Chapter 14 Ana
Ana
Raya was by the prickly-pear cactus near the road, Ellis and Alex were outside the reception area, and Jade and Jax were near the road sign. The plan was in place.
They were watching the countdown on their phones.
When the timer got to five minutes, they would all leap around, shout, bang things, and create all kinds of chaos at the front of the motel.
With the distraction in place, Ana and Caden would help Benny to the edge of the line and see him off.
Ana had volunteered to stay behind to help.
She wanted a last chance to reason with Benny without Ellis getting involved.
Benny tried a little jogging in place to see if the makeshift strapping tied from torn bedsheets was up to the job.
“Benny, do you really want to do this?” Ana moved in front of him so she could be sure he was listening.
“I’m all good. Don’t you worry about ol’ Benny-bear,” he said, smiling.
Ana nodded. “Just remember, if you change your mind, it’s okay. You really don’t have to go. We can figure something else out.”
“You’ve got a good heart, kid.” Benny paused, his expression serious. “Now listen—you take care of yourself, okay? Those kids aren’t so nice.” He nodded in the direction of the others.
It felt so wrong. Ana didn’t even know the guy, but she was fully aware of just how dangerous a risk he was taking, even if Benny wasn’t. He was putting his life on the literal line. Maybe this would be a prank, and everything would turn out fine, but then again, maybe it wouldn’t.
Benny must have sensed her concern. He leaned towards her, his armor clunking awkwardly.
“Listen, kid. I’m gonna be fine.” He smiled his big-bear smile and patted her gently on the shoulder. “All of you are going to be just fine. I promise you that. Okay? I promise.”
The way he said it…somehow, she believed him. She wanted desperately to believe him. She needed to.
There wasn’t much more to say; Benny had made his decision. His big red face grinned at her from under the rusty bucket.
“Almost time, Benny,” Caden called out.
So, this was it; this crazy idea, the best and only escape plan they had managed to come up with, was actually happening.
Ana tried to smile.
“Then just…be careful. You’re a hero, Benny, and I won’t ever forget what you’re doing—what you’re risking for us.”
A flicker of something crossed Benny’s face. Ana caught the look but couldn’t make it out. Fear? Doubt? Sadness, maybe? Before she could question it further, it was gone. The moment passed and Benny broke into a wide grin.
“It’s all good.” He shook out his hands and did a few old-man warm-up stretches, reaching around behind him as far as the mattress would allow.
“Ten, nine, eight…” Caden started the final countdown.
Benny adjusted his bucket and squatted as low as he could manage, like a sprinter on the blocks. His toes were on the line.
“Seven, six, five…”
A loud banging and shouting started up at the front of the motel. Great whooping noises and hollering ripped through the air.
“Four, three…”
Ana felt her whole body tighten with nervous energy. They were really doing this.
“Two, one…”
Launching himself across the white line, Benny was off.
***
Benny was fast, even weighed down with his makeshift armor. He headed straight into the desert at a good clip. Ana and Caden stood on the line watching, holding their breath.
He made it past a scraggly bush, then on to a cluster of cacti, then a half-dead saguaro.
So far so good. No shots. Nothing. Ana felt a spark of hope. This might work.
Benny started slowing a little, his initial burst of adrenaline dying out, he puffed to a walk, then stopped. Turning around, he reached up and took his bucket off. He was panting from the exertion, sweat dripping down his face. He stretched his arms out wide, grinning.
“Yay, Benny!” Caden shouted, fist-pumping the air.
Ana sank back slightly, releasing her breath. He was a good fifty feet out. This was good. This was really good.
Benny waved, then turned to face the open ground ahead of him, ready to keep going, ready for his big escape. But he didn’t move.
The crack echoed around them. Ana gasped.
Benny’s head snapped back violently. His hulking form appeared suspended for one long second before he teetered over sideways, crashing into the dirt. He flopped onto his back, his arms falling limply on either side of the mattress.
Eyes open, mouth open, dark red blood pouring down across his face, pooling onto the sand beneath him.
Benny was dead.
The game had begun.