When a woman moves into the sleepy town, it rouses everyone's tongues to start wagging. She is strange and distant in her manner. Tia Frost is blissfully unaware of the townsfolk's discomfort with her. With Burt at her side, she wonders about the wo...
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I took my gun from Maverick. "You're the rear guard" I whispered.
He nodded and I moved past him to Tobin. Using the sign language he favoured I told him to stay close unless there was a fight then he had to run for Roland's home. I asked him if he remembered the way I showed him when we put the note in Roland's car. He nodded and I patted his shoulder. Maverick watched the exchange with interest.
As if he could work out the complex language by himself, it's interesting that he's trying.
Leading our small group up the dark tunnel I realised how loud Maverick was being. This might be a problem. I thought looking at the way he filled the tunnel.
The only light was from the torches we held the tunnel was rough cut and the roof was reinforced with metal sheets held up by lengths of wood. It was clear I had built it. I'm no builder or engineer, but I read many books on building a tunnel. The many exits were covered with metal plates that were covered in moss and undergrowth. I'd done what I could to hide these tunnels knowing I might need a safe place to hide.
Maverick's vest rubbed against the metal and parts of his belt banged on the wooden posts. I made the tunnel with me in mind, he is a big man and there isn't a way for him to move through them without making noise.
I held up my hand at a crossroad in the tunnel. I looked back at Maverick and pointed at him then at the floor. He nodded so I turned to Tobin and said with my hands, make him stay here I'm going up ahead to see it's safe.
Tobin replied, I will. I moved up the tunnel and after about a mile I stopped looking up at the exit above me. I listened carefully and heard faint voices so moved back to the crossroad I picked the other direction and walked a short way off. There the voices were even fainter and I waited until they were lost to the wind. I clicked my tongue and heard Maverick start moving.
I moved the heavy board that covered the exit and pulled myself out as they got to the end of the tunnel. I gestured to the two down the hole to stay as I watched and listened for a hint of something wrong.
I watched the shadows and saw nothing other than the natural movement of the forest. I couldn't hear anything except the wind so I pointed at Maverick and he was able to climb out easily due to his size. I got him to pull Tobin up as I watched the inky shadows for any sign of those people.
Tobin slipped the board back in place and tapped me twice on the shoulder with one finger. I kept low to the ground as I moved forward, indicating to Tobin and Maverick when I wanted to scout ahead. When I did this I would leave the two in the deepest shadows I could find away from any sounds of people. Only twice did I need to guide us around the people looking for me, both the police and the wolves.
I lead them on a winding route through the forest to my home. As we got there I saw all the people walking around my home and felt my skin crawl.
Maverick shuffled up and handed his gun to me. He made the same gestures I'd used to tell him to stay put and I nodded. He stood and walked over to one of the men. "Oh, your back." The man said jumping slightly as Maverick walked out of the forest.
