Resolution: Evan Warner Book 1 Read Online Free Page B

the false appearance of being slow. Then he rushed me fast. An all or nothing charge.
    Stupid move.
    As I expected.
    I did two things at once. With my left hand I blocked his reach with a hard hammer fist. While my left hand was dropping and smashing into his outstretched hands, I brought my right fist up fast. It was a huge uppercut that should have leveled him. But in my excitement my aim was off. My fist glanced off the edge of his jaw. Not the most accurate punch I’d ever thrown. But still enough to stun him and send him backwards.
    He staggered back and steadied himself and then made a second lunge. I stood waiting. He was the angry bull type, lashing out with rage rather than strategy. He took his fear and anger at being caught and humiliated and he sent it all hurling in my direction. He was well over two hundred pounds, and I was around three hundred. Over five hundred pounds smashed together. His chin was low, near his chest. Probably because it was hurting from the first hit. Which now left the top of his head low and exposed. I caught his temple with a roundhouse right and stepped back and watched him fold like an accordion. He went down all wobbly and slumped over on his side.
    Dad moved up beside me. Put his hand on me as he said, “That’s enough. He’s going to jail as it is. No need to give him brain damage.”
    I nodded, catching my breath. “He hasn’t got much to spare anyway.”
    Then someone else came up close to my side. They were almost touching me. I was tense. Hyper aware of my surroundings. Expecting to be attacked by some unseen foe. I looked and it was only Linda Milton.
    “Was that you shooting?” she asked.
    “Him,” I said, pointing to Dad.
    Linda looked back and forth with her mouth open. Then she said, “Want me to tape this guy for you?”
    “Be my guest,” I said and stepped forward and pushed the guy over with my foot. Rolled him like a big blob of lifeless dough. Then put some weight on the small of his back. He flattened out, groaning, and Linda Milton put a strip of tape around his ankles. There was no point in taping his hands. He was too dazed to know who or where he was.
    Dozens of people were gathering around closer. They had been standing off in a wide circle, keeping a safe distance while they took in the action. Now they were pushing in closer.
    From behind me I heard someone call, “Thank you.” It turned out to be the victim’s mother.
    I turned around but couldn’t see her through the growing crowd. I sensed Frank near my leg. Reached down to pet his head. A lot of people were looking at us. It was a little awkward. Getting worse by the second.
    Then someone came forward. Just some random gray-haired guy. He held out his hand and said, “Well done, young man. Hell of a job.”
    I nodded to him. Shook his hand quickly.
    Then someone else started to clap. Then A few more people joined in. It grew until there must have been forty or fifty people applauding me and Dad and Frank.
    Over the years I’ve been commended by plenty of guests. Usually for more mundane reasons. Like helping to set up a tent or light a campfire on a damp day. People are always very thankful when I toss out a drunk or some other troublemaker. So thankful that they sometimes cheer and laugh and breathe a loud sigh of relief. Once I was even hugged frantically by a woman for chasing away a young bear that was feasting on the contents of an unlatched cooler.
    But I’d never experienced anything like that round of applause. Not even close.
     
     

 
     
    5
     
     
    Jeremy Conner was shaken but okay. Someone got a bandage from a backpacking first aid kit and treated a raspberry on his forearm. He didn’t cry or anything. Just stood there looking confused, like, what the heck just happened ?
    My Uncle Danny arrived within minutes. Three state troopers followed soon after. The driver was coherent enough to attempt resisting the handcuffs. Which probably only added to his prison stay. Two