What’s going on here? Colby thought to himself. Do I trust him? I trusted Sam and it paid off. But I didn’t really have time to think about. Do I really have time now to think about it? Go that way and I’ll need to fight. I’m not a fighter. He’s a trained killer. Go the other way and Taylor might just be right. “OK,” Colby agreed. What do I have to lose? “Let’s go.”
They worked their way along the wall behind the foliage. Almost at the corner they heard voices and all stopped automatically. As the sounds of the voices drew nearer, Colby realized they were not speaking English. It sounded more like Farsi. Why would Iranians be serving in the U.S. military? Why not? There are many speakers of Farsi who are also American. The conversation faded as the two men continued along from where the escapees had come from.
“Uncle” Monica whispered.
“Yes, Monica?” Colby whispered back.
“We better hurry, they know we’ve escaped.”
“How do you know they know? Did you see it? Do you know it?”
“I heard them talking just now.”
“But honey, that wasn’t English.”
“I know Uncle,” she responded with a grin Colby could see even in the darkness, “but I understood what they said. They are going in to get the orders for the search pattern for us. What’s a search pattern?”
“It’s something we don’t want to get caught in.” He shook his head, what is going on here? The kids are going crazy! “I don’t know what’s going on with you kids, but let’s make sure we have time to find that out later. We need to get out. Taylor,” Why am I asking him? “can we still walk on out of here?”
“Its clear from here. They’re only guarding the main entrance.”
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“Then let’s go as quick as we can.”
Taylor was right, they made it to the gate and down to the freeway without incident. Cars were still not making use of the road, so it was easy to pass. However, near the top of the other embankment, Colby slipped and twisted his ankle. It was so severe he couldn’t put weight on it. For Pete’s sake, this escape is over before it even began. Stupid! He crawled up the final part of the hill.
When he got to the top, Jeri was standing there waiting. “You’re hurt Dad, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” he admitted “I twisted it pretty bad. I almost blacked out on the way up. What are you…? Don’t touch it.”
Jeri was already on her knees and placed both hands on her father’s ankle. Colby felt warmth then heat emanating from her hands. The pain left his ankle and he was able to stand on it.
What is going on? Colby thought. This is really bizarre. It’s like they… (Better not spill the beans now.) After a few more moments of contemplation he spoke: “I think I see why the general didn’t want to see you guys go. What has happened to you all? He didn’t do any experiments on you when I was asleep did he?”
They all said no.
“Then that missile must have had something that affected kids.” Colby figured “It explains why Paxton was collecting all of the kids.” Was it an accident? Who would do that kind of thing on purpose? “We need to find out more information.” I guess we won’t know unless we test it. Turning to his nephew he continued “Taylor, any ideal where your parents are.”
Taylor looked as if he was concentrating… or constipated… but then answered. “No.”
“Sam,” he asked his son “can you ‘see’ where they are?”
Sam shook his head “Nope.”
“Well then I guess the best thing we can do is to get as far away from the general as we can, as fast as we can. Thanks to Jeri,” He looked at his daughter, who proceeded to blush. “I think I can move pretty well. Let’s get going.”
