THE END
The night sky was clear, and bright with the light of a full moon, as he and his comrades crept across the field. This time he thought, this time they would put their query to the ground. This task had been a long and strenuous task for the last three years. Always something stopped them from achieving their goal, but to night would put this to rest. He glanced around to confirm the presence of his comrades, and check their positions. They need to do this right for they would not have a second chance this night. Mentally he went over the plan, and the tools that they would use to put this query down. Every one of his comrades carried their favorite weapon, and plenty of ammunition, all were dressed in their black clothing, with black ski masks. Had they been throughal enough, had they thought of everything, was there no chance for the query to escape tonight? He checked again on his comrades, some had not been as enthusiastic for this, but he had pushed and bullied them into accepting his plan. Yes he would see to it that they did their duty and he would be just behind them to make sure that they didn’t change their minds and run. Half way across the field they paused to check their positions and to take comfort in each others presences. He motioned them to continue, so all began to advance once more. He could make out the tree line they needed to get into for cover. Only about nine hundred feet more and they would have the trees for cover. Suddenly he heard a cough from his left, danm he thought that’s all they needed was to alert the query. He moved quickly to his left until he was behind his comrade. He spoke quietly, but forcefully .You trying to give us away. Stick your face into the ground if you need to cough. If this thing goes bust because of you, I’ll take you out. Now move and keep it quiet, or so help me god I’ll. He let it drop as his comrade began to move, yes he would make sure they did their duty. Now the trees were close, and he knew they would be safe to continue the stalk. He wished this was over, so he could be home drinking his beer and finishing that pizza. But this had to be done tonight; his cousin in the sheriffs office had made the arrangements so no one would respond until tomorrow. Now they were moving into the trees, and he felt relief flow into his mind and body. Just the branches overhead were comforting, as if he were inside his own home. Now they began to slip into their positions, and set themselves for what was to come. He checked their positions and made sure that he was behind them. If anything went wrong it wasn’t going to be him that was last to get out. He peered over the rise to see if he could see the killing ground, or the query. Then satisfied he sat down to rest, boy this was nerve racking, he thought. The moon was overhead now and he rose slightly to see the kill zone. Not yet, not yet, he grew more nervous by the second. Can’t let the others see this he thought. He looked for his comrades one by one he could make out the forms slouched against a tree or laying on the ground. He wished he had a beer or some more of that joint they had smoked before starting. He checked again for his comrades then rose slightly to peer towards the kill zone. What was taking so long, he had hoped this would be over quickly. This waiting was beginning to be a strain on his nerves, and he was glad that he didn’t have to talk out loud. He checked once more for his comrades, slouched against the trees and laying on the ground. They were silently waiting, being very still in the moonlight, good he thought they were doing well. Again he rose to peer into the killing zone, and still the query wasn’t there. He shuffled his position slightly, and closed his eyes. Quickly he opened his eyes, got to keep an eye on these boys he thought. Look at them slouched there and laying on the ground like they were sleeping. Sleeping, sleeping he thought, something was wrong, they hadn’t moved since they had arrived. He had better check on each of them, make sure they were awake and hadn’t dosed off. "Danm them" he had told them to quit smoking all that dope. A dull blow bent him backwards, and he saw something explode from his chest. The moon swung over him filling his eyes with light and he felt something escaping from him. The foot steps were soft and then a shadow covered his face. He heard a voice softly say stupid hillbilly. I told you to leave me alone, and stay at home. Then the sting across his throat and life ran to the ground.
