by Francis Bate
Moments after, he reached a campsite with tents of different sizes stood. They were tied to the trees and its four corners were adhered to the ground. The headlight caught the people on guard and when he switched it off, the moon glazed shadowing him under.
He moved out of the car and took in some air into his lungs. With shaking hands, he puffed out rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants.
“Stay where you are! Put your hands up and introduce yourself,” a voice echoed from the surroundings.
It was transmitted in the air combining with the rustling of the trees. He looked around, hearing another masculine voice behind. Jarvis ignored the warning as he kept walking under the moonlight. Deep in his thoughts, his mind went into space with the determination that he will see his wife after a long time.
Jarvis fended off when he heard the bullet striking the ground beside him. The suppressor was visibly taking its stint in reducing the noise around it. With its minimalized sound, it would be quite difficult to identify the distance of the sound location. He looked up, still trembling, as he raised his hands in the air.
“Introduce yourself and tell us your business. This will be your final warning,” the same voice once again reverberated in the wild. He turned and twirled, determining where the sound was coming from.
Out of one corner, a figure came out of the trees walking towards him. When he took a closer glance at it, he could notice that it was a woman. The woman ran to him throwing her arms around his neck.
Jarvis was stunned as he listened to every sob of the woman in front of her. He enveloped her in his arms, carrying her weight in him. Tightening his hug, he moderately kissed her head, wiping her tears on her face.
Whispering something in her ear, she held her hands and led him into the camp. His smile radiated throughout the night as she leaned her head on his shoulders and clung onto him. As they walked, she was beaming when Jarvis rubbed her womb letting out another kiss on her temple. She was ecstatic to see his husband, strongly upholding her instinct that he was alive.
After the bloody encounter, Stan was back to the road once again. He walked through the dark forest and spotted a spacious lot to take some rest. Two huge trees diked along the body of water.
The burbling sound of the water swishing on the rocks resounded all throughout the forest. Its jingling laughter filled the air as the water streamed down.
Stan fixed his things and covered it with dried leaves on the ground. He went to the stream splashing his body on it. The cold water damped in his skin emitting a refreshing feeling.
Bathing, he played with the water leaving silvery beads on it. He smiled at the sight of the flower blooms on the stream banks. He thought about his wife; it would have been great to bring her flowers when he gets home.
After enjoying the water, he stepped out of the water and took off his shirt. His striated, muscular frame seemed to entice the attention of the living. It was well-defined like granite formed in circular depressions.
Stan folded his shirt and squeezed it extracting the waters from the cotton. His well-toned arms revealed its strength. He shook the shirt and spread it on a huge rock allowing it to dry.
As he was standing, he heard gunfire nearby making him duck. He grabbed his wet shirt and crept towards the broad trees. He hid behind a humongous rock peeping through it.
Glancing over his shoulder, he could see the bulging packs covered with dried leaves. It wasn’t obvious but he placed his weapons in it. He was thinking of immediate actions as he watched two men approach the area.
They were wearing caps covering their head from direct sunlight exposure. Armed with a gun, he examined them considering that they are under the federation.
“I think we lost him,” the camouflaged man stated looking around the area.
The man wearing a plain white shirt edged towards the trees where Stan was hiding. Stan watched him as he looked over the place without turning his gaze under. He stopped breathing as he felt the loud pounding of his heart.
“Is there something in there?” The man asked and took a final turn before marching back to his comrade.
“I didn’t see anything or anyone,” he responded, shaking his head. “Damn it! I think we really lost him. We’re dead if we won’t find that bastard.”
“Let’s go find him there,” the man suggested in a low voice.
They took another path and walked away from Stan. He slumped down on the ground leaning on the rock and sighed. He tilted his head and glanced at the blue sky. Spending more time, he allowed the moment to pass by him.
After making sure that the situation has toned down, he stood up straight shaking the dirt off his nearly dried pants. He wore his shirt and carried back his packs getting ready to move.
Stan decided to follow the small river and took it as his guide. Although small, he was sure that it could wheel him to good fortune.
The river was calm and the sound was restrained. He could hear his breathing and the pumping of his heart. Wiping off his sweat, he glanced up seeing the edge of the stream. He went into the forest and followed the road again.
Stan reached the border of highway forty. He smiled as he crossed through it. It has already started to dim as if the sun was swallowed by a big-mouthed unseen creature. He continued walking until he reached a sandy path.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a little creature traversing with him. Smelling trouble, the armored nocturnal mammal scampered away from him. Stan watched as the armadillo faded into thin air.
Calmly, the breeze blew hard, creating a slashing sound. The tall grass and flowers that aligned along each lane moved as if fluttering some invisible audience. Trees began to grow, extending out their roots, constituting bumps on the smooth areas.
But the quiet road, although unending, lazily lengthened its extremes as if waiting for a commuter to leave his footprints on it.
The next day, Chris woke up to the sound of chirping birds, lively singing a lovely song. The trees swayed to its tune and streams of light cascaded through its leaves. He went out of the camp and saw the others camping out while grilling crayfishes. They looked up to him and smiled.
“We found it in the water,” Nick said, twisting the freshwater lobsters on the grill.
“It looks like this place is rich in resources,” Chris blurted out, taking a seat on the log. The three of the men agreed with him as they glanced at the crawling creatures on a bucket. “I’m thinking of setting up solar panels in this place.”
“You mean we are staying here for the meantime?” Malcolm asked with wide eyes, staring at him in disbelief.
“Are you scared, Malcolm? I think it would be better to stay in a steady place than we keep running away,” Drew smirked and glanced at him. Grinning, Malcolm nodded concealing the uncertainty he was feeling inside.
“We could stay here for the meantime. I think the feds would hardly find us here or even doubt that they could locate us in this place. Not. We have gone far, anyway,” Chris exclaimed looking at each of them. Nick took off the cooked crayfishes and placed it on a clean surface.
“What if we go back and give up our weapons?” Malcolm asked in a low voice. He bowed his head clutched his hands.
They all stared at him but he avoided their gazes. He pursed his lips, biting the insides of his cheeks.
“We can’t do that, Mal,” Chris mumbled, still locking his eyes on him.
“You can do it yourself, Malcolm. You can leave us from your decision because what you are saying is just like feeding yourself to the aggressor,” Drew cut him off, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Drew is right. They won’t allow you to live considering the order to kill everyone they encounter. Surrendering is not included in our options but instead, we have to stick with our decision to revolutionize against the federation. It would be better that way,” Chris explained, rubbing his hands together.
“I understand what you want to happen but why are they even tracking us?” Malcolm asked again
with a worried look.
“That’s something we have to figure out. I guess it has something to do with our resolution. They are afraid, they find us a threat to their scheme,” Chris answered turning his gaze on the glazing flame.
Nick just listened to them, pondering on their conversation. He grilled the last batch of the crayfishes adding more glow to the coals.
They went silent, spacing out in their own world. Chris flashbacked to what they were used to be up to what they have come across. He pondered onto things shaking his head off.
“The food is ready,” Nick announced, taking them back from their reverie.
The men took their share and started peeling the food. The juice emanated from its meat as the smell circled in their nostrils. Chris put it in his mouth and savored every bit.
After the sumptuous meal, they set the solar panels and charged their radios consuming the power of the sun. The panels lined under the sun and it shined brightly on it.
Sitting back, Nick fiddled his fingers and scratched his nape. He stood up again, pacing to the river and back to the campfire. He became restive and jitters were filling his nerves.
“Hey, Nick! Would you mind sitting down or could you just stop doing that? You’re making me feel dizzy!” Drew hissed, glaring at him. Nick ignored him letting insignificance dwell on him. “Hey!” Drew yelled, furrowing his brows in irritation.
“I’m thinking!” Nick replied in a soft voice. Sitting beside Malcolm, he relaxed his elbows on his knees and ogled at them. They gawked at him, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “What if we contact Ezra and tell him that we’re surrendering?”
“So, how’s your suggestion different to Malcolm’s question?” Drew asked in a plaintive look. Straightening up, he locked his gaze at him and crossed his arms.
“No, we could ask Ezra to protect us,” Nick exclaimed, shrugging his shoulders.
“Remember what he told us? He advised us to flee because he could not do anything about it,” Malcolm answered, angling his arms on his knees and leaned forward.
“I was just thinking if we could show them that we are on their sides. If they find out that we are not against them, they could pardon us,” Nick stated with a straight face, his voice was flat.
“How sure are you with your assumption?” Drew asked, creasing his eyebrows. “It’s not easy as one two three,” he added, shaking his head.
“We have to let things cool down first. Let’s wait until the situation goes easy,” Chris suggested, glancing at each of them.
“What if they kill us in one of our desertions? Would it be better to be detained rather than to be out uncertain of our doom?”
Nick stood up and edged towards the river. Stooping down, he paced back to them, pausing for a little while.
“I am afraid that what your expectations are far beyond the possible outcome. We fleeced because we could not stand what actually happened. This is not just a natural occurrence. It has something to do with the government. Their hunger for power, political ambition,” Chris reminded them as he leaned against a tree. He took a bottle of water and chugged it down, wiping the droplets on his mouth.
“I think they have ascertained that we are knowledgeable of their scheme,” Drew responded, bowing his head as if pondering on something.
“But how did they discover?” Nick asked, looking at them. “You think someone tipped them to turn us down?”
Malcolm tilted his head to see their faces.
“It’s not right to assume without legal evidence and proven statements. Although, I’m considering that too,” Drew said interlocking his fingers and stretched it out.
“But for now, we have to gather what we need and when the time comes that people are ready to retaliate, that’s the right time to execute our plans,” Chris muttered under his breath. “Why do you have to doubt when you can be hopeful? Why do you have to question your skills if you know yourself better than anyone? For the meantime, we have to convince people to stand with us and we have to educate them about the event,” he added gaining their attentions back.
The men respected each other’s silence and Chris glanced up at the sky. There were no clouds on that summertime as the sun blazingly peered down on them.
The flock of birds they saw a few weeks ago became only a pair as they flew to another habitat.
That afternoon, Drew and Nick went into the forest to look for food. While Chris and Malcolm looked out for the camp, Chris checked the panels as it transmitted power onto their spot. Their radios were fully recharged when they talked about random subjects. He told him about his thoughts, strengthening ties and wiping off doubts.
They spent another night in the cabin sharpening tools and cleaning weapons. The following day, they took off the panels and pack their things back.
“I thought we’re staying here?” Malcolm asked Chris in particular, stopping in front of him and stared at him in the eyes.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We must not stay in one place. We need to be mobile especially that we know they’re after us,” Drew batted in, earning a glare from him.
“But Chris said we will stay here for the meantime,” Malcolm insisted, looking at Chris. He was chuckling and Drew was smirking.
“He was just fooling around. Come on, we don’t want to get caught because as far as I know, there are troopers wandering in the forest,” Drew said in a cheery voice shutting him off.
They placed their luggage back in the boat and started their journey on the river. They followed the waters escaping the old forsaken path of the doubtful minds.
Chapter Eleven: Message!
“Jarvis, oh my god!” His mother came running to welcome him back home. She pulled her son and encircled him into her arms. Tears streamed down their faces as they cherished that moment. “I can’t believe you’re already home! You don’t know how thankful I am to finally see you back. Have you been well? What happened to you?” Her mother added, examining him from head to toe.
“Mom, mom, I’m okay,” Jarvis said stopping her from further scrutinizing. “It’s a long story mom and we can have more time now that I’m back,” he stated squeezing her. He lifted her head offering a sweet smile at his mom. “Where’s my son?”
Looking around, he saw a little boy resembling his features hiding behind his mother. The boy that seems to be three-years-old was peeking at him from behind. He tilted his head to his side and ogled his eyes at him. Kneeling, he opened his arms to welcome his son while his mom took a step revealing him.
Jarvis edged towards him and enveloped him in his arms. His tiny arms slowly swept through his broad shoulders as he tightened his hug. He picked the sleepy boy up cradling him to sleep as they walked towards their camp. Jarvis was welcomed with happy cheers and the people were celebrating with him.
That night, he never took off his hold to his son while he clung to a father figure. They lay on the ground as his son slept on his chest. That night was extra different from the rest of the nights. Although the campsite was dark, his life lit with the presence of his loved ones. It was utterly different.
“Good morning,” a sweet beautiful voice greeted him when he went out of the tent the next day. “Come join us for breakfast, Jarvis.” His wife added smiling sweetly at him. Jarvis edged towards her and kissed her cheek. Bending, he affectionately rubbed her baby bump, sweetly talking to it and kissing it.
Jarvis sniffed to the aroma of a home-cooked meal prepared on the table. He glanced around at the sight of his mother and son eyeing at him. His features have changed and he got leaner. His deep cheekbones evidently ran down his face and his eyes were deep. He took a sit beside her son with a bright smile on his face, concealing the effects of yesterday.
“Hmmm, it seems like yesterday,” he muttered at the taste of the food served on the table. His wife, Kelly, swept her long curly brown hair on one side and took a spoonful of food putting it on his plate. “This will be my first sumptuous meal after months of being away.”
> They looked at him sympathizing what he has been through for the past few weeks. Kelly placed her hand over his and stroked it gently. She has surely missed him.
“What happened out there, Jarvis?” His mom asked, starting a conversation.
Jarvis glanced at his mom and to his wife; they were on a listening stance, waiting for him to speak up.
“While I was on my way home, my car halted in the highway and so I had to spend a night on the road because it would be so dangerous to travel alone,” Jarvis started relaying the story as he took a sip of his hot black coffee. “And so I had to leave the car the next day where I was lost in the woods until I met a group. I ended up alone in the camp when they had to leave and I met another group. Stan and Patricia, I was with them all throughout my journey but we had to part ways because we had different paths. But what’s important is I’m safe and I’m here with you now. I don’t care what happened to me before I got here. What matters to me now is that I can fully do what I haven’t done when you were not with me.” Omitting the important and dangerous parts of the story, he took his spoon and dug into his food. “What happened when I wasn’t with you?” He asked, staring at them with a blank face.
“You look like my daddy but they said he’s dead and he won’t come back. Are you his twin or did you rise from the dead?” His son studied him for a second as if trying to check if he was a ghost or not.
Jarvis was flabbergasted gasping into thin air. The food he was eating was choking him real hard. The reaction on his face reflected the same reaction from the two women he was with in the table. When he was missing, they thought he was already dead.
Realizing what Mr. Daniels has told him, he looked at his son and patted his head. “Son, you will understand what daddy has been through in due time. But for now, I didn’t die. I just had to leave you for too long. Didn’t you miss me?”
The kid glowed but remained guarded, still ingesting what he just heard from him. Jarvis creased his brows and imitated his reaction. He took out a coin from his pocket and tossed it in the air. The boy watched as he performed his trick. The coin landed on his palm and he juggled it on each hand. With closed fists, he placed his hands behind his head and pulled him closer for a hug. The boy giggled from his hold with agitation and when he revealed his hands, it was empty.