CHAPTER 29
Sean stumbled across the field, his arm around Ryan’s shoulder, like some wounded quarterback who’d had his bell rung. His pulse was hammering at his temples, but he wasn’t dizzy anymore and was gaining his footing.
“Wait,” he said.
Ryan stopped and looked at his father. His eyes darted around the field.
“I need to go back,” Sean said. “The gun.”
Ryan was shaking his head, but Sean held up a finger for him to wait. He made his way back to Chipotle Man. In the center of the field, the skinny man lay unconscious on his side. Sean leaned down and started to move in to take a pulse, but he could see Chipotle Man’s chest heaving up and down. The man’s hat was nearby on the ground and Chipotle Man’s hair seemed matted with blood. Sean winced with pain as he bent over and scooped up the gun.
A siren’s wail penetrated the quiet. It was not a continual blare, but a quick on and off. Red lights swirled from the front of the school. Sean hobbled quickly to Ryan, and they reached a tall chain-link fence that bordered the field. They ducked through a hole someone had cut into the fence and trekked into a small patch of woods. As they headed into the trees, Ryan stopped and said, “My bike.”
“We’ll have to leave it.” That decision was confirmed when flashlight beams touched the brush. Sean clutched Ryan’s hand and ran, the branches stinging his face and arms.
He was losing his breath, but he kept running until Ryan’s hand slipped free. Sean turned back. Ryan was on the ground hugging his knees. Sean crouched down. He’d seen this before.
“Are you okay?”
Ryan was breathing heavily and didn’t respond.
“Look at me,” Sean whispered.
Ryan’s eyes lifted.
Sean said, “It’s gonna be okay.”
“But I hurt him.”
“He was going to hurt me,” Sean said. “You saved me, Ryan.”
Ryan wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “But what if he’s dead?”
“He’s not dead,” Sean said. “He was moving when I went back. It was no worse than when he clocked me on the head. He’ll have a major headache, but he’ll be okay.”
The tension in Ryan’s face seemed to fade a little.
“Are you okay to move? We really need to go,” Sean said, as he scanned the shadows. He rose and offered Ryan his hand.
Ryan grabbed it and hoisted himself up, and they continued their escape through the trees.
CHAPTER 30
From the brush, they cut through the Capital Crescent Trail, the only light a sliver of moon through the cover of trees.
“How’d you find me at the school?” Sean asked as they walked side by side, the sound of gravel under their feet. He was struck by his son’s bravery, but he also was concerned. Emily was right, Ryan was a gentle, sensitive boy. And he’d already been through so much with Abby. Whatever anger Sean had felt toward Ryan earlier in the day had vanished.
Ryan said, “You were so mad when you left the house, and I was worried, so I rode my bike to Chipotle. I saw you parked and watching him, so I followed when you left.”
Sean nodded. His son had been right to worry.
“I think someone else was following you too, Dad.”
Sean gave his son a quizzical look.
“At the school. I was going to come talk to you, but I saw this guy on a motorcycle. He parked and followed you.”
“Was he a blond guy built like a refrigerator?” Sean asked, thinking of Chipotle Man’s muscle.
“I don’t think so. I only got a quick look at him, but I don’t think he was blond. He took off his helmet and the main thing I remember is that he had a mark on his face, a mole, I think.”
Sean shook his head. “I didn’t see him.”
“You said you had to go back for a gun. You had a gun, Dad?”
“I’ll explain later. I’m just glad you came, buddy. If it wasn’t for you, I might not be standing here. Thank you.”
Ryan seemed to stand a little taller at that.
“Where’s the metal bar you hit him with?” Sean asked.
“I threw it as far as I could when we were running through the trees.”
They found an opening on the trail and peered out at the school. The police were gone. The cops must not have seen Chipotle Man on the football field, or the man had regained consciousness and slipped away. Sean led Ryan to the SUV and they both climbed in. Ryan started crying. Sean wasn’t sure if it was the sight of him bloody and beaten in the overhead lamp or the weight of what had just happened bearing down on his son. He reached over and hugged Ryan, holding him tight as he let it all out.
“You brave boy. You sweet, brave boy.”
CHAPTER 31