Tier Trilogy: Books 1-3

by Cindy Gunderson

  “Yes—”

  “How did you get out?” Bentley says, nearly knocking Eric off balance.

  “Okay, okay!” Eric says, laughing loudly. “We will have plenty of time to talk about all of this, but we need to nail down some logistics first. Can we hold the questions for a bit?”

  Tal and Bentley both nod, their faces beaming. For the first time, I notice Kip sitting in the kitchen on a stool. I wave, and he nods in our direction. A deep sense of completion settles over me at having them both present. It wouldn’t have seemed right to leave without saying goodbye.

  “Val…” I begin, and she smiles knowingly.

  “I know, you have to get going,” she says. “The boys and I packed up your belongings. If we forgot anything...I’m sorry, but you won’t be getting it back,” she grins and Eric chuckles. “We also threw in some rations for the next few days. I went over the map with the boys, but I don’t think we’re going to have time to review it now—”

  “It’s okay,” Bentley cuts in. “I remember the way.”

  “Dad, check it out,” Tal says. “Kip gave me this.” He thrusts a small, round object into Eric’s hands. “I think it was his grandfather’s or something. He showed me how to follow directions with it.”

  Inspecting it, Eric smiles. “Perfect,” he says, handing it back to him. He glances at Kip and nods. Clearing his throat, Kip waves off the gesture.

  “I’ve left everything with Val in the lab,” Eric informs him. “Blueprints, instructions, all of it. I wish I could stay to see this out...but since that’s not possible, my hope is that you can at least use that technology as a bargaining chip. If Berg refuses to adjust, well...at least you’ll have something to motivate them,” Eric finishes and Kip nods.

  “Thanks for keeping everyone here in check,” I add.

  Kip stands, moving closer to our near-huddle in the center of the room. “You’ve given us hope, and that’s not easy to come by these days,” he says, clapping Eric on the shoulder. Turning, Eric pulls him into a hug, taking him by surprise.

  “You’ve changed my life for the better,” Eric says.

  Sensing Kip’s discomfort with being in the spotlight, I turn to Val. “Thanks,” I say simply, then I throw my arms around her and squeeze tightly. “Thanks for everything.”

  “Will you be safe?” Eric asks her, his voice sounding over my shoulder.

  “I have no reason to think otherwise,” she says, pulling back from my hug. “I think we covered our tracks pretty well.” I step to the side, allowing them to converse without an obstruction.

  “Are you sure?” he asks again.

  “You know me,” she grins shyly. “I’m never sure about anything.”

  He smiles and pulls her into an embrace. I look away, somehow not wanting to intrude on their moment. Tal and Bentley have already picked up their packs and fastened the straps around their torsos.

  “How’s the leg,” Eric asks Tal.

  “Feeling better every day,” he answers, puffing his chest out slightly.

  “Rose is going to dig that cast,” I tease, and he rolls his eyes.

  “Mountain trip number two!” Bentley announces, lifting a fist high into the air.

  Val laughs as we follow him to the door.

  “Any advice on an exit strategy?” Eric asks.

  “Just don’t get caught,” she says, waving as we make our way down the steps and quickly move into the shadows on the opposite side of the street.

  “We’re going to have to wait here for a few minutes,” Eric whispers, short of breath. “I don’t think they normally have a night watch on this side of the border, but they must have upped security tonight.”

  Though his voice is calm, the muscles in his neck are tense. We have walked for what feels like miles through the trees along this fence and haven’t found a single section that has been left unattended. I can’t imagine that Berg was able to man the entire border, but with only two sides of the Tier 2 border leading into open territory, I guess it wasn’t hard for them to anticipate where we’d be headed.

  The boys sit down next to us, hidden in the brush. Gusts of wind shake the branches around us, making it easier for us to move without attracting attention.

  “What are we going to do?” Tal asks.

  “I’m not exactly sure,” Eric admits. “While normally I would avoid a designated crossing, it also seems like our best bet. It’s probably the last place Berg would expect us to attempt it. And maybe we’ll get lucky with vehicles coming in and out—we could use them as a distraction.”

  Hunched together, we wait. After what seems like an interminable amount of time watching guards milling around the sealed gate, Eric sighs.

  “We may have to do this one at a time,” I suggest. “Use the trees for cover.”

  “Or cause a distraction,” Bentley offers simply.

  “What are you thinking, Bent?” Eric asks, his interest piqued.

  “There’s got to be something flammable around here,” Tal suggests.

  “You want to set a fire?” I ask, disturbed at how quickly they turned to arson as a potential solution.

  “Hey, fire usually catches people’s attention,” Eric teases. “But, I do think that may be a little suspect. The last thing we need is for Berg to know when and where we left the borders.”

  I can almost hear the wheels in his head spinning.

  “What if…” he starts.

  “Way ahead of you, Dad,” Tal says, following his gaze.

  Though these borders aren’t typically patrolled anymore, the fences and gates still stand, serving as a reminder of a time when they were necessary. A time when there was a legitimate outside threat. Next to the main gate, a sturdy branch from an ancient tree protrudes over the guard shelter.

  “Do you have the right tools?” I ask skeptically.

  “We’ll figure something out,” Eric says, obviously energized by the challenge. “Bent, wait here with Mom, okay?” Turning to me, he says, “We’ll need to double back quite a ways. When I have their attention, you have to get across immediately.”

  “But what about—”

  “We’ll go over on our side,” he assures me. “Get across and go straight. We’ll catch up.”

  “How will we know it’s you?” Bentley asks.

  “I’ll do my whistle,” Tal suggests. “When you hear it, do yours and stay put.”

  Bentley nods. This is quite the ramshackle plan, but it’s the best we’ve got. The longer we wait, the more difficult this is going to be. And we have to make a lot of headway before sunrise.

  “Go,” I whisper, waving them off with my hands. “Be careful.”

  “I love you,” Eric says as he turns and retreats into the brush.

  “What if they can’t get it to fall?” Bentley asks yawning.

  “They’ll figure something out,” I say, but it’s been long enough that I’m beginning to worry. I breathe deeply, attempting to portray pure calm to Bentley.

  “Mom,” he whispers sharply. “Something’s happening.”

  Poking my head timidly from behind the branch, I recognize what he is noticing. That branch is moving significantly more than those next to it, even with the incessant wind. As we stare, it begins to fall through the air, landing with a shockingly loud crack that seems to split the air around us.

  “Whoa,” Bentley remarks, his eyes wide.

  “Whoa is right,” I say, pulling him up from the ground. “We need to move. Fast.”

  The guards buzz around the shelter like angry bees, none of them looking in our direction. While we waited, I was able to scout out our best spot for getting over the fence. About twenty yards to our left, there appears to be some sort of break in the barrier, but it’s also completely exposed. With the light from the shelter, it’s too risky to chance. Instead, I lead Bentley through the tree line toward the far right section of the fence. Here, the tree branches are dense, preventing much light from filtering through.

  Continually glan
cing over my shoulder, I find the guards still in shock over the massive branch crushing the ceiling of the shelter. Well played, I think, moving swiftly toward our exit point, my heart pounding.

  “Why are you stopping?” Bentley asks, running into my pack from behind.

  My fingers reach the fence and I pause, looking around for the easiest way up.

  “Bent, this is where things are going to be a little sketchy,” I explain hurriedly. “We can only do this one at a time—it’s too exposed at the top, plus, I don’t think you’re going to be tall enough to reach it on your own. Here’s what I’m going to do,” I say, pulling myself up into the center of a large oak. “I’ll stand here and you climb past me, as high as you can. Then I’ll boost you over the top.”

  “What then?” he asks innocently.

  “I don’t know what then!” I say harshly, then close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, it’s just—I have no idea what it looks like on the other side. There are branches, so my hope is that there’s another tree that you can climb down. But just get over, then hide yourself as best you can. I’ll come over behind you and we can find the easiest way down.”

  He nods, his expression serious.

  “C’mon,” I say, “no time to waste.”

  Bentley secures his pack and reaches for my hand, then pulls himself up into the tree alongside me. Scampering up the largest branch, he is at the top in a few seconds flat.

  “Impressive,” I grunt, attempting to follow suit. When I am just below his heels, I reach my hand up and grip his shoe. “Hop over, bud. You can do it.”

  He hesitates, but only for a moment. Sneaking a quick glance through the trees, I can only catch a few guards in my field of vision. Faster. We have to move faster. Bentley’s weight lifts from my hands and he slips out of view. You can do this Kate, I tell myself, lifting my feet to the final length of branch. Launching myself over the top sideways, my feet scramble for a hold on the opposite tree. Finding something solid, I slowly crouch on the other side of the wall. The complete darkness on this side is startling.

  “Bent,” I whisper.

  “I’m right here,” he says softly, directly next to my left ear.

  I gasp, nearly losing my grip on the branch above me, my thighs screaming in complaint at my perpetual low crouch. “Don’t—gah! You scared me!” I chastise, my heart racing.

  “Sorry,” he answers sincerely. “In my defense, I don’t know how else I could have answered,” he mutters under his breath.

  I laugh at the sheer hilarity of the situation, and I can practically sense Bentley’s grin. “Let’s get out of this tree, shall we?” I whisper. “I’m going to go first, then I’ll tap your leg when it’s safe for you to follow. Don’t move until I tell you to, okay?”

  It takes some time to reach the ground. The tree we fell into isn’t nearly as easy to navigate as the one we climbed, but eventually our shoes hit grass.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, brushing myself off. I still can’t see more than a few inches in front of my face. The clouds obscure the moon and stars, which is actually quite fortuitous, but also more difficult when moving through foliage.

  “Dad said straight,” Bentley reminds me.

  “You’re right, let’s walk,” I agree.

  Bentley yawns again, this time creating a long sigh.

  “Are you going to be alright?” I ask, rubbing his shoulder. It has to be nearly midnight. He doesn’t respond, but reaches for my hand. I squeeze, and we cautiously move forward through the trees.

  Chapter 129

  “Mom, I think I hear it,” Bentley says as he stumbles along beside me. My steps have become slow and measured to allow him to keep up.

  “Hear what?” I ask.

  “Tal’s whistle. Shhh,” he instructs, coming to a dead stop. The clouds opened about an hour ago, allowing the waxing gibbous moon to light our path. Bentley’s face looks angelic in the soft, blue light as he tilts his head to listen.

  “There it is, did you hear that?” he asks excitedly.

  I shake my head, but Bent doesn’t wait for my acknowledgment. He purses his lips and sends his signal.

  “We have to stay right here now,” he commands, lowering himself to the ground, leaning against his pack. Exhausted, I sit next to him. If I don’t hear anything within the next few minutes, I’ll have to somehow convince him to keep going, but for now...this is a welcome break.

  Bentley continues to whistle every few minutes, dedicated to leading Tal and Eric to us. Yet to my ears, the air continues to hold no answer. The wind died down shortly after the moon appeared, and the night air is now cool and calm. Though the temperature felt fine while we were walking, I begin to feel slightly chilled within minutes of sitting down. I reach into my pack and am about to pull out my jacket when I hear it.

  I gasp.

  “Told ya,” Bentley says smugly, and I smile in spite of myself.

  “I never doubted,” I insist, but Bentley just rolls his eyes.

  “Okay, I doubted a little,” I admit.

  As the sounds grows nearer, Bentley rises to his feet and stretches out his neck to send his call. His whole body seems to work in cooperation to send the notes floating. The trees are thinner here, but the sound still doesn’t carry as far as it would on an open hillside.

  Eventually, I catch movement on my right and my body tenses. It’s only Eric and Tal, I remind myself, but I swing my pack over my shoulders just in case. When he sees us, Tal hobbles to me and throws his arms around my neck.

  “Took you long enough,” Bentley teases, and Tal punches his shoulder softly.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t walk so fast,” Tal banters.

  We stand there in a small circle, the sound of our breathing seeming to echo around us.

  “Did everything go as planned?” I ask, knowing that it’s a dumb question the second it leaves my lips.

  Eric grins. “We’re here, aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” I respond, “but I want to know what happened. How did you get the branch down? How did you get across?”

  Tal seems to puff out his chest at the mere mention of their daring escape.

  “Should we talk while we walk?” Eric suggests.

  “I don’t know how much farther this one should go,” I say quietly, gesturing toward Tal.

  “I’m doing fine, Mom,” he insists, pulling his pack to his shoulders.

  “Even so,” I say, “I’m winding down. How far do you think we need to go before it’s safe?”

  “Let’s see if we can make it two more miles. That will take us into the foothills and it will be easier to find shelter there. It will also be easier to spot a search party at a slightly higher altitude. Can everyone make it that far?” Eric asks.

  Acknowledging our nodding heads, he leads us forward. “Tal, do you want to tell how we got the branch down?”

  “Yeah!” he answers excitedly, nearly hopping along the ground. “When we got up there, we realized that the branch was a lot bigger around than it looked from the ground. And we couldn’t just use our hatchet—Berg would know it had been done purposefully if they took even a moment to inspect it later—so Dad had the idea to use the hatchet as a wedge. I found a great rock, he lodged the blade in the branch, and we started working—”

  “Don’t forget your contribution,” Eric cuts in.

  “Oh right, I didn’t want the pounding to make any noise, so I rolled up one of my shirts and wrapped it around the rock,” he says proudly. “That shirt is trashed, by the way.”

  “I figured as much,” I comment, giving him a sidelong glance.

  “It was the best option we had!” he insists, and I laugh.

  “I know, I know, I’m kidding. It was a great idea, go on,” I say, reaching down to hold Bentley’s hand. He’s beginning to fall behind.

  “It was great, it took a little while to get a really good break in the branch, but then it went pretty quickly. Dad adjusted the position so that it created a jagged break—the
n when we got about halfway through, the rest of it ripped apart.”

  “We saw it fall,” Bentley adds. “It was so loud.”

  “It was even louder right above it!” Tal insists. “Dad had to remind me to move, I was just staring at the mess it made.”

  “We found a good spot to make it up the fence,” Eric says. “Obviously you did, too?”

  “Yep, we used the trees to boost us over. Bentley went first,” I say.

  “That’s my man,” Eric praises, giving him a high five.

  “I can’t believe we made it,” I sigh. “I don’t think I’ve felt that scared...well, since about three hours ago.”

  Eric laughs as my mind immediately flits back to standing in front of the auditorium full of Committee members, and then—trepidatiously—to that truly terrifying moment a few years ago. My heart pounding as I scanned the line for balloon rides and then locked eyes with Shari...I shudder, and the images fade. My mind continues to wander—revisiting the events of the last few days—as we walk in silence.

  After what seems like hours, Eric finally calls it for the night. My eyelids droop as he stumbles to set up the shelter.

  “Tal, go break off some long branches. We need to go incognito tonight,” Eric instructs. Even though he wasn’t mentioned, Bentley follows and begins finding a few branches of his own.

  My body aches to lie down, but I force myself to help Eric situate the tent under two particularly luxuriant pine trees. He deftly maneuvers the branches to obscure the shelter as much as possible without compromising the integrity of it.

  “Does anyone need something to eat?” I ask, but am met with groans as the boys pull things out of their packs, handing them to Eric for placement in the bear bag.

  “I’m too tired to eat,” Tal says. “I feel sick.”

  “Me too,” Bentley complains.

  “Okay, just go to bed then,” I say. “Here, take your sheets.”

  Reaching for them gratefully, the boys sluggishly enter the tents and settle in for the night. After the initial rustling, the boys are completely still.

  “Did they really fall asleep that fast?” Eric asks skeptically.