Page 23 of Zero Visibility

As they headed past the couple, Ben noticed Berta was on the phone. “Hurry every chance you get.” He had a bad feeling. The dragnet was closing in on them and they were running out of options. They’d have to find somewhere to stash the RV and find another means of transportation. But with every person in the vehicle now wanted for questioning, he had a feeling they couldn’t stay hidden long enough to escape Legion’s determination to bring them down.

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“What can I do to help?” Jen asked. True to the hero he was, Ben carried the weight of all their safety squarely on his shoulders. She wouldn’t let him bear that burden alone ever again.

Ben smiled despite the worry on his face. “Pray. We’re running out of options. I’m going to call Cole and see if he can get us out of here before they find us. I won’t let that happen to you or to any of these innocent people. We’ve worked too hard to defeat them to die like this.”

Tears filled her eyes. She hugged him tight. “I know you’re doing everything in your power to get us to a safe place. We’ll be okay. God will take care of us.”

He held her tight. “My faith needs a little help right now. Pray for us, Jen. You were always such a strong prayer warrior. I could use your strength right now.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Let’s pray right now.” Holding his hand, she closed her eyes. “Father, we need Your protection against the enemy coming after us. Blind their eyes. Give us safe passage back to Montana and keep us all alive. Amen.”

Ben opened his eyes and pulled in a shaky breath. “Thank you, babe. I feel God’s protection already.” He took out his phone and called while rubbing a hand across his eyes. “Cole, it’s me. We need help.” Jen listened while Ben explained their circumstances. “I know it’s risky, but we need an immediate exit plan.” He listened. “We’re about thirty miles outside of the small town of Golden View, Colorado. The border crossing’s shut down. They’re closing in on us.” He explained about the couple. “I’m positive they recognized Everett and probably me as well.”

Seconds passed while Ben listened to his commander. “Okay, I’ll call you once we’ve reached the location. Thanks, Cole.” He ended the call and faced the group who waited for news.

“First order of business is to get off this road. According to Cole’s information, there’s another road coming up on our right. Take it,” he told Peter. “Cole mentioned a vacant house about five miles up from the exit. We can hide out until the plane arrives. Find a place to leave the RV in the woods. We’ll walk to the house. Which means taking turns assisting Tegan.”

Ben glanced out the side window. “It’ll be dark soon and the temperature is going to be below freezing. That’s the bad news. The good news is we have three hours to stay out of sight, which will feel like forever with Legion zeroing in on us, thanks to that couple. Everyone watch your backs and be on guard.”

“Copy that. There’s the road Cole mentioned.” Peter slowed the top-heavy vehicle onto what could barely be called a road. The RV rocked and careened over the graveled potholes and Jen grabbed a seat. The stressful motion did little to settle Jen’s uneasy stomach.

“You okay?” Ben asked and sat beside her.

She closed her eyes. “Just a little residual morning sickness. It will pass.” She drew in a couple of settling breaths and waited for the sick feeling to ease.

“According to GPS, we’re close to the house. We’ll have to ditch the RV now. Those woods on the left look as if they’ll hide this thing.” Peter pointed to the thick tree growth along the side of the road. “I’ll see if I can get off without turning this thing over.”

Jen grabbed the armrest and braced against the RV’s rocking back and forth as it traversed the ditch and Peter eased it up into the woods. It was almost pitch-black here under the canopy. The RV’s headlights bounced off three trunks. Peter slowed the vehicle to a crawl that didn’t help much. The path was strewn with dead trees. More than once Jen thought she’d be sick.

“This should be good enough.” Peter brought the vehicle to a jarring stop. Jen gulped in several breaths and waited for her stomach to settle.

Ben glanced toward the road and nodded. “No one passing by will see it. The house should be up ahead about another mile.” He faced Jen. “Stay close to me. I’m not sure what we’ll be coming across out there.”

Jen followed Ben to assist with Tegan. While she helped him into a sitting position, Everett slipped his boots on. With Ben on one side and Everett on the other, they assisted Tegan to his feet.

“Let me help you into your jacket.” Jen grabbed it from the bunk bed above them and held it up while Tegan slipped his arms into it.

“I can walk on my own steam,” Tegan forced the words out, though Jen had her doubts.

“Okay, but you don’t mind if we stay close in case you need help?” she asked. Tegan closed his eyes and nodded. He was over six foot and a strong man normally, but surviving a gunshot was enough to take down even the strongest.

“We’ll go as slow as you need.” Ben stuck to Tegan’s side as they eased down the aisle to the door. Tegan leaned against the railing as he slowly descended the stairs to where the others waited outside.

“Glad to see you moving on your own steam.” Will grinned at his fallen friend.

“Me too,” Tegan managed with a hint of a smile.

Keeping the slower pace necessary, they started in the direction of the house where they’d await the extraction team while snow rained down on them.

Jen glued herself to Ben’s side. Every little noise in the woods had her jumping and expecting Legion’s men to emerge and surround them.

Ben reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “So far, so good.” He tried to lighten the moment. She loved him for it. Wanted to be able to have a future with him and their child. But with Legion anticipating each of their moves, Jen couldn’t imagine a time when that might be possible.

Chapter Nine

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