Bobby Cole - The dummy line

Jake always woke up at this point, sweating and chilled. He could never go back to sleep. For twenty-two years this nightmare had haunted him. Jake knew a psychiatrist could have a field day with this. He’d never told a soul, and to this day, he wouldn’t go into the woods, day or night, without a flashlight.

Jake was roused from the nightmare by the sounds of a vehicle on the gravel road leading into the camp. The camper was toasty from the orange glow of the electric heater. That’s gotta beTate. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Jake got out of bed, slipped on his boots, then checked on Katy. She was sound asleep, snuggling with her Beanie Babies. I’ll ask him to stay in the camp house; his snoring’s louder than a freight train.

Wearing nothing but his boxers and boots, Jake cracked open the camper door and immediately heard several male voices and Hank Jr. singing “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound.” Jake couldn’t see who it was. The gate was about 150 yards from the camp. He strained to hear what they were saying. Multiple voices. This was odd. His heart was in his throat. He didn’t like it at all. Jake could tell that they were arguing. He heard someone with a gravelly voice say, “The gate ain’t locked.” When Jake heard someone else say, “Then we won’t be breakin’ in,” he knew he had trouble on his hands.

He quickly stepped to his truck, opened the door, and grabbed his pump shotgun. He fumbled through his turkey vest for his shells. He found the only three he carried on a hunt, fed them into the magazine, and quietly worked the action, loading one into the chamber.

Two pickup trucks slowly approached the camp with their lights off and parked side by side with their windows down. Jake had stepped into the shadows next to the camp house. He had no idea what to do next.

“I ain’t never seen that camper before,” one stated.

Another said, “Let’s steal the truck.”

“And beat the shit out of the owner,” a third one added with way too much enthusiasm.

“Shut the hell up and let me think!” the fourth guy commanded.

All four men got out of their trucks and gathered at the rear of Jake’s. Without saying anything, they started approaching Jake’s camper like they owned the place. Jake saw the biggest one pull a pistol and work the action. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He’d never pointed a gun at anybody. He couldn’t imagine shooting someone, but he was in a bad spot and needed to make good decisions. Jake’s heart raced so fast he was dizzy.

From the shadows, Jake said loudly, “That’s close enough. You boys need to leave right now. I got a gun pointed at you.”

They all stopped and looked at the skinniest one in the group. With a wicked laugh and a confident step forward, he asked, “Is it bigger than mine?” pulling a .44 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk from his boot and pointing it in Jake’s direction.

This can’t be happening . Jake said, “I’m serious, you need to leave…now! This is private property.”

“He ain’t got no gun, Johnny Lee!” the fat one yelled out.

“Quit using my name, you stupid shit!” the one with the .44 said in a fit of anger.

“Look, I don’t know anybody or remember anything. Y’all just leave right now!” Jake yelled.

“I don’t think he’s got a gun either…else why would he hide in the shadows?” one of them said with an air of confidence.

“I’m here turkey huntin’, and I’ve got a shotgun pointed right at y’all, so I suggest you leave.” Jake was really getting nervous. He thought about showing himself so they could see his shotgun. But just how intimidating could I be in plaid boxers? Jake wondered.

They seemed to be weighing their options. The group didn’t look like together they were capable of making change much less a decision of this magnitude. Then things started happening in slow motion. Jake could tell that the skinny one, Johnny Lee, wanted trouble. Jake sensed that the others would follow his lead, so he kept the shotgun pointed at Johnny Lee and pushed off the safety.

“They ain’t no turkey hunters in this club…I know…he’s bluffin’. He’s out here cheatin’ on his wife with his sport-model girlfriend, I bet,” one of them said excitedly.

“That true?” Johnny Lee asked calmly although Jake could see his eyes getting wilder. “Where is she?”

The wolves smelled an opportunity and were getting more eager by the second.

Staring straight in Jake’s direction, Johnny Lee shouted orders. “Check out the camp house.” He motioned to the muscular one, who went through the front door with unbridled enthusiasm. Jake could hear him stomping around, slamming doors and cabinets.

Jake kept his shotgun trained on Johnny Lee.

In a few minutes the big guy was back outside and rejoined the group.

“Ain’t nobody inside.”

“Check the camper, Reese.” Johnny Lee grinned.

“You said my name!” the one named Reese said quickly. Not moving yet.

“It don’t matter anyhow,” Johnny Lee said confidently. “Because I got an idea…a plan.”

Jake didn’t like the sound of that. His heart was pumping rapidly, and his palms were sweating. He was trying to think of something to say to disarm this situation. An impossibly vivid scenario was unfolding, and to Jake, it was like being in some sort of parallel universe, almost like an out-of-body experience. The movement of one of the guys snapped him back to reality. Reese started toward the camper, and Jake instantly spoke up.

“No! Stop. Take another step and I’ll shoot you!” Jake tried to keep them from hearing the fear in his voice.

Johnny Lee yelled, “Bingo! She’s in the camper!” and the whole pack started laughing and catcalling.

Jake kept quiet. He was thinking. The hair on the back of his neck was standing up. These guys only understood one thing-violence. They weren’t rational. He could pump the gun…that would let them know he did in fact have a gun, but he would lose a shell in the dark, high grass.

Johnny Lee, sizing up the situation, suddenly looked like he had made his decision.

“I think we’ll jack this dude’s world upside down. Then we’ll take his woman out on a little date …and we’ll steal his ride,” Johnny Lee said calmly to his pack of jackals. Then alluringly he spoke directly to Jake: “Step out of the darkness, my brother, and let me see you. Can you ‘squeal like a pig’?”

Everybody but Jake laughed hard.

“What’s she look like…black chick?” one asked, laughing even harder.

“It’s all good!” another one added, and they all laughed.

Jake said, “It’s just me and this twelve-gauge, and I don’t want any trouble. Please just leave.”

Sweat chuckled and pulled a knife out of his back pocket. He loved forced sex. This was the most excited he had been in years.

Less than ten yards separated them from Jake, but they could not see him because of the shadows and the floodlights shining directly in their eyes. He couldn’t believe their brazenness.

Should I shoot the leader in the leg? Shoot up in the air? I’ve only got three shells. I’ve gotta make ‘em count. Looking in Johnny Lee’s eyes, Jake saw pure evil. At that moment, Jake knew he would have to kill him. He glanced over his shoulder and thanked God that he couldn’t see Katy. He prayed she was still asleep.

Johnny Lee pointed the huge pistol right at Jake’s head. Jake swallowed hard, looking straight down its muzzle. Suddenly, Johnny Lee swung the pistol at the camper and fired. KABOOM!

Jake jumped with surprise and fear. Oh my God! Katy! He looked at the camper then back at Johnny Lee, who was grinning. The rest of the guys were laughing. In slow motion, Jake saw Johnny Lee thumb-cock the pistol and aim at the camper again.