Ambush - Excerpt

Change was presenting itself. Making plans for the future has not been a priority or even something I feel to have any use for. Like back at the river before I met Ed. Day by Day, every plan can be changed in a blink, the wind moves and a ship has to make direction changes.

We enter the orchard on the eastern edge of Ed’s property. Carriage first, I follow, and the covered wagon behind me. Very little breeze that day, quiet also. It was pleasant. Progressing through the orchard, the tree line and clearing can be seen. I look off to the right of the road ahead, a group, three Quail fly out of a bush into the opposite side of the road. I hear a distinct click, the locking of a hammer.

AMBUSH!

AMBUSH!

Just then, two shots fired, the two men on the carriage are out. The man to the left side falls off the seat, shotgun and ammo come down with him. Ed jumps out of the carriage, grabs the shotgun and ammo, releases two blasts. Off to his left he moves to cover.

“Get out of the carriage Clint!” I yell out, two more shots from the trees, behind me the wagon hands slump. I see the sniper to the right. Face masked by a black kerchief. My right hand to steal, I grip tight, draw, hammer back, squeeze, hammer, blast – sniper slumps staying in his position, riffle falls to his lap. I quickly dismount.

“Clint, get out of the Carriage!”

More riffle rounds come from the right ahead of us, two more shotgun blasts, Ed’s response. Gun smoke begins to hinder vision. In the corner of my eye, a bandit makes a run for the carriage, he to masked, hat hanging on his back, full stride for Ed and Clint, he fires at me. I grab my riffle, ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target acquired, trigger, hammer, bam! Runner is greeted with a new hole just below his left ear. The corps fall’s face first into the carriage wheel. Head mostly detached, that individual has left the game. Shots continue from the trees, I can’t see anyone. More shot gun blasts from Ed; I run to my right, using the same trees our adversaries are to keep cover. Short of breath I dive over a fallen trunk. The move has provided me with full view for a left rear flank attack. Four targets acquired; target one, ratchet, hammer lock, aim, trigger, hammer release, delivery complete. Target one takes it in the upper torso left side, below the shoulder blade behind the arm pit. Ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target two acquired, trigger, hammer – head shot to the temple, blood blasts out the front of his face. Ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target three acquired, trigger, hammer, he turns to shoot at me. The move causes him to catch my lead in his left hand, blowing the gun right out of his grip and providing a new separation between his two middle fingers. Clutching his newly designed hand; ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target three, bonus round, trigger, hammer, entrance wound just below the left eye, exit plasters target four with a shower of brain matter and blood. Ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target four acquired, trigger, hammer, contact made, left neck through the top of the collar bone, an interesting splatter. Number four doesn’t go down, he grips his neck, turning to return the favor, I ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target four, bonus round, trigger, hammer, - heart shot. Gunman falls back. It’s done. I hear a horse, the last bandit decided to bale out. Careful, careful, ratchet, hammer lock, aim, target acquired, trigger, hammer, - the horse is running alone. Rider hits the ground face first, momentum causes him to roll a bit. That man is not going to be assisting in any further ambush attempts. I pause, quiet as hell, still can’t catch my breath. No matter, I don’t hear any reloading or shots fired, I run to the road clearing. Ed sits at the last tree facing the ranch. His right ear split in two, silver hair now blood red, shirt soaked in blood from right arm to the belt. I drop to my knees in front of him.