Ends of the Earth

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

There was a flash of movement ahead through the trees, and Ben jolted to a stop, squinting. The drizzle had increased, and he wiped at his sore, puffy eyes. He wanted to scream for Jason, but how far ahead was Brown? Hard to say at this point.

Tentatively, he jogged on, calling, “Jason!” Stopping to listen and scan the trees, he raised the rifle, sucking in lungfuls of air.

“Ben?”

Relief rushing through him, Ben sprinted along the path to find Jason standing there, chest rising and falling, rain streaming down his face like tears. For a heartbeat they stared at each other before Ben slung the rifle over his shoulder and grasped Jason’s arms. “It’s okay,” he lied.

“Oh God. Please help me.” Jason’s breath gusted over Ben’s cheek as he swayed. “I have to find her. They went that way. He’s fast, even carrying Maggie, even after I sprayed him. I think I missed and just pissed him off. They could be anywhere. Anywhere!” Words spilled out, Jason vibrating and tugging Ben forward.

“Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you. We’re going to find her.” He ran his hands over Jason’s back and arms. “Are you hurt?”

“Huh? No, come on. Hurry!”

“Listen, the police are on their way. The FBI too.”

“Have to find her. We can’t stop. No!” His fingers dug into Ben’s arms. “I’m not waiting. I’m not leaving her out there alone with that psycho. We have to go now!”

Ben wanted to argue, but with each minute, the odds of finding Maggie alive diminished. Brown could decide it wasn’t worth the potential advantage of having a hostage. Could leave her for dead. Could do anything.

Jason let go of Ben and backed away. “I’m going to get Maggie. You can wait.”

The cold truth plummeted through Ben, settling in his gut like concrete as he stared into Jason’s wild eyes. They were hours from civilization. The FBI would have to fly into Kalispell. It would be at least an hour until the local cops even made it to the trailhead, miles away. Meanwhile, Maggie would be farther and farther into the wild.

If she died and he didn’t even try, Ben would never forgive himself.

He reached back for the radio in the side pocket of his pack. “This is Hettler. I’ve located the father. We’re continuing the search, heading north.” He gave coordinates and finished with, “Over.”

Dee’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Hold on. They want you to wait for the cops. Brown is dangerous.”

“That’s exactly why I’m not waiting.” Ben chased as Jason took off up the trail. “I know these woods better than they do, and the only way I’m going to stop Jason from going after his daughter is knocking him unconscious. Over and out.” He flipped off the radio, and they ran.

They’d gone about half a mile when he had to stop, doubled over, hacking. Feeling his face, he could tell the antihistamines were kicking in and reducing the swelling, and his eyes only stung now as opposed to scorched. His lungs struggled to clear the remnants of pepper spray he’d ingested. The rain had slowed once more to a fine mist.

Jason hovered at his side, panting. “Shit, I’m sorry. You must have really gotten a face full of the bear spray. What if it hit Maggie? Do you think she’s okay? It barely seemed to slow that bastard down. He’s huge. The way he just hauled her off…”

Ben straightened up and gulped water from his backup bottle. “I’m allergic to pepper spray. I’m sure she’s fine. The effects don’t usually last this long. She’ll be okay.” He passed Jason the bottle.

After Jason swallowed, they stared at each other, chests heaving. “Who the hell is that? You knew his name.”

“Harlan Brown. I saw his mug shot at the station a few days ago. The police are after him.”

Jason stared at Ben, breath coming more shallowly, his hands twitching. “What did he do? Tell me.”

“He’s wanted for murder.”

“Oh my God. Maggie. How could I let this happen?”

“You didn’t. It’s not your fault. It was bad luck.”

“No, I wasn’t paying attention. I was too busy—” He motioned toward Ben. “I should have made sure she didn’t get out of sight for a second!”

Guilt prickling, Ben remembered helping Jason off the ground, standing closer to him than he should have, leaning in to flirt. He repeated, “It wasn’t your fault.”

“You said he’s a killer. What if he’s a pervert?” Jason shuddered, reddened eyes stark in his pale face. “I know he said he wouldn’t, but do you think he’ll touch her? God, if he lays a finger on her…” He pressed his lips together, pacing back and forth.

“There was nothing in his criminal history about sexual violence that I saw. He did seem genuinely offended at the thought, so let’s pray it wasn’t an act. I don’t think it was.” To imagine otherwise was unbearable. “Let’s keep moving.” It was the only thing they could do.