Tim Shoemaker - Easy Target

Easy Target

2021 Tim Shoemaker. All rights reserved.

A Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188

Focus on the Family and the accompanying logo and design are federally registered trademarks of Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of Focus on the Family.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise marked, are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2001 by CrosswayBibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Michael Harrigan

The author is represented by the Cyle Young Hartline Literary Agency

The characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Tyndale House Publishers at , or call 1-855-277-9400.

ISBN 978-1-64607-019-0

ISBN 978-1-68428-306-4 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-68428-307-1 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-68428-305-7 (Apple)

Build: 2021-04-21 13:55:46 EPUB 3.0

Dedicated to you, my readers.

May you have the strength to stand strong even when you feel weak.

May you have courage to be kind even to those who arent kind back.

May you have wisdom to help the hurting even those who dont seem to want help.

And to those who feel despair pressing in on you.

Hang on, my friends. There is always hope.

There is always a way, if the desire be coupled with courage.

ROBERT E. HOWARD, CONAN THE BARBARIAN

H UDSON DIDNT ACTUALLY hear anyone in his bedroom. But he woke sensing someone was there. He held his breath and listened. Crickets. Cicadas. The usual night sounds drifted through his open window. But something felt off.

Dim light filtered in from the hall enough to know the door was definitely open wider than when hed gone to bed.

Terrific. He wasnt imagining this.

How often had he dreamt of being a hero? Imagining how great it would be to fight off some sicko whod busted into the house? But now he didnt feel so courageous.

Barely opening his eyes, he scanned the shadows of the room without lifting his head. I dont want to be a hero. I dont want to be a hero. He struggled to keep his breathing steady.

Lizzy. He had to make sure his little sister was okay. Mom, too. With Dad working late at the second job, Hudson had to step up. Had to. God help me.

He slid one arm off the side of his bed and reached for the Louisville Slugger on the floor. Hed grab it and bolt and if anybody got in his way hed swing for the fence. He felt the cool maple handle. Slid his fingers around it.

A faint rustling noise. Hudson tightened his grip and someone stepped on the bat, pinning his hand to the floor.

Jerking free, Hudson kicked off the covers. Ahhh

A hand clamped over his mouth. Easy its Dad. I dont want you waking everyone.

Hudson twisted away and stood his whole body shaking. You trying to scare me to death?

His dad raised both hands and motioned for him to stay quiet. So, youre awake?

I was going for the bat. What if Id hit you?

Dad laughed in a whispery sort of way. But you didnt. Come with me.

What?

He tapped a finger to his lips, motioned for Hudson to follow, and headed for the door. Even in the faint light he could see Dad was still wearing his Lowes work shirt. Hudson trudged after him.

Dad tiptoed through the kitchen to the basement door. He looked back once as if to be sure Hudson was following, and then disappeared down the stairway.

Hudson stood at the top of the stairs. Why down there?

I need to show you something, Dad whispered. He bypassed the light switch, and used the flashlight on his phone instead.

Okay, this was getting weirder by the second.

Hudson took the steps slow scanning the blackness of the basement as he did. The dank smell seemed especially strong, and the dampness circled and clung to his legs. He paused at the bottom of the stairs. The chill from the concrete floor seemed to go right through him.

The flashlight swung around, blinding him for an instant. You coming?

What are we doing down here?

Without answering, Dad wove his way around stacks of boxes still waiting to be unpacked from the move. He made his way to the furnace and turned off the flashlight.

Dark as a cave. And just as creepy.

Hudson heard the ratchet of the pull string, and a single bulb flicked on. He squinted and looked around for any clue as to what Dad felt was so important to show him at this hour. Furnace. Slop sink. Hot water heater. Nothing looked different.

Dad stepped in front of Hudson and squared his shoulders. Hit me.

He looked dead serious.

What?

Keep your voice down. He patted his gut. Right here. I want to see what youve got.

What Ive got? Hudson took a step back. Okay, a lot of stuff had changed for the family especially Dad but hed seemed like he was handling it alright.

Until now.

Im not going to hit you.

Yeah, you are. He motioned Hudson toward him. Youve never gone to a public school before. I have to make sure you can defend yourself.

So thats what this was all about. Seriously?

Weve raised you in a bit of a bubble, and eighth grade can be brutal. I havent slept good in the last two weeks since you started.

Hudson snickered. You woke me up because you cant sleep?

Cmon, wise guy. Lets see what youve got. Hit me.

There was no way. I might hurt you. Might? No, he definitely would.

Dad laughed quietly. What do you weigh now, one-twenty?

One thirty-two. Maybe more after the spaghetti tonight.

Okay, so I still outweigh you by sixty pounds. Trust me, youre not going to send this guy to the hospital. He tapped his stomach. Cmon. Right in the breadbasket. Take a swing.

I dont see the point.

Made any friends yet?

Hudson shook his head. Not that he hadnt tried.

With no friends, some will see you as an easy target. Dad shrugged like the solution was obvious. Youve got to know how to take care of yourself. Just in case.

For some reason the whole thing struck him as incredibly funny. You always taught me to solve problems without fighting. Does Mom know youre doing this? Dumb question. Why else would Dad be doing this in the middle of the night?

Stop stalling. Hit me.

Hudson pictured Dad going to school in a day when hallway or cafeteria brawls would break out. He was so out of touch. Its different now.

Dads face got dead serious. Times change. People dont. He hesitated. Ill bet you already know who the alpha male is at Southfield.

He pictured a wolf. Zachary Wolfe to be exact. PTO presidents son. Brainy. Charmer. All-around jerk.

Hed seen Wolfe torment Steve Adashek just because he smiled too much. Adashek hadnt done much smiling since. But Wolfe did along with Mitch Zattora, Brett Scurto aka Skirt and others hed seen following Wolfe like a pack. It made Hudson want to puke. I havent seen one fight. Nothing physical like that. Just verbal stuff.