CHRISTMAS CRISIS

 

 

            Everyone was having a marvelous time at the Christmas doin's in Volusia. Penny and Jody were especially relieved to be there after their exhausting trek through the scrub in search of old Slewfoot. If it had not been for the Forresters coming to their aid in the swamp, they never would have gotten the dead bear out in time to make it to the doin's. The Forresters, of course, were having their own celebration at the other end of the church, near the door.

            The door opened and a distressing gust of cold air blew in, drawing everyone's attention. The entire town turned to stare at...Oliver and Twink.

            The pair entered in a festive manner, thankful for their homecoming. They nearly collided with the Forresters. Oliver turned deathly white and clutched at Twink. She turned and saw and screamed. Lem's eyes lit with murderous fury, and he started toward them. Across the room, Grandma Hutto echoed Twink's scream. With those two exceptions, all was silence as the town held its collective breath. Oliver seized Twink and backed toward the door, drawing her with him. Lem advanced and his five brothers were right behind him. Oliver reached backward and yanked the doorknob. The door began to open. Lem slammed a heavy hand into the door, banging it shut. His two victims fell against the door. Determined to protect Twink, Oliver turned, caught her in an embrace, and pushed her against the wall, shielding her with his body.

            "Oh how touchin'!" Lem sneered.

            "Please." Oliver turned desperate eyes to Lem over his shoulder. "Don't hurt her. Do what you want with me, but...."

            "Oh we'll do what we want with you, all right. And her."

            "We're married now. Don't that make a diff'rence to you?"

            "Sure. Hit makes me even more riled." He took a step closer.

            Oliver crowded Twink against the wall. She was crying in terror.

            Then, Lem looked around at the silently watching townspeople. He came to a decision. "We'll not do nothin' here. Too many witnesses." Lem turned to his brothers. "Take him. And leave me take her."

            Buck, Mill-wheel, Arch, and Pack moved in and seized Oliver. Against four, he was helpless. They herded him out the door. Lem grabbed Twink's arm and pulled her to him. She shook her head vigorously, and tugged at his hand with dainty fingers in a feeble attempt to dislodge his grip on her. She was sobbing loudly. Lem stared at her, and reached out his other hand to touch her face. She watched him in horror. He stopped without touching her, but said in a low tone, "My brothers and me, we got plans for you afore we kill you." Twink shrieked piercingly, and Lem dragged her through the door. Gabby cast one more look around the church and followed, closing the door behind him. The town recommenced breathing.

            Penny charged over to Ory, Grandma, and Jody. Grandma fell into his arms. "Oh my god, Ezra!"

            "There's only one place them varmints'd take them two," Ory predicted.

            "Forresters' Island," Penny finished. "Let's go."

            The four ran outside and climbed into the Baxters' wagon.

            "But they'll be way ahead of us, Ezra," Ory protested. "They's on horseback. A wagon'll be much too slow."

            "You got a better idea?"

            She didn't. They took off for the scrub.

            "But Pa," Jody fretted, "how'll we stop 'em iffen we do git there in time?"

            His father had no answer.

            Sometime later, the wagon pulled up in front of the Forrester cabin. All was strangely quiet. Where shrieks and crashes had been anticipated, there was silence. All four passengers climbed down from the wagon, but Penny turned to Jody, and said, "Boy, you wait here."        

            "But why, Pa?"

            "Jest do it."

            The three adults mounted the steps. Penny shoved open the door. "Oh my god," he said, looking downward at the floor.

            Grandma screamed and turned away from the sight. She ran back to the wagon and clutched at it convulsively.

            Jody wanted to approach, but dared not. He could see the well-lit main room beyond Penny's silhouette, but not as far down as the floor.

            Lem appeared, backlit, in front of Penny. His brothers crowded behind him. He said, "As you kin see, you come too late. Iffen you wanta fight 'bout this, we'll oblige you. But iffen you wanta jest leave in peace, we'll allow it. I warn you, though, don't rile us less'n you mean business."

            Penny stood motionless for a moment, and then turned away hopelessly. He took hold of Ory's arm and led her down the steps.

            "Pa!"

            "Git in the wagon, son."