Reflection Page 21

  “Do you know where?”

  “No. Thank you for finding me.”

  “I’d never not find you, my love.”

  Freya pulls on my arm. “We’ve got to go.”

  I kiss his cheek, but almost fall through him. We’re hovering over the trailers. Freya grabs my hand and we speed to home. I see our campfire with everyone staring into the fire. The Wanderers are still chanting. I cannot hear them but their mouths are moving.

  Pain explodes along every nerve as I re-enter my body. I gasp and try to push myself back out. When air fills my lungs, my body tightens and I have the urge to throw myself onto the ground. The Wanderer behind me uses his knees to hold me steady. He grabs onto my shoulders. I cough. Abeytu wipes my face with a wet cloth. Each breath is filled with agony and makes me cough and gag.

  “Oh my!” I gasp. “This hurts!”

  “Coming back is never an enjoyable experience,” Abeytu says, rubbing me vigorously.

  The more he rubs the more normal I feel.

  “I found him,” I cry and cough. “But we’ve got to go, now!”

  “They’re moving him in the morning,” Freya says, from her father’s lap.

  “We’ve got to go now!” I scream.

  “Your mother is working the issue,” Abeytu whispers in my ear. His warm hug is soothing, but we have no time to wait.

  • • •

  Several black helicopters land next to the lake. Uniformed men jump out and greet my mother and father with salutes. Abeytu helps me up and we climb aboard.

  I’m dizzy and the ride is mostly a blur. My stomach wants to expel whatever’s in it, but I know I can’t be sick now. This ride is taking forever. It seems Freya and I were there in seconds. We finally land on the major road. There are too many trees to land any closer, and they want to maintain the element of surprise. Almost a dozen jeeps filled with men and weapons wait for us at the landing site. How did they get here so fast?

  “I hope these are the good guys,” I say to Abeytu who’s still carrying me.

  “These are the good guys,” he confirms, with a reassuring smile.

  We all climb into a jeep and ride down the dirt road until I scream for them to stop. My head’s hanging out the window like a dog. I’m searching in vain for that stupid broken log. I spot it just as we’re about to pass it.

  “Stop! The log…the log!” I scream.

  “We’re here,” Abeytu tells the driver.

  The men jump from the vehicles. They look creepy with their night-vision goggles. Each seems to know his position as soon as we enter the forest. Men perch in trees or crawl under the brush, reminding me of a World War II movie.

  The commander directs through his radio; the men receive their orders. We stay behind the men carrying weapons. Dogs barking in the distance tell us we’re nearing our target, and my internal warning system blares.

  “Takoda’s in trouble,” I whisper, to Abeytu.

  “There is nothing you can do right now,” he states, holding me firmly by the arm. “Stay with me.”

  Shots ricochet off a tree near my head and jolt me to action. My senses awake and it’s as if I’m watching everything happen at once. Men shoot wildly from the trailers. The dogs are set free and attack the uniformed men on the ground. Yelps echo through the forest as the dogs are shot or stabbed. Several explosions ring through my ears as grenades are thrown wildly into the wilderness.

  I must get to Takoda—and fast—or they will kill him. But Abeytu won’t let go of my arm. Shots ping over our heads as we drop to the ground. My mother, father and Takoda’s family stayed with the helicopters, while Abeytu and I followed the men into the forest searching frantically for Takoda.

  “Journey,” a whisper flies into my ear.

  “What?” I ask, Abeytu.

  “I didn’t say anything, now stay down!” he orders.

  “Journey, help me.” A cry echoes through my mind.

  “Takoda?” I whisper.

  “What?” Abeytu asks.

  “Nothing,” I lie. Not knowing who to trust anymore, I’m afraid to confide in Abeytu.

  We lay on our stomachs waiting for the shooting to stop. But it never does. The explosions are closer, which means the men are advancing. Whether our guys can take them down or not is not my concern. My goal is Takoda. Abeytu looks the other way for just a second after an explosion, and I take my chance. I roll under some ferns and start crawling. If my memory serves me right, a small footpath winds behind the trailer and should be here somewhere. I have to find that path.

  “Journey!” Abeytu’s yelling for me, but I ignore him.

  I crawl as fast as I can toward the footpath I know has to be here. A crack of a twig announces someone’s coming. I scoot under a plant with large leaves and hold my breath. Ah man, it’s one of the men from the trailers. Phew, he passes without stopping.

  I start crawling again, my hands touching the damp soil. A sigh of relief escapes me when my hand touches the solid dirt path. My hands bleed and my knees scream with every rock they hit. But I continue to crawl. A thorn embeds itself into my palm and I want to cry. Holding it in, I use my teeth to pull out the little spike. I pull my sleeve onto the wound and crawl. Tears sting my eyes, but I can’t stop. Not now…not ever.

  Bullets ping over my head and pieces of trees and rocks pelt me as an explosion hits nearby. I can’t see a thing, but I know the trailers are only several hundred feet ahead, and Takoda’s in one of them.

  “Takoda,” I whisper inside my mind. “Help me find you.”

  A flicker of light ahead excites me. I strain my eyes, and can just make out the outline of a car’s wheel. Memories of Takoda teaching me how to live in the wild run through my mind. I frantically search the forest floor for a stick or rock, anything I can use as a weapon. My fingers search the darkness around me. Something slices through one of my fingernails and I gasp for air as pain shoots up my arm. My finger’s throbbing and I cringe as I suck on another wound. I just want this terrible night to be over. As I suck on my finger, I use my other hand, a little more careful this time, to search through the fallen leaves. My heart jumps as I feel a rock that just fits my palm. Good, this will work. After a few more cautious moments of searching, I find a stick I can use as a knife. It’s as thick as my finger and about a foot long. The pointed end will hurt. I pray silently I’ll have a chance to get Takoda out alive. It’s difficult crawling and holding a rock and stick, but I have no choice. The stick I carry in my mouth, but the rock I keep in my hand.

  The trailers are there, only a few more feet. The fire was doused but I see red embers in the smoldering ash. It helps me to know my location. Pushing myself to my feet, I remain in a crouched position. Takoda’s wisdom from our travels echoes through my mind, reminding me of what I should and should not do. A grenade explodes several feet behind me and throws me to the ground. Dirt’s pushed into my eyes, nose and mouth. After spitting and wiping my eyes, the ringing slowly subsides enough for me at least to hear some sounds.

  Suddenly, I’m very sleepy and have to shake my head to stay awake. Damn, they’ve drugged Takoda. I’m feeling what he’s experiencing. That’s why he isn’t answering me. He’s sleeping.

  A branch scrapes my leg. As I rub my new scratch, I smile at the blue willow hovering above me. Blue willow is a stimulant, I remember Takoda telling me. Using the stick, I dig into the bark. Chewing on the tart fiber, I shove a few pieces into my pocket. A few deep breaths to clear my mind, and it’s time to head for the trailer at the very back. As I get closer, a deep growl threatens from the darkness. It’s one of those damn dogs. If he barks, it’s all over.

  “Where are you?” I whisper.

  It’s so dark I can’t see a thing, but I can almost feel the dog’s breath. I can’t tell where it is. Another little step and the growl deepens. I make a chirping sound and the dog quiets. Searching the dark, I move just a little and it growls again.

  Slowly, I turn my head to the right and see it, about six feet away
. I chirp again and the dog cocks its head. That’s my sign. I throw the rock at the dog’s head, and it’s a hit. The large animal yelps once and falls over. I’m on it before it has a chance to recover. Mumbled voices—I can hear men talking, but can’t make out what they’re saying. Takoda is probably not alone and there’s only one way into the trailer, and there’s only one way out.

  Think, Journey…Think!

  I crawl back to the dog and remove the collar. Cautiously I unscrew the stem cap from the tires. Using the little prong on the buckle I release the air. It’s not making enough noise. Shaking my head, I pound on the trailer with the rock. Two men jump into the darkness to see what’s going on. They can’t see me standing in the shade of a large tree. My eyes adjusted to the dark, and I can see enough to do what I need to do.

  The first man walks around the side of the trailer; I throw my rock. It clips him just above the left ear and he stumbles. I see the other man’s feet from under the trailer. He’s walking in the opposite direction. It’s a far chance, but I have to take it. I jump from the shadows and hit the man with such force that he falls backwards. I shove the stick through the man’s throat and dart back into shadows grabbing my rock and stick on the way. I’m watching where the rock lands so I don’t lose it.

  The man struggles madly, I must have broken his windpipe. He can’t breathe. He’s kicking the trailer and flailing his arms. The second man runs to his friend’s aid, and when he bends down to examine the wound, I throw my favorite rock. It hits the man squarely in the back of the head. I hear the crack from where I’m standing. He falls on top of the first who’s still struggling to breath. I jump onto the unconscious man and stab my stick into the back of his neck. He jerks once then quiets. The first man has stopped struggling too. With my bloody stick and my favorite rock, I peer around the trailer—no dogs, no men.

  Trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible, I dart for the trailer door. It’s open and swinging on its hinges. An explosion rocks the trailer and almost knocks me over. Seeing this as an opportunity, I stumble into the trailer. It’s empty.

  “Takoda!” I whisper. “Where are you?”

  This has to be the right one. I pray he’s in the back.

  As quiet as possible, I step toward the dark part of the trailer. Some light from the outside illuminates the entryway. The guard hung lights in the trees. I don’t know if I’m walking into the arms of a man with a knife, or if I’ll find Takoda sleeping. Each step is agonizing, but also feels right. With my stick and rock, I inch to the back. The bed takes up the whole end and there’s no walking room. I crawl onto the bed.

  I can’t see a thing. With just a rock in my hand and a stick in my mouth, I feel across the top of the mattress, blankets and pillows. No Takoda. I crawl a little and feel…crawl a little and feel…crawl a little and, ouch. I ran into a wall. Dang.

  I hear a moan and freeze. If it isn’t Takoda, I’m in trouble. I take another breath and hold it for a second, before letting it out slowly. I feel a little better. Holding the rock ready to strike, I crawl the other direction and find a…leg.

  “Takoda?” I whisper, making my way to his head. I feel his hips, his waist, his shoulders. He’s lying on his stomach. My hand finds his head. He’s warm, he’s alive, and breathing. “Thank you, God,” I whisper. “Takoda, you have to wake up.”

  He’s cold. Bullets fly through the window splattering glass in the entryway. I see a small bathroom, there’s a bowl on the floor. I take a quick glance outside. It’s all quiet, only the sound of muffled gunfire.

  After filling the bowl with water, I find Takoda again in the dark and say a little prayer. Not being able to see a thing, I aim the water the best I can and take my chances. He moans when the water hits him.

  “Takoda?” I whisper. “It’s me. You’ve got to wake up. I’ve got to get you out of here.” I feel helpless again, just like back at the crystal pool. Takoda moves and moans as I pull him into my arms. “Takoda… please wake up, my love, please!”

  A hand brushes the side of my cheek and I jump. “Journey?”

  I sigh. “Takoda, can you move? Are you hurt?”

  “I do not know if I can.”

  “Take from me, Takoda,” I plead, “take what you need from me.”

  “No, I do not want you feeling this.”

  “That’s what’s going on, you’re trying to shield me,” I cry. “That’s why I can’t feel you. Takoda, don’t do this. We need to get out of here, together. I am not leaving you!”

  “Leave me,” Takoda pleads. “Save yourself.”

  “Look, fool,” I whisper. “I risked my stupid life to save your sorry self. I killed two men. I’m tired and hungry. Don’t piss me off. Now take what you need and let’s get out of here!”

  “Journey, do you know what you are asking?” he whispers, grabbing my hair.

  “Yes, now do it before someone comes,” I demand.

  It could have been a truck that rammed me. My body’s wracked with pain and I fall onto Takoda as waves of throbbing pain strike. I gasp as my lungs tighten and release with each breath. Being shot in the hip was nothing compared to this. Every nerve ending in my whole body’s on fire. I want to scream, but I must hold it in. I can’t let anyone know I’m here with Takoda. As quickly as it came, it’s gone. The terrible pain is gone. It was Takoda’s pain venting through me.

  “Takoda?” I cry. “Are you all right?”

  “Better,” he whispers, “I believe I can walk now.”

  “You’ve got to stay close to me.”

  We struggle getting to the door, but I’m relieved when we reach the forest. I need to protect him, get him away from the guns and the men who stole him. I’ll tend to his wounds once we’re safe. Takoda leans on my shoulder. We walk until we find a shallow stream. For some strange reason I’m reminded of the fireballs.

  We make our way through the dark and damp forest until we find a small clearing surrounded by high brush. We remain there through the night. It’s chilly, but I sleep soundly curled in Takoda’s arms. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in many nights.

  • • •

  In the morning, I yawn and roll greeting Takoda with a smile. It’s wonderful to stare into those amber eyes.

  “Don’t talk loud,” he warns. “The air is thin and our voices will carry.”

  I nod and whisper, “How’re you feeling?”

  “Much better now I’m looking at you.” He laughs.

  “What?”

  “You amaze me, Journey. Is there nothing you cannot do?”

  “Failure is not an option,” I whisper.

  “What do we do now?”

  “Wait,” I reply.

  “What are we waiting for?” he asks.

  “Journey! Takoda!” A loud voice echoes through the early morning mist.

  “That,” I answer feeling proud. “Abeytu put a tracker in my shoe. As long as I keep my shoes on, I can be found.”

  “Journey!” Abeytu yells. “Please answer me, it’s safe to come out, sweetheart. I know you are here somewhere. The signal is going crazy.”

  Takoda and I stare at each other. We hold hands and kiss several times. “It’s time,” I say, cringing standing up. Every bone and muscle hurts.

  “Abeytu,” I yell. “We’re over here.”

  “Thank the heavens,” Abeytu shouts. “I have a jeep.”

  “Do you have food?” I yell back.

  After a long laugh, Abeytu replies, “I have food.”

  26

  JOURNEY

  WE EAT as Abeytu drives. I sit next to Takoda and rest my head on his shoulder. There’s no way I’m staying one more inch away than I have to. If I could, I would climb in his lap, but there’s not enough room.

  “You’ll tell me everything?” Abeytu asks.

  “Sure.” We answer at the same time and laugh.

  “Uncle?” I ask.

  “Yes, niece.”

  “You must answer me honestly.”

  He turns to loo
k at me then back to the road. “Okay.”

  “Can I trust you? Do you plan to kill us?”

  Abeytu sighs and shakes his head. “It is a shame it has come to this, to where you cannot trust your family. It was like this before the war. No one trusting, looking over their shoulder to see who would be stabbing them next. No, my little one, I have no intention of killing either of you. You can trust me, Journey, I love you.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “But you must make that decision for every person in your life now. Obviously there are people who want to hurt you,” he explains.

  “Obviously,” I repeat, looking at my swollen finger and throbbing hand. “What happened to the guards?”

  “Those still alive ran into the forest,” he says. “You disobeyed me. I told you to stay with me. You could have been killed.”

  “I’m sorry, but I had to find Takoda before they hurt him again.”

  “Did you tell him about the fireballs?” Takoda asks me.

  Abeytu glances in the mirror with a funny expression and asks, “What fireballs?”

  “Eyes on the road, Unc,” Takoda adds with a grin. “I guess you didn’t.”

  “I haven’t said much of anything,” I reply. Takoda nods his head. I’m sure he understands why.

  “I guess we will have a long discussion at dinner some night,” Takoda says.

  “I guess we will,” Abeytu replies.

  We finally enter my driveway and everyone runs out to greet us. My mom has a doctor waiting to care for our wounds. I cry when I finally see Takoda’s back. I hate those people for what they did to him. We’re patched up, cleaned up and fed. After a short rest, we meet the Wanderers at the lake. I already explained to Takoda on the way home how Freya and I found him with their help.

  “I want to thank you,” Takoda says, his hands held out in greeting.

  “No need,” a Wanderer replies. He nods to the right and holds out his hands to Takoda. “We are grateful that you are safe. Safe travels, my lord.”

  We watch as they walk around the lake and disappear into the afternoon sunlight. A hand on my shoulder announces my mother.