The Reincarnation

Now to get Johnny out, Grey thought. He walked back to the cabin, hoping his men had stayed with the van. He figured he could hook the rope ladder that hung against the wall of the gorge to the vehicle’s bumper and simply drive a short distance, pulling Johnny up. No such luck. The driveway was empty. Grey checked where he thought they had hidden the van, but it was gone.

He went back through the forest, spitting, trying to get the metallic taste and smell out of his head. As he reached the edge of the woods, he realized he wouldn’t need the van to get Johnny out. Johnny had solved that problem himself.

Walking over, Grey realized Johnny had somehow climbed the ladder, even with his hands tied together. Johnny had gotten tangled in it on his way up, and was trying to free himself. Grey merely tied his feet together with a length of the ladder, left enough room for him to take small steps, and instructed the man to walk in front of him. Amazingly, Johnny complied.

After walking for a while, Grey tied Johnny to a tree that was out of sight of the front door of the house he approached. Thinking how handy that rope ladder was in keeping Johnny in line, he rapped on the door. After waiting a few moments, he tried again.

After a few moments more, his right leg immediately swung up and kicked the door in. It was an action Grey was accustomed to – more of a reflex than a cognizant thought. Two knocks, kick.

He scanned the house for a phone. He found none. Jesus, he thought, don’t these people use phones? Undaunted, he untied Johnny and set out for the next house.