drop.
She was awash with sweat, panting for air, and muscles all over her body seemed to be twitching. Partly from the exertion, she thought. But mostly from fear, from expecting the drop.
Vivian and Finley, only a short distance in front of them, took one final stride and stepped ashore. They turned around to watch.
‘You’ll make it fine,’ Vivian said.
‘No sweat,’ Finley added.
It felt to Abilene like a miracle when she finally placed a foot on solid ground.
‘Let’s make it to the top,’ Cora gasped. ‘Then we’ll rest.’
Abilene grunted in response. Vivian and Finley stepped aside to make way for them. The ground was level for a few feet, then slanted upward toward the edge of the forest. The boards of the dock had been nearly dry, but the grass and weeds were still wet from the rain.
They struggled slowly up the embankment, being careful not to slip. The muzzles of the shotgun sank into the moist earth, and Cora had to yank them free after each step. Like Abilene, she was panting for air and drenched with sweat. Her right side, bare where Abilene clung to it above the armhole of her tank top, was hot and slippery. Her left arm felt like a massive weight across Abilene’s shoulders.
They were halfway to the top when hands pushed against Abilene’s rump. She couldn’t look around, but realized that Finley and Vivian must’ve decided to help.
It’s like when I was towing the boat, she thought.
Cora no longer felt quite so heavy leaning on her and the slope seemed less steep.
When she reached the top, a pinch through her denim skirt revealed the identity of her helper.
‘Ouch! Fin, you creep!’
‘Couldn’t resist.’
The three of them lowered Cora to the ground. Then Abilene flopped down beside her. Though twigs and rocks poked against her, the grass felt cool and wonderful. She lay there, struggling for air.
‘That was probably the worst of it,’ Vivian said, sitting down nearby. ‘The rest’ll be pretty level.’
‘It won’t be easy,’ Abilene said.
‘I’ll take over for you,’ Vivian told her.
‘Yeah,’ Finley said. ‘We can trade off every few minutes.’
‘Who’s gonna trade off with me?’ Cora asked.
‘You’re the jock around here,’ Finley said. ‘This oughta be a snap.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Too bad it wasn’t one of us,’ Vivian said.
‘Speak for yourself,’ Finley told her. Abilene didn’t look up, but she was certain Finley must be smirking.
‘Would’ve been better,’ Vivian went on. ‘Cora’s the biggest.’
‘And heaviest,’ Abilene muttered.
‘Hell, yes,’ Finley said. ‘That’s how she broke the pier.’
‘You guys are a riot.’
‘If one of us had the busted ankle,’ Vivian continued, ‘Cora could’ve carried us out.’
‘Maybe Batty planned it this way,’ Abilene said, and wondered if she was kidding. ‘To keep us from leaving. Broke the board under Cora to disable the strongest of us.’
‘Get real,’ Cora muttered. ‘It broke because it broke.’
‘None of the others did,’ Vivian pointed out.
‘I guess that proves it,’ Finley said. ‘Old Batty’s gone and put the whammy on us. We’re doomed for sure.’ This time, nobody laughed.
Abilene unbuttoned her blouse and spread it open. She felt a mild breeze stir over her skin, cooling the sweat. ‘Whammy or not,’ she said, ‘we’ve sure been running into a lot of crap ever since we went to Batty’s place.’
‘My friend,’ said Finley, ‘the crap started before that. Just ask Helen.’
They made their way slowly through the woods, Cora hobbling along with the aid of the shotgun, Vivian supporting her. They didn’t get far, however, before the belts came loose and Abilene had to rewrap Cora’s ankle. They continued their trek, Finley hanging onto Cora. When the belts came undone a second time, Abilene fixed them, then knotted her blouse tighdy around the straps. ‘That oughta hold things together for a while.’
She was staggering along at Cora’s side when they finally reached the edge of the forest and she saw the lodge at the far end of the field.
‘Let me down,’ Cora gasped.
Abilene lowered her to the ground. She wanted to flop, but hated the idea of having to get up again in a couple of minutes. So she bent over and clutched her slippery knees. Sweat dripped off her nose and chin, streamed down her neck and back and sides and chest and legs. Her skin felt crawly goosebumps. She was shaking all over.
‘And you thought nothing could ever be worse than climbing the Statue of Liberty,’ Finley told her.
‘This… is… almost as bad.’
‘I can’t go on,’ Cora said. She was leaning forward, kneading the muscles of her left leg.
‘We’re almost there,’ Vivian said.
‘I can’t. Not right now. Gotta rest.’
‘Yeah,’ Abilene gasped. ‘What’s the hurry? We’re… not going anyplace… once we get there.’
‘I’m going in the pool,’ Finley said. ‘I don’t care if it is hot water. It’s gotta be an improvement. Might drink it all down, while I’m at it.’
‘I’m so thirsty I’m spitting sand,’ Vivian said.
‘Why don’t you two go on ahead?’ Cora suggested. ‘Bring back a water bottle. I’ll be okay in a while.’
‘It’s not a good idea to split up,’ Vivian said.
‘We can keep an eye on you till you get to the lodge. It’s an open field. Nothing’s gonna happen. Just go right around to the car and hurry back.’
‘What about you guys?’ Finley asked.
‘We’ve got the shotgun.’
‘I’ve got Batty’s knife,’ Abilene added. She straightened up and patted its handle. ‘Go on. We’ll be all right. And get me some shoes. And a blouse or something.’
‘Anything else while we’re there?’ Vivian asked.
‘How about flashlights?’ Finley suggested.
‘Get going,’ Cora muttered. ‘And keep your eyes open.’
‘You too,’ Vivian said. ‘Be careful.’
She and Finley started across the field, walking side by side. Abilene watched them. The sunlight out there looked very bright, very hot.
‘Glad it’s them and not us,’ she said.
‘Our turn’ll come. I’m just glad to have Finley out of my hair. What a pain.’
Abilene smiled. ‘I’d really start worrying if she stopped being one. Did you see how she acted after Batty grabbed her boob?’
‘Yeah. She didn’t make a crack for all of ten minutes.’
‘I think it made her a little crazy.’
‘That’s for sure. Christ. When she’s not being a wiseass, she’s dangerous.’
‘Viv’s taking everything pretty well,’ Abilene said.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her lose her head, you know that? Even when stuff hits her hard. She could be tom to pieces inside, but she always keeps her cool. She’ll complain about shit. She’ll cry her eyes out sometimes. But she always gets on with business. Never flips out. Smart, gorgeous, and she’s got balls of brass. I could kill her.’
Abilene laughed.
Vivian and Finley were halfway across the field now. Walking slowly as if the sun were pressing down on their shoulders.
