Robert looked at his companions and they nodded in agreement. “I’ll go,” said Robert.
The ranger and Robert crested the grassy hill. From above he could see that the service road went around the hill and split, one section following the lake’s shoreline. The road on the other side of the hill led to the campsite where the elk was supposed to be. They went directly to the other campsite through a stand of trees and bushes, using a path that, according to the ranger, would lead them there. The path was narrow so the two men walked single file. The ranger walked behind Robert giving him directions as they went along. The path stopped at a large clearing a short distance in front of Robert. He stopped and the ranger stopped behind him. Robert looked around the clearing to study the campsite. He could see a truck farther away, on the far side of the clearing, next to the road that split around the hill. Behind the truck, he saw a man standing there with his back turned to their approach.
“I don’t see the elk,” stated Robert, as he took a few slow steps forward.
“Just keep walking,” said Ranger Murphy, remaining behind Robert.
Robert moved slowly forward toward the truck and the man behind it. He cautiously looked around and observed how well concealed the clearing was. Tall trees and bushes surrounded this campsite. As the two men got closer, the man behind the truck turned and seemed surprised to see them. He had not heard them approaching from the trail. The man behind the truck gave a quick wave after he recognized the ranger, who was partially concealed behind Robert.
“Where’s the elk?” Robert asked again.
“Just keep on walking,” said Ranger Murphy.
The man in the distance stepped from behind the truck. He was wearing an expensive leather jacket and holding some rope in his right hand.
“Here we go,” shouted Ranger Murphy toward the other man.
The other man did not respond as he moved toward the front of the truck. He put his foot on the truck’s bumper and leaned on his elevated knee. As the man leaned forward, the sleeves of his jacket pulled back, revealing a large expensive wristwatch. He brushed some dust off the shiny alligator boots he was wearing.
Robert saw the man’s boots and stopped walking toward the truck. His eyes went from the boots to the wristwatch and then to the leather jacket. He could now see that the jacket was monogrammed. Robert kept his eye on the man as he leaned back to whisper to the ranger.
“I think he killed the man that we found near our campsite. I saw a picture of the dead man and he was wearing that jacket, boots, and watch.”
The ranger put his hand on his pistol. Robert could hear the sound of the Velcro strap holding the ranger’s pistol pull away.
“Are you sure he shot the man you found?” Ranger Murphy was directly behind Robert now.
Robert felt his heart drop. Now he realized why there was no elk. He moved his hand toward his rifle and spoke as he spun around to the Ranger. “I never told you he was shot.”
Robert did not have time to shoulder the rifle. He turned to see that Ranger Murphy already had his pistol aimed directly at him.
“I suggest that you cooperate,” the ranger said, coldly. “You don’t want to end up like the man you found by the road, do you? He wouldn’t tell us where his pretty wife was. See what happened to him? Now put the rifle down nice and slow, then we need to walk over to the truck.”
Robert was furious. “You’re a real piece of shit, asshole. What do you want with me?” asked Robert, clenching his teeth as he set the rifle on the ground.
“We don’t care about you, just your supplies,” the ranger smirked. “This has been a good day for me. We just got this truck and were getting ready to leave, and then you come along with all your goodies.” The ranger laughed and sneered when he did. “The world has changed. There are new rules for us now. The first rule is, everyone for themselves. I think you understand that, don’t you?”
The ranger picked up Robert’s rifle and took a few steps back. He had moved closer to the trees and bushes surrounding the campsite. He put the rifle butt up to his shoulder and aimed toward Robert. Robert did not flinch. The Ranger lowered the rifle and pulled back the slide to verify it was loaded. A cartridge ejected. The cartridge arced upward, then hit the dusty trail. After watching the cartridge hit the bare ground, the ranger looked back at Robert.
“You need to walk toward my friend by the truck. We’re going to tie you up.” The ranger sadistically grinned and motioned with the rifle for Robert to move toward the truck.
Robert stood his ground. Rage was coursing through his body. He clenched his fists tightly by his side. As his fists brushed against his thighs, he suddenly realized he did not have his knife. He had left it behind. He quickly glanced over at the man by the truck. The man was laughing at him, while swinging the rope tauntingly. Robert felt defeated.
The ranger raised the rifle. “Remember what I said about cooperation?” The ranger waited for Robert to move, but he remained stationary, with his hands clenched so tight that his knuckles were white. “Have it your way,” snarled the ranger, as he again shouldered the rifle and aimed at Robert’s head. The ranger took a firm stance and prepared to fire the weapon.
At that moment, a firearm discharged with a loud crack. Although it had happened quickly, it was like slow motion in Robert’s mind. He saw Kyle step through the bushes behind the ranger, already with the pistol aimed at his skull. As soon as Kyle stepped through there was a quick muzzle flash and the ranger’s forehead exploded at the same time his dead body began to collapse to the ground. He was instantly dead with one shot.
Robert immediately turned to locate the other man, and saw the rope on the truck’s hood; the man was already running away. Robert sprinted in pursuit.
“Wait… Robert… wait!” yelled Kyle.
Robert was beside the truck. He stopped and turned toward Kyle just in time to catch the rifle thrown his way. Using the truck for stability, Robert took aim on his moving target. He placed the sights just barely in front of the running man. Robert consciously relaxed his body, exhaled, and slowly squeezed the trigger. The fleeing man dropped like a rock into the tall grass.
Robert stepped back from the truck and inspected the rifle. “I think we’re going to be the best of friends,” said Robert to his rifle. “Now let’s go find you another companion. I think the Ranger doesn’t need his pistol anymore.”
Kyle kicked the Ranger’s body over and removed the pistol. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Just one question.” Robert put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “What brought you up here?”
Kyle reached into a deep pocket and handed Robert his knife. “You forgot this. I thought you would need it to butcher the elk.”
“My lucky charm.” Robert gave his knife a kiss and attached it to his belt, then picked up the cartridge the Ranger had ejected from the rifle.
Kyle turned toward the path back to their camp. Robert glanced over at the truck. He noticed that it was parked under a large tree that would have given it plenty of shade all day long.
“Wait a minute. I want to check something out.”
Robert walked to the truck and put his hand on the hood. It was warm. He motioned for Kyle to come over.
“It feels warm. I think it might still run,” Robert said.
Kyle’s jaw dropped. He slapped the truck. “I’ll be damned. Let’s give it a try!”
Kyle jumped into the driver seat. The key was still in the ignition. He turned the key and the engine sprung to life. “Hot damn! Get in. Richard will shit his pants when we drive up.”