Dwight saw Jean turn her head away from Ari and Brandon. Then the others heard it. Norm and Fletcher took off for the road, Brandon behind him. Ari, holding his gun on them, turned to look as well. Brandon went just halfway back to the cars then raced back to them.

Ari asked them first how they’d told where they were.

Brandon was next. He was furious and blamed Jean because she’d had the phone call. He grabbed her by the throat, screaming at her while he pointed his gun at Dwight. Dwight was stunned. He wanted to do something but wasn’t sure how. Jean was choking! Brandon had his face in hers.

Dwight was vaguely aware that Jean did something and Brandon stumbled. Her hands were already around his, and she shifted, pulling him as she dropped to the ground. Dwight took the opportunity to kick the gun away from pointing at him before Brandon’s reflexes could pull the trigger. Brandon tumbled into the hole and then off balance and his shoulder in pain from the sudden move, Dwight fell in after him.

It was a struggle in the hole. Dirt flew into his eyes and mouth. Brandon was hitting him with the gun as Dwight struggled to grab it before Brandon could pull it around. His shoulder screamed with pain but if he didn’t get that gun he was going to be dead. That was his only thought. Get that gun. Dwight felt every kick and blow to shins, ribs and arms.

Brandon was succeeding. He was bringing the gun between them. Dwight’s shoulder was making his arm nearly useless. The gun barrel came closer. Dwight forced his bad arm to follow the gun and grab it. He made one last knee to anything, and got a hold of the grip over Brandon’s hand. The gun went off. Dwight was deafened by the sound in the narrow space. He lay on top of Brandon, not sure who was hit his shoulder hurt so bad.

“Dwight,” he finally heard. It sounded so far away. Then a thump and feet hitting his legs. It had to be Jean that grabbed his bad arm. He screamed. “You’re killing me! The other arm, Jean.”

His arm dropped then the good arm was grabbed. He could barely hear her, but she got him up. He’d hardly had a time to take a breath when the hole was surrounded, bright lights in his eyes. It looked like Detective Voberg and the cavalry. He was never so happy to see a cop in his life.

Tears streaked through the dirt on Jean’s face as they walked to the ambulance. It felt good to be alive.

Next Chapter: Alternate Dwight Story Chapter Two