Homeward
This is a continuation of Breaking Out posted May 24th.
Miles and the others raced through the woods, but the uneven ground was difficult to navigate at night. When his foot caught a solid rock, he ended up flat on the ground. Knowing the guards were coming, he leaped to his feet and ran to catch up with Tanya.
As planned, the escapees scattered. Miles and Tanya were now on their own.
Five minutes on the run brought them to a road.
“Get down,” Miles warned.
As soon as he and Tanya ducked back into the weeds a guard on horseback carrying a torch trotted past. Miles exhaled when he was sure the rider had not seen him. Then he motioned to his friend and pointed to the other side of the road.
“Now,” Miles jumped up and dashed across the open road. Tanya arrived a second later.
There they encountered more woods, but a minute later the soft forest floor turned to a vast pool of water. Miles led the way forward until it grew knee-deep. There he paused to catch his breath. To make matters worse, a shrill whistle rang out from the road they had just crossed.
“What should we do?” Tanya asked.
“Keep going.”
“If the water is too deep, we won’t make it through. We’ll have wasted a lot of time.”
Miles knew she was right. Trying to cross the swamp was a huge risk.
“I think it’s our best option,” Miles pushed deeper into the swamp without waiting for a response.
He tried to keep his mind off what creatures he might come across. There were no alligators in the cold water, but poisonous snakes were a concern.
Before long the water was up to Miles waist as rising, but still he pressed on with Tanya keeping pace. The going was laborious in the deep water with its muddy bottom. After about a half mile the water grew shallow. Miles was relieved when his feet reached dry ground.
“I have to stop and rest,” said Tanya as she gasped for air.
“I don’t think they will find us here. Let’s find a place to rest for the night.”
Tanya and Miles made beds of pine boughs. While they were softer than the bare ground, Miles soon found his wet clothing and chilly air made for a miserable night’s rest. He was sure Tanya felt the same, but she never uttered a complaint.
The following morning Miles woke to find Tanya sitting up waiting for him.
“I hope the others made it to safety,” said Tanya.
“Me too. Let’s get out of here.”
“Which way should we go?”
“I believe we need to head west, opposite the sunrise,” Miles pointed in the direction he thought was the way home.
They walked along until the forest opened up to an overgrown footpath.
“Let’s follow this path but keep watch. Duck into the woods if you see anyone,” said Miles.
The path led to a dirt road.
“Do you think we should continue on the road?” Miles preferred the safety of woods, but he valued his friend’s opinion.
“Staying out of sight would be safer but traveling by road is much less work,” said Tanya.
“I agree. Let’s follow the road.”
With no one is sight, they ventured along the road until the city skyline came into view.
“We have to stay away from the city,” said Tanya as they reached an intersection.
“You’re right, It’s much too dangerous. Let’s try this way.” Miles turned onto a road that veered southward.
They continued around the city until they came to a shopping center.
Miles watched the plaza from behind a rusty car, “It looks empty. I think we should go around the back.”
“Good idea.”
With on one is sight, they continued along the back of the windowless building, dodging old boxes and empty pallets. When they reached the far end, a figure jumped out in front of them, blocking their way.
“Where are you going?” asked the woman with short black hair and tattooed neck.
“I remember you. You’re a member of Cobra’s gang,” said Tanya.
“That’s right, and you escaped from the coal mine. Bringing you back to Cobra could earn me a nice reward.”
“Are you going to turn us in?” asked Tanya.
“Hey Dee, did you find anyone?” a man’s voice called from the front of the plaza.
“No! There’s no one here,” the tattooed woman responded. “You two get out of here before they find you. Go that way.”
“Thank you,” said Tanya.
“Thank you,” Miles added.
“Just go,” the woman pleaded.
Miles and Tanya ran full speed in the direction they were told. When they passed an empty playground, Miles slowed to a walk, “This looks familiar. Black-eye brought us this way. We are on the right road.”
“Thank you Holy One,” Tanya prayed.
They traveled along until the sun sank in the western sky.
“Someone’s coming!” Tanya whispered before diving into a deep ditch on the side of the road.
“Good eye. I didn’t see them.”
They stayed hidden until four figures passed by in the opposite direction. The travelers pulled rickety carts.
Miles peered from the ditch, “It’s safe. They’re just drifters.”
As they continued homeward Miles and Tanya reached the bridge with the abandoned military trunk.
With no one on the bridge, Miles led the way across. After passing the military truck a scream came from behind him.
“Miles! Help!”
Miles spun around to find Black-eye holding Tanya in a bearhug.
“Going somewhere?” Black-eye scowled.
“Where are the rest of your goons?” Miles glanced around but saw no other gang members.
“Don’t worry about them,” said Black-eye. “You’re going back to Cobra, and I’ll get a handsome bounty.”
The gang leader pulled a plastic tie from his pocket. As he forced Tanya’s hands behind her back, Miles rushed him. Before Black-eye could react, Miles forced a black object to the man’s neck and pressed its activation switch.
Black-eye’s muscles stiffened from the shock of the stun gun. Before he fell to the ground, Miles pushed with all his might toward the bridge railing. He didn’t stop until the gang leader tumbled over the railing and splashed into the river below.
Both Tanya and Miles watched the river until a head surfaced one hundred yards downstream.
“Are you all right?” asked Miles.
“I’m fine. Let’s get out of here.”
Tanya hurried down the road with Miles at her heels, “I see you swiped Bruce’s stun gun. Your becoming a real thief.”
Miles grinned, “When the gangs leave us alone, I won’t be taking anything that doesn’t belong to me.”
The two friends continued along into the evening. They stopped only when they reached a familiar, little town. They were home.
***
In this series of stories Tanya and Miles faced many difficulties because they lived in a broken world.
What should our attitude be when we face difficult times?
Read Psalm 18:46-49
What should our attitude be when God brings us through a difficult time?