Into the Wild "TO" Wander part 5

The rain was relentless across Yellowstone. Rivers of water began to form and run in to any openings that were to be found. The kids on the cliff began to shiver in the cold. They tried to snuggle closer to one another to use each others body-heat. Trevor moved about the group, watching for signs that they might be trying to free one another. He walked into the middle of the group, his handgun and rifle aimed at all of them and none of them at the same time. The kids withdrew from him as he moved closer into the center.

"If any of you are thinking about getting away, ask Carrie what happens when you do that. Oh shit, you can't ask her because she is dead."

The kids pulled closer together, some of them starting to cry. Trevor felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned quickly, the rifle barrel nearly striking Rachel in the face.

"Damn it, Rachel, I could have shot you! Don't come up behind me like that! Why aren't you with Stacey?"

"Trevor, do you think they are going to pay? Maybe we should just leave the kids here and run away."

Trevor stared at her, his eyes closing a bit. "Has Stacey been talking to you?!?"

"No, she hasn't said a word since you killed Carrie. I am just scared and don't want to spend my life in prison."

Trevor hugged her and smiled. "You aren't going to go to prison, Rachel. I won't ever let that happen to you. I would kill us both before I allowed them to take us away like that."

Rachel looked at her husband, unsure whether to love him for his words or to become extremely afraid of him. She walked back to where Stacey was tied.

"He isn't right in the head, Rach. You have to know that."

"Sh-h-h-h, he will hear you talking. I don't want him to hurt you."

"You don't want him to what? He already killed my husband. Do you think he could hurt me more?"

"I am sorry he did that. I did not know he was going to do that. There wasn't supposed to be any killing."

Both ladies went silent as they heard Trevor calling out. "Are you soaked yet, Joel? This rain has put a "damper" on things, don't you think? Excuse the pun I used there!"

"We are still here, waiting for you o tell us where to send the money! Why not just do that and we can all go home, Trevor?"

The anger was back in Trevor's voice. "I decide when we do it, Joel, this is my game, remember?!?! We play by my rules out here, not yours!" Trevor grabbed one of the boys that were sitting hear the edge of the group. "Look up towards the peak, Joel!"

Joel moved out where he could see the peak. Rain stung his face and his eyes, making it hard to see. He could make out the silhouette of Trevor standing on the peaks edge. He saw a second figure standing hear him. "I see you, Trevor!"

"Maybe I need to reinforce my authority here for you! Do you think watching this boy fall to his death would help?!?!?!?" Rocks began to tumble towards the ground below. the scuffling of feet trying to find solid ground could be heard below. Joel could see the figures moving as if they were dancers in some musical. Panic gripped him as he watched the boy dangle from the cliffs edge.

"You don't need to do anything, Trevor. You are in charge out here. You make the rules." They could hear the boy asking him not to kill him. His pleading made Karen and Carrie sob into each other.

"As soon as this rain lets up and morning comes, walk to the where you see me. We will finish things then." The figures slipped away into the darkness and only the distant call of wolves and coyotes could be heard.

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On the far side of the cliff, two different figures scaled the side of the mountain. The wet rocks made it difficult to keep their footing. Mark watched as Karla pulled herself up the side. He was amazed at the skill in which she dominated the rocks.

"We are only about a hundred yards from the summit, Karla. We will have to be very careful from here not to make any sounds. Our only advantage is surprise and if we lose that, we are both dead."

"I am smaller than you, Mark. Let me get above you so I can look over the top when we get there. There is less chance of me being seen then you."

Mark slid to one side and let her pass him. the climb was painfully slow and the jagged edges cut into their skin. It was all they could do to not call out as their skin was exposed. The rain water washed dirt and gravel into the open wounds making the pain worse. Inch after inch, foot after foot, they climbed until finally they could see the cliff. Pulling herself slowly over the edge, Karla silently surveyed the top. She could see the kids, bundled together, sitting silently, their bodies shivering in the rain. She ducked down as Trevor approached the group with a boy.

"Sit down and tie yourself to the rest of them. You can feel lucky that Joel answered my call or you would be dead, boy."

She waited until Trevor turned away before pulling herself up to the cliff. She layed flat against the ground, water as deep as her chin flowing in to her mouth. She spit it out on to the ground, a soft cough coming from her throat. She froze in place, flattening herself as much as possible as she watched Trevor suddenly stop. The kids turned to look towards the sound. As her eyes met those nearest her, she shook her head, motioning them to look away. Her fingers went to her lips to show them to be silent. Darkness blanketed her as water from Trevor's walk splashed into her eyes. Boots stopped inches from her face as fear gripped her. She heard the hammer on his revolver click. Karla closed her eyes and waited for the sound of the shot that would surely end her life.