the only thing keeping them going. “I’m going to recon the area ahead while you guys take a quick breather.” I figure it’s best if I get out of here so they don’t see me in this condition. I pat Moses on top the head as I stand and prepare to take off. “I’ll be back in ten minutes.” Moses opens his jacket to tuck the family in close to his body heat, and his heart. I quietly shiver off into the cold crisp air.
I make it to the end of the next alley and see something lying in the street. The lump looks like a dark pile of leaves someone drug in the middle of the street. I realize this may present a possible problem, so I decide to go move it out of the way. I check both my flanks then progress to investigate. As I move towards it, I see small bits of something trailing in the direction it must have came from. These remnants don’t look like leaves though. The lump’s dark ruff jagged texture makes it hard to identify what it really is. I smell an appalling aroma as I approach the motionless mound. My stomach ties a knot between the sweet and noxious stench. I bend over and use my knife to jab it. It slides easily into the lump as I realize it’s not a pile of leaves. I return my blade and observe the slither that came off it. I bring my blade nearer and notice it glistens like a black chunk of coal. I try bringing it close to my eyes, but my nose warns me to through it away. I pull out my flashlight and cup my hand around the lens. With my other hand, I balance the object on my blade as I lower my face towards the flashlight. I form a compartment to contain the light and turn my lab light on the specimen. I fight the putrid syrupy stink while categorizing the content. I finally figure out what it is; and I knew I know this smell. This specimen is man. I keep my light covered as I move over the lump’s forward area. I flick the flesh and wipe my blade while shaking my head side to side in disgust. I say a silent eulogy for the poor baked being as I humbly try kicking the lump over to the curb. I remove it in sections as it disintegrates with each kick.
I hustle to the next block while analyzing the situation.
First, I try understanding the purpose of the corpse. My mind proceeds along with my feet. “Why drag it around unless that is your intent. Why leave it there unless it just can’t be drug any further.” I make it to the end of this alley and see my backyard fence. It tries to lure me in for a momentary rest by telling me, “I’m just a few houses down.” My temporary temptation is immediately interrupted by the echo of the crowd closing in. I sense their evilness and feel their wickedness is very close. I slowly melt backwards to blend in with the blackness behind me.
My only cover is the darkness. I don’t have enough time to retreat, so I take evasive action. I sit and bend my legs near to my chest while opening my shirt. I spread it out over my knees and wrap it with my arms. I then hide my head inside my improvised “tepee.” I hear their snarling voices turn the corner as I try and replicate the silhouette a dark bush might make. I pray the shaking of my panicky pants imitate breeze blown black branches.
I stare at my knees and demand my chest to stop moving. I begin to understand the imminent noise forthcoming. I notice several different sounds being dragged below the elevation of my hearing. They sound as if they are gagged garbled cries for help. The next thing I hear is, “Irreverent, come and get your friends!” A chorus of wicked laughter momentarily extinguishes the anguish being drug. I hear feet kicking against the coarse sounding texture of rough material. The amount of noise tells me the evil pack is right in front of me. “Come on, come and get them.” These evil voices dare me, but are not aware I am just a few feet away. My soul tries to slice my shirt open and free my friends from these fiends, but my spirit shakes its finger and warns me, “This is not the time.” Evil laughter fills the night as the smell of burlap burns the asphalt. I survive as they pass on by, but part of me dies with those passing cries for help. The shuffle and dragging turns the following corner as their merciless trail of
laughter follows.
“Flop, flop, flop...” sounds trudge up from behind me. I detect them echoing up the alley. They stop momentarily to rest, and then the fleeting feet continue. I resume and re-pace my steps in the alley towards the approaching large black mound. A shouting attempt to whisper asks, “Are you alright?” I wave my hand signaling him to “keep quiet,” as I hurry to meet him. I squat and observe as Moses joins me. He tells me I’ve been gone at least a half an hour. “We were worried. What happened?” I pat his big shoulder and give him the abridged version of my encounter. I tell him to go and get the family and meet me here in ten minutes. I tell him, “I’m serious this time; I’ll be back in ten minutes. Time is of the essence!” I move out to go check on my house, as Moses moves back to get his family.
His flopping feet trickle away as I come within reach of my backyard fence. I back up and lower my body against it, while taking a quick look around. Everything is still. I turn and face the fence, and then lift my head slowly up over to view the backyard area. Two shadowy figures sit where nothing should be. They’re not moving at all, so I’m not sure what the figures really are. They’re sitting near my backdoor, which is ajar. Just now, I see what looks like an arm rising up and down. I deduct these shadows are a couple of LD waiting to snare me. If there are two out back there are more out front. I pull my head slowly down by lowering my entire body at my knees. Very cautiously I turn away, and then softly creep away.
As I arrive at the rendezvous point, I peel back my Velcro’s to find the excursion took six minutes. I bend behind a bush near the alley intersection and wait for the return of Moses. My mind races to figure and alternate plan before the bunch gets here. I know they will be weary, but I will need to keep them moving. “Dear Lord,” I silently pray, “Please tell me what to do and how to do it.” I urgently stress, “I need an immediate idea!” I hear quick erratic tapping stirred within
the consistent flopping sounds drawing near. I rack my head
for an answer to this dilemma. Once more I beg God for help. I now see four trotting legs linking this floating shadow. I think to myself, “I got it!” The thought occurs to me as the fatigued family arrives.
Moses and Katie pant while I pull some rope out of my sack. I pull Moses bent over body away from the bunch to inform him about the change in plans. He straddles his slightly bent knees with his hands as he shuffles along with me. I measure off two sections of rope that are each five arm lengths long. I tell Moses, “This is what we are going to do,” as I slice free two sections. “We can’t make it to the store tonight. There are too many LD vigilantes roaming the streets. Trying to make it to the safety of the store is just plain suicide. It’s just too far. My house is out of the question. I even thought of searching for a nearby abandoned house. But, we just can’t be sure what’s inside. They’re setting traps for us. They’re angry and want their ‘pound of flesh;’ and want it tonight.” I continue telling Moses my plan as his face cringes at the task ahead. But, we both agree on the ordeal together. Our new goal is get to “T” real, real fast. “This is our best chance of survival.”
Moses moves back to his bunch and briefs them on our new plan of action. First, he apologizes to the family for all they’ve endured. He asks the children, but he stares at Katie as he says, “I need you to be brave a little while longer. Can you all do that?” I give him a few seconds to explain what we will attempt as I continue winding up the two sections of rope around my bent left arm. “Hanna, my good friend Joey is going to carry you a while. You just hold on to him tight and you’ll be..., just fine.” He gives her a peck of reassurance on her little red cheek. I move closer while winding the last section. Both the kids seem to be already half asleep. I see a lot of eyelid, but little of their eyeballs. “And Jordan, you’re going to ride on poppas back for a while. If you get tired you just go right on ahead and sleep. Is this okay little man?”
I pull Moses towards me, as his face stares at Jordan’s
waiting for his nod of approval. I slide my hand on Moses back instructing him to bend over. Jordan answers daddy by nodding, “Yes.” Moses says
, “That’s my big boy.” He winks and smiles at him, and then I lift and lay Jordan on daddy’s back. I grab one rope and toss it two times around the big guy. I hang the loose ends over Moses chest and ask him to tie it. I ask Katie if she has anything soft in her personal belonging’s bag. She recollects she might. She abruptly tosses it on the ground and jerks it open. She hands me a towel. I ask her if she has one more in her bag, maybe under the “kitchen sink.” My irritating humor temporarily wipes the worry off her face as her hand dives back in. It’s replaced with a “half baked” smile and a sideway shrug of her head. She pulls out a second towel while quietly and firmly informing me, “Towels can be tiny blankets, wrapped pillows, an extra jacket, ‘first aid’ dressing, and to dry off dirty kids.” I give her a big quirky smile as a reward for her witty response. I quickly tuck the first towel between Jordan’s head and the big guy’s back. He stands, and then I bend over. I think how I’d like to meet a woman one day just like Katie. Any woman that jokes in the “face of danger” is my kind of lady. She lifts Hanna on to my back and uses Moses as the template to perform the task at hand. I snug the rope tight and whisper over my shoulder, “Is this hurting you honey?” Katie checks the rope by sliding her hand between Hanna and the rope. Katie tells me, “She’s just fine,” and then pecks her darling a kiss while sliding her open hand gently across her tiny face. I turn my neck back around front and stand, while Katie tucks the towel in against my back and Hanna’s head. I tug the rope a couple times to see if it’s still taut, and then hand Katie my rucksack. She quickly stuffs her smaller bag into it, and hangs it over her shoulder. I look around and ask, “Well then, are we ready?” They all nervously say, “Yes.” I look at Moses and nod. He gives a quick short nod back. My final instruction is, “We’ll move fast, steady, and together.” I lead us on.
I turn left after leaving the alley and proceed to the
street corner. A second later we’re all together hiding next to a telephone pole. I motion them to “stay here.” I slowly move away. I cautiously walk into the adjacent street while observing in both directions. I continue across as I wave my hand, signaling them to advance. I hear their hurried steps race across the pavement as I bend down next to another pole on the other side of the street. I stare into the darkness ahead looking for the next adjacent alleyway, and for any LD. Katie and Moses don’t get a chance to rest, as I jump to the next position near the alleyway entrance. I follow a wet reflecting trail up to the alley trying not to slip on it. I turn in the alley and notice the wide strip continues up the street. I know in my sinking spirit what made this mark.
Hanna feels like she’s fast asleep. I run off and feel her little legs again uncontrollably bounce and kick the sides of my belly. I hear Moses huffing, and one of them slide on the wet mess left in the street. Their approaching noise tells me they must have recovered alright. I leer in the alley as I try and remember exactly how far “T” is. I stop momentarily just inside the alley and look back to see them approaching. I don’t wait for them, but instead I jump ahead to the next hiding spot. I want us to keep moving. I see a spot by a little shed ahead that looks like it may be a good cover spot. I race to it as I calculate we have five or six blocks more to travel. I plant us slightly against the shed and turn to see the couple struggling to make it their last few remaining steps. I whisper to them, “We’ll wait here till you catch your breaths.” I peek around the side of the shed as they sit and lean their backs up against it. My face keeps watching down the alley as they gasp. I try to pace my breathing attempting to quicken my recovery. I try hiding my weakness of being totally exhausted by trying to remain strong as their example. Their rapid breathing slows enough to seemingly handle a little more lung pain. I turn back to them and whisper, “It’s time.” Moses sighs, “Yes,” and then grabs Katie’s spaghetti looking arm,
yanking her up.
I place myself in a “racer’s starting position,” and then dart to the next hiding spot. I don’t look back, but I do expect their steps to confirm my actions. I think as I run about slowing the pace, but I realize speed is our best insurance against getting caught. The less time we are exposed gives us a greater chance of success. I hear their steps again, so I “push off.” I keep pushing them to keep up as we rush through our maneuvering procedure for the next three sets of alleys. I just hope they can hold up.
I tell myself, “We have to ‘brake’ before we all break.” I locate another shed ahead. I dash to it and take a much needed rest. I turn and look at the shadows “leapfrogging” two stops behind. I notice a window on the shed’s side, and no lock on its door. I decide I’ll sneak a peek while they catch up. It looks dark and empty. It also looks just big enough to hold all of us inside. I grab the door handle and softly press the latch. I tug the door easily as it slowly begins to open. I lean my head slowly around the corner of the door and prepare myself to slam it closed. But, I don’t see anyone inside. I move inside and hold the door open. I see the shadows are almost here, as I watch them force their bodies on. They are close enough to see my hand waving them inside, as I prepare to shut the door. My beckoning hand keeps on instructing and encouraging them to make it. Fifty feet away they notice this is a place of rest and refuge. I hope it gives them the “oomph” they need to finish running here.
Just a few feet away I see the sheen of ice on Moses hair. I suddenly realize how cold it has become. I guess my concentration to hurry has made me numb tonight. Katie’s clothes and hair are gleaming too. I reason, Moses steamy breath blew over the trailing Katie and froze to her clothes. I am able to make out their faces now. I keep waving them on their last few agonizing paces. “Come on guys. Just a few more steps,” I loudly whisper.
I take several steps out and help drag both of them in
the shed. They hysterically gasp like someone has suffocated
them. I help Katie down in the dark corner and watch Moses bend and grab the wall. They continue deep breathing as I look outside with my head. No one is around or has followed us. I quietly close the door and return inside.
“Okay guys, we just have about three blocks to go. We move out...,” I check the time and tell them, “In ten minutes.” Hanna stays asleep on my back enjoying the heat I must be producing. In a way, she is my tiny jacket. I strain my eyes by constantly rechecking the iridescent minute hand on my dark watch. I keep repeating every few minutes how much time is left. I try encouraging them with, “We’re almost there guys.” In the back of my mind I know it is growing more dangerous. We’re not just battling time, but hope too. I believe all the LD activity may have given “T’s” secret location away. It would only have taken one careless Irreverent brothers to let them know its location. Or worse, one captured brother who’s willing to trade his loyalty rather than accept his awful fate. “One minute,” I tell them. I notice Jordan sleeping on the bent back of Moses as momma comes to kiss both her babies. I say aloud a soft prayer of protection for the remaining journey, “God, please give us swift strong legs.”
No sooner do I finish praying and I hear many far off voices. They still sound like they’re several blocks away, but I can’t tell if they are coming this way. “Come on guys, we got to go!” The voices are faint enough for me to hope I am the only one hearing them. I don’t want the family to panic and run afraid. This will tire them even more while dashing their hopes. Katie gathers herself as Moses gives me a strange look. I think he’s acknowledging he hears the voices too. It seems so by the stare he’s now giving me. It also looks like he’s thanking me for not alerting Katie and the kids. She checks the children and confirms they’re still asleep. I see their tiny limp bodies and think how much exercise they’ve gotten tonight while sleeping. I nod to Moses then dash out. Katie is next as Moses brings up the rear.
I think of another strategy while running. I slow and
wait for them to catch up to me. I wave each of them to each of my sides. I keep a steady pace while directing each of them with both of my outstretched hands to their pre
scribed positions along side of me. I focus straight ahead so they can both hear my plan at the same time. “We’re going to speed things up by forgo our ‘duck and cover’ maneuvering. I want both of you to stay alongside me. We’re going to jog at a pace a little faster than this the rest of the way. We need to get there fast. Do you think you both can handle it?” Katie reluctantly forces herself to say, “Yes,” as I see Moses out of the corner of my eye nod his affirmation with his face full of determination. “Here we go then.” I increase my speed slightly as my mind drifts to that unconscious place filled with pass thoughts.
The closeness this family has given me tonight kindles memories of a family life long ago. I see my little sis playing dolly and teaching it to swing. I’m on the adjacent swing listening to her tell Miss Polly to hold on tight while she pushes her. I don’t have a care in the world, as I try kicking the clouds out of the sky with each closer swipe of my feet. Momma yells out the back door “Joey! Is your sister with you?” I yell back a lackadaisically, “Yeah mom!” I feel so apathetic and happy at the same time. Sis lectures her dolly for falling off the swing, as I fly my jet exploring the world. “Kids, I want you in here in five minutes!” I try and give negotiation a chance and yell back, “Ah mom, how about 15?” She once again yells to us, “10 minutes, and I expect your hands to be washed. We’re going to eat dinner.” I yell back, “Okay momma,” and feel I negotiated an end to all war and ushered in world peace. My heart tells my momma and sis, “Goodbye,” as mind forces me to drift back to reality. I soon enter this tired, worried, and worn body; and regain the pain of living once more.
My sight recognizes the area just ahead. I form “starting gates” in front of my replacement sis and momma. I
guide them along as I slow my pace. We reach a “quick time”
marching pace before I pull their reigns. I steer them with my
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