Page 87 of Ambush

The platform for the zip line! It would give him a better spotto settle and wait for help. He’d be at the mercy of the storm, but at least he’d have a more secure perch. If the hyenas lost interest, he could climb down and escape.

He was already getting tired clinging to the tree limb, so it was now or never. He let go of the tree trunk, and balancing on the limb, he leaped up and caught the edge of the platform with both hands. He got his legs swinging and managed to hook one over the limb supporting the platform. Moments later he was well away from the hyenas’ hungry jaws and sitting on the platform.

Please, God, send help.

***

Paradise checked the time again. Nine fifteen. Only fifteen minutes had passed since she’d last checked it. Blake hadn’t answered any of the three messages she’d sent him in the past hour, and the notifications showed he hadn’t seen them. What did that mean? That he was busy or that he was in trouble?

Could the storm have knocked out the cell coverage?

The gymnasium throbbed with life. People of all ages had claimed cots, and groups of teens had teamed up to play hoops on one end, while younger children squatted over games more suitable for their ages. She spotted Mr. and Mrs. Adams from across the room and had felt faint for a few minutes until she reminded herself that they had no power over her. But she made sure to stay well away from them. She found Jenna watching the boys play dinosaurs with three other boys about the same age.

“Did you hear from Blake?” Paradise asked.

Jenna shook her head. “He hasn’t seen my messages either.”

“Nor mine. I’m going out there.” Saying the words cemented her decision. “I’ll keep you posted on what I find, but I can’t stay here not knowing if he’s all right.”

Moisture glimmered in Jenna’s blue eyes. “Thank you. I’ll pray for safety for both of you.”

Paradise accepted Jenna’s fervent hug and held her for a long moment. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“I see the worry in your eyes. I feel it too. Go find him.”

Jenna released her, and Paradise grabbed her yellow rain slicker and yanked on her muddy boots again. What could be happening out there? In her heart she was sure something was wrong. If Blake could text them, he would have. He knew they would be worried, and he never liked to cause his mother or Paradise concern.

She pulled up the hood on her rain jacket and ran through the deluge toward the truck. Conditions had worsened considerably since they’d gotten to TGU. The water was up to her calves, and she was thankful for Blake’s four-wheel drive. The van would’ve been stuck here.

She climbed behind the wheel and drove slowly past the partially submerged smaller cars and out onto the road. There would be low spots between here and the park, and she could only pray the truck would make it through them.

The first bit of trouble was at the bottom of a hill. A barricade warned of high water, and a squad car, lights flashing, sat blocking the road. She ran her window down and leaned her head out into the rain. “I have to get through to The Sanctuary. I’ll risk it.”

An unfamiliar male officer studied her expression and nodded. “I advise against it, but it’s on you, miss.”

“I’ll take the chance, thank you.”

He moved his vehicle out of the way, and she inched downthe hill and through the water that sloshed against the door of the truck. It seemed forever before she glimpsed the sign for The Sanctuary through the driving rain. She turned onto the gravel road, which was mostly mud with little purchase for the wheels. She lowered her speed even more and managed to stay on the road.

The entrance should be just ahead, but the dark, rainy night stole any sense of direction, and she was at the gate before she spotted a truck idling at the entrance on the right shoulder. She braked beside it. What was Clark Reynolds doing here?

She ran the passenger window down, and Clark cranked down his. “Are you okay, Clark?” The wind blew drenching rain into her face, and she wiped it out of her eyes and tried to use her hand to shield herself from more water.

Clark peered out of his window. “I came to help out, Miss Paradise. You helped me when I was in a tight spot, and I figure one good deed deserves another. I wasn’t sure you all made it out, and I was sitting here trying to decide what to do.”

“Blake isn’t answering his phone, and I’m worried. He stayed behind to care for the animals, but he has no way to get out since we had to take his truck. I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t know what to do or if I could find him on my own.”

“Are the kids out? And Blake’s mom?”

“Yes, they’re at the TGU shelter. We all got out but Blake, who didn’t feel right about leaving the animals.”

“I’ll follow you to the house, and we’ll figure out how to find him.”

“Thank you, Clark. God sent you.” She knew it in her soul. He’d seen this problem before she’d ever met Clark and decided to help him.

“I don’t know about that, but I’m here to help.”

He cranked his window back up, and she drove slowly toward the cluster of buildings. A light caught her attention, and she braked on the way to the parking lot. Was that a beacon out there? And if so, who had turned it on?

---