The Long Road
by
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“Harry, I’m really sorry. I got into some trouble with some crooked businessmen. They took all my money and all the money from my friends. Then they beat up my friends, T-Bone and Kenny are in the hospital, and Skyward is in danger. I have to give them $10,000 in cash by tomorrow ,or they will hurt her. I was desperate, so I thought I would try to see if there was any cash here. I’m really sorry. I honestly didn’t mean any harm, and I know you’re a nice guy and all. I was afraid for my life and my friends too. I know it was wrong. I didn’t know what else to do, so I.”
“Shut up!” Harry thundered.
“I’ve heard enough, so you just shut your mouth and listen to me very carefully! Your life now depends on it!” Harry yelled as he flipped on the light switch for the room, revealing a very large 357 Magnum Colt Python in his hand pointed straight at Ryder. Ryder noticed that it had been cocked and was ready to fire. Stomping up to Ryder, Harry pressed the gun to his forehead. “Who do you think you are?”
“No one, Harry, honestly, I…”
“I said shut your mouth! If you say one more word, it will be your last! Do you get what I’m saying, boy?” Ryder’s eyes were wide as he shook his head in agreement.
“You could have asked me for the money, but instead, you just decided you were entitled to I,t so you came into my place to steal my things like I didn’t even matter. Nothing gets me angrier than a stinking little piss ant like you who thinks he is all that and can do whatever he wants with anyone’s things. I even felt sorry for you and warned you about T-Bone. And you pay me back by stealing from me? From me!” Harry pressed the gun’s barrel harder into Ryder’s head. “You have no clue who I am. You have no idea what I have done and what I am capable of. Do you?”
Ryder said nothing but shook his head no.
“That’s right. You don’t. ‘Cause if you did, just the thought of trying to steal from me would have sent cold shivers done your spine.” Harry took several large tie-wraps out of his pocket and fastened Ryder’s hands together behind him, “In fact, I would bet that you have no idea that right now I am considering dragging your sorry hide into that brush out back and slicing you open stem to stern with this here knife.”
Ryder’s eyes widened as he looked down to see a huge knife in Harry’s waistband. “Yeah, I think that’s what I’m gonna do. The gun here would make too much noise. There ain’t many neighbors ‘round here, but what take the chance? This knife is razor sharp and won’t make a sound slicing through your gullet. Then I’m gonna cut you up to make it easier on my four-legged friends, the coyote,s to eat you. There are lots of coyotes out here. They would make short work of you. They’ll probably drag what’s left of your bones out to their den in the foothills. Not likely anyone would ever know what happened to you. It would just be, ‘Poof,’ and you’d be gone. It has always worked well for me in the past.” Ryder’s eyes widened more.
“Like I said, you have no idea who or what I am, but you will know after tonight. On that, you have my word.”
Harry grabbed him by the back of his collar and pushed him over to the back door and out into the yard. “Now listen, boy, not one sound, or I’ll gut you right where you are faster than you can blink.” Harry shoved Ryder so hard he lost his balance and fell, sending his phone out of his pocket and onto the ground. He wanted to stand up and run, but he was trembling so hard he could hardly get back on his feet. Harry bent over and picked up the phone, “Nice phone! You tried to take something away from me, so I’m going to take something away from you.”
“Wait! Please! My phone is the only way to communicate with whoever is blackmailing me.”
Harry grinned goolishly. “No kiddin’? Well, I won’t take it then,” he said, laying it on a large rock next to Ryder.
“Thank you,” Ryder said, almost crying with relief.
“No, I won’t take it.” Harry looked around and picked up a good size rock.
“What are you doing?” Ryder said in a panicked voice.
Harry grinned again, lifted the rock, and smashed it down onto the screen of Ryder’s phone repeatedly until it was in pieces.
“No!” Ryder said helplessly, dropping to his knees and crying.
“Don’t worry, boy,” Harry said with mock pity, “You won’t have much use for it anyway. You can have it back now,” he said as he threw several pieces of the shattered phone at Ryder’s face.
“I can’t help them now,” Ryder whimpered weakly. “What am I going to do?”
Harry lifted his large knife, placing the point against the middle of Ryder’s sternum, “I don’t think you understand, boy. You have no say here. Your freedom to choose what you want went away the minute you climbed through my window. Now, all I have to do is push this, and it’s all over. Now stand up and move!” Harry said as he shoved Ryder further into the brush.
About 20 yards in, Harry said, “That’s far enough. Get on your knees!” as he pulled out his knife again.
“Sorry, boy, but this is gonna hurt you more than it will hurt me.”
Ryder squeezed his eyes closed and braced himself for the pain.
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About the Book
Ryder Christianson is a bright, adventurous young man who is discontent with the good life he has. He and his older brother, Bobby, live on a North Dakota cattle ranch where his dad, Mike, has been raising them on his own since his wife died. Since then, Ryder has been getting into fights, performing poorly academically, and rebelling against all authority. Although Mike’s faith in God is strong and he unconditionally loves his son, Ryder’s constant irresponsible behavior is making him more frustrated by the day. Even a near death experience is not enough to dissuade Ryder’s rebellious attitude and desire for freedom from all authority and responsibility.
While Mike finds comfort in the scripture and his relationship with God, Ryder eventually decides to move in with his aunt in California where he believes he can live without restrictions and responsibilities. Against Mike’s better judgment, he lets Ryder go. Will Ryder’s strong spiritual upbringing be enough to hold him together in a new place or will he stray down the wrong path in pursuit of other desires?
In this uplifting story of forgiveness, faith, and hope, a prodigal son on a long road to maturity must detour away from selfishness, greed, and rebellion to find his way back to God.
About the Author
Jeff Howat is a retired educator devoted to Jesus, his wife, and family. He enjoys tennis, chess, and reading Dr. Suess, and many old theologians. Jeff is a member of the ACFW and the SCBWI. www.jeffhowat.com.
Earl Casas is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ as well as a husband, father, and office worker who enjoys painting word pictures to communicate truths and bring text to life. Earl is a member of the AFCW.