Chapter One, Third Installment -

Some time later Deborah came to. She was unsure of how much time had lapsed. But the pain stemming from the back of her head explained why time had escaped her. Unlike movies she had seen, Deborah was not groggy. She immediately remembered everything until the point of pulling the trigger. She turned her head to confirm what she already knew to be true.
The mud was cold on her cheek as she stared at the lifeless body of Travis Myers. His eyes and teeth glowed like beacons unto the heavens. Slowly Deborah rose and stood over him. She was poised ready to defend herself. She was afraid he would jump up and attack her. She was equally afraid he wouldn’t. She desperately wanted to close his gaping mouth. But, oddly, his sharp blue eyes starring blankly ahead did not disturb her. His eyes were as dead in life as they were now.
His right arm was floating in the tide pool at the river’s edge. Deborah suddenly worried that the water was too cold, then chastised herself for such a foolish thought. She shifted her eyes to his face again. The color was gone and for the first time, Deborah saw him as pale and weak. Her gaze followed his frame slowly, searching for the lethal wound.
It was difficult to find, as her gun was small and his shirt was maroon in color to begin with. She almost missed it, yet, just over his heart, his shirt shimmered in the moonlight. Deborah stared, with open jaw. How she was able to strike such a vital target during such a close and short struggle baffled her. She did not remember taking aim or even where the gun was when she pulled the trigger. Still, there it was, a direct shot into the chest.
A calm terror struck Deborah. She stopped shivering and froze like a deer in the headlights. She had to make a decision. What she did now would forever effect her life and especially the life of her son. Once the choice was made, she would have to follow through with, and stand by it for the rest of her life.
Should she turn herself in or try to cover it up?
If she contacted the authorities, would they believe that is was self-defense? He was the hometown hero that could do no wrong. His family was the most influential and wealthy in the county. Would they allow someone to claim their dear sweet son had attacked her, thus forcing her to shoot him? Could she even explain what happened? Could she justify having a gun with her? Even if they believed that he attacked her, would they believe that she had not intended to harm him when she put the gun in her pocket, or when she aimed it at him. She would have to tell them why she brought the gun. Which would ultimately produce the truth about Parker’s father.
No matter how she tried to angle it, she could not see the police or Travis’ family coming to any other conclusion but murder. And, to add to the horror, the secret of Parker’s father would be revealed.
It was a no win situation. She would go to jail, and Parker would be left behind, with the whole town hating him for his mother’s transgressions. His whole life would be destroyed, and she came here tonight to prevent that.
The fear of losing her son overwhelmed her, and Deborah made her decision. She told herself that she could do anything for Parker.
“Even this.” And with no further hesitation, Deborah went into action.
First, she did her best checking Travis for any of her clothing, hair, or blood. She wore no jewelry and was not missing any buttons. She scooped up the gun that laid between them when she awoke, and put it in her pocket. It seemed heavier and more dangerous now. She checked three times to assure the safety was on.
Deborah knelt upstream from Travis and washed her small, shaking hands and thin face. It was as much for her sanity as it was for her security. She knew that footprints would be impossible to make out among all the rocks and weeds.
As Deborah took one last look around, she stopped again over Travis’ limp body.
“Damn you Travis.” She cursed him for past hurts, for coming to her home, for threatening her son, and for attacking her. “Damn you!” Then the air caught in her throat. She realized she was cursing the man she had just killed. She had taken his life and was now damning him. Finally, tears fell from her tortured eyes.
“I’m sorry Travis. So sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I swear. No matter what you have done, you didn’t deserve this. You didn’t deserve to …” she covered her mouth and looked away. Deborah could not endure thinking about it any more, let alone looking at him. She had to focus on what needed to be done, not what she had already done. There was much to do yet, and she guessed there were precious few hours left before daylight.

- posted by Cindy @ 7:05 PM |