Carol nodded. “Your thoughts?”
William shrugged. “At this point, I don’t see what harm it could do.”
She was a bit surprised at his reply. She inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly. “Very well then.” She turned to Andre. “I relinquish the remainder of my time.” She gave him a defeated smile. “Whenever you’re ready, sir.”
Andre gave her a slight bow. “Merci.” He turned to the far workstation and began to prepare a diluted tincture of various psychedelics. “Since I can’t know which one would be key, I feel that a thinned cocktail solution would be the best initial approach.”
“A cocktail of dope?” Carol chuckled. “Oh, this should be fun.” She stood back and watched while he worked. He shook the vial in his hand then inserted a needle.
“I’ll need her to remain steady. I’m going to inject this directly into her vein.”
Randy and David stepped closer to the woman and gripped her arm, pressing it to the table with all of their weight.
“Good grief, she’s strong,” David muttered as she continued to struggle.
Andre stepped between the two men and slipped the needle into her arm. When he stepped back, he nodded to the two men, who released her.
She continued to snarl at the researchers for a moment until her heart pumped the injection throughout her body.
“Any moment now,” Broussard mumbled, glancing at his watch.
The woman snarled at them once more then her eyes rolled back in her head and she went limp. Carol snapped to attention and pulled her stethoscope. “Is she…” She pressed the scope to her chest and listened. “Her heart rate is slowing.” She glanced nervously to Andre. “But it’s steady.”
“Let’s wait.” He pulled her slightly back. “At this point, the rest is up to her.”
As the sun crested the horizon, Simon sat patiently, watching the three men. Now tied with their hands bound behind them, they sat back to back in the center of the campground. Bandanas were tied to their heads, keeping them gagged.
The residents had all dressed and were now making their way out of their campers to determine the fate of the men who they’d once thought of as friends.
Simon swallowed another pair of pain pills and sat quietly. Watching. Waiting. Ready to do what was necessary to protect the innocent.
Lana stood by his side, her shotgun bouncing restlessly in her grip. More than once she bent down and whispered in his ear, “Your kicking his ass made me so hot. Once we burn these assholes, I’m gonna grind you to a nub.”
Simon said nothing, his face stoic.
In his mind, her words disturbed him. He found it troubling that she was so stimulated by ruthless dominance. He glanced at her and couldn’t help but wonder why he couldn’t be that tyrant any more. Had being infected tamed him? Could it have made her even wilder? Had it changed her personality as much as it had his?
The crowd gathered and Hammer rolled up in his wheelchair, his leg unable to support him any longer. “We’re all here,” he stated firmly.
Simon nodded and glared at the three men. “Ungag them.” He watched as Lana pulled out the huge Bowie knife that they carried and sliced the bandanas away. Simon raised his voice for all to hear. “You stand accused of heinous acts and crimes against the good people of this small community. How do you plea?”
Trent turned and shot daggers at him with his eyes. “Fuck you!”
Simon laughed. “That’s probably the smartest thing you’ve said to me since I met you.” He slowly came to his feet. “I’ll take that as a ‘guilty.’”
“No it ain’t!” Tommy squealed. “Hell no! I plead not guilty!”
“Me too!” Jake cried as tears ran down his face. “We didn’t do nothin’. It was all Trent.” He looked from face to face, snot bubbling from his nose.
“Shut the fuck up!” Trent bellowed. He struggled to come to his feet and Simon watched as the man nearly tipped over before getting his legs under him. “All y’all would have starved to death by now if it weren’t for us.” He spun and glared at Simon. “And you, you cock sucker…you was the one who told us to make them pay.” He spat upon the ground.
Simon shook his head a slow smile forming. “No, I told you that people were our biggest assets.”
“Yeah? Well, you also didn’t say not to when I told you I was gonna fuck the good lookin’ ones.” A quiet gasp worked its way through the crowd of onlookers.
Simon nodded. “You’re right.” He turned and faced the group. “Because I shouldn’t a had to tell you not to rape somebody you callous asshole.” He spun back and pointed the pistol at Trent. “Who stopped you from raping the leggy blonde?”
“Trailer Park Barbie?” Trent scoffed. “Hell, everybody’s fucked her at least once.”
“That’s not true!” she cried, covering her mouth. “Not…everybody…” She glanced out at the crowd. “Besides, you didn’t have to beat Jody stupid.”
“Jody was already stupid you fucking cunt!” Trent bellowed.
Simon stepped forward and kicked the back of his legs, sending to his knees. Hard. Trent grunted and fell to his side. “That’s enough.”
“Fuck you, Simon!” Trent coughed as the pain shot up from his kneecaps. “You’re a piece of shit, man.”
“Yeah, I know,” Simon groaned. He slipped his pistol back into his waistband and walked a slow circle around the accused. “I caught him trying to plow her.” He pointed to ‘Trailer Park Barbie’. “After he beat her husband to a bloody mess.” A low murmur arose as he continued walking. “I forced the three of them to leave and told them that if they tried to return, I’d kill them.” He spun and stared straight at Vee. “What say you, doc?”
She shook her head as she slowly backed away. “I…I uh, took a vow.” She swallowed hard. “To do no harm.”
Simon nodded. “Fine.” He spun and pointed to Jody, the side of his face swollen and purple.
