The Defiant: An Unbeaten Path

by John W. Vance

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t any help, but it didn’t look like you needed it,” Vincent said, trying to put on a happy face. The pain had gotten worse in his foot and he was having a hard time focusing.

  Noah looked proudly at the torn skin and blisters on his hand and said, “You hurt your foot again because of my mom. It’s okay if you don’t do anything.”

  “She’s too heavy for you to put in the hole,” Vincent said as he got to his knees.

  Not paying attention to Vincent, Noah grabbed the foot end of the duvet and pulled. He strained but it barely moved.

  Walking over on his knees to avoid standing, Vincent grabbed the head and pushed.

  Together they placed her in the three-foot-deep hole.

  Without taking a break, Noah picked up the shovel and began to toss the dirt on top of his mom’s body.

  Vincent, still on his knees, took the other shovel and began to help.

  Filling a hole is always easier than digging one, and with help, the time was cut in half. When the hole was full, they both patted it down with the backs of the shovels.

  Noah walked to the wheelbarrow and took out a wooden cross he had made. He stepped to the head of the grave and stabbed the ground with it. Using the back of the shovel, he hammered it in.

  When he was done, he gathered up the shovels and placed them back in the wheelbarrow. He looked at her grave then took in the view.

  “Do you want to say anything?” Vincent asked.

  “I love you, Mom, rest in peace.”

  “You’re a man of few words like me.”

  “Can you take care of me?”

  The question broke Vincent’s heart. “Of course I’m going to take care of you.”

  “I wasn’t so sure; I thought it best to ask. My mom use to say if you’re not sure, ask, there is nothing wrong with getting clarification.”

  Still on his knees, Vincent laughed and said, “Those are very wise words.”

  “Are we going to stay here?”

  “Ahh, I was thinking we should get on the road tomorrow.”

  “Where?”

  “I was thinking of taking you to your family in Oklahoma.”

  “What about your foot?”

  “Oh, um, I think I rebroke it, but I don’t think we can stay here any longer. I fear the people from the cities on the coast will start migrating out here. I want to try our luck on the road.”

  “Okay.”

  Vincent hopped up on his good foot and stood. He cringed in pain just from his foot lightly touching the ground.

  “Can you teach me to drive?”

  Vincent laughed and said, “Sure, it’s important you learn now.”

  “What about shoot a gun? Can you teach me to shoot like a Marine?”

  “Wasn’t I just saying that you were a man of few words?”

  “Can you?”

  Vincent looked at the grave then at him and said, “Yeah, I sure can. It’s time for you to learn that as well as driving. I also think we need to get you schooled up on some other lifesaving skills. This world we’re in is a tough one.”

  “It’s about being smart, right?”

  “Smart to a point, it’s more about being capable and willing.”

  “Can you teach me everything you know?” Noah asked.

  “I sure can.”

  Noah stepped forward and hugged him. “Thank you for saving me.”

  And right there, in those words on his special spot, Vincent knew his mission, knew the reason God spared his life.

  Wellsville, Utah

  The wait for Sophie and Luke was almost unbearable. All he could think of was Becky and Abigail. He prayed they were safe. Curious as to the time, he pulled out his watch and pushed the button to open the cover. As he closed it, the watch slipped out of his hand and hit the pavement.

  “Damn,” he cried out as he picked it up. The glass face was unhurt, but the gold metal back had popped off. He picked it up and dusted it off. When he went to snap it back on, he saw something interesting. Etched into the inside back cover was a series of numbers. At first he thought it was a serial number, but as he examined it closer, he knew it wasn’t that, it looked more like coordinates. The inscription read 35.878241, -97.413379.

  “Here they come,” a guard yelled.

  “Finally,” Nicholas muttered. He snapped the back on his watch and pocketed it.

  The car stopped behind the other two, and two men exited the front. They opened the rear doors and Sophie and Luke stepped out.

  When Sophie saw Nicholas, she smiled from ear to ear.

  He could only imagine how frightened she must have been.

  Luke didn’t know what to expect and fear still gripped him.

  The guards walk them to Chad and held them.

  “Here they are. Where is my gold?”

  “I’ll take you.”

  “Tell me where it is,” Chad insisted.

  “That’s not going to happen, follow me with one of your goon cars. I’ll take you right to it; that’s my final offer.”

  “Okay,” Chad barked and wheeled himself around.

  “I won’t be getting out at the next stop, so let me say goodbye here and thank you for your hospitality.”

  Chad ignored him and wheeled away.

  Nicholas looked at Sophie and Luke. He gave her a big smile and asked, “You okay?”

  “How’s Bryn?”

  “She’s good, safe and sound.”

  She walked over, gave him a hug and said, “I knew you’d come for me, I just knew it.”

  “I remember how confident you were when we had that conversation in the kitchen.”

  “And I told you how much of a good guy you were. I was right, thanks, Nic.”

  “What about me?” Luke asked.

  “You’re coming with us. It’s not my idea; you were part of the deal I struck with the mayor.”

  Luke looked apprehensive. He knew how Nicholas and the group felt about him, he just hoped they could find it in their hearts to forgive him, and he hoped his help freeing Bryn would give him some points.

  “Let’s go get the others and head north. We have a long drive ahead of us.”

  When Nicholas turned the engine over, he felt like a weight had been lifted. His ploy had worked and he had his entire group with him. If he had failed, he would have been haunted by it. Feeling almost giddy, he put the truck in gear and headed towards the pickup point.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go.” – Tennessee Williams

  Intersection of California Highway 86 & 78

  When Vincent woke that morning, he found Noah staring out the window towards the avocado grove. He had been a big help with preparing her body and digging the grave itself, more than Vincent would have expected from a seven-year-old that had lost his parents and witnessed his mother commit suicide.

  Vincent was sure his short life had already been marred by trauma and emotional pain, so he was going to do his best at being a guardian and teacher. Being responsible for a young child was something he never imagined he’d be doing at his young age, but here he was.

  The SUV was damaged but still operational. It wasn’t in the best-looking shape, but it would get them out of there and to their next place, hopefully a place they could call home.

  After making breakfast and taking enough painkillers to numb an ox, Vincent sprang the idea of leaving on Noah. They discussed where specifically and Noah made the choice of Oklahoma. He had family and his mother would have wanted it.

  Noah was excited to get on with his life and the thought of traveling sounded thrilling. So with a full belly and newfound inspiration, the two set out.

  Leaving the compound earlier that morning was bittersweet for Vincent. The place had been a point of dramatic change in his life. He had been taken in there by a loving family who helped him and then departed. That experience of being surrounded by such a wholesome family unit made him long for home.
Then he met a new family, but that experience was vastly different. Where Roger’s family was stable, Bridgette’s wasn’t. Where Roger’s family expressed their love openly, Bridgette’s expressed anger and depression; two families, two different experiences. One cared for him, the other almost killed him. In the end he had discovered who he would become. So often a person never truly knows or embraces what life throws at them. Vincent not only embraced it, he snuggled it. He had a purpose that was greater than him, and there was nothing better than that.

  He pulled up to the stop sign at the intersection of Highways 86 and 78 and made a full stop. He looked over at Noah and asked, “Which way? Left takes us north to Interstate 10, or right, we stay on Highway 78.”

  “You want me to decide?” Noah asked with a smile.

  “This is our first lesson for today.”

  “Um, go right.”

  “Right it is,” Vincent said and made the turn. He applied pressure to the makeshift accelerator he’d made for his left foot and headed into the morning sunrise, with Noah by his side.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.” – Stonewall Jackson

  Outside Whitefish, Montana

  Their journey had finally come to an end when they pulled in front of Uncle Jim’s ranch house. Nicholas had never been to the house, but Becky had many stories of fun times there. The large log-framed home was positioned perfectly, overlooking the Flathead River, tucked in between towering evergreens. Nicholas hadn’t envisioned this type of setting, as the property had always been referred to as a ranch. He pictured rolling green fields with cattle, but this was the opposite. Most of the property was heavily wooded save for several acres that had been cleared.

  “Is it safe?” Colin asked.

  “We’re safe from assault but not harsh words,” Becky replied from the backseat.

  Nicholas turned and clarified, “Uncle Jim doesn’t like visitors and especially dislikes uninvited ones.”

  Colin laughed.

  “He’s serious; expect to hear a lot of yelling, bellyaching and groaning,” Becky said.

  “Maybe I’ll stay out here until you clear things up.”

  Nicholas heard the trailer door open and in the passenger-side mirror saw Abigail and Luke step out. Seeing Luke infuriated him, but they had made a bargain and Nicholas was good to his word; however, he never promised to be civil to the boy. What angered him the most was how Abigail had taken a liking to Luke; the only thing that could be worse is if they truly became an item. This was something he would ensure wouldn’t happen.

  “You ready, Becky?” Nicholas asked.

  “Being yelled at by Uncle Jim will actually be the highlight of the trip,” Becky joked.

  Nicholas looked at the house for any signs of life. He was surprised Jim or his wife, Crystal, hadn’t stepped outside to see who dare pull up to their house.

  “Do you think anyone is home?” Nicholas asked Becky as they stepped away from the vehicle.

  The first thing that hit Nicholas was the strong aroma of pine. The air was crisp and fresh and the sky was a brilliant blue. He loved the mountains, and it had been a long time since he’d been anywhere similar.

  Abigail ran up next to them and asked, “Can I come to?”

  Nicholas turned to make sure Luke wasn’t joining her. “Of course, but not the little shit.”

  Abigail returned his comment with a frown and replied, “I’m not happy about what happened before, but he was only doing so to save his sister. I can respect that. I’d do the same if I were him.”

  “Whatever,” Nicholas replied with a sneer.

  “Oh, look, there’s some smoke coming from the chimney,” Becky said, a smile gracing her face, knowing that her uncle was home.

  “A fire this time of year?” Abigail asked.

  “Maybe they’re cooking a big breakfast,” Nicholas said.

  All three cautiously made their way to the front door. They cleared the large stairs and stepped onto the gray weathered wood deck.

  Nicholas peered in through a large window next to the front door but couldn’t make anything out.

  Becky took his hand and squeezed it.

  He knew she was nervous. Over his shoulder he saw his group; Colin now stood outside the Suburban laughing with Bryn, who must have been telling one of her now famous jokes. Sophie had wandered away and was fascinated by the large softball-sized ponderosa pine cone she had found. Frank and Marjorie, who had found greater respect for each other over the long journey, watched them with apprehension. Katherine was scarred from the loss of Proctor, but her purpose in life had turned to Evelyn and her well-being, and finally Luke, who stood tense like a statue with his arms folded. Nicholas knew the boy was afraid and that his selfish actions before weren’t malicious in their intent to harm others, but it would take a while for trust to be built between the two.

  The long journey took a serious toll on them. Lost were Proctor and Rob, taken before their time, but also lost was any hope that people would act humanely. Wellsville had its laws and rules, the streets were clean and tidy, and the system worked, but it too was flawed. It showed that no matter how many laws are written, the emotion of mankind shapes and affects their outcomes for personal needs.

  Now that they had arrived in Montana, they felt hopeful but more skeptical because of their hard journey. What lay ahead of them was promising, and for the first time in a while, Nicholas felt if he could guide the course, they might make it. He smiled at his defiant few, happy to be with them. In such a relatively short period of time, he’d found a place in his heart for them all; they might disagree, bicker, and fight, but they also laughed, cried and felt connected. These people had become his family. No one was better than the next and all had their value. It wasn’t a perfect group, but he was grateful he had a group. Feeling satisfied, he turned back to the large alder-wood door and knocked.

  Nicholas and Becky turned to each other when they heard heavy footsteps coming towards the front door.

  “Any bets on what Jim will say first?” Nicholas asked.

  “If it’s Crystal, she’ll say something like oh my or oh dear.” Becky chuckled.

  “Right, that’s the polite way of saying oh shit,” Nicholas joked.

  The heavy deadlock unbolted and the handle turned.

  Nicholas gulped heavily and his pulse raced in anticipation of dealing with Jim. When the door opened partially, his jaw dropped at who was standing there. “Michael, what are you doing here?”

  The door then opened fully and another man appeared. “Hello, Nicholas, my name is Viktor. I believe you have something that’s mine.”

  EPILOGUE

  Outside of Oklahoma City, Texas Federation

  “Whoa!” Alexis exclaimed.

  “It’s a crazy story, isn’t it?” Abigail asked.

  Alexis jumped up and ran into Samuel’s office.

  “Where are you going?” Abigail asked, curious as to why she’d jump up and run off.

  “It’s true, your story?” Alexis asked from Samuel’s office.

  Abigail followed her and replied, “Some of it I remember, other parts I was told.”

  Alexis was quickly picking up one framed photograph after another until she found the one she was looking for. “Here, this is him, isn’t it?”

  “Who?”

  “Right there, the man next to Daddy, that’s Noah Vincent.” Alexis cheered as if she had found a prize.

  Abigail studied the photograph and said, “It is. I haven’t seen him in years, but yeah, that’s him. He and your dad were in the legislature together.”

  “So his dad was that old man who smoked a pipe; I remember meeting him at the same time I met Noah Vincent. I can still remember that because I thought the smoke smelled so good, like sweet cherries.”

  “You have a great memory,” Abigail said.

  “Unlike my great-uncle Mike,” Alexis said with a smile.

  “Honey, you seem way
too happy,” Abigail said, finding it odd that Alexis found the story more entertaining than it should have been.

  “I knew Daddy was important, but our family history is very cool. I don’t mean to sound so cheesy, but it’s exciting.”

  “I wouldn’t describe it as exciting in the terms you’re using; that takes away from what happened.”

  “I know, I just never knew we were all so connected. Also, how is it you’re telling Noah Vincent’s story?”

  “Tomorrow, let’s continue tomorrow.”

  “Aw.”

  “There’s good reason.”

  “Mom, I don’t mean to sound so thrilled, it’s just that I know some of what happens. I mean, the bit about the spear is just bunk.”

  “I’m just telling you the story as I heard it or I saw it, nothing more.”

  Alexis looked at her watch and said, “I’m gonna go meet up with Timmy.”

  “That’s fine, but no telling Timmy what I told you. He doesn’t know about this stuff.”

  “Or maybe he just hasn’t told me yet.”

  “Your uncle doesn’t know either. This is our secret; you have to promise,” Abigail pressed, her tone serious.

  “I promise.”

  “No fingers crossed?”

  “I swear, Mom, I won’t say anything. Can I take the phone and show him Luke’s picture?”

  Abigail thought for a moment and said, “I don’t see why not.”

  “Great, love you, Mom.” She kissed Abigail on the cheek and raced out of the house. Just as she hit the screen door she hollered, “Love you, Mom.”

  When the door slammed shut, Abigail walked further into the office and peered out the window to ensure Alexis wasn’t coming back. Seeing her racing down the driveway gave her a smile. Her daughter had been raised in a harsher world than hers at her age, but she was still a good, decent and sweet girl. It had helped that she and Samuel had shielded her against some of the realities of life, but Alexis was a gentle person at her core.