Ruby's P.O.V.
Dad hasn't come back yet. Shane and I are back to camp and thefirst person we met on our way is my mom. She started to half screamat Shane when she saw my state. My cheek is all swollen and my wristhas red marks. I grab my mom's wrist which makes her look at me andexplain her the whole story. She looks back at Shane without saying aword and walks away. Shane replaces his hat back on and follows mymother on her tracks. Great, what am I going to do now? I lookup and see Jim digging wholes in the dirt at the quarry. He's beendoing this for a long time now. I wonder why though. Nobody died hereand nobody is supposed to. I frown and walk up to him by taking thesmall path that leads me to him. I stand few meters away from the manwhich does not stop him from digging.
- Hey, Jim, are you okay? I ask slowly and calmly. Ican see several wholes are already done behind him. Jim doesn'tanswer my question nor stops to look at me. Hum... Maybe youshould drink some water and sit down few minutes. You've been up herefor a long time now and the sun is high in the sky, I suggest himas I hand to Jim a water bottle. However, the man continues ondigging wholes in the quarry. I frown worried and concern beforewalking back to the camp. I have to tell someone before Jim hurtshimself.
I enter the camp again when my mom calls me. She's around the firecamp with my little brother. Amy and Andrea just came back withdozens of fish from the lake. Morales and his familly are near mymother and brother. Jacqui is hanging the laundry to dry. Shane issitting on the door step of the RV, cleaning his gun once again. Daleisn't on top of his RV but near the group, close to Andrea and Amy ashe watches all of the fish the caught. I walk up to them still tryingto understand why Jim is digging all those wholes. Is he justoccupying himself? Did he had a dream about something? I know he cansort of see the future. Maybe Shane or someone else asked him to dothat? I keep walking towards the group when I hear Carl calling mewith excitment.
- Ru ! Come see the fish ! Amy and Andrea are going to show me how to do that to, he says with so much enthusiasm. I smile at him and hug my brother from the side. I look at my mom and I know she can see and tell that something is wrong. She stands up but I shake my head to tell her that everything is fine. She sits back down and then I look at Shane. He immediately stands up and walks up to be next to me. God, I missed my uncle. He puts his left hand around my shoulders and looks at me in the eyes.
- Ruby, what's wrong? Are you alright? questions Shane with concerned while puting his left hand on my right shoulder. When he says my full name, that means he is serious. I look at everyone around us. They all seem as concerned and worried as Shane is. I quiet sigh and turn around to walk back to the quarry.
- Follow me, I tell them as I gesture them to follow me. We all walk to the quarry where Jim is still digging holes. Shane, Carl and I are in front while the others follow closely behind. I have my little brother's hand in mine but he retrieves it before walking back to our mom. Shane's arm is now around my shoulders. I explain everything to the group while we walk up the small path. The group and I arrive near Jim who, like before, keeps digging.
- Hey Jim, says Shane as calm as I spoke with Jim minutes ago. Why don't you hold up, all right ?
- Just give me a second, please. Replies the man while throwing dirt away with the shovel. He plants the shovel in the dirt for the umpteenth time today before supporting himself on it. What do you want ?
- We all a little concerned, that's all, tells, Shane as he stares at Jim.
- Ruby told us that you've been out here for hours, says, Morales to Jim.
- So ? Asks the man while shrugging.
- So why you're digging ? Questions, Uncle Shane. Are you heading to China, Jim? Jokes dad's best friend. I feel his chest vibrating as I hear him laughing, which causes me to chuckle. I quickly stop chuckling when I felt my cheek hurting. Right, thanks Ed.
- What ? Does it matter? I'm not hurting anyone, responds Jim, looking confused.
- Yeah, except maybe yourself, I respond to him in a friendly way. It's a hundred degrees today, Jim.
- You can't keep this up, continues, Dale, supporting me in my statement.
- Sure I can, watch me, answers the man before starting to dig again. I look behind me and remark that my brother and Sophia are looking scared at the man. Everybody are scared of his behavior.
- Jim, they're not gonna say it, so I will, I reply to him, stepping two steps in front. You're scaring people, look, I say pointing to the group behind. You're scaring my little brother, you're scaring Sophia, Carol, Andrea, Amy, my mom, me, everyone here.
- Ru, I'd tell you what,.. I mean, what the hell people? I'm out by myself. Why don't you all just go and leave me the hell alone? I step back when I feel Shane's arm again. He pulls me behind him, protecting me.
- We just think that you need to take a break, okay? Why don't you go and get yourself in the shade? Some food maybe, suggests, Shanes while stepping closer to Jim after leaving my side. I'll tell you what. Maybe in a little bit, I'll come out here and help you myself, Jim just stares away, not answering to Shane's comments. Jim, just tell me what it's about? Why don't you just go ahead and give me that shovel?
- Or what?
- There is no or what. I'm asking you. I'm coming to you and asking you, please, continues, Shane, employing the technics he learned to be an officer. I don't want to have to take it from you.
- And if I don't, then what? Then you're gonna beat my face in like Ed Peletier, aren't you? Shane looks down as Jim starts talking louder. This conversation is going to turn as a fight. I know Shane, he can easily lose his temper. Y'all seen his face, huh? What's left of it. See now that's what happens when someone crosses you, tells Jim while pointing at Shane.
- That was different Jim, replies, Andrea, you weren't there.
- Ed was out of control. He was hurting his wife and hurt Ruby, continues explaning, Amy.
- That is their marriage. That is not his. He is not judge and jury. who voted you king boos, huh? Screams the man which caused me to back a single step away. I never saw Jim like that before. He always seemed that nice guy.
- Jim, I'm not here to argue with you, all right? Says, Shane, while walking up to Jim. This one backs up each time Shane takes a step forward. I know Shane is losing his patience at the state. Just give me the shovel, okay? Insists, my uncle. Jim tries to hit Shane with the shovel which caused everyone to gasp. Shane dodges Jim's hit as I step back again, scared. Suddenly, Shane tackles Jim to the ground and takes the shovel away from the man.
- No, no, no, no, screams Jim while lightly crying. Shane handcuffs him before rolling the man so he is on his back now.
- Jim, nobody's gonna hurt you. You hear me? Shh. Jim, nobody is gonna hurt you, okay? Repeats dad's best friend while trying to calm the man down.
- That's a lie. That's the biggest lie there is. I told that to my wife and my two boys. I said it 100 times. It didn't matter. They came out of nowhere. There were dozens of 'em. Just pulled 'em right out of my hands. You know, the only reason I got away was 'cause the dead were too busy eating my family, the man cries hardly while half whispering and half screaming his story. All campers can hear the pain his Jim's voice. It actually brought me goosbumps. That man is so kind, he doesn't deserve what happened to his familly. He never asked anything for this to happened.