Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

winning at all costs. Winky kept pushing the boat, even as his image grew larger and more sharp.
    We were now merely feet away, and he hadn’t moved a muscle. Rob and Fohi were just ahead of us now, both of them sitting in their canoe stunned, staring at Trip, no longer pushing with their poles.
    I turned to look at Peter. His chin was raised in defiance as he stared Trip down, gripping Buster to his chest. The dog struggled to be released, whining his displeasure, but Peter didn’t let go.
    I thought for sure Trip was going to use that weapon or at least say something, but as we slipped by, he only had eyes for Peter.
    Peter looked away as we drew parallel to Trip, keeping his gaze straight ahead, looking so badass I wanted to squeal and hug him for how awesome he was. But that would have ruined the whole effect, so I kept my cool, turned to face the front of the boat, and focused on trying not to panic over getting a spear tip in my backbone. I couldn’t imagine riding by and leaving Bodo behind, so this had to be so hard for Peter. It made me mad at Trip and Kowi all over again for putting him and the rest of us in this situation.
    As soon as Trip was out of sight, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Fohi was the first one to speak from up in front.
    “What the hell , dude?” he said, looking back at us, leaving Rob to do all the navigating. “What was that all about? Did he just do some sick-ass voodoo curse on us, or what?”
    “Is he serious?” asked Jamal.
    “Shut up, Fohi,” whispered Rob. “Let’s just get the hell out of here. This whole thing is just creeping me out.”
    Winky must have agreed, because our canoe surged forward enough to come into contact with theirs. Fohi gave us a dirty look, but joined in pushing his and Rob’s boat again. Within half an hour we were at the canoe rental place, pulling up onto the sand. No one was there to greet us.
    We all clambered out and grabbed our stuff, anxious to put as many miles between us and Trip -and whatever weird plan he had up his sleeve-as possible. I noticed the grenade suitcase in Rob’s boat. Ronald was pulling on it to get it out.
    “Careful, Ronald. Those are explosives.” I looked at Rob. “You got the grenades, cool. Thanks.”
    Ronald put them gingerly down in the sand and backed away from them, bumping into his brother who was standing there with his mouth hanging open.
    “I left them some,” he said, glancing at me as he tied the canoes to the boat rack for others to retrieve later. “Don’t be mad.”
    I shook my head. “I’m not mad. That’s fair. I’m not trying to leave anyone high and dry here.”
    “I know,” he said, smiling, coming over and patting me on the shoulder. “That’s why I did it; it was the right thing to do, and that’s what you’re all about.”
    “Which is why we’re here in the middle of the friggin night, I guess,” added Fohi, struggling under the weight of a backpack that was nearly half his size.
    I smiled at him, covering my mouth with my upper arm so he wouldn’t see. “What’s in that bag, dude?” I asked, masking my laughter with as curious a tone as I could muster.
    “All kinds-a shit I have no idea. Rob. Friggin buttwad packed it.”
    “Shut up, Fohi, or I’ll make you carry the heavy one,” Rob said, throwing an even bigger pack over his own shoulder.
    Fohi ignored him, struggling up the slope. We all followed, helping each other until we were all at the top of the bank looking down.
    “So this is it,” said Winky, staring at the canoes and then the water. “We’re really leaving.”
    Peter cleared his throat. “I’m going to miss this place.” We all probably knew at this point that it wasn’t the only thing he was going to miss. Trip had made that clear, stupid, insensitive jerk.
    “No shit,” said Fohi. “It was home for a long time.”
    “We’re sorry, guys. That we made you have to leave,” said Ronald.
    “It has nothing to do with you, really. Don’t worry about it,” I said, trying to reassure them. “Eventually it was going to happen, either with you guys or someone else. I’m just glad you thought of somewhere to go.”
    “Nobody made us leave,” agreed Rob. “It was a good place after our parents died, but I’ve been ready for a change for a while.”
    “You have?” asked Fohi, sounding offended. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
    Rob shrugged turning around and answering into the night. “I don’t know. I guess I