After conveying undying thanks to Dave Graham and hugging Sanchez and Santa goodbye, Lauren descended the porch stairs and strode to the pair of diesels closest to her, marveling over their size. There had been no exaggeration on the part of Lazarus, who’d spewed claims about them in abundance, devoid of any lucidity. Seeing them now left little doubt that they were fully capable of fulfilling his assertions, and with that, transporting her over miles of mountainous, snow-covered terrain, and eventually home.
From the corner of her eye, Lauren could see three figures on approach. Lazarus and a male and female couple, both wearing near-matching insulated flannel shirts and leather gloves.
He strolled directly to her, his lengthy hair as staticky as ever, and introduced them. “This is my cousin Francis and his wife, Jean. They were kind enough to offer a few of these trucks on loan, so they’ll be going with us to make sure we don’t insult ’em too much.”
The couple were simple and fresh-faced in appearance. They sent along friendly nods and benevolent looks Lauren’s way.
Lazarus pointed. “Guys, this is Janey.”
“Lauren,” she revised.
Jean slipped off her glove and offered a calloused hand. “Hi, Lauren. Good to meet you. Lookin’ forward to your trip?”
“Very much so.” Lauren shook Jean’s hand, followed by her husband’s.
“Don’t pay no attention to anything Lazarus says,” Francis alleged in a joking manner. “We’re happy to help out.”
The couple then moved off to load their gear.
“You and your bodyguard can put your stuff in this one,” Lazarus said, pointing to the far rear truck, then to the couple. “They’ll be riding in the other one with me, and y’all will follow us. It’s got a big ole V-plow on it, just like the one leading Graham’s parade in the front. So it just makes sense.”
His portrayal in mind, Lauren inspected the differences between each snowplow.
“Anyway, won’t be long before we head out. I hope you’re packed and ready. It’ll be a longer than usual trip, but don’t you worry. I’ve added a few shortcuts.”
“Marvelous,” she said, and hoisted her pack into the truck bed along with a duffel of random contents.
Her long-haired acquaintance having moved off and away, Lauren opened the passenger-side door to examine the cab. She stowed her AK-47 and a sling pack of magazines on the floorboard, both of which were covered in layers of dirt, gravel and chunks of soiled snow. The heater was on and pumping mellow warmth through the vents. A glance at the gas gauge evidenced a full tank. Upon spotting a switch denoting a second, Lauren flipped it and the truck’s secondary tank, similarly topped off, took over.
A steel spare diesel tank was permanently mounted to the bed of each truck, along with a toolbox filled with hand tools, shovels, axes, saws and chainsaws, with fuel and maintenance items for those as well. Everything, as far as she could tell, appeared legitimate, but it wasn’t enough to settle Lauren’s apprehensions for the trip, nor quell her trust issues with the trip’s organizer.
“Lauren?” a child’s voice called from behind.
Lauren found Daniel and his sister, Lily, running through the snow to her. They’d been absent earlier during the send-off ceremony, and she’d wondered where they’d run off to. “Hey, you two.” She knelt and welcomed them with open arms and they barreled into her embrace. “I missed you this morning. Where were you? And why are neither of you wearing jackets?”
“Lily didn’t want to come,” Daniel admitted. “She said it would make her sad to see you. We don’t want you to go, Lauren. We want you to stay longer. Please stay.”
Lauren squeezed her eyes shut. Her lower lip trembled. “Honey, I wish I could stay, but I can’t. I have a family…I have to go home to them.”
“Then take us with you. Can’t we just go with you? It’s a big truck; there has to be room for us.”
“I’m sure there is. But getting there could be dangerous. It’s a long trip and the roads are horrible. Something could happen to you, and I can’t let that happen.”
“Then why are you going? Something could happen to you too.”
“Bad things can happen to anyone,” Lauren said. “And in your cases, they’re avoidable. You both need to stay here with Bernie and Ruth and the other kids. It’s safe here.”
“We don’t want to,” Daniel whined.
“God…Daniel.” Lauren’s eyes welled up. “Leaving here…leaving all of you, isn’t easy for me, okay? Don’t make this harder on me. Please?”
“We don’t mean to make you sad. We’re just really going to miss you. Will you even come back?”
Lauren smiled and squeezed them. “Of course I will. Once everything is settled and the weather gets better, I’ll visit you guys, and you can visit me if you want. I promise.” She pulled away from them and held aloft her finger. “I’ll even pinky swear to it.”
The boy smiled broadly and hooked his finger around Lauren’s. A moment after, Lily did so as well.
“Now get back to whatever you were doing. It’s cold out here, and don’t ever come outside again without a jacket on.”
The pair started off and Lauren turned back to the truck, but before she could get away, Lily broke free from her brother and ran to her, shouting her name in a petite tenor. “Lauren! Lauren, wait! I have to tell you something!”
Stupefied at hearing her, Lauren got down on a knee and took Lily by the hand. “Listen to that voice! Lily, I could listen to you talk all day.”
Lily sniffled and rubbed her nose. She spoke with hesitation. “I…just wanted to say…thank you. For…helping us.”
Lauren went limp. “You’re welcome. But it isn’t necessary to thank me. I’d do it all over again if I had to.” She kissed Lily’s forehead. “Now go. So I can.” She urged the little girl along, doing her best to keep it together.
Watching the interaction ensue between Lauren and the pair of youngsters from his perch atop the farmhouse porch, Dave Graham waited semi-patiently for Woo Tang to join him. When the former SEAL reached the porch stoop, Dave began descending each stair, one at a time. “All packed and ready to skedaddle?”
Woo Tang nodded. “I believe most if not all of the proverbial bases are covered.”
“Fine business. I expected nothing short of it,” Dave said, regarding the line of running vehicles, their exhaust fumes noticeable in the parched, wintry air.
“Any final orders before the official parting of ways?”
Dave squinted an eye. “One. Don’t let anything happen to her, Tang.”
Woo Tang’s eyes narrowed. “I will see to it that she is delivered home safely.”
“I realize it’s near goddamn axiomatic at this point, but I’m saying it anyway. That young lady is priceless cargo. No harm is to befall her.” Dave paused, his hands falling to his hips. “And it’s my intention it remain that way, that no harm or ill will ever befall her again, and I mean zero fucking harm. I don’t care what it is, not an itsy-bitsy spider bite, not even an indirect one, nothing within a minefield’s distance of her. I don’t want anyone to even dare send a cross look her way. You get her home, and after, you watch her like a hawk. You’ve been promoted to guardian angel until further notice.”
Woo Tang tilted his head and leered. “I am genuinely honored. You do realize, of course, that I have never before been granted a field promotion.”
“That I do. And I suppose, in light of that, congratulations are in order. So, congratulations. Wish we had the time stretch to throw a full-on celebration for you, but we’re burning diesel.”
“And daylight,” said Woo Tang. He regarded Lauren over his shoulder, who stared wryly at them.
Dave conveyed a wave and received one from her in reply, then held out his hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Tang. Until we meet again.”
“In this world or the next,” Woo Tang said with a fleeting grin. “Good luck.” Turning on his heel, made simpler by the slick coating of wintry mix beneath, he marche
d Lauren’s way.
“What was that about?” She studied Dave as he withdrew back into command mode, converging on his men.
Woo Tang casually disregarded her query as he loaded a heavy nylon rucksack swollen with contents into the truck bed.
Lauren gestured to the jingum, his Korean combat sword of choice, melded to the MOLLE. “Couldn’t help yourself, could you? You just had to bring it.”
“I never leave home without it,” he said colloquially. “Any questions for me before we…sally forth?”
“Sally forth?” Lauren pulled her beanie snugly below her ears. “Yeah, one.” She smiled. “Who’s driving?”
Woo Tang peered into the truck cab. “Hmm. I was of the impression a chauffeur, of sorts, was to be provided.”
“Yeah, I thought so too,” Lauren said. “Lazarus came by a few minutes ago and introduced me to the couple who own the trucks, or some of them, anyway. Evidently, they’re coming with us, but riding with him. Guess it’s just you and me again, pal.”
Woo Tang nodded acceptance. “I am not displeased at hearing this, as I have never been one who enjoys extensive outings in confined spaces accompanied by persons unfamiliar. At any rate, unless you object, I will take the wheel and you can act as copilot. Advise at any point if you wish those roles to reverse.”
“Sounds fair to me. I don’t like driving in snow, anyway. Then again”—she pointed to the truck—“I’ve never guided one of these.”
“Ditto.”
The pair broke off and entered the cab on either side, then went about finding comfortable spots in their seats.
Lauren fidgeted with the heating vent. “What about you? Any questions for me?”
Woo Tang shrugged his shoulders to some extent. “Only one. Are you suitably packed?”
“I think so.”
“You think so or you kn—”
“I know so,” Lauren blurted. “Sorry, I should’ve seen that coming.”
Woo Tang grinned. “Plenty of food and snacks? Potable water and filtering mechanisms?”
“I thought you only had one question…”
“Clothing appropriate for the environment for which we are headed? Gear to provide adequate shelter and protection from the elements?” A pause. “Copious quantities of feminine hygiene products?”
Lauren’s face knotted up. “Excuse me?”
“I am only asking in jest.”
“Yeah, I get that, now. But I’m not used to this side of you; feed me a little warning next time.”
“Enhancing levity of dialogue was never my forte,” Woo Tang said, then asked, “Weapons and kit?”
“More questions. We’re headed into potentially hostile territory, so I overpacked.” She gestured to the holster on her hip, then pointed to her ankle. “Omnipresent G19 and a Beretta PX4 strapped to my good ankle. I relieved it from the gun safe my dad left here. I like how it feels in my hand. Only one extra mag for the PX4, but plenty for the Glock.” She jostled the Zastava M70 to her left, its muzzle supported by the floorboard. “Santa would tase me in my sleep if I left his precious Dragana behind. And I brought a duffel of mags, ammo and Lord knows what else.” Lauren pulled her knees to her chest. “Now that we’re past that, think you can answer my question?”
“What question was that?”
“The one I asked earlier, pertaining to the exchange between you and…you-know-who.”
“Exchange? That was nothing.”
“Nothing?” Lauren reacted. “By the look on his face, I couldn’t tell if he was going to hug you or pull a knife on you.”
“It would appear neither option was chosen. Though, in place of them, a tertiary was selected. It seems I have found my way into a promotion.”
Lauren looked surprised. “Really? To what? Master chief? Or something like that?”
“It was not one of rank, but rather, of supplementary duty. One of which I am certain you will develop an understanding in due course.”
Lauren didn’t say anything for a moment, but the words he spoke, much in the same manner most things Woo Tang conveyed, carried a notable hint of momentousness. “Well, I’m sure whatever Dave ordered or promoted you to or whatever…he knows you’re capable. You’ll do fine.”
“Thank you, Lauren Russell. I can only hope you are right. You know Dave as I do. He has inordinately high expectations, which I can only strive to achieve.”
Lauren nodded. “Don’t I know it. It’s one of the first things I learned about him. I think Dad noticed it, too. People like Dave have a way of bettering other people. He doesn’t give you any other option. He was the first person to ever look me in the eyes and tell me I couldn’t fail because he wouldn’t allow me to.”
As the convoy began to move up the driveway, Woo Tang pressed the accelerator and the diesel engine came to life. “Never once has he said or implied the same to me. His encouragement has always come by way of an order. And, Lauren Russell, it is imperative that all orders be followed.” He regarded her from the corner of his eye. “Do you…understand?”
Lauren took notice of the graveness in her companion’s voice. For some reason, he’d stepped it up again. “I do.” She looked through her window as they pulled onto the highway, effectively departing Little Germany Farms. “Thank you for doing this, Jae. For coming along.”
Woo Tang smiled grimly. “You are welcome. And, you should know, I would have accompanied you regardless. Even if LT had ordered me not to.”
“But you just said all orders must be followed.”
“As with most things in life, sometimes, though it is rare, there can be exceptions.”
Chapter 14
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Monday, January 3rd. Present day
Lazarus led the way along US Route 33 in the lead custom diesel, its immense V-shaped snowplow carving a path for itself and the truck tailing vehicle lengths behind. Both vehicles upheld a less-than-meager pace, slowing even more so at particularly large snowdrifts and upon obstacles met in the roadway.
They crossed over a bridge spanning the Potomac and wandered through the low-lying ranges of Judy Gap just before the highway began the greater than three-thousand-foot ascent over North Fork Mountain. Road conditions there were nothing short of atrocious, but the oversized diesels took no issue overcoming them. The heavy-duty chains encircling the trucks’ all-terrain tires seemed to more than make up for the lack of traction. It wasn’t long, though, before a daunting obstruction presented itself.
Seeing the lead truck’s brake lights redden, Lauren sat up in the seat. “Whoa. Now that is one big tree.”
Woo Tang pulled their diesel to a stop behind the lead truck. He and Lauren got out and went to meet with Lazarus, Francis, and Jean, who were already in the process of examining the inconvenient natural roadblock.
Lauren scanned the woods with her AK at the ready, then took note of the fallen tree’s unique, furrowed bark. “Guess it’s safe to say this old guy came down naturally. It probably would’ve taken forever to cut it down.”
“You got that right. Forever and about ten brand-spanking-new saw chains,” Francis said. “That’s a black locust, about two centuries old by the looks of it, and these mountains are almost all sandstone. Means there’s sand in the dirt. Trees soak it into their roots all the way to the inner grain. Makes sawing a real pain in the butt. You wouldn’t get six inches before wasting a perfectly good blade.”
“And that means there’s no point in us bothering with it,” Lazarus said. “We’d kill every saw and extra chain we got if we tried.”
“What’s the plan, then?” Francis asked.
“We only got one other choice,” replied Lazarus. “Head back and go the other direction.” He went to his truck and returned with a rolled-up map of the surrounding areas, then unrolled it atop the warmth of the hood. “Already got that trip figured out too. And the good news is, we can still make good time going this way. It’ll be faster driving through places we already plowed, and after
we pass the starting point, we’ll be on the path the other trucks made ahead of Graham’s convoy.”
Lauren inspected the alternate route. “Let’s not overlook the bad news. This adds at least fifty miles to the trip.”
“How do you know that, honey?” Jean asked.
“The southern route is the longer of the two, omitting the detours added to the northern one. We only went this way to give those two unsecured areas neighboring the northern route a wide berth.” Lauren indicated the zones with her index finger. “Dave said, and I quote, ‘No one goes any-fucking-where near there.’”
Lazarus grinned deviously. “Look, I got his message loud and clear, and I’m telling you, I got it covered. We won’t go anywhere near those places, promise. Last thing any of us needs is getting in over our heads with a bunch of raving lunatics.” He grabbed the map and started off. “Come on, let’s giddyup. We’ll just need a minute to get turned around.”
Lauren rolled her eyes and twirled her index finger defiantly. “Come on, let’s giddyup,” she said, mocking Lazarus such that only Woo Tang could perceive.
After some maneuvering, the pair of vehicles and their passengers pulled away in the reverse direction whence they’d come, passing by Bernie and Ruth’s farm on the right-hand side not long after. They made good use of the pre-plowed roads, both their own and those previously cut by the plows leading Dave’s convoy. As such, their pace was amplified, thereby making up for lost time after setting a new course.
Several miles after the new route began, Woo Tang glanced over at his young companion. “Lauren Russell, forgive me for putting an end to the silence, but something has been vexing me. I would like to air my concerns with you, though I am reluctant.”
Lauren looked expectantly at him. “Why? How bad can it be?”
Woo Tang spoke solemnly. “Depends on your reaction. I observed a discussion prior to our exodus, during which several theories concerning your recent behavior were presented, and as well your potential reaction to a certain…ultimatum. One of those theories portrayed you consciously selecting to gather your belongings and take your leave of us on foot without a trace, deprived of farewell.”
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