He smiled, Grayson had positioned Luke’s body to look like he was sleeping. He almost wanted to laugh. Grayson might have gone insane or he’d chosen how he wanted to live and he was righting the wrong with Carol.
He didn’t know what Grayson’s background was, if the man had had some kind of training, but he clearly knew what he was doing when he took down Luke, it was a thing of beauty and he’d executed it perfectly.
Aiden didn’t want to get too close in, he eased his spears and launcher out of their holder. He knew at this range; his movements might be caught and he’d blow their surprise attack if that happened. Sarah had made another spear quiver, she’d become better at weaving the grasses and frons into tighter fittings. He slowly placed a spear into the launcher.
He had to make sure the first spear hit home, and he’d need to be ready to launch another spear quickly. He’d leave Matt and Joey to Sarah, Gabe and Leo, he figured they’d take them out while he dealt with Connor. He pulled his arm back slowly, over his shoulder, taking careful aim.
His hand and fingers held launcher and spear firmly, he stepped out from behind the tree, ensuring he had a clear shot to Connor’s chest. He let out a long slow breath and felt his muscles bunch as he threw his arm and then body forward, launching the spear, like a tightly wound catapult.
As soon as the lethal missile left the launcher, he fitted another spear in it, his eyes not leaving the spear that was soaring toward Connor. Its silent deadly track was true and hit Connor in his chest, the power of it driving deep into his body, knocking him sideways. Matt must have caught the movement, because he turned to look at Connor.
At that moment Aiden launched another spear and he saw two other spears enter Matt. And then his entered and then he saw one spear go into Joey’s neck. Then in rapid succession, three spears went into Joey’s torso. In less than thirty seconds all three men were down.
Aiden strode quickly over to Connor, who had a surprised look on his face, both his hands clutching the spear. He was gasping, his mouth bloody and bubbles foaming around his mouth. He saw Diana beside him. He watched as she brought a large rock down on Connor’s head, hitting him over and over, the sight of bone and brain becoming a pulpy mess. Aiden stepped forward and gently took the rock from her hand. He helped her up, she was unsteady, but stood. He kept his arm around her waist and could feel the tremors moving through her body.
“Are you okay Diana?” he asked her softly, and she looked up at him and smiled grimly.
“I’ll live, I’ll live.”
Sarah came over to her and took her into her arms. She said soft quiet things as the two women walked away from the horrific scene. Aiden watched them go to the other side of the fire. Leo and Gabe walked over. Gabe saw Connor’s head and bent over and puked. The sound of his retching filled the small clearing.
“We need to put this fire out, I say leave the bodies here. Let nature take them, they sure as hell don’t deserve a burial.” Aiden said and he saw Gabe nod, wiping his mouth, not looking down.
“Sounds good to me, I saw Grayson, he looks rough, but he got the job done.” Leo said, satisfaction in his voice.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t count on him joining your group any time soon. I think he might stay by himself, it looks like he is doing okay.” Aiden said, beginning to scoop dirt and fling on the fire. He kicked the roasting meat off to the side. They set aside five torches to guide their way home again. It was full on dark now.
Aiden didn’t want to stay here and he wanted to get Sarah away from it as well. It took nearly an hour to get the fire down to coals and safely mitigated so there wouldn’t be a forest fire.
Once that was done, everyone grabbed a torch. Leo took over and helped Diana walk. She was still unsteady on her feet. She didn’t say a lot, but she seemed okay.
“Do you think she will be okay?” Aiden asked Sarah quietly, they were brining up the rear.
“I think so, she was more pissed off than anything. She didn’t remember them raping her, but she knew they did. Thankfully, she’d been unconscious for most of it. She said she woke up to Connor over her, and she’d vomited in his face. She laughed about that, a real laugh.”
Aiden could hear the smile in her voice. He was glad that Diana would be okay, bar the head injury. He placed his arm around Sarah and drew her to him and kissed her head. He heard something behind them and paused and looked. It the darkness, he could see the shining black eyes of Grayson. Once more the hair rose on his arm at the madness he saw within the depths. But he didn’t fear Grayson, only pitied him. He turned back and continued walking through the woods.
¤¤
Grayson watched the people go, he watched them and their torches. He didn’t need a torch, he could wander the woods without that need. It was quiet now and
