MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 -- JUPBQLBAFLVEUBWKE

The sun was bright but not uncomfortably so as Carter walked outside into the outside air, besides the exercise area which didn't really count, for the first time in seven years. The last stop was a sally port in the last wall before the fence.

In his usual manner, he hadn't exchanged a word with his escorts since the release process was done. He had learned early in his incarceration that prison guards were mostly among the lowest forms of human life. The large woman on one side of him hadn't said anything, the man had mostly simply limited his conversations to directions, but Carter had made it clear that his mood was not the relief, happiness, or other emotions departing prisoners might exhibit, but a deep simmering rage.

Outside the gate, he saw a man across the road waving. It was Tommy, and a woman standing beside him. The guards had gone back inside and closed the gate, so Carter walked across the road to there they were.

Tommy hadn't changed much, except for getting older. He was only a year older than Carter, but he looked older. Somewhat of a biker, although not a member of any club as far as Carter knew, he had a look like that of the guys seen in groups of Harleys on the roads. Long greying hair curling down over his collar, and a generous mustache extending over the corners of his mouth gave him a slightly sinister appearance, but the eyes indicated otherwise.

The woman was much younger, probably not even forty. Her athletic build was not emphasized by her outfit of jeans and sweatshirt, but it was apparent in her movements and her physical fitness reflected in her face.

He shook Tommy's outstretched hand, and the noticed the woman had also extended hers.

"Before I tell you how good it is to see you, let's get the introductions out of the way" said Tommy. "This is Jessica, and Jessica, this is Darrell. I rode my bike down, and Jessica came in her car. Since you'll be riding with her, we won't get much talking in on the way, but that can wait."

"Where are we going?" asked Carter.

"It's a good drive" said Tommy. "As late as it is we'll stop along the way, and you can wash off the prison junk, get some new clothes and some decent food. Sound good?"

"OK, then. Let's get on the road. Follow us."

They were beside a parking lot, about half of the spaces occupied. Carter followed them to where the only motorcycle in the lot was parked. Jessica unlocked a rather old Ford Taurus. He noticed, however, that from its condition it did not appear to be the almost thirty years old it had to be. It was a medium blue, as many thousands of Tauruses must have been in those years.

He walked around to the passenger side and got in, as he heard Tommy start his bike. Jessica was quiet as they followed Tommy out of the lot and onto the highway. Carter was silent, letting her concentrate on driving until she was ready to talk. Before long they were entering a four-lane road that promised a reasonable length of uneventful driving time.

Jessica turned to look at him for the first time. "We have a little time before we stop" she said. "How do you feel, aside from wondering what's happening? As in, being free?"

"Anything is better than where I was" he replied. "Since you and Tommy seem to have some sort of plan, and I have nothing, I'm in your hands."

Jessica smiled. "Hopefully you'll like it. Tommy said he gave you only a vague hint. Actually, trying to explain would take a while, so once we get stopped for the night we can start to fill you in. But first, we need to get rid of the last of the prison stuff. We'll stop in while, get hotel rooms, and some clothes for you, and then some decent food."