December 12, 2007
William Willis
As instructed, Tommy woke his parents at 4:30. Mike made one last check of the 4X4 Sarah was driving, and his pick-up, as Sarah woke the younger children. The news that they were going to go for a ride was exciting for them. They hadn't been for a ride in months. Sarah, quieted them and warned them to not make any noise. They gathered in the garage.
"O.K. one last thing before we go. Let's pray."
"Mike? Do you think we have time for that?"
"Sweetheart, do you really want to try this WITHOUT praying first?"
"Ummmm, I see what you mean."
The prayer was brief, but heartfelt.
"Here Tommy, take this."
It was a short range walkie talkie.
"This isn't for chatting. Turn it on, but use it only in case of emergency. No point in telling anyone that might be listening what we are doing."
They got in the vehicles and as quietly as possible, pulled out, with a last longing look at the home they had known for years. To Mike's sup rise they made it out of town without attracting any unwanted attention. Once in the suburbs, he turned onto a service road that followed one of the major power-lines into town. Knowing that this very rough dirt road was almost totally unused, he knew it would be unguarded. After passing the third hill after leaving town, Mike turned on the headlights.
The sun was just starting to come up, and things had gone well. No roadblocks, no patrols, no trouble of any kind, and Mike was starting to relax. That is when the radio crackled to life.
"Dad, we are being followed."
He looked in the mirror and saw only the 4X4.
"How close are they?"
"REAL close and getting....HEY!!! Dad they just rammed us."
"Give me your mother."
"I hear you Mike. What do I do?"
"They want to bump you off the road. Next time they start to come at you, slam on the brakes."
"WHAT? Mike that makes no sense."
"Sarah, listen to me. Just before they bump you again, hit the brakes HARD. Trust me. Just do it."
"Here they come again."
Mike watched the mirror. Suddenly the front of the S.U.V. jerked downward as Sarah laid on the brakes. Although he couldn't see the pursuit vehicle, he knew what would happen. At 50 M.P.H. the pursuit car didn't have a chance. When the front of the 4X4 went down, the back end came up. The trailer hitch sticking out the back passed above the bumper, crashed through the front grill and punched a gaping hole in the radiator. Hot water and steam came boiling out. Even more important, and what Mike was counting on, was at that speed, the impact caused the airbags in the chase car to deploy. Blinded by the airbag, and having his hands also forced off the wheel at the same time, the driver lost control. The car jerked to one side as Sarah hit the gas, then it swerved the other direction. Finally, one wheel dropped off the pavement, dug into the soft dirt on the edge of the road, then it flipped and rolled down into the ditch.
"Mike, he's in the ditch. what do we do now?"
"Follow me."
5 Miles down the road was a small river. Mike crossed over it, and then pulled off onto the one lane paved road leading down to Tommy's favorite fishing hole. At the bottom, he pulled under the overpass far enough for Sarah to pull in behind him, and get out of sight from both the road, and the air.
Once stopped, Mike went back to check on his family. The younger children who had been scared at the time of the attack, were now bragging about how Mommy had saved them from the bad guys. Tommy got out of the car to stretch his legs. Sarah continued to sit behind the wheel, and try to stop from trembling. As Mike came to her, she looked at him and asked,
"Do you think they called us in on the radio?"
"That would be standard procedure. That's why we got out of sight."
"Oh. Yes, I guess you are right."
From the back of the 4X4 Tommy called.
"Dad! I think you should have a look at this.'
Mike walked to the back of the 4X4. The rear hatch was badly damaged. He had his doubts about if he would ever be able to open it again. That's when he heard it. A vehicle of some kind was coming towards them, at high speed. He ran to the pick-up. reaching through the window, he grabbed a rifle, and moved to the front end and used it as a shield between him and whoever was coming. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Tommy doing the same thing at the back of the S.U.V.
As he listened to the oncoming vehicle, he heard the helicopter coming, not far behind. Suddenly the vehicle slowed, then stopped at the edge of the bridge they were hiding under. He heard two car doors open, then close above them. This was followed by a voice.
"Eagle Three, do you see anything?"
The reply was indistinct.
"That's what I thought. If there was anyone out here, they are long gone by now."
Again the radio was not quite understandable.
"Well, all I can tell you is that Charlie said something about a 4X4 hitting the brakes, and then he died."
Again, indistinct radio talk came back.
"If you ask me, Charlie wasn't the greatest driver, and he liked to drive fast. I think he dropped a wheel off the side, and flipped. I don't think he knew he was dieing, and was looking for an excuse for the wreak."
More garbled talk from the chopper.
"No. I haven't seen any sign of another car. Lets' call it quits and go home."
Mike listened as two car doors opened, closed, the engine start, and the vehicle turn around and head back to where it came from.
After a couple of minutes, Mike realized his chest was hunting. That's when he remembered to breathe. Shortly after that Sarah called to him.
"Mike. I'm glad we prayed before we left."
The police Chief sat at his desk studying the list of names of people to be picked up on the following night. As he was checking it out, he heard 'The General" coming. It wasn't that he was loud, in fact it was quiet the reverse, the fact was that as he came into view, everyone fell silent. Nobody wanted to attract his attention. It was known that those who got on his bad side had a habit of disappearing, forever!
As 'The General' entered the office the Chief rose out of his seat to greet him. The Chief hated to do this, because as he looked into the Generals' eyes, he saw nothing but pure evil.
"Good morning Sir! How are you doing this fine day?"
"Same as always. Waiting for the enemies of the state to become memories. How are YOU coming with that?"
The Chief held up the list.
"There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that it seems some of those on the list might have already left town. The good news is that most of the disruptor's are still at home, waiting to be picked up."
"Good. good. Get as many of them as you can tonight."
"Not to worry Sir. If they are anywhere around here, we'll have them by morning."
"Make sure you get as many as possible." With that, the General turned on his heel and left the Chief to his task.