Page 57 of Guarded By Them

The farther we got down the old logging road, the more overgrown it became, as though the forest was trying to claim back its land. The chassis of the car caught on low lying bushes, and I winced at the screeching of metal. The tires crunched over fallen leaves and sticks. The forest closed in around us, the light changing, dappled by the leaves overhead.

Kodee slowed right down, easing the vehicle into the undergrowth before pulling to a stop. “Think this is as deep as we’re gonna get.”

Ryan shrugged. “Looks good enough to me.”

I twisted in the seat and peered back the way we’d come. There was nothing but trees and bushes behind me, and I couldn’t spot any sign of the road. I doubted anyone would be able to see us either unless they came right up to where we’d stopped.

We all climbed out of the car. The money and weapons had been divided between the guys’ rucksacks, so all we needed to do was strap them on and get walking.

Birds called to each other in the treetops. A light breeze rustled the canopy, the sound like running water. Insects buzzed around my head, and I flapped them away. “Did anyone think to bring bug spray?”

“Damn,” Kodee cursed. “I knew we’d forget something.”

“Let’s just hope the weather holds up,” Ryan said, shouldering his bag and connecting the straps across his chest. “This is going to be a whole lot harder if it starts to rain.”

I glanced up at the sky, but it was hidden from view by the leaves. “Do you think it’s likely to rain?”

He threw me a wry smile. “I hope not, but I haven’t had much of a chance to check the weather lately.”

“Me, either.” I smiled in return, trying to forget my nerves. My hands felt cold, and I was shivery all over, like I was coming down with the flu, but I knew it was just the adrenaline. I’d felt like this before.

Ryan found a good sturdy stick to use for support. “It’s not quite my crutches, but it’ll help.”

“Use whatever you need, including us,” Kodee said. “It’s better that you ask for help early than you end up in a position where you can’t walk.” He jerked his chin at Dillon. “Same goes for you.”

Dillon squared his shoulders. “I can handle it.”

“I don’t give a shit how tough you are. I’m telling you that if you start to struggle, speak out. We might need to move quickly and quietly if we come across border patrol guards. We can’t have anyone down, for all our sakes.”

Chastised and deflated, Dillon backed down. “Aye. Will do.”

Before he picked up his own bag, Kodee used the bottom of his shirt and set about wiping the steering wheel and the door handles, and anywhere else we might have touched. “We don’t want to leave any fingerprints, just in case the car is found sooner than we hope.”

I bit down on my lower lip, worrying at a piece of dried skin. “Do you think that’s likely to happen?”

He glanced over his broad shoulder at me. “I hope not, but let’s not take any risks.”

He was right about that. We were already taking far too many just by being out here. I doubted the guards would come this far from the border, but I was still wary of hearing a shout and having armed men demand to know what we were doing. Of course, they weren’t the only ones who were armed, but I hoped the guys wouldn’t consider shooting men who were only doing their jobs. If it came down to us getting across the border or being taken into custody, would they take innocent men’s lives? I kept my mouth shut, keeping the question to myself. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

With the car wiped down and all our belongings and supplies divided between us, we were ready.

Kodee led the way. He was the fittest and strongest out of all of us, and it was only natural for him to do so. He quickly realized he was leaving the rest of us behind, however, and he forced himself to slow to allow us to catch up.

It was going to be a long night. I hoped we’d all be alive and free by the end of it.

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