rest of the crew off property as soon as possible so they don’t get involved.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Kit calls Skyler and explains the situation with as little detail as possible. Eric makes another call as he and the others make their way to the security office.
“Rubycon Services, this is Erin.”
“Erin, is Larry working with Brian?”
“They’re both here. What’s wrong, Eric?”
“Erin, keep your head on straight, but get Larry and get to Franklin hospital RFN. Stacy is en route and will be in emergency surgery before you get there, if she isn’t already. It’s bad, Erin. Have somebody take you if you two aren’t safe to drive. Put Brian on the phone.”
“Eric, what happened?”
“Brian, Mark’s been arrested by Franklin PD on a murder charge. I can’t talk about it to you yet. Get the best damn criminal lawyer you can lay your hands on and do it fast. I told Mark to keep his mouth shut, but with Stacy hurt, I don’t know how long he’ll hold up. They will try to get a confession out of him any way they can. You need to hurry and get there yourself too. They can’t question him if his parent or guardian denies consent.”
“I’m on my way.” (Click)
Eric opens the security office door and looks in. Nobody is in the office. He locks the door and closes it.
“Ok guys, we don’t have much time here. What in hell happened up there?”
“They tryin’ to get me to sell they drugs. I ain’t doin’ that gang shit no more! Mark and Stacy come save my ass and the fight started. Malachi punch me upside the head and Mark and Stacy jump in and start kickin’ they asses. Malachi try stabbin’ Mark and Stacy jump in the way. Mark grab him and throws him away and he went over the side. Mark tried to grab him but got pulled over too. Bobby grabbed Mark’s legs and pulled him back up. Man, he try to save Malachi. He just couldn’t hold his big ass. He didn’t do nuthin’ wrong! You should’a been there. You could’a just kilt his fat ass and Stacy still be ok! You just like all them other damn popo’s. You ain’t never there when somebody need you!”
“T, you’re right. I blew it and Stacy and Mark paid the price. I couldn’t give a shit less about Malachi, but I’ll deny ever saying that if you tell anybody. Help me help Mark. Please T, help me help Mark.”
“Eric, we need the security recordings.”
“Nobody goes in this room until the Sheriff gets here. You people have already arrested an innocent man for murder when he acted in self defense. I can’t do anything to keep you from the rest of the evidence, but you’re not going to have access to the recordings without independent oversight.”
“Deputy Preston, you’re hindering a criminal investigation. You know that’s a crime, even for a deputy sheriff.”
“As school resource officer, Deputy Preston has primary jurisdiction here. It doesn’t matter; I’m here now to make sure you idiots do your job right. Deputy Preston, I’m here as requested. Do you still wish me to independently verify the chain of evidence?”
“Yes Sir. We can’t afford to get this one wrong.”
“Then I will accommodate you. Unlock the door, please. Gentlemen, after you. You three stay right here.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Pete, Eric, and the Franklin officers go into the security office. Bobby, Kit, and T stay outside the door.
“I can’t believe that popo arrested Mark!”
“Shut up, T! We have a right to remain silent too. They can twist what we say to use against him too. I’m sorry about earlier.”
“You should be, but I understand.”
“Honey, T; we don’t answer any questions or say anything until Mark’s lawyer talks to us. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
“Depending on what those Franklin cops do, we may end up under arrest too, just because they can and want to see what sticks to who. We keep our mouths shut for us and Mark, Stacy too.”
“How bad is she?”
“Baby, I don’t know. That knife went deep and definitely got her lung. I hope it didn’t get her heart or an artery; it was close. I don’t know if she’s going to make it, Bobby.”
“All we can do is hope and pray.”
“God never done nothin’ for me.”
“T, he just sent you two people who put their lives on the line for you. One of them may yet die because of it and the other is in handcuffs and accused of murder. You better reconsider that stupid ass statement.”
T’s face falls as he realizes the truth of what Bobby just told him. They got off to a rough start, but Stacy is the first real friend he’s ever had. For the first time since his brother was killed, T’s fighting back tears as he realizes that his past may cost his best friend her life. Kit sees how close he is to coming apart.
“T, we’ll tend to saving your soul after we get through this. For now, talk to God for Stacy and Mark. I promise you, He’ll listen.”
(Franklin Hospital, ER)
“Cheryl?”
“Stacy’s in surgery now. Larry, we don’t know. I’m sorry, but we just don’t know yet. Aaron and Dr. Albright are working on her. They are the best surgeons we have. If anybody can save her, they can. She couldn’t have better.”
“What happened? How bad is she hurt?”
“Sit down, both of you.”
Larry, Erin, and Cheryl all sit together. Cheryl take their hands in each of hers.
“Stacy came in with a knife wound in her left chest. I know it penetrated her left lung. She was alive when she got here. I haven’t heard anything else. I’ll go check for you, but they may not have time or be able to give me any answers yet. I promise you both, we will save your daughter if we can.”
“Find out for us.”
“I’ll go now, Erin. You two start praying and don’t stop. She’s got the best we have to offer, but God’s better.”
Cheryl gets up and goes to try to get some answers.
(Franklin PD)
“What’s your name, boy?”
(...)
“We can sit here all day and all night. You’re just making it harder on yourself.”
“I have the right to remain silent and I have the right to an attorney of my choosing. I require an attorney.”
“Then answer my questions and I’ll let you call one.”
“I have the right to remain silent and I have the right to an attorney. I will answer no questions at all until I have the attorney of my choosing at my side.”
“Stop playing games, Boy; this is for real and you are being charged with murder. If you ever want to see the light of day without bars again, you will answer my questions. What is your full name?”
(...)
“Fine, maybe a little time in a cell will change your mind. Most of the guys in here don’t take well to their cellmate ignoring them.”
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Post by catspaw65 on Apr 29, 2018 3:12:55 GMT -6
I have this picture in my head of Mark sitting comfortably in the cell with all of these big manly guys cowering in a huddle as far away from him as possible.
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Post by cutter on Apr 29, 2018 7:00:48 GMT -6
LOL!!!
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