Buzzkill [Winter Soldier]

Chapter 13

Ruth drove for hours until they made it into Norway. It was well past sunset, and an hour away from the orphanage in a city just west of Oslo. Before stopping and resting for the night, Ruth parked outside a gas station where she filled up the van, and allowed the children to go inside with her to use the bathroom and get snacks and water. They were all hungry and overcome with boredom, but none of them complained.

The lady at the register marveled at how many kids Ruth brought in, and asked Ruth if they were hers, even though she thought Ruth looked too young to have so many children of different ages.

    "No, they're not mine, they're my brothers and sisters. Our family is on a road trip and I got stuck with babysitting," Ruth replied with a convincing smile to the woman in the language she asked the question; Norwegian.

For the first time in a long time, Ruth saw the kids chatting and even giggling as they chose their snacks. Most of the things they grabbed were logical and would provide some sort of nutrition, others grabbed an appealing candy they had never tried before.

Ruth grabbed waters for all of them as well as granola bars, and paid for everything. Doing quick glances around, Ruth saw that when they walked in that the gas station didn't have any cameras, and was relieved. She knew someone would be watching.

    Back into the van they all went, where Ruth then drove to the nearest truck stop to rest for the night. After making sure that all around them was secure, Ruth grabbed her bag, took out her gun, and sat in the back with the kids. Some were still munching on their snacks, others were already falling asleep. There were only a couple of blankets in the back that were laid out on the floor to give some comfort. Besides that, the children used their jackets and sweatshirts to sleep on.

Ruth positioned herself in one of the corners towards the front, with full view of the doors in case anyone were to barge in. She kept her gun loaded and at easy access for herself, keeping her bag slung around her shoulder close to her body. The youngest, at eight years old, laid her head on Ruth's lap to fall asleep. Another leaned against Ruth's side and rested her head on Ruth's shoulder.

    "Are you sure they aren't following us?" One of the boys asked while the others (who were still awake) listened intently.

    "I've scanned the perimeter, and I have contact with their radios. We're safe. I'm going to stay up the whole night to watch over you guys, ok? Please get some sleep," Ruth reassured them. She knew they were scared.

    Through the night, Ruth listened for the silence to be broken in any way. The only thing that would occasionally interrupt it were the slow, steady sounds of the children beginning to snore. Ruth would make subtle shifts of her bodyweight while sitting on the hard, cool floor of the van to try to stay awake and keep her legs from going numb.

When morning came, Ruth was exhausted. The children were just beginning to wake up to the sounds of trucks starting up and leaving around them. The muffled sounds actually provided a comfort to both the children and Ruth.

Ruth made her way out of the back of the van and into the driver's seat, scanning around them as she went. Still no sign of followers.

    During the drive, Ruth anonymously called the orphanage they were heading for. She gave specific instructions to the lady she talked to about how she would drop off the kids. It would be around the back of the building, no cameras, no questions. Ruth would give them to her with the kids names and birthdays, and then leave. The lady from the orphanage hesitantly agreed, and Ruth hung up the phone. The orphanage Ruth chose was small, acting as more of a "school" than a large, complicated system.

    When they arrived, Ruth slung the bag around her shoulder, concealed her gun under her jacket, and greeted the lady waiting for her. The woman's smile was warm and full of love, not seeming to have any fear. Ruth scanned the place again before finally opening the van doors.

All of the eight children were sitting, some were still unsure and scared of where they were, and Ruth knew they would be. Ruth helped them all out of the van, one by one, and each of them continued to stay close to her. The littlest ones held onto her hands. Ruth knelt down and looked up to them,

    "This place is going to be your new home for a while, a safe home, until you get to have a family of your own. They are going to take such good care of every single one of you," Ruth tried to fill their minds with some hope. "They will not hurt you, they won't make you fight, you will not have to do any jobs for them. And the best part? One day, a mommy, or a daddy, or an entire family will come in here and choose you as a part of their own family; a safe family. They are going to love you with all their hearts, and I hope you feel safe enough one day to love them back."

    "What about you, are you leaving?" One asked, their eyes sullen.

    "Yes, some people are looking for me and I'm going to have to stay away for a while."

    "Where are you going?"

    "I can't tell you, but I'll see you all one day again." Ruth's smile tried to be hopeful. Their expressions didn't change. One of them had tears forming in their eyes, but Ruth didn't think it was for her. It was confusion. The confusion of their lives changing in an instant and not being able to trust any of it.

Ruth stood, and the oldest walked up and held Ruth in a hug.

    "I'm going to miss you," The oldest said, and Ruth hugged her back.

    "I'm going to miss you too." It was the first time Ruth felt a true empathy for the other kids at the facility.

    The rest all came up for hugs and goodbyes. Ruth told them to wait by the door while she talked to the lady. She told the lady each of their names and birthdays as promised, and that there may be authorities who would want to question them, but that they were innocent. Ruth took a deep breath, thanked the lady, and walked back to the driver's seat. While walking, the lady spoke up,

    "And thank you for bringing them here."

    Ruth nodded, and started the van.