Fire at Dusk: Part 25

The sheriff put the four-wheeler into drive and started his trek across the field. He could see himself back at home, getting one last nightcap in before settling down for the evening. All that stood between him and something to calm his nerves was this field and that damn forest trail.

He glanced at the side mirror and saw the deputy's graduation tassel flowing in the wind. He felt a twinge in his chest. Every time he looked down at it, a fresh wave of guilt washed over him.

“Bah, I thought I told her to get rid of this thing,” the sheriff growled.

He reached down and tugged on the tassel, but only succeeded in changing the trajectory of the vehicle. “This is just what she wanted,” he fumed. “Rub her fancy-smancy education in my face. Newsflash hun, I didn't hire you fer yer brains.”

She wanted to make him feel inferior for his lack of education. She deserved to be left behind. Maybe he wouldn't have been so quick to desert her if she had learned to loosen up a bit. That girl never seemed to smile. When they did sit down and have a conversion it was all business. She would always make 'helpful' suggestions on what their small town office could be doing better. She thought she knew best, but her education was no match for his good old fashion intuition.

He slowed the vehicle to a stop and pulled out a pocketknife. The tassel fell to the ground and disappeared into the darkness.

If she was so smart, then she should be able to fend for herself. There wasn't anything he could do for those kids tonight. All he would do now is risk getting himself killed and that wouldn't help anyone. Really, he was doing them all a favor. She could get a chance to hang out with some of her old peers. Meanwhile, he would be doing all the hard work, getting a crew together for the hunt and all. He would come back tomorrow with a few men and enough firepower to mow down an elephant. Hell, he knew a couple of guys who probably would be willing to pay for the privilege to hunt that monster.

The sheriff continued his journey through the field. The forest trail wasn't far from the rise ahead. The vehicle traveled up the slope, cresting the small hill. Ahead, the field was bathed in a turquoise glow.