Parchman, стр. 20
Someone spoke from the back of the man’s ensemble. ‘That there be thePresident, Jackal.’
‘What?’ said the man, looking to where the voice had come from and thenlooking back at Nathaniel in shock. ‘Goddamn, if you aren’t right. Peoplehow dare you. We have a genuine superstar Presidente of the United Statesof America here in our presence.’ He knelt before Nathaniel. ‘My name isJackal,and this is my little group of bandidos,’ he laughed. ‘So, bearing inmind your position I want to make you a new offer.’
Nathaniel started smiling. Thank goodness these men obviously had areasonable side to them. He nodded positively to Tallulah, who was skeptical.
‘Yes,’ said the man called Jackal. ‘We will leave if you give us twenty ofyour women and twenty others. Mmm, and throw in that chubby one I justspoke to. I like him.’
The smile on Nathaniel’s face dropped. ‘I can see you’re just wasting ourtime now. You have no intention to leave us alone do you?You’re justscum.’
A chorus of cat calls and ‘ooooh’ went off from Jackal’s group of misfitsand he sniggered at Nathaniel who was clearly irritated. ‘I mean,’ saidJackal pointing to Tallulah, ‘you could always just leave me this vision ofbeauty here and we can call it quits?’
As quick as the words came out his mouth so did the flick knife fromTallulah’s pocket to between Jackal’s legs. His surprise was short lived asabout thirty guns cocked and were pointed at Tallulah within seconds. ‘Ihumbly reject that offer,’ she said removing the blade and putting it backin her pocket. Jackal took a breath and waved the guns to be lowered.
‘Mmm, you’re just a grower aren’t you?’ he chuckled. ‘Well, lookie here,’he continued. ‘From what I can see, present company excused, your peopleain’t much for the fighting, so I’m going to let you go back to your campand think over my first offer. You’ve got two hours,’ he said looking at hiswrist, despite having no watch. ‘After that, we take what and who wewant. Now off you pop,’ he waved them away.
Nathaniel and Tallulah turned and started walking back to the communitywho were all stood around gossiping and waiting for the news from theirillustrious unelected leaders, unaware that the offer on the table was togive up a number of their own people for whatever horror awaited them.
‘So?’ said Carlgren, first to greet them.
‘So, we either give them what they want, or they take what they want andmore,’ replied Nathaniel.
Chuck groaned. ‘We either give up our people or we die fighting to protectthem. That isn’t really a choice. We fight, surely?’
‘Are you joking?’ said Carlgren. ‘We’ve got to give these people whatthey want or we’re all going to die. It’ll be a slaughter. Take a look around.These people are weak. We’ve six soldiers left and limitedweapons. It’sa tough decision but giving up twenty people to save over eight hundredisn’t even a question.’
‘Sort of like killing half the population to save the other half?’ said Chucksarcastically. ‘You going tovolunteer to be one of those twenty?’
Nathaniel and Tallulah stifled a smile and the flustered Carlgren was lostfor words. ‘It’s really rather simple,’ said Nathaniel. ‘We tell them no andaccept the consequences.’
‘If we have to fight these people, we are going to have to get together everyavailable person who is fit and healthy enough to stand up and fight. AndI mean everyone,’ said Tallulah.
Nathaniel looked at Tallulah in disbelief. ‘You cannot be saying what Ithink you’re saying. No. No way.’ Both of them looked over to the manstood chained to the tree. ‘I would rather die than let that man free.’
‘You may have your wish,’ replied Tallulah.Chuck stepped in between the two of them. ‘Tals, I’m with you all the wayin everything you do, but I’ll be honest, I’m with the Pres on this one. It’slike releasing a rattlesnake between two possums. You have no idea whichway it’s going to turn. In fact, if anything, is he going to help the peoplewho’ve had him chained to a tree for three weeks or this group of freakswho will probably welcome him in with open arms?’
‘Chuck, I spoke with him. He wants to make amends;he just doesn’t knowit yet. Let me at least talk to him?’ said Tallulah.
Nathaniel was almost shaking with rage. ‘Do you honestly think Loganwould consider this? McGregor went to that reservoir with the intention tokill Danny whether you want to believe it or not. The man is a born liarand will say whatever it takes to survive. You set him free and I am tellingyou now that if I get the chance to get close enough to kill him then I will.He deserves to die.’ Nathaniel furiously walked away and into his tent.
‘Your call Tallulah,’ said Carlgren.
‘This is a massive decision Tals. You got to be completely sure with whatyou’re doing. Ask yourself, do you trust McGregor?’ said Chuck.
‘Right now Chuck I’m not sure of anything. I’m not sure Logan is evenalive. I’m not even sure we’re going to make it through the night. The onlything I am sure of is that McGregor is the one person in this camp who canadd some kind of benefit in this situation. If he chooses to run or even jointhem thenwhat have we lost? We’re going to die anyway, right?’ repliedTallulah.
‘I guess,’ said Chuck. ‘I just hope you’re right.’
Tallulah turned and started to walk towards McGregor.
‘So, what’s going on over there?’ he said straining his neck towards thedirection ofJackal and the new arrivals. ‘Made yourself some friends haveyou?’ he chuckled.
‘At what point did you know I would be coming to you for help?’ shereplied.
‘Ah, about ten minutes after your pal over there started throwing themflames around,’ he smiled at her. ‘My eyesight