by Karen Ward
CHAPTER 1
Ten years later, January 2009
Academy Award winning movie star, Barry Farrady at thirty-two years old is happier and more excited than he has been in a very long time. He has just signed the papers giving him ownership of the ranch in Wyoming he has been dreaming about for months, the Rock Springs Ranch. He walks out of the Title Company with a huge grin on his face. As he climbs behind the wheel of his little red sports car, he is busily making plans for the renovations he is going to make at the ranch. He doesn't even notice the Paparazzi snapping his picture and calling out questions as he leaves the Title Company.
The Rock Springs Ranch is located about twenty miles outside of Cody, Wyoming and is situated next to the Rocking J Ranch which is owned by his good friends, Jacob and Jason Murray.
Jacob Murray was Barry's criminal defense attorney when he faced murder charges a few years ago. Barry literally owes his life to Jacob. Without Jacob's representation, Barry would likely be sitting on death row right now. Jason Murray is Jacob's twin brother and Barry's financial advisor. The Murrays have graciously allowed Barry to spend a lot of time with them and their families at their ranch over the last few years. It was a critical stress reliever when he needed to get away from Los Angeles and the madhouse that is the movie business.
When the Rock Springs Ranch was listed for sale a few months ago, Jacob Murray notified Barry of the opportunity. He went with Barry the day he toured the ranch for the first time. Barry will never forget how pleased he was to find a ranch so nice that would need relatively few renovations. The fully furnished house is opulent with ten bedrooms all with adjoining full baths plus two additional full baths. It has two huge living areas, a state of the art kitchen, an indoor pool, weight room, study, and a huge stone patio with meticulous lawns that make it perfect for entertaining.
Barry has starred in six movies since he came to Hollywood. He shot to super stardom after his very first movie and has reaped the benefits of his blonde good looks, blue eyes, and sculpted body. Being a country boy at heart, he can't wait to leave California and the movie business for good and this ranch is the perfect place for him to retire.
Barry's first stop after leaving the Title office is a real estate office near his Beverly Hills mansion. He signs the papers listing the mansion for sale with all its furnishings. The movers have already packed up the items he wants to keep and he sent a truckload of items to charity.
Once all of the necessary papers are signed, he heads to the mansion where he parks the sports car. He has made arrangements to donate the car to a charity auction to benefit the local Children's Hospital. They are due to pick it up this afternoon. He grabs his pre-packed bag, calls his black Lab, Ringo, and they climb into his brand new, very practical, silver extended cab, four wheel drive pickup and head for Wyoming and the Rock Springs Ranch.
He picks up his cell phone and dials a number as familiar to him as his own name. His heart is pounding with excitement and when she answers he says,
"Mom, are you packed yet? We are the official owners of the Rock Springs Ranch as of this morning and I'm on my way to Wyoming!"
"Barrett, why are you in such a hurry?" laughs Barry's Mom, Virginia. "I can't just drop everything and leave right now. I have a job you know." Virginia is so pleased to hear the happiness in her son's voice. It has been a very long time since she has heard his happy laughter and she has been very worried. In fact, this is the first time she has heard excited happiness in his voice since before he retired from the Marines.
"Nonsense, Mom, just pack your clothes and come. Anything else you need I'll get for you out here. You don't ever have to work again so quit your job today. I'll have my plane waiting for you at the airport. I want you to come live with me at the ranch!" Barry says determinedly.
"Oh Barrett, you're so impetuous sometimes! You don't want an old bag of bones like me underfoot. I'll come out in a few weeks for a visit." Virginia offers soberly.
"Mom, you are not listening to me. I want you to live with me at the ranch. I will not take no for an answer." Barry repeats patiently. "Do you want me to come to Georgia and get you? I will you know."
"No, don't do that! I don't want to have to fight all those reporters that show up every time you do. You know how I hate that," a note of panic in her voice. "All right, if you're sure, I'll pack my suitcases and get the boxes ready. I'll fly out in a few days, all right?"
"Now that is what I wanted to hear! Let me know the day and I'll send the jet for you. I'll have the house all warmed up and a fire in the big stone fireplace. I'll make sure a car to drive you to the ranch is waiting at the airport in Cody. I can't wait to see you Mom. I love you!" Barry says happily.
******
I am scared to death. My heart is pounding with fear, my hands are shaking, and sweat is trickling down my back even though six inches of snow covers the ground outside the little cabin. I have to get my nine year old son, Eric out of this compound and to safety and I have to do it tonight. I don't want him to end up being the same type of cruel, unfeeling man as his father. Please God, give me the strength, the courage, and the wisdom to escape this place and Darren Calloway.
I stoke the fire with as much wood as I dare put in the wood burning stove. Then I gently shake Eric's shoulder and warn him to be quiet as we tip toe to the door, quietly open it enough to slide through, and then silently close it behind us. Eric's father, Darren Calloway, the leader of this militia group, is passed out on the bed a few feet away and we certainly don't want him to wake up and catch us.
Not too long ago he came back to the cabin falling down drunk and raving mad. He beat me with his fists and then beat Eric with a belt across his back for trying to stop him from hitting me. Eric's back is a bloody mess. I feel sure I have broken ribs from Darren's tirade but that doesn't matter. All that matters is getting Eric away from the maniac to safety.
Once we are safely out of the cabin that has been my home for the past ten years, I breathe a sigh of relief. I managed to steal the keys to one of the cars kept just outside the compound for use when some of the men have to go into town for supplies. I just have to manage to get to it before we are caught. I stole all of the cash out of Darren's billfold and stuffed all of the bread and non-perishable food I could into a pillow case. As we hurry toward the edge of the compound keeping to the deep shadows I pray again for our safety. Please God, keep us safe!
When we reach the fence around the compound, I pull the wire cutters I stole from Darren's tool box out of my coat pocket and cut a hole in the wire just big enough for us to slip through. Once we get to the other side I push the wire back together and we quietly climb into the car. Please God, let it start!
I release the emergency brake and push in the clutch allowing the car to roll backwards down the slight incline. I turn the wheel so the car is facing toward the dirt track leading to the main road then allow it to coast toward the road a good distance. Once we are far enough away from the compound, I turn the key in the ignition and breathe a sigh of relief when it starts.
After we are headed down the dirt track leading away from the compound I turn on the headlights. When we reach the paved road I drive as fast as I can away from the compound. I whisper a quick prayer of thanks to my Dad for having taught me to drive when I was barely fourteen. I am definitely rusty, but I remember enough to get by. I certainly haven't had a chance to learn anything since I ran away from home ten years ago.
Driving south I try to stay on less traveled roads. I'm not sure where we're going, I don't even have a plan. I didn't have enough time to make a plan. I didn't make the decision to leave until Darren turned on Eric. Then I knew I had no other option.
I also know I have to get as far away as possible before the sun comes up and the men at the compound realize we are gone. My ribs are aching where Darren punched and kicked me making it hard to breathe but I can't think about that now. I have to get Eric safely away.
It broke my heart listening to Eric
scream in fear and pain but I couldn't make Darren stop hitting him. I begged Darren but he just kept hitting Eric and hitting him with the belt across his back. Then he had choked me until I almost lost consciousness. In fact, I pretended to lose consciousness to get him to stop choking me. When Darren finally passed out on the bed I knew we had to leave. I have to get Eric to some place where he will be safe. I can no longer protect him any other way.
Just before dawn I pull into a truck stop and buy gas for the car. I have bruises on my face and neck that I try to cover with a scarf and the hood on my coat. While inside I pick up a map and grab two sodas. When Eric and I drive a few miles further down the road I pull over into a roadside park and study the map. I want to try to decide on a route. Eric is lying quietly in the back seat and I hope he is sleeping.
After I pick my route I start out again, this time I head east. I am very tired but I can't stop yet. I need to put more miles between us and the compound. Around noon the next day I am so tired I can't go any further without some rest. I see a small private lake on the map several miles away and I go that direction in hopes of finding somewhere I can rest for a little while. I pull deep into the woods far enough from the road the car can't be seen then I stop the car and sleep.
When I wake up it is getting dark so I start driving south again. Even though I slept for several hours I still don't feel well. I am still groggy from lack of sleep and my ribs are aching. I am finding it harder and harder to breathe and I am so cold my teeth are chattering. The heater in the car doesn't seem to be working. Bless Eric's heart, he is being so quiet. I know he is hurting and scared to death. I need to try to get him to talk to me, to help me stay alert.
******
Eric's back is hurting so bad. He doesn't want to say anything to his Mom because she is trying really hard to get them away from the compound and his Dad to somewhere they will be safe but he is going to have to tell her. He can't stand the pain any longer.
"Mom, my back hurts real bad where Dad hit me. Can you do anything to make it stop? I can't stand it anymore," he says with tears streaming down his face.
I am surprised at how congested Eric sounds, but then I remember that Darren broke his nose when he hit him. Damn Darren Calloway! "Oh Eric I'm so sorry. Why didn't you say something sooner? I will stop and get you some ibuprofen as soon as we get to the next town. I promise."
I pull into the all night convenience store. I run in and purchase antibiotic cream, sodas, and ibuprofen. As we head out of town I hand Eric the ibuprofen and a soda and tell him to take two tablets. Then I ask him to make them both a peanut butter sandwich. I hope the task and eating will help to take his mind off of his pain at least long enough for me to find someplace we can stop.
When I find an area I feel we will be safe I pull over and apply the antibiotic cream to the lacerations on his back made by the belt. When I look at Eric in the light from an overhead streetlamp, tears spring to my eyes and my heart breaks. Both of his eyes are black and his nose is very swollen. His back looks like ground hamburger meat. Damn Darren Calloway!
With tears streaming down my face I cry, "Oh Eric, I am so sorry your Dad hit you. Please forgive me, but I couldn't stop him." I hate Darren Calloway. Eric didn't deserve this! Why did he have to hit Eric? He's just a little boy.
******
Darren Calloway carefully rolls over in the bed slowly coming awake. His head feels like someone is pounding on it with a sledge hammer and his mouth feels like it's full of cotton. "Melanie, bring me some water!" he bellows.
No one answers. Opening his bleary eyes he looks around the freezing cold cabin. The bright sunlight coming in through the window hurts his eyes and he looks quickly away. Slowly sitting up on the side of the bed, careful not to move too quickly, he looks around the cabin but doesn't see any sign of Melanie or Eric. Cursing he gets out of bed and carefully makes his way over to the water bucket. Filling a cup he quickly downs the water then adds wood to the wood burning stove. The fire has nearly burned all the way out. Damn woman! Where is she anyway? Why did she let the fire burn down so low? He rakes his fingers through his hair in angry frustration.
Pulling on his boots and then donning his heavy coat, he steps outside the cabin to relieve himself. The cabin doesn't have indoor plumbing. In fact none of the living quarters in the compound have indoor facilities. The only toilets are in the communal shower house and that is on the far side of the compound by the office. He checks the position of the sun and guesses it must be nearly noon. Melanie is probably down at the cook shack helping the other women prepare lunch. Well he's hungry so he'll go down to the cook shack and get some grub. Then he'll teach Melanie a lesson about leaving the fire to burn down that way. You'd think she'd know better after all these years.
When he walks into the communal cooking shack he grabs a plate and begins devouring the food. The small room is crowded with people. He looks around the room but doesn't see Melanie anywhere so he asks the closest woman, "Where's Melanie?"
"I haven't seen her today," the woman replies nervously. Darren Calloway has a volatile temper and she doesn't want to do or say anything that might incur his wrath. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen her or Eric today. They didn't come in for breakfast either."
He slams his plate down on the nearest table drawing everyone's attention and making the woman cower behind the nearest group of people. Then he quickly walks back outside. He is looking everywhere for Melanie or Eric when he is approached by the man that is second in command at the compound, Steve Simpson, who says, "Darren, one of the cars is missing. Did you give permission to someone to take it?" Darren Calloway is the leader of this particular militia group and rules with an iron fist.
"No, I did not. Have you seen Melanie or Eric today?" he asks, a dark suspicion taking root in his mind.
"No, I haven't. You don't think she took the car do you?" asks Steve skeptically, voicing the suspicion.
"It could be. I can't find her or Eric. Come on, let's go check the computer. I want to see where that car is." replies Darren cursing under his breath.
He sits down in front of the computer in the compound office where he keys in the GPS identification code for the missing car and when the map appears they see it traveling south several hundred miles from the compound. "Damn! I'm going to kill that woman! I'll be back, take care of everything here!" He hurries back to his cabin to get some warm clothes and supplies for his trip.
Darren Calloway is livid. He has been castigating himself for hours for not suspecting Melanie was planning something. Hell, he doesn't have anyone to blame but himself. He drank way too much last night and his pounding head is proof of that. He doesn't even remember what he did. If he had been even halfway sober, she never would have been able to sneak out of the cabin without his knowledge.
Judging from the skin missing from his knuckles, he must have knocked Melanie around some. He had also seen blood on one of the towels by the wash basin. He was just so furious with those five wimps that packed up and left the group last week. He had gotten word yesterday that they had established their own compound near Sandpoint and he's afraid more of the guys will leave and join them. This is entirely that jerk James Bixby's fault. He never should have let a blathering know-it-all like him stay as long as he did talking to everyone that would listen about how all of the militia groups should join together and form one united group. Damn! His whole dream is starting to crumble around him.
******
I continue to follow the same routine, driving at night and trying to sleep during the day and now Eric and I have finally reached Wyoming. I am completely exhausted from lack of sleep and still feel lousy. I know I am running fever and my ribs are killing me making it very hard to breathe.
We have had to back track several times the last few days when the roads I chose were impassable which slowed down our progress. I only hope it will confuse Darren. I know he is searching for us. I also know he will kill me if he catches us.
We are
only a short distance from Cody, Wyoming but I don't want to get too close to that town. Too many of the group's members live in the area and someone might recognize me or Eric and notify Darren. While studying the map I see what appears to be an old logging road going around the mountains several miles from Cody and I decide to try it. I wind through the country roads until I find the logging road and turn onto it.
Traveling down the logging road proves to be treacherous. It doesn't take me long to realize taking this road was a major mistake. The snow is deep because the road hasn't been plowed and I don't see any place to turn around. The road is only wide enough for one vehicle with a deep ditch and a sturdy fence on one side and tall trees crowding us on the other. The road is not paved and is so full of deep ruts that I am finding it impossible to see or to avoid them. Every time I hit one of those deep ruts the pain in my ribs nearly causes me to pass out. I have no choice but to keep moving forward.
My head is pounding too and I am sure I have a high fever. I swallow two of the ibuprofen tablets with what is left from my soda. I can't stop yet. I know deep in my soul that Darren is close. I can feel him breathing down my neck.
Slowly, I keep inching forward. All at once the car hits a deep hole in the road and slides sideways into a snow bank and stalls. I try and try but can't get it to budge. The wheels just keep spinning and spinning. After trying everything I can think of, I am forced to admit defeat and turn off the motor and the lights. I close my eyes as the tears slide silently down my cheeks. I can't go any further. I have failed. Darren is going to find us and when he does he will kill me. Dear God, I don't want to die! Please help us!
I pull Eric close to my side hugging him tightly, tears sliding down my face, "I am so sorry Eric. I tried but we can't go any further. No matter what happens, please never forget that I love you."
******
Eric is so scared. He knows his Dad is close too. He also knows that his Dad will hurt his Mom really bad this time, maybe even kill her and he can't do anything to stop him. Tears slide out of his eyes, what can he do to help his Mom? Please God, help us! Please don't let my Dad kill my Mom!