Benny and Caden looked at each other as though they hadn’t made it this far in the conversation.
“It’s a decent plan. Of course, it only works if someone is brave enough to volunteer,” Ellis said smoothly.
Ana knew exactly where this was going. This was not a good plan. If the shooter was hiding out there waiting to kill someone, then anyone streaking across the desert dressed in a mattress and a tin bucket was volunteering to die.
Ellis knew. It was obvious. He was too smart to think otherwise. But this was a way out. The inescapable clock was ticking the minutes of the hour away. If one of them was stupid enough to volunteer, it would kill two birds with one bullet; they would test if the shooter was serious, and if they were, it would reduce the competition by one.
Win-win.
Of course, Ana thought, no one would be foolish enough to actually do it. Would they?
“I’ll go,” Benny said, trying and failing to look heroic. “Seems only right, me being the only responsible adult and all.”
“Wait, Benny, are you sure?” Ana blurted out. It really seemed like Benny was operating on half a tank and it would be wrong to take advantage of him. Ellis turned his full attention to her, and she withered a little under his icy stare. “I’m just… I mean. We should really think about it, you know? It’s just, if the shooter’s serious, you could…”
“Benny knows what he’s volunteering for,” Ellis cut in sharply. “Benny, you are quite right, your plan is fucking genius, and you, as the only adult, are a hero. When we get out of this, we will make sureeveryone knows what you did here. You can start a GoFundMe, probably make a fortune, and never need to work again.”
“Yeah, my mama always said I’d be good for something,” Benny said, laughing. He actually seemed to be enjoying himself.
“Are you sure, Benny?” Ana asked again, stepping to the edge of the pile of junk, nervously kicking at an old piece of a toilet bowl.
“Abso-effing-lutely,” Benny said. “Caden, my man, pick up that mattress. We’re gettin’ outta here.”
14
Ana
08:12
Raya was by the prickly-pear cactus near the road, Ellis and Alex were outside the reception area, and Jade and Jax were near the road sign. The plan was in place.
They were watching the countdown on their phones.
When the timer got to five minutes, they would all leap around, shout, bang things, and create all kinds of chaos at the front of the motel. With the distraction in place, Ana and Caden would help Benny to the edge of the line and see him off. Ana had volunteered to stay behind to help. She wanted a last chance to reason with Benny without Ellis getting involved.
Benny tried a little jogging in place to see if the makeshift strapping tied from torn bedsheets was up to the job.
“Benny, do you really want to do this?” Ana moved in front of him so she could be sure he was listening.
“I’m all good. Don’t you worry about ol’ Benny-bear,” he said, smiling.
Ana nodded. “Just remember, if you change your mind, it’s okay. You really don’t have to go. We can figure something else out.”
“You’ve got a good heart, kid.” Benny paused, his expression serious. “Now listen—you take care of yourself, okay? Those kids aren’t so nice.” He nodded in the direction of the others.
It felt so wrong. Ana didn’t even know the guy, but she was fully aware of just how dangerous a risk he was taking, even if Benny wasn’t. He was putting his life on the literal line. Maybe this would be a prank, and everything would turn out fine, but then again, maybe it wouldn’t.
Benny must have sensed her concern. He leaned towards her, his armor clunking awkwardly.
“Listen, kid. I’m gonna be fine.” He smiled his big-bear smile and patted her gently on the shoulder. “All of you are going to be just fine. I promise you that. Okay?I promise.”
The way he said it…somehow, she believed him. She wanted desperately to believe him. She needed to.
There wasn’t much more to say; Benny had made his decision. His big red face grinned at her from under the rusty bucket.
“Almost time, Benny,” Caden called out.
So, this was it; this crazy idea, the best and only escape plan they had managed to come up with, was actually happening.
