Thread: Though They Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death (Quix & Aurelia)

A burden lifted from Adams shoulders when they left the store with Betty and Jerrys words ringing in his ears and their images forever imprinted in his mind. He hadnt realised how scared hed been of disappointing the couple or leaving them in the lurch, angry at his and Eves betrayal. However, that hadnt materialized. Instead, the elderly couple had proven unconditional love did exist, and of a vastly superior ilk to that espoused in the Bible. Got an answer for everything, havent you? Eves comment brought him out of his reverie and he rolled his eyes at her in jest recalling the three times hed failed his test as they approached the pickup. Red paint had faded to a dull burnt orange and the side-panels had rusted. The wooden tray in the back had splintered and decayed, looking as if though if one stepped up there, theyd fall right through and a crack spider-webbed the passenger window, Inside, the seat fabric had shredded and split but none of that mattered as long as it still ran. Waiting until Eve had tossed her luggage in the compartment behind the seats, Adam settled his rucksack with the gun on top and clambered into the drivers seat when Evie asked him to take the wheel first. After three spluttering attempts, the engine coughed into life on the fourth. Black smoke spilled from the exhaust when Adam shifted into first gear and the pickup lurched forward. Overhead, a gap in the storm clouds appeared and the ascending sun shot its rays down on the duo, extracting a shiver from Adam. He stomped on the gas and sped through the muddy field to escape the beams that felt like the eyes of God seeking them out. On reaching the asphalt road, the sun had disappeared and he sighed in relief. As always, when his sister opened her mouth, sense came out of it Eves plan added to Adams and made it foolproof. I reckon we got fifty miles, thatll get us far away enough to keep them safe. Confidence flowed at the touch of her hand, and the smile on her face One he knew didnt indicate humour, but determination. It comforted him, as did the noise of the rain pattering on the windscreen and the tyres slapping against the wet asphalt. This early in the morning, the roads were deserted. Ears perked and listening, Adam concentrated on driving and allowed Eve to continue without interruption. When she quietened, he squeezed her hand, then pulled it loose, draped his arm around her shoulder and drew her close, As much as I despise him, Gods cunning as a rat and it wont be easy, but then nothing worth doing ever is, right? Adam repeated an idiom hed heard before, unable to remember where from, And were stronger and smarter than him. We can do it. The engine of the pickup coughed and spluttered and the chassis rattled and creaked, as if two tonnes of metal nodded in agreement, then the ride smoothed out. With the truck keeping an easy sixty miles an hour on the highway, theyd left the town in their wake and no mushroom cloud had appeared in the rear-vision mirror to signal its destruction. The thought of Evie and her lists evoked a smile, which faded as he continued, Remember that time God drowned millions of people because he was mad a few of them acted up? Hes cruel and sick, Eve and were not like that. We couldnt be like him if we tried, and we wont harm anyone who doesnt deserve it unless we have to. Only those who do Gods bidding and excuse his evil deeds. Cops, Priests, Nuns, Mormon Missionaries and gospel-spouting rednecks, thats all. Adding Republicans would be a redundancy. A lump in his throat, Adan gathered his thoughts. But if were gonna do this, we cant show mercy. The more of his army we take out, the weaker hell be. After our first kill, the others should get easier. Why dont you start on that list, Adam smiled and rubbed her arm, Money and bullets. We need more bullets. What else? Attention captured by a green signpost in his peripheral vision, he glanced up to read the next town lay five miles distant, Well stop there, then refocused on his sister. Masks and a knife. Oh, and a map. He shrugged, Youre better at this organising stuff than me. Do we list who we plan to kill and does Mother Mary go at the top or the bottom? Adam hadnt broached the subject before, but itd been on his brain the whole time and caused all semblance of humour to fade from his tone when he spoke it aloud, She has to die too, Evie. Painfully and slowly, as she punished us. Last edited May 17, 2019