The trees were whipping about in the wind, their leaves rattling together. Matthias looked up at the dark grey clouds that loomed over head. The storm was fast approaching, and the smell of rain made his nostrils tingle.

He decided to state the obvious. “Its going to rain,” he said to Tara. She nodded, and he put an arm around her and pulled her closer. Even the worst lines had a purpose. They continued walking down the old dirt trail, leaves racing across the ground in front of them, and the trees sighed and whispered among their branches above.

The rain started when they reached the cross roads.

“Shit,” mumbled Matthias as he fumbled with the umbrella he pulled from his pack. It sprang open, and he smiled at her. She came up and huddled next to him, the rain pelting softly on the nylon above their heads. He hadn’t been quite quick enough, however, because her blonde hair was plastered to her forehead.

Tara squinted at the sign above the crossroads, but couldn’t make out what it said. “Which way?” she asked.

Matthias frowned. She was a lot more relaxed than the others. They had just met that morning. He began to think that he actually liked this one, and for once they would make it.

“Which way?” she asked again. Her blue eyes were probing his face.

“Left,” he said. It was always left and always would be left. “We go left.”

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Matthias and Tara turned to the source of the voice. A man stood on the trail to the right, rain plinking off his bright yellow parka, his face invisible in the shadow beneath the plastic hood. He was later than usual. They might have been laxing in their job.

“Who…”

“Oh, you didn’t tell her, brother?” the man stepped forward. Lightning flashed across the sky, briefly illuminating the sign above the cross roads. Although she was closer, it was too fast for Tara to make out what it said.

The man raised his arms to the sky and laughed. “C’mon, Matthias. We’ve been doing this for too long for you to forget me,” he took another few steps closer to the two under the umbrella. “Hello, my name is Deacon.”

“Don’t touch her.” Matthias gave Tara the umbrella and stepped out into the rain between her and Deacon.

“Easy, easy,” the man in the parka looked over the other’s shoulder, straight into Tara’s eyes. “Did he tell you what he was going to do to you? No? You did meet this morning, correct?”

He paused a moment to let this sink in. It was true. Tara shifted her weight to the other foot.

“Don’t listen to him Tara. Head to the left. I’ll catch up in a bit.”

“To do what, brother? Rape her?” Deacon’s eyes stayed on Tara’s. “Oh, did I say something wrong? He told you he was going to walk you to the nearest ranger station, right? Go right, and I’ll save you from this creep.”

They stood there in the rain, one near the left trail, the other near the right, looking at Tara, begging, pulling. Tara felt lost. Stick to the plan.

“Tara, please, to the left.”

“Tara, I’ll save you. To the right.”

Matthias’ heart beat fast and hard in his chest. He wished he could tell her more, but the deal didn’t allow it. He waited, breathless, for her choice.

Deacon, smiled slightly. It always worked. He had gotten most to come with him. He couldn’t wait to add her to the collection of bones back there. Her flesh would be so sweet, but not nearly as sweet as his brother’s disappointment.

“I….”

They leaned closer, eager.

“Oh, hell. Fuck you guys.” She reached in her bag, pulled out the handgun, and shot. Mathias stumbled back, his eyes wide in disbelief. He coughed out a mouthful of blood and collapsed.

“No!” Deacon fell to the ground next to his brother, lifting his head up into his lap. The blood poured from Matthias’ chest, mixing with the rain. The man in the parka looked up at the girl, “You, bitch! You messed it all up! That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“I’m going left. Without him.”

“You can’t. It’s impossible.”

“Watch me.”

She walked away, leaving them at the crossroads. Deacon looked up, tears mixing with the rain that streamed down his face. His brother’s face was cold in his hands.

“What do I do now?” he mouthed at Tara’s receding form. “What do I do now?”