Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

46) On the Road Again

I am pedaling out of town, and I make it as far as the city limits when I decide I need a break. It has been a long day, I am tired, and my feet won't let me forget I ran to get here. It is almost sundown. I was sure I could make it back to Dobson by morning, but my feet and now my legs are saying no - that will be impossible.

I pull around back behind the Welcome to Mount Airy sign where I found my current ride. I prop my bike in the back, and I use the sign for cover. I sit down to drink some water and eat a protein bar. It is not long before I am dozing.

It is dark when I wake up, and I curse myself silently for falling asleep and wasting time, even though I feel like I could go right back to sleep and still sleep all night. I drink some more water and take a caffeine pill. I start chewing some very old gum I find in my jacket pocket. Anything to wake me up.

The sound of a vehicle approaching has my attention. It sounds loud. Could it be Carli and Jack? It is not quite the same sound as the Harley, but it is equally loud and coming at a quick pace, so whoever it is, is not afraid of what's ahead.

One Nation Army, maybe?

It has to be because they are the only people left these days who are not afraid.

I duck down as I hear more vehicles approaching. It's definitely an army. I peek over the sign and see jeeps and more jeeps and humvees and more humvees and big transport trucks and trucks with big guns. Most of the vehicles are tan or camouflage. It is definitely an army.

My heart is beating so fast I am sure if this army wasn't so loud, they would already know I am here. I am terrified. The One Nation army is headed to my camp, my family in Dobson. The Resistance and the refugees will be slaughtered. What can I do? I can't outrun them on a bicycle, especially when I'm busy hiding and making myself invisible.

Things get a little quieter, and I believe that the last of the convoy has almost gone by. I risk a look. I raise slowly up and notice this time what was there the whole time. Flags, American Flags. Draped over a few vehicles and stamped on others. The last few vehicles have a big Red Cross symbol on them.

Praise the Lord, it's our army, the real army, not the enemy.

I want to laugh with joy and I do, but they don't hear me. I jump up and down and fist pump the sky, but they don't see me behind the big sign. The very last vehicle I see as it flies by is an army green jeep. Driving that jeep is my dad and sitting beside him is Mr. Thomas. I am so surprised, I don't even wonder where my mom is until later.

I am in shock from seeing the real army for the first time in months, so it is any wonder that I stand there for a minute before I think to yell or wave them down. I hop on my bike. I scream and yell my dad's name. I try to catch a convoy with a grandma bicycle.

Let me tell you, that no matter how fast you are on a bike or how steady you are as a runner, a person cannot catch a vehicle going 35-40 miles or more an hour, especially with sore feet. I ride, in what I am sure looks like a drunk on a bike style, until they are out of sight. Good, I think, they are headed to camp. The Resistance can join the real army, and my friends will be safe. The Red Cross will help our injured and sick. I decide there is no need for me to ride this bicycle like the wicked witch from the west with her monkeys in tow to warn my friends. They are safe. My dad is safe too.

And it is then that I wonder - what about my mama, where is she?

And then another thought - what about Carli and Jack?

And then, this thought stops me and turns me around - what about Torin? Who will save him now?