by: BlackJack Murphy

(Boss’ POV)

I heard a car approaching and cautiously made my way to the side of the road. I flagged the car down, but it didn’t stop. “Dammit!” I muttered.

I stood there watching the red taillights disappearing into the night. It could be hours before the next car came by. I looked helplessly left and right down the deserted stretch of road.

The minutes passed, but they seemed like hours. Tired of standing, I sat on the damp grass, shivering with each gust of chilled wind. After an eternity of waiting hopelessly, I saw the flash of headlights off in the distance, the thrum of the motor growing as it approached. I pushed myself up and stood with a groan, my muscles sore and aching. I looked at the pistol still in my hand and decided I’d have a better chance of catching a ride without waving it around at unsuspecting motorists. I tucked it into the back of my waistband as Rosco had done and moved to the middle of the road.

The car slowed to a crawl about thirty feet from me, the driver apparently assessing the situation. Hesitantly, I started walking toward the passenger side door. The car rolled forward a bit to meet me and the passenger window rolled down.

“Hey there. Somethin’ we can help ya with?” the driver asked, leaning over his female passenger to see out the window better.

Continue reading →

by: BlackJack Murphy

(Rosco’s POV)

The cold night air cut through me. I raised the collar on my jacket and pulled the zipper as high as it would go, but it made little difference. Boss pulled his jacket tightly around him as he followed me into the surrounding woods. We moved cautiously and deliberately, listening for any peculiar sound that might signal the whereabouts of our former captors. I tried to parallel the road as much as possible so we could find out where we were.

We came to a clearing and I stopped, studying the shadowy figures around it.

“What is it?” Boss whispered.

I glanced back at him. “We have to cross this clearing.” I paused, taking a deep breath. “We’ll be sitting ducks if either of those two catch us out there. Luckily, there’s no moon out tonight.”

Boss peered around me for a better look. “You think they’re nearby?”

“There’s only one way to tell,” I replied as I nervously surveyed the surrounding woods. I pulled my gun from its holster and held it tightly down at my side. “We can either do this slow n’ stealthy or we can run like hell.”

Our minds were made up for us when we heard the growing sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches behind us. We both turned our heads toward the source of the sound and listened intently to confirm our fears. Boss patted my arm and then pointed frantically to the clearing. “Let’s get goin’ before he gets any closer!” he whispered urgently.

Continue reading →

by: BlackJack Murphy

(Boss’ POV)

I was hungry. I hadn’t eaten since the morning. It must’ve been quite late by now. Past dinner. How I wish I was at home now, havin’ a big plate of Lulu’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes n’ gravy, cornbread n’ greens. Rosco’d try to sneak a piece of chicken off my plate and I’d slap his hand. I smiled at the thought. Then I closed my eyes hard to the realization that I might never get to do that again.

***
(Rosco’s POV)

I had to get outta here if I was gunna be any help to Boss. I looked around the dark room for anything to cut the ropes. The sharpest thing in that entire room was my wit and that wasn’t sayin’ much, especially since it wouldn’t get my hands free. I settled on scraping the ropes against a rough corner of an old wooden crate. It took me about an hour and two dozen splinters, but the ropes finally gave way.

The only window in the room was boarded up. I pulled gently on the plywood and it creaked. It wasn’t nailed on there as tight as it looked. I looked around the room for something to use to remove the barrier. I found a paint splotched plaster knife in an old bucket next to some paint supplies in the corner. The hard, cold metal of the knife handle stung my raw and bleeding palm as I slid the tool between the plywood and the window sill.

I pried the plywood out about half an inch, then pushed it back against the sill. I then used the plaster knife to remove the exposed nail. I continued in that manner as quietly as possible until the entire piece of plywood was removed. I cautiously opened the window and peered outside. It was pitch black, no moon out. I shivered as a cold breeze blew past.

Continue reading →

This here is an experiment in writing in the first person. However, it’s not just through one character. The first person perspective shifts from one character to another. So, hang on to yer hats and pay attention. Just to keep y’all from getting confused, I’ve added comments that indicate the current point of view for each passage.

By BlackJack Murphy

(Boss’ POV)

When I opened my eyes, it was so dark I couldn’t see a blasted thing. I wasn’t quite sure where I was, but I did know how I got here. It’s all my fault. I’d never admit it, but I let my greed cloud my judgment one too many times.

These dang ropes are killin’ me. I tried to adjust them, but they’re too tight. I called out to Rosco, but he didn’t answer. At least they didn’t gag me.

I never thought Carson would stoop so low as to double cross me while I was double crossin’ him. I gotta remember to be more careful when pickin’ my business associates next time… If there is a next time.

I tried freeing myself, but no luck. I let out a breath of frustration and tried again. I felt my face flush with the exertion and decided to let things be for now.

“Rosco!” I listened intently for a response, a sound, anything. “Rosco? You here? You ok?”

The door opened violently. I turned my face and squinted at the sudden bright light.

“He ain’t in there! So shut your mouth, Hogg, before I shut it for you.” The dark figure grunted and then added, “permanently.”

Continue reading →

by: BearCub648 (Julie Billings)

The boys pulled up to the old still site before Enos could get there. They stashed the car and went out towards the road so Enos could find them. Luke squatted down, seemingly intent on studying the red Georgia clay, but that was far from the truth. He then stood up and went back to the General to retrieve the papers. Cooter had almost lost his life for those papers. He wasn’t going to chance leaving them unguarded. Besides, he had reading to do.

Enos pulled up within a few minutes. He wasn’t always the brightest, but he could certainly tell when something was desparately wrong. The glumness he saw on the boys faces told the story well. He had heard a tidbit of conversation between Boss Hogg and Rosco earlier. It gave him the general idea that a lot of people in the community were stirred up about something.

“Enos, do you know anything about the Enviro Firm?” Luke questioned.

He replied, “Not a whole lot Luke. I did hear Mr. Hogg and Sheriff Rosco talking about something to do with some sort of deposits.”

Luke and Bo quickly explained how the whole day had gone from the very beginning.

“Enos,” Luke said. “I think you should find Rosco and get him to help us. The more help we have, the better off we’ll be. I think we should split up. You and Rosco should go stake out some of these farms. Take some of these holding forms in case those environmental freaks show up. Several of these guys are old Ridge Runners. Deliver the paperwork to them. They can handle it from there with a shotgun until the EPA gets here.”

Enos nodded. “Alright, Luke, Bo. I’m out of here. I sure hope Cooter is alright.”

Bo said, “Yeah. We’ve gotta get these guys for Cooter.”

Enos returned his hat to head, stumbling over a stick on the way to his vehicle. The boys dashed back to the General’s hiding spot and took off for the cabin intent on finding the missing pieces of the puzzle.

Continue reading →