The Haunted Traveler December 2017 Edition

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“So…Ax, is it?” Scott asked, turning toward the pit bull that huddled on its haunches
in the small space behind the driver.
The dog growled his engine-volume growl.
Scott flashed a fake smile trying to keep a calm demeanor, but mostly to distract from
the smell of burning toast in his nostrils. He once heard a friend say that smelling toast
meant a heart attack was coming. Or was it a stroke? Scott desired neither and knew he
needed to stay calm.
The driver piped in. “He’s saying, ‘Yeah that’s my fucking name. Got a problem?’” he
said, cracking another smile. “Myself, I go by Gideon.”
“Pleased to meet you both,” Scott replied. “I’m Scott. Why the name Ax for your
dog? Great name, by the way. Short, descriptive, tells you a lot.” Stop trying to be nice.
Gideon shrugged. “That’s what he told me his name was.”
Ooookay. Fuck it, just keep smiling and go with it.
“Great name,” he repeated. “Where are you two headed?”
“Well, me and Ax, he’s my foster, you see,” Gideon started, glancing at Ax in the
rearview with a loving smile, “and we’re heading home. And by home, I’m talking about
nowhere at all. The way I see it, the road is our home. Because of our past…choices,
let’s call ‘em…we don’t have the luxury of calming down in one place. I can’t even
remember the last time we even had a meal.”
Ax growled.
Gideon turned to Scott and opened his mouth, revealing a maw with only three
visible teeth. “Not that I’m complaining too much,” he cackled, glancing back at Ax in
the mirror. “As long as I’ve got him by my side, I could give a shit if I ever eat again.”
“Well, like I said, I’m very thankful,” Scott said.
“Don’t tell me,” Gideon replied, “tell Ax.”
“Oh, so it was his voice who told you to pick me?” Scott asked with a chuckle,
maintaining his smile.
Ax barked several times. Scott felt the spit on his left cheek.
“He wants to know what business you got in Brantley,” Gideon.
Scott’s smile dropped, his face slack. “I…um…” He trailed off and paused, half
expecting Gideon to crack a smile. He didn’t. Scott now felt awkward as well as nervous.
Scott cleared his throat. “I’m from out of state - ”
“No shit,” Gideon said.
“Yeah, and..…” Scott stuttered, voice cracking slightly. “It’s a boring story, really. I’m
here to buy parcels of land to buy for this company I work for. We’re looking to expand
and…basically I’ve just been driving all over this county meeting with realtors. Brantley
was my next stop, but these roads are confusing, as you would probably know.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” Gideon replied. “I grew up on these roads. I know them like the
back of my dick.”
“R-right, of course,” Scott said. “I guess I lost track of how much gas I had left. I