Page 37 of Sinners Reunion

“We won’t actually be hunting animals, will we?” I study the shotgun lying beside me on the bed. “I like the meat-eating part, but the killing part? Not so much.”

“You didn’t get the urge to abuse animals from your parents? Certainly rubbed off on your brother.”

I sigh and pull the gun into my lap. “You remember how I like my eggs, but you don’t remember how much I adore animals. That’s why I saved that sloth, you know. She was set to be shipped to another backwoods operation, but I stole her.”

“Stole her? Didn’t your brother’s possessions shift to you upon his death?” He tucks an orange cap on his head, blocking all that glorious gray.

With a frown, I rise and go to his side. He tries to take a step back when I reach up, but then he relents and lets me fix him. I adjust the cap so that it’s backward and a bit of gray can still peek through the keyhole.

Too bad he won’t let me fix the rest of him.

“There. Now you can be our bait. One of those female Cattle is liable to run right for you.” I raise my finger gun. “Then I’ll get her. Blam! Right in the asshole.”

“Yes, and while you’re butt-fucking her with your finger, I’ll be busy blowing her brains out with the shotgun.”

“God, you Europeans are so literal.”

We grab the single pump-action shotgun we’re meant to share, and then we exit the RV. I’m glad when I see everyone else looks as silly as we do. Well, all except Blayne and Ice Pick. They look like they were made for this outfit.

Jim and Gary are the only two not wearing camo as they approach the group.

“Is that everyone, now?” Jim says, placing a black gift bag at his feet.

Maverick raises his hand. “Everyone but Grim and Rosie. They said something about sunning their buttholes, and I didn’t want to know more.”

Jim clears his throat and raises his eyebrows. “Noted.”

He stands before us in his suit and explains the game. We’re meant to search the woods for Cattle, then shoot them on the spot. The Cattle have been secured in specific zones, but they’ve been assured they’ll be released if they go without detection. This is basically murder hide-and-seek.

“What about the whole Carter aspect?” Ezra asks.

“Yeah.” Bennett adjusts a cardboard box under his arm. “When do we get to the part where we murder our father?”

“All in good time,” Jim says. “For now, we need to bait him out a bit more. If any of you happens across a stream, I suggest you follow it until you find a cabin. Inside, there are three special targets.”

The group releases a collective groan.

“Not Normies or feds or anything like that,” Jim says with a roll of his eyes. “These three are a few of the targets Carter wants to tidy up before ending his spree. He plans to strike tomorrow, so we’ll take them out today.”

“The notes, Jim?” King says.

“Oh, right. Also, each Carter child should leave a note behind for their father. Say whatever is on your mind. I’ll make sure they get into his hands.”

“Should we let him know we plan to kill him? He might go back into hiding if he knows we’re after him,” Ezra says, and he stands a little taller.

King scoffs. “Doubtful. The man fears no one, and if you think he’ll be caught unawares, you’re mistaken. He’s very aware of what we plan to do.”

“Well, he needs to fear us,” Frankie says. “I had no qualms taking out my mother, and I’ll have zero when it’s time to kill him.”

“Might help to egg him on,” Bennett says with a laugh.

Eve chuckles. “You would bring up food, wouldn’t you?”

Jim clears his throat and gets the group back on track. “The Cattle are worth twenty points each, but the three special targets are worth fifty points. You may only tag one of them, however.”

“Who are they?” Cat asks. “You know I can’t kill without a good reason.”

“These three men are the only Carter targets of the event. The rest are our regular Cattle.” Jim glances at me, then looks at each of the Sinners. “These three men don’t realize they have something in common. All three wronged Carter in some way.”