Taken

Chapter Twenty Six--JEREMIAH

The facility was huge.  There was a large brick wall bordering the compound and as soon as we reached the edge of the trees I had no idea how we were going to pull this off.  I glanced over at Simon who was as calm as a windless sunny day and I watched his motions.  He moved forward suddenly and everyone followed, slinking around the edge of the wall.

          He stopped and peered through where a single brick had been removed, a peep hole.  I looked over his shoulder to see adults milling around everywhere.  They were all in uniforms, but the way the officials stood out was they were decorated with tons of medals and badges. “Is this where—” Derek started but Simon shushed him.  He nodded his head silently.  He had been spying here. 

          Finally after quietly making our way around the edge of the wall, we came to a gate.  “The supply trucks go through here,” Simon breathed, and slowly looked around into the opening.  “Every day at six they open the gates, expecting the trucks.  They are here now.”

          After a while of waiting for the right time, we finally hurried in.  We had to split up and as we all drew our weapons, heading into the facility.  My heart was pounding and seemed to be rising in my throat.  I had started to sweat and I was shaky.

          The night before I couldn’t sleep well.  I kept thinking about where the guards were now, and if they had made it to Oklahoma City yet.  They wouldn’t be there for a while unless they had transportation, and now that I knew more about the situation, it was very likely.  Plus, it wasn’t as if Sarah’s house was in the middle of nowhere, you just had to turn off the road and follow the gravel for a ways.

          I shivered now as I was blasted with icy air.  It was freezing in this building, and I hadn’t realized how it had warmed up slightly outside until I stepped in.  The gun shook in my hands when a heart stopping question entered my mind.

          What if I had to kill someone?

          It hadn’t ever come to that.  I had only killed animals, I never had to kill humans.  I glanced nervously at Simon, who was with me because we had grown rather close, and wondered if when it came to it if he was ready too.

          I wanted to ask him, but I couldn’t force the words out of my throat.  I didn’t know how to phrase it, and if I broke the silence and somebody heard, it would put us both in danger. 

          I  followed Simon closely, making sure as not to make any false steps.  I mimicked his slightly hunched over stature, and as we rounded a bend, I almost shouted in surprise. 

          At the end of the corridor stood a group of soldiers, fully armed, with gasmasks and a full uniform.  What were they doing?  Simon and I exchanged glances, and then when the group started shouting and following orders, I realized it was a drill. 

          “Last time!” A burly man said in a very deep voice.  He stood with his hands behind his back, feet spread shoulder length apart.  “Good. You guys are dismissed.”

          The gasmasks came off and my hand flew to my mouth to stifle a gasp when I saw Denny’s mother shake out her longish dark hair.  She glanced over the drill sergeants shoulder and when she saw me, slight recognition flickered across her face.  I ducked back behind the wall.

          “That’s Denny’s mom,” I hissed under my breath, and Simon gave me a look.  Only when he hopped to the other side and continued down the hall, I didn’t follow.  I couldn’t, I had made a promise.  I stood still, and when Simon gave me a stern look, I shook my head.

          He wasn’t getting the idea. When he motioned for me to follow, I had to shake my head again.  I can’t, I mouthed, and clutched the loaded gun in my hands.  I stopped looking at him and swallowed, hard.

          I was prepared to jump out and shoot, run and get Denny’s mom, and beat it to find her dad and my dad.  I was so close, and as soon as my brain told my muscles to move, a hand grabbed my shoulder, a deep gravelly voice whispered, “Quite an ambitious one, eh?” and I saw Simon’s face go shockingly pale.