Debbie interjected, “As soon as we can get the CRV fixed up so we’re safe to travel.”
They worked almost non-stop on the car and had it ironclad within five days. It would have made Mr. T proud. They had shooting ports, as well as vision slots, and Jim cut a hole in the floorboard on the passenger’s side, putting in a tube that they could pour liquids out of, if they needed. It had a plug to close it off from any fumes and dust. He made a rack on the roof for the extra gasoline and there was plenty of roof space left for storage. If they were going to bring back two additional passengers, they would need the entire space inside.
Jim stood back, admiring the work they had done, and said, “Okay, you two have the truck to get the supplies and start working on the fencing. There’s no rush. Only go out two hours after sunrise and get back inside two hours before sunset. Once you have the supplies here for the fence, stay close to this place. We’re leaving in the morning and trying a different highway up to Meeker.”
Sandra looked at them both and said seriously, “Both of you please come back to us.”
Debbie said, “I promise. No matter what, we are coming back with my children.
Matt said, “Yes. Please do. We need you both. Even though Jim works me harder than an indentured slave, I would still miss him, and you too Debbie, if you guys don’t come back.”
Jim poked Matt in the arm. “Stop acting like this is the last time we’re going to see each other. We're going to be back in 4 or 5 days with the children.”
The next morning, as they drove off, Sandra turned to Matt saying, “I have a bad feeling about this.”
He looked at her with a frown. “What do you mean a bad feeling? What, like us getting attacked? Or do you mean your dad and Debbie?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure, but I feel like something really bad is going to happen.”
Within the hour, Jim and Debbie were back on the road. Jim was lost in thought as he drove. Were they on a fool’s errand? What were the chances her children were still alive? If they were alive, what good would it do trying to find them if they got killed in the process? As a father, Jim understood. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Sandra. More importantly, he understood the need to try and find Debbie’s kids, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. He worried about Sandra, about leaving her behind, but she now had Matt and he had proven himself to be a worthy partner and protector. Still, what if Sandra and Matt found themselves in an overwhelming situation and their survival depended upon having two more people backing them up? Stop it, he scorned himself. Focus. He tried to encourage himself, but the lingering doubt persisted, insisting he and Debbie should stay back at camp instead of running off to search for the kids and supplies.
Debbie sat quietly gazing out the window, praying that God would help her find her children. She often wondered what it would be like to hold them in her arms again. She wondered what they thought about her. I’m sorry you’re going through this alone, she thought apologetically. Mommy’s coming and I won’t ever give up until I find you or die trying. Debbie briefly glanced over at Jim as he drove and said. “You’re a good man, Jim. I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me — someone you barely know.”
“Sure, no problem. I understand. As a father, I would move heaven and earth to help Sandra.”
That night, Sandra found herself worrying more than usual about her dad. He’d better not let anything happen to him now, not after everything they’d been through. She found herself tormented by the countless ‘what if’ scenarios. What if their car broke down? What if they couldn’t locate fuel and got stuck in the middle of nowhere? What if they drove into a town and found themselves surrounded by multiple Hives? What if, what if, what if... Sandra shook her head in anger and decided to go to bed.
Sensing Sandra’s frustration, Matt quietly secured all the doors and windows, then slowly walked into the bedroom and gently climbed into bed with Sandra, spooning her against him as he softly wrapped his hands around her waist. He lay next to her, watching her and feeling fearful about the future and about his future with her. Finding Sandra and Jim had ensured he had a chance at survival. They provided him with basic needs like food, water and shelter. He now had something to live for — Sandra. He wondered if his uneasiness was a fear of losing her. If she only knew how much she meant to him, how she’d saved him when he’d thought all was lost.
Matt closed his eyes as he cuddled more closely to Sandra. Feeling something strange, Sandra woke up to notice Matt next to her. She turned her head and smiled. Just as she adjusted her pillow and closed her eyes again, she realized what that strange feeling was. She opened her eyes, looked down at her belly and gasped.
This completes the first of the two books of the saga.
The adventure continues in Book 2.
The Rabid Mind Page 26