The headlights came to life, casting a dull glow from the front of the truck. One side was brighter than the other, but it did the job.
Cathy rubbed under Max’s chin, then made a kissy face at him. “I’m sure. This isn’t the worst pain that I’ve ever experienced. It just stings some and aches. It’s manageable.”
Max leaned in closer, reaching for her face with his tongue.
“All right. That’s enough. Sit back.” Cathy kissed the side of the German shepherd’s head, then pushed him away.
Max licked around his chops, then retreated to the backseat.
A weird smell sifted through the vents, followed by a hissing sound.
Russell trained his ear to the noise. “You hear that?”
Cathy took deep breaths, in and out, then said, “Hear what? I don’t hear anything except for the wind howling.”
The gauges on the dash didn’t show any warnings or issues with the engine, but that meant little to nothing.
Russell rolled his window up, reducing the turbulence blasting through the opening. He held his finger in the air. “There. Do you hear that hissing sound?”
Cathy listened, then nodded. “Yeah. I hear it now. Are any of the gauges flashing on the dash?”
“No. Everything looks… wait a minute.” The check engine light flickered, then dulled. Russell reached through the steering wheel, then wrapped his knuckles against the plastic covering. “The check engine light might be faulty. It’s trying to light up, but it doesn’t come on all the way.”
Cathy craned her neck, then leaned to the side. “I’m not sure without taking a peek under the hood. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
The thought of the Bronco dying didn’t set well with Russell. They still had to stop off in Philly before he even thought of making it back home to his wife, Sarah, in Boston. He needed the Bronco to remain operational.
“We probably need to pull over and check out the engine to make sure it isn’t too bad. If we press it and don’t at least see what’s wrong, we could make things worse. That, and we really need to address that gunshot wound on your thigh. I don’t feel comfortable ignoring it.”
Cathy checked her side-view mirror, then said, “I’m not so sure stopping right now would be good. You blew that guy’s tire out, and Max gnawed on that scrawny guy’s arm. Not to mention the sexual comments that creep made about me.”
Russell understood Cathy’s hesitation in stopping and the risk it imposed on them, but felt it prudent to check the engine out in a safe place.
“I understand, but I would rather us be able to pick a spot to hold up and address the engine and your leg versus the truck dying on the highway or your wound getting worse. At that point, we could be screwed. We both have too much at stake for that to happen,” Russell replied. “I know we don’t want to stop, but this is the right call.”
The knocking sound grew louder, more intense the farther they drove. The check engine light burned a solid orange and stayed lit.
Cathy nodded her head. “All right. See if you can find a place off the main road here for us to stop. Maybe somewhere that isn’t close to the highway incase those goons head down this way. I’d rather play it safe than sorry.”
They drove a bit longer, scouring the sides of the road for a place to hole up for a bit.
Russell pointed out of the windshield to the tall weeds growing alongside the shoulder. “There. Hold on.” He slammed the brakes, bringing the Bronco to a skidding halt on the shoulder.
Cathy braced her free hand against the dash to keep her from being thrown forward. She peered out of the passenger side window to the gravel road next to the them.
There weren’t any homes or businesses close by. It seemed worth checking out.
Russell pulled down the rocky slope and followed the road through the tall weeds that grew unchallenged. The tires dipped into the many pot holes that covered the makeshift path.
They drove farther away from the main road into the unknown.
The Bronco stuttered, then lunged forward. It got worse the longer it ran.
A line of trees lined the gravel road on Russell’s side. Bushes and weeds filled any empty voids between the sprawling tree trunks.
Russell leaned close to the steering wheel, then squinted. “Is that a mailbox overgrown with weeds?”
Cathy stared in the same direction as Russell, then said, “Looks like it from here.”
The dull lights of the Bronco shone over the thick blades and illuminated the head of the mailbox. A dirt drive came into view right after and sliced through the tree line.
Russell peered at the rich vegetation through the driver’s side window, and spotted an older model home. “What do you think? It’s pretty well concealed from the main road, but still close enough to I-66. Those trees and bushes block the house for the most part.”
Cathy stared in the direction of the house, then down the long stretch of rocky road that faded off into darkness. “Well, it isn’t the worst place I’ve ever stopped at. And, like you said, it’s rather hidden. Do you think anyone lives there?”
The Bronco stopped shy of the dirt drive.
Russell shifted the clattering truck into park and eyed the house and the surrounding property. He couldn’t spot any vehicles in front or on the sides of the rather grim looking home. “Can’t say for sure without getting a closer look, but considering the overgrown grass and no vehicles parked in or around the house, I’m inclined to say no.”
The engine hissed louder, acting as though it could die at any moment.
Cathy shifted her attention to the grumbling engine, then shook her head. “I guess we don’t have much of a choice here.”
“It’ll be fine. Besides, don’t you like being off grid?” Russell asked, smirking.
Cathy looked at him, then the eerie looking house. “Yeah, but not in the same house The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was filmed in.”
“You won’t have to worry about that,” Russell replied, looking to the home.
“Why is that?” Cathy asked.
“That happened in Texas. We’re in Virginia.”
“Funny, Cage.”
Russell shifted into drive and turned down the dirt driveway that led to the home.
Max peered out of the driver’s side back seat window. His panting filled Russell’s ears. The smell of beef jerky and other odd scents attacked Russell’s nose, causing it to scrunch.
The headlights cast their glow off the side of the house near the long, dirt drive. The paint had chipped away from the rotted siding, showing its age. It looked in dire shape from the outside.
Russell drove to the back of the house, searching for any vehicles or hints of life on the property.
A derelict garage sat about thirty feet or so from the home. The double doors were wide open. The interior of the structure was dark and void of any cars.
“Well, on the outset, it doesn’t look like anyone’s here,” Cathy said.
Russell stopped, then placed the Bronco into park. He eyed the back of the house and the surrounding woods that lined the property. “Why don’t you let me check out the house real quick? Just to be sure. I won’t be long.”
Cathy looked at the backseat. “Take Max with you. If anyone is inside the home or something isn’t right, he’ll let you know pretty fast.”