A noise that sounded like a saw blade hitting a pine knot erupted from the insensate Leon. We looked down and saw him shiver a few times, like a freshly caught mullet thrown on ice. Then, he let out another groan, rolled clumsily onto his side, and tried to sit up. He didn’t quite make it the first try and had to lie back down again. From there, he blinked his eyes, took a few shuddering breaths, and on the second attempt came to a wobbly sitting position, his chin dangling on his chest, with his hands flopped loosely across his thighs.

Sheriff Zimmer took the handcuffs from his belt and stepped closer to the man.

“Leon? Leon? Can you hear me, boy?” the sheriff asked in an authoritative tone.

Leon sat with closed eyes and gave no indication that his brain was yet reconnected to his ears.

“I’m gonna cuff you now. But if you give me any grief, I’ll sic this man on you again and let him whup you good this time. You hear me?”

Leon lifted his chin from his chest and, opening his eyes, gave me a watery and wavering stare. Then, as the sheriff tapped him on the shoulder, Leon made a clumsy attempt to put his hands behind his back. I guess when it’s a movement you’re well accustomed to making, the body can function even through the cloudy haze of a concussion.

Sheriff Zimmer quickly and efficiently got the cuffs on Leon, but from the sound they made when being closed, I could tell they just barely went around the man’s thick wrists.

“Leon, why don’t you just lie back down ’til the ambulance gets here. It won’t be long now, and you’ll feel better,” said the sheriff as he took the giant by the shoulders and guided him gently to the ground. Leon complied like a sleepy child. He curled on his side, let out another groan, and closed his eyes once again.

In the distance, the first warbling notes of approaching sirens came fluttering down the highway. A sheriff’s deputy arrived just a few seconds before the ambulance pulled in. As the two EMTs strained to load an unresisting Leon into the ambulance, Sheriff Zimmer gave his deputy instructions.

“Travis, once you get Leon to the hospital, keep a watch on him. I suspect the doctor on duty will probably want to keep him overnight for observation. If he does, place a continual guard on him and make sure he’s shackled to the bed. It took long enough to lay hands on that boy this time, and I don’t want him skipping off again. When the doc releases him, bring him straight to the jail. We’ll talk to him there. Meantime, I’ll get the charges filed. Clear?”

“Got it, Sheriff,” replied the burly deputy.