“So there I was, hauling ass through the forest of Russia looking for any way to get my hands on a boat. I would have used a plane; however, I have learned that the government can track and shoot down planes a lot easier than boats. Boats can be disguised. I hitched a ride with a group of fisherman headed for deeper waters and bigger fish. It took me seven months of traveling from boat to boat, cargo ships to connex’s. Eventually I hit the shores of Mexico, a small third world country just south of my country, and barely skipped passed the Federali’s searching the cargo. Once in Mexico, I figured it would be super easy to jump the border and head home to Oklahoma. Unfortunately, I had no papers on me whatsoever, which is kind of a rule in my line of work when we go outside the wire. No identification on your person at all. So yea, you hear of Mexicans jumping the border all the time, kids and all. They live in America forever, happy and free. Well, that is until they get caught and deported back home, then they just jump it again. It’s a continuous cycle that can never be broken. So just how hard could that be, if kids can do it all the time then I should be able to with ease right?” I ask my new team. I notice they had all taken seats around the fire box and were listening intently.
“Super hard, in case you’re actually wondering,” I answered. “I made it up to a town right near the border with a name that I couldn’t pronounce at all. There was not one single break in the wire and I really didn’t care if I was caught on the American side. I could always talk myself out of that one. I figured I would just steal a car and bust through the fence, ditch the car at the first town in Texas and be home in a few short hours. I had already taken on a few rounds of ammo through the windshield before I even made it through the fence. It didn’t help that the car I stole was an old Ford Pinto. In my defense, it was the only car around at the time. This baby was lime green, had shag carpet and red tassels hanging off the head liner. It was a classic piece of shit. It back fired every time you would hit the gas, so being inconspicuous was definitely not in the realm of reality for this car.” I realized at this point, no one here knew what a “car” was, but it was a good story, so I continued.
“I had to run over three Federali’s before I ever made it to the fence. To my surprise, this piece of shit car couldn’t even make it through the fence! I had been traveling for months, so I was in no shape to run the few miles that lay in the valley between the first town in America and halfway under a fence where I currently resided. I had that old Pinto floored and smoke poured from the tail pipe, and a blazing white thick fog just billowed out from all angles under this car. I could smell the rubber finally starting to catch the surface on the ground long enough to give that good rubber burning smell the chance to sting your nostrils. I think I was moving maybe two inches every ten seconds under the fence… barely creeping through, but I was moving none the less. At the rate I was going, I would be out and on solid ground in roughly thirty seconds.” I could feel the excitement building up around the fire so I paused for effect taking a big swig off my cup.
“I remember looking back through the back glass and seeing tons of those Mexican cops running at me full speed, just bursting rounds into the back of my newly acquired vehicle. I had barely slipped out of the fence when they reached my bumper. I was all the way in the floor board, using my hand to punch down that heavy foot pedal to the floor, just trying not to get shot. I barely got that old jalopy two miles from the nearest town before the motor blew. I figured I would get out on foot and hoof it in. I could hear the helicopters and the four wheelers closing down on me. I desperately needed to be in town when they caught me, preferably at the police station. That way, those renegade border patrol punks don’t try and beat the hell out of me and just throw me back over the fence.” Everyone was laughing and I could tell Cory was trying to visualize the scene I was painting.
“I don’t think I ever ran that fast in my life. Those border patrol guys were just complete gung hoe idiots. They were notorious for always catching the good guy on accident and never catching the bad guy, besides the fact that they are all crooked as hell. I lucked out that time. The Sherriff’s office was right on the first block inside the town. The Border Junkies were no more than two hundred meters behind me when I had kicked the door open and stated screaming who I was at the top of my lungs. I started screaming ‘I’m a US citizen! I’m a Citizen! Of course everyone thought me to be a lunatic, which I had already expected. I was arrested and put into an interrogation room.” Everyone laughed at this part which fueled me to keep going with the story.
“Once I was entered in the system, it didn’t take but ten minutes tops before the FBI showed up to debrief me, and escort me home. Apparently they had already given my wife a flag stating that I had died for my country. They fed her the whole line, hook and sinker. However, my wife didn’t buy it, because my ring was not there.” I paused for effect showing them my wedding ring on my dog tags that were tied to my belt loop and tucked nicely into my pocket.
“I have always lived off of the rule that if my ring ain’t given to her, then I ain’t really dead, and she needs to hold on a little longer ‘cause I was on my way home, somehow.” The group fell silent and my story was over. The boys started talking to themselves about the hunting trip and how awesome Chuck’s new crossbow was.
I keep trying to fight off the memories of my wife. Amazing memories and my beautiful wife aside, I have a mission to do. The time was drawing near, and I need to prepare. We had a large enough dehydration stack to dry everything at once, so we will be leaving tomorrow morning. The boys all migrated into the living room stumbling over everything and in high spirits. They fell asleep immediately. I’m sure they were exhausted.
I need to find this Jerold kid, wherever he was. He needed to come prepare for the trip. I had Cory make bags for everybody while they slept; he had only made ten, which works, because now I only need six. I walked back through the house and yelled for Cory to come to my room to help me pack. When he showed up he looked very nervous. “What’s the dealio, there cheerio? Why the scared look?” I asked him, trying to input a little humor into the equation. My words didn’t lighten him up, probably because he didn’t know exactly what a “cheerio” was.
“Will, I overheard you saying that you were leaving in the morning. I have to admit I am worried about you leaving this soon, as you are not all the way healed up. You know, you don’t even have to do this. The community likes you and I think you fit in quite nicely here. You can even work the security detail and protect the people…” Cory trailed off while looking over at Boe, who hadn’t really left the room in like six hours. What a lazy mutt.
“Cory, number one, stop being such a girl about this, I don’t belong here. I have a family back home, and they expected me home freaking ages ago. I appreciate the hospitality and I really do like it here. It is nice and peaceful, aside from the fact that there is no sun…ever. That’s a pretty big downer for me, I won’t lie.” Cory wouldn’t answer me he just had that look. It was actually more of a look like he had a secret he really wanted to tell, but was worried about getting in trouble. This guy reminded me of a huge kid. I almost felt like he was my little brother. He was dumb as a box of rocks when it came to common sense and had a horrible laugh. But he always came through for me and took care of me when I needed it the most. That was the quality of a great friend.
“Will, I need to tell you something.” “Damn it Cory, I knew it, they’re going to kill me anyways aren’t they. They don’t have a fuel source for me; I’m getting screwed in this thing ain’t I?” I cut in furiously. I have a bad habit of losing my temper, especially when I am getting the raw end of the stick.
“No, Will, I am going to be honest with you here ok, so don’t be mad at me. While you were asleep, I stole your map that had directions back to the ship that you made. We sent a team of guys back there to bring it here. They are already back. Word got back today that they know what can fuel it enough for roughly nin
e months’ worth of traveling, according to Mason. We have equipment deeper in the cave that we keep hidden that runs off a liquid that has been made. We use them for emergency purposes only, or when we build things. The smell that comes from them when they are running can kill people, so we don’t ever use them. But we do have a lot of the liquid to power them.” Cory paused briefly then continued.
“ I can sneak you deeper into the caves and you can just leave. All you have to do is wait to leave for another few weeks, and I will let you know when it is ready. You don’t have to do this at all, you have done enough. We can survive on our own down here; we have been doing it for years. Worst case scenario, I have a brother that lives deep inside the caves. He has a bunch of friends and they are the type of people not to be messed with. They stay hidden at all times, they hate everyone. They can help you get to your ship, though.” Cory got quiet and I had nothing to say.
I wasn’t exactly mad. I mean, I don’t like people sneaking through my stuff at night while I am sleeping, and Boe should have bit him in the process. So really, this is Boe’s fault. He should have known better. “Cory, I appreciate your honesty, and it’s good to know your people came through in the end. I was for sure I was getting screwed there for a minute. But you guys kept up your end, now I need to keep up mind. I promised to free your people and that is what I am going to do. That is the least I can do for you. If you don’t mind, I am tired and need some sleep.” Cory apologized and left the room.
There was so much to contemplate. I could just leave, that would be the smartest thing to do. I can play the “I’m hurt” card for a little while, and then sneak off in the ship. Once it is fueled and I was in the air, there would be no stopping me. They may have some horses or something, but they don’t have anything to chase me in and nothing to shoot me down in once I launch. But even if it fuels my ship, we built this ship ourselves…how do I know this thing is even going to make it out of the atmosphere and this fuel is sufficient enough to power it. It is definitely risky, but I would rather die trying to get home to my family than not try at all.
I lay down in my bed and Boe jumped up and snuggled in next to my chest. “Yea, thanks for letting people steal from us, you little bastard,” I whispered in his ear, as I played with the short tussle of hair that had matted up on top of his head. “We could be home in a few weeks definitely man, what do you think about that?” Boe’s tail was wagging and slapping the side of my leg. This dog’s tail was probably the most violent thing on him; it would break a door down if he was happy enough. I know Boe wanted to go home with me, and I wanted take him.
If we took this mission there was a big chance that we wouldn’t succeed and no one would be going home at all. But, if I just left these people in the night and flew home, I would be home with my family in a matter of months. I’m not saying that I have never done a crooked thing before or that I haven’t screwed anyone over to get a better deal for myself. But hey, a man has to do what a man has to do sometimes, right? And my wife, my kids, family and friends are just waiting on me to get home. This was very tempting. A moral cross roads. I really hate being in these shoes.
I could hear the boys tending to the meat in the back of the house. Apparently they couldn’t sleep for very long. They had the pre-mission jitters. They wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight guaranteed. At least we would have some meat to eat for the next few weeks. I don’t know how I would break it to them that I have changed my mind. These guys look up to me, especially Chuck. Lying in my bed and listening to them cutting up outside reminded me of camping back home. I would usually have too much to drink and pass out in my tent, listening to the sound of the lake and the campfire. The last survivors of the party could be heard still laughing around the fire.
A quick image of my dad flashed through my head. That man was a true hero. He was shot multiple times back in the Iraqi Freedom campaign. That man would always hold up to his word. I couldn’t imagine if he would be disappointed in me leaving these people with my word being shattered to shreds. Or maybe he would give me the ‘you had to do what you had to do’ speech I sometimes get. Sleep overtook me and I faded away into wonderful dreams of motorcycle rides and amazing breath taking memories of my wife. I was trying to think of anything but the choice I had to make when I woke up. It would definitely be easier for me to just disappear into the night. Maybe I could just let chuck and his boys do the mission. They were more than capable. They seemed like a pretty smart lot.
Chapter Fifteen
“I smell a rat”
Boe woke me up quite early in the morning; I could tell it was early because the room was ice cold and humid. I could hear Cory’s muffled voice through the walls, trying to break it to the boys that I was still hurting, and the trip was going to have to be postponed. I got up out of bed and started to walk toward the back door. Boe was right next to me, except he looked different. He looked like that dog I had found in the woods a while back. That cautious stance, the Mohawk standing up on his back indicating that he was ready for an adventure. He stared at me judging me. “Well, what would you have me do man?” I whispered to Boe as I leaned down to scratch him behind his ears. Boe stood up and walked over to my pack and sat. “I see you are for staying around and doing the right thing huh…”
I opened up the door and walked out towards the group by the fire pit. Everyone fell silent as I approached. Cory looked sad again, but I could see the glint of hope in his eyes. He was hoping and praying that I would apologize for not feeling better but would promise we would go out soon. Jerold was even there, in all his glory. What little glory there was of him that is. That kid is probably going to get killed the second we leave the cave, and probably by seeing the sunlight. “Boys….I’m going to need some help pulling these packs out of the room, we leave in thirty minutes.”
I turned to leave, and could feel the excitement rise up in everyone, including myself. Boe was back to his normal self. I couldn’t leave these people to die down here; it wasn’t right on any level. Everyone deserves freedom. Jerold was the first person in my room, throwing an elaborately made map on my bed. I’ll give him this; the kid can certainly draw a map. “Will, the trip will take roughly two weeks on foot. Since you are only taking us five. I calculate that we could make it in less than one week. As long as we stop here and here and here and here…” Jerold was pointing to black dots that had been drawn all over the map along the route.
“I get it Jerold, good job. We stop at the marked spots for breaks and chow. Tell me more about where we are after this point up here.” I pointed to a section of the map just before a giant x. “What are we expecting, and are they going to be expecting us?” Jerold pulled his pants up a little higher to his belly button, if that was at all possible, and continued.
“Well, Q is located in this town, Bella Dry Vista. He travels with no less than five personal guards. He lives in this corner of the town near the wood line. The best time to get him with as small of an entourage as possible will be early morning or late night. According to the tradition, once he is dead, you should be able to walk right up there and take charge. He does, however, command a larger group of people that fight for him, estimated to be around sixty to one hundred people. And that’s not counting his small ruthless hunting parties that he frequently sends out. You have killed some of them, so we haven’t been able to keep an accurate count of them in the past few months. At one time there was over thirty groups of three to four man teams that would go out.” You could tell where Jerold had pointed out on the map where he believed the hunting parties to be located.
I noticed water surrounding the land mass that Jerold had been drawing on and he must have picked up on the question I was about to ask. “We live on an island, as you call it. There is water surrounding us on all sides, and we are here (he pointed to an X on the map at the bottom, next to a mountain and a lake) and we are going here (Another x in the middle of the map, surrounded by trees).” Th
is was a very smart kid, and it looked like they had been doing surveillance for a while on this guy. The entire route was highlighted, with detailed rest stops, and how long we should spend at every rest stop. The island looks to be about the size of Texas.
“Ok, we are using everything but your route and your rest stops. I will determine those, if your plans have somehow been compromised at all, those are all perfect ways and routes to die on. You better put on your running shoes kid…we’re getting there in less than three days. So, with that said, we are leaving. Go say good bye to your mom or whatever and meet me out in front in like ten minutes. And we are not stopping for any potty breaks for a while, so you better go while you are here,” I told Jerold in an almost too rude of a tone. I am pretty sure I hurt his feelings. The fact remains though. I don’t know who gave him this route, but I am coming up with my own route. I just need a start and an end point, that’s it. It is safer and muck quicker that way. There was just something about this kid and this map that made me uneasy. Mason had not been helpful at all during the preparations of this trip. That in itself wasn’t normal.
Everyone was outside in less than ten minutes, including Mason, who was super mad that I was only taking a small group instead of a force. He had twenty shady looking men behind him. “Mason, I make the rules and you follow them ok? This is what I am going to do, and then we will be home. Expect us back in roughly two weeks. Tell your boys to go to the tavern and have a drink on me, Anne makes a pretty mean dinner so they can just relax until we get back. The fuel needs to be ready at that point. I expect to be going home the second I return.”
My group of six walked proudly through the corridors of the cave as everyone in the village rushed out screaming and cheering us on. The moment was a proud one, I won’t deny it. Kids were on shoulders waving their little hands and smiling faces with rosy red cheeks. These children deserved freedom and I was going to be the man to give it to them. Boe was hot on my heels and I could hear his breathing becoming louder as we reached the mouth of the cave. I noticed Miss Ashley from the other day poking her head around the corner, staring. She ran up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so much for this, we will forever be in your debt.” “Look, Miss…” She interrupted me still entirely too close to my face. “You can call me Ash.” She said while blushing. “I know your married and your heart is with her, she is a lucky woman and I hope she knows that.” Our eyes locked and I felt myself blush. I have never cheated on my wife and I wasn’t about to start. It hasn’t happened yet, and it won’t be happening any time soon. But there was something about her eyes that made me look one last time. It gave my heart a flutter just looking at her. I smiled and then turned my head back towards the path. I have to admit it made me feel good.
The Night Shadow Page 9