Page 120 of Savior
“Heat of the moment… Old fears. She didn’t deserve it.” I say, bracing my core as I wait for him to slug me in the gut. “Come on, free pass... Let me have it… You know you want to.”
“Did you apologize?”
“Of course.”
“And she forgave you?”
“Yes… And I’m glad for it, but I got off too easy. Just fucking slug me.”
He stands up, pressing his fist into the palm of his other hand, cracking his knuckles. “I’m sure one of the social workers with the organizations we work with, could recommend a good therapist for you, Dean. Fuck knows it’s way overdue. You’ve got more issues than Men’s Health Magazine. And that’s kinda ironic in and of itself, because it’s Men’s Health-”
“Viking, just fucking-”
He slugs me hard in the solar plexus, taking the wind out of me, then nails me with an upper cut to the chin. I stumble backwards into the ledge of my work bench, slightly dazed.
“Crazy ass masochist.” He mutters, shaking his head at me. “You happy now, dipshit?”
I push myself up from the work bench, rubbing my jaw. “Yup...” I manage to half wheeze, half grunt out through the bit of pain as I try to get my diaphragm working again. It’s been a while since I’ve actually taken a punch and had the wind knocked out of me. And Viking packs a fuckin’ wallop. I attempt to pull in a few deep breaths when Axel’s ringtone, Sweet Child O’ Mine, by Guns N’ Roses, rings from my back pocket. I pull it out and answer his call.
“Yeah..?” I wheeze.
“Dean?”
“Uh huh…”
“Are you getting head or something?”
“No… Hang on a sec…Viking… knocked the wind out of me.” I manage to get out.
“Why? What’s happening?”
“Nothing… We’re fine… What’s up?”
“Alright, whatever you say.” Axel doesn’t exactly sound like he’s convinced, but he goes on anyway, “Why don’t you grab Viking and meet me out in Creek County? Fifteen Old House Lane. Just keep an eye out for the big shack in a corn field that looks straight out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
“What are you doing out there? That’s way out in the sticks.” I ask, finally able to speak.
“Shit, you’re telling me? I’m shocked this pile of rotten boards I’m scoping out is still standing. Anyway, I think I might have found a spot where the Demons come to chill.”
“Fuckin’… What? You’re there right now?”
“What’s going on?” Viking asks.
“Yeah. I’m casing the joint.” Axel informs me.
“Axel, get the hell away from there!”
“Relax, Dad… They’ve got no idea I’m even here.”
Dad… the mocking way he just used that word on me... It takes me by surprise.
“Shit… Dean. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.” I can hear the regret in Axel’s voice. “I’m sorry, man…”
“Just get out of there, Axel.”
“Look, this will be a lot less dangerous if you guys come and back me up.”
“Back you up?”
