The Long Walk Home

by Ison, S. A.

  The man who had carried her smelled funny. It was a body odor she’d not ever experienced. She’d felt the raw power of his strength, beneath his wiry muscles. His body was coated with body oil and sweat. It wasn’t as though he were rancid, but just, well, she couldn’t describe it. She didn’t remember anything, just the blinding pain and then waking up with Carter and Wyatt. Evie and Atrid were sitting beside her, crying and holding her hands.

  She’d been confused at first but then heard the gunfire and remember she didn’t see Christy. Once more, she was thankful that Beckett had acted so quickly. She didn’t want to linger here, not in this time, anyway.

  “Sure, when I get up the courage to drive through that section of road again. I’ll not be driving through there any time soon, so it will take a bit of time for me to get my pilot’s license. I’ll have to find an alternate route.” He laughed softly.

  “What on earth makes you want to go all the way to Alaska?”

  “I’ve always been fascinated by it. It’s a wild place. Kind of like this place. My great uncle willed me some land, about sixty acres. He has and old camp, a cabin, near Ice Bay, on the southern edge of Alaska. I’d flown there three years ago, and it is stunning. And, after all this, I think maybe I might buy an old truck and drive there. But I really would like to fly, I’ve dreamed about it most of my life. I figure I could combine the two. Be a bush pilot and take people out on tours. Or hunting trips.” He smiled, shrugging.

  “Wow, that does sound nice. You don’t think it would be too remote?” Zoe asked.

  “Yeah, it is, but I can fly to many of the cities within a short period of time, at least during spring, summer and fall. I’d just have to make sure I lay in plenty of supplies for winter. My uncle had an old two-way radio there as well. I don’t know, I’m looking forward to trying.”

  “Won’t you miss being a policeman, or rather detective?” She smiled up at him.

  “No, people are seriously getting crazy out there, especially with drug use and all. Domestic violence is rampant and all I can do is arrest them. The lawyers get them off and the cycle starts all over again.” He looked at Carter and Zoe sniggered and he grinned at her. At that moment, Carter turned around and looked at them, and both laughed. Carter dropped back and walked with them.

  “What’s so funny?” Carter asked, eyeing both of them.

  “I was telling Zoe that I’m tired of being a cop and plan to head to Alaska to live, since I retire soon. Hopefully I will become a bush pilot and live out in the wild.” He grinned.

  “Oh, nice. You’re not turned off by all of this?” Carter said in surprise, his hand going out and indicating the forest around them.

  “Only being unprepared. And of course, being out of my own time. As I had said before, I’d just started prepping. But living in Alaska, that is one big prepping, a lifelong prepping. I will have to hunt for myself, which I don’t mind a bit. Looking forward to moose. I’ll have to prep not only for disasters, but also for life itself, you know winter and all. I was telling her that my great uncle left me some land and hunting cabin.”

  “Wow, that does sound nice. Get away from the rat race. Like now. If it wasn’t for the fear of snakes, eaten by bears and being killed by an Indian and oh, no medical help, along with just being plain unprepared, I think I’d enjoy it more. I was enjoying it, before all this happened.” He said, waving his hand out vaguely.

  “Yeah, this is just unreal. But again, if I’d have been prepared, I don’t think I would mind it. But, with nothing but the shirt on my back, it’s hard to survive without the knowledge.”

  “I know some plants to eat, but I’ve not seen anything I recognize here. I’m not sure if it is because we’re in the mountains and not in the lowlands.” Zoe said.

  “I’ve a feeling there are a lot of plants that weren’t here that are in our own time now. I think you have to get to know each region’s flora. I think I’ll be getting a book on Alaskan edible plants when I get back to our time.”

  The small group walked in silence for a while, it was getting more difficult to talk and walk, their steps going up a steeper incline. Carter fell behind them. The trees began to thin out and they could see the vast valley below. It was breathtaking. She wished her phone worked, she’d have taken pictures of the place. But, it didn’t. She’d not brought a camera, because her phone took great photos.

  She hoped fervently, that they’d make it out safely. She loved the wilderness, but like Beckett had said, woefully unprepared. Having the drop boxes had made her time here delightful. With plenty of food, she and Evie had enjoyed the silence and solitude Evie knew when to stay quiet as did she and they’d enjoyed the quiet and peacefulness of the trail. Carter had been like that as well, and they’d all gotten along.

  She’d looked forward to this vacation, she’d looked forward to the quiet of the forest. Boston was busy, as busy a city as any. The thought of Alaska sounded nice. But being in a place with no resources, no, she’d not want that. Not this place in this time. She’d thought of coming up to either Kentucky or Tennessee to live, to be near the trail, so she could walk it on weekends and extended weekends. But now, she was terrified to come back to this place, less she become mired in time.

  “You okay Zoe?” Beckett interrupted her thoughts.

  “Sorry, my mind was thinking about things, and about being here and in this time. I love this place but I don’t know if I can bring myself to come back to it. I’m terrified. I don’t know if I will ever come back, if for fear I might stumble through another time portal and never make it back.” She said glumly.

  “Look, once I get settled in Alaska, you and Evie and even Carter are more than welcome to visit. I’m going to explore it for a year. I’ll make sure there are no time portals.” He grinned. She grinned back up at him.

  “Thanks.” Carter called from behind and both Zoe and Beckett looked back and Beckett nodded. Zoe grinned. She was sure that Carter and Evie would be hooking up once they got back to Boston. The two stuck together like glue and Carter had spent the night in Evie’s tent last night. She’d heard Evie crying softly and Carter’s soft murmurs. She was sure Evie was more terrified than she let on. She was glad Carter was able to comfort her friend.

  Christy had slept through the night with no nightmares. As far as she could tell, the girl was dealing with their situation. Zoe was dealing with it as well. Beckett’s presence was a big help with that. He radiated a sense of calm and strength. That helped a lot. She thought once more about a trip to Alaska. That would be something she’d have to think about and prepare for.

  XX

  Milo watched those in front of him. They were strung along a kind of ridge. The height of the ridge made him nearly ill, he wasn’t crazy about being on the edge of a goddamn mountain. The rocks slid beneath his feet and the bones of his feet felt like they were tearing apart. He hoped he’d not slide or fall down, he was sure that he’d never make it out of there if he broke his leg. He was sure the group would leave him behind.

  Hearing that girl scream yesterday had sent a frigid plunge in his gut. The scream was horrible and he’d frozen to the spot. He was unable to make his legs work. He’d seen one of the Indians and once more his blood had run cold. He’d seen movies about the old west, but being here was visceral, it wasn’t a movie and he could die here. Hadn’t Rhena? A fucking snake for Christ’s sakes. She’d screamed and her leg had just split open and no one could do a damned thing about it. He was going home, but he could still die.

  He’d never been near danger in his life. The most dangerous thing he ever did was fly in an airplane. Nothing in his life had prepared him for this wildness, nor this wilderness. He thought he was safe on the trail. He wasn’t. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of this place and never look back. He’d never go into the forest again. He knew they all thought he was a coward, he was, and at this point, he really didn’t give a shit. He wanted out of this place. He could work on being brave when he got back to his own t
ime.

  His foot slipped and his heart nearly jumped out of his throat. Jesus Christ, surely there was an easier way to get out of this godforsaken place? It was as though the world were conspiring against him. If he could make that man lead them faster, he would. Maybe leave the kid behind, so they could move at a faster pace. Maybe had those men gotten away with the kid, they’d be long past this point? He just wanted to go home, to the safety of his apartment and never leave it again.

  XX

  The sky spread out before them, an extraordinary heaven, streaks of pale pink and lavender were overtaking the blue, night would be coming in a couple hours. Dustu was leading them to a camp site, it was too rocky where they were at present. They were descending now and the loose rocks beneath treacherous. Beckett held tightly to Christy, he didn’t want her slipping. Zoe and Evie held hands as well, each taking care with each step. They were in front of Beckett.

  Down farther, JP and Lucas, along with Wyatt. Noland and Astrid were behind him and he could hear them. Astrid sounded nervous, but Noland was encouraging her gently. The more excited she got, the more she spoke Spanish. He grinned. And he felt for them. Milo, brought up the rear, and he’d seldom spoken the last few days. Beckett sensed that no one wanted to be near him, especially after he did nothing during the previous day’s raid.

  Milo had kept to the outer perimeter of the camp. Beckett’s thoughts were jerked away by the cry of Lucas as he slipped down the side of the mountain. JP was screaming after the man and everyone stepped toward him. Beckett’s arm shot out and he went past Zoe and Evie, giving Christy to the women.

  “Keep her, and stay put.” He said, passing them quickly. He watched as Lucas rolled down the rocky mountainside. He saw that Dustu was also making his way down. Wyatt was headed down as well. He and JP were catching up to the downed man. Carter stayed with the women, making sure they didn’t go after them. Milo hung back, it was no surprise.

  Beckett slipped and rode the loose gravel like a wave. He’d slid down about three hundred feet. Wyatt was already with Lucas and JP was supporting his husband. Lucas had scrapes and was pretty banged up, but as far as he could tell, he’d sustained no head wounds.

  “Looks like you might have a fracture in your radius and of course I can’t tell without an x-ray. I can immobilize it and also, we’ll clean up the gashes on your hand. I’ve superglue, medical of course.” Wyatt grinned, patting Lucas on the shoulder.

  “Hasiyu? You are good?” Dustu asked Lucas.

  “He wants to know if you are okay.” Beckett translated.

  “I guess I’m damned lucky I didn’t break my neck.” Lucas smiled, and Beckett could see the man was in pain.

  “Galvdi udiditlv, sleep beyond.” Dustu pointed down to what looked like a clearing. Beckett also saw a wide river that ran through. He nodded and clambered his way back up the steep terrain, Dustu followed behind. When they reached Zoe and the others Dustu offered to take Christy on his back, indicating the slipperiness of the ground.

  “Christy, Dustu said he will give you a piggy back ride down the hill. He’s safe, he’s a good guy like us. Is it okay if he carries you down?” Beckett asked the girl.

  Cerulean blue eyes scrutinized the Cherokee man and then she nodded. Dustu squatted down and Christy climbed on his back. Noland took Astrid’s hand and Beckett took Zoe’s hand. Carter and Evie worked their way down and Milo brought up the rear. When they got down to Wyatt and Lucas, Wyatt was now cleaning the gashes and scrapes on Lucas’s hands and arms.

  Everyone took their packs off, welcoming the break. Dustu squatted down beside Wyatt to watch him work and clean the wounds. Once the wounds were clean and Wyatt used clean water to flush out the wounds. Wyatt then pulled out a tube of clear liquid. Beckett thought this was the glue. It was. Lucas hissed when Wyatt carefully applied the glue, and began to seal up the worst of the gashes.

  None of the wounds were too deep, which was good. Wyatt then applied a topical antibiotic ointment and wrapped the wounds in gauze. He pulled out a sling and tied it around Lucas’s neck and injured arm. He also handed Lucas a couple pain relievers, which the man drank down with water.

  “I think you’ll do Lucas. You’re damned lucky. You’ll not be able to carry your backpack however.” Wyatt announced, standing up.

  “I’ll carry it.” Milo said and everyone turned in surprise.

  “You sure? It’s pretty damned heavy.” Lucas said, looking up.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.” Milo mumbled.

  JP and Wyatt helped Lucas up and as a group, they began the short trek down to the clearing by the river. It was a meandering river, not fast and no rapids. The area was fairly quiet, though there were a lot of birds calling from the tree tops. They quieted as the group advanced on the clearing. Everyone separated, looking for firewood, to start building up a camp fire and clearing the area for their tents. They’d been lucky, it hadn’t rained, but Beckett could see clouds gathering in the northwest.

  He figured at some point tomorrow, perhaps the afternoon, they’d get rain. How much, he didn’t know, but it was making its way over the mountains. He’d suggest they perhaps store some dry wood and kindling, so they could at least cook their dinner.

  “Ganohalidasdi tisistu, hunting rabbit?” Beckett asked Dustu, pointing to the woods.

  “Hawa, okay.” Dustu nodded and both men left the camp.

  They walked quietly, Beckett following Dustu, he wanted to watch how the man hunted and moved through the woods. Dustu was slow, careful, with each foot fall. The leaves and twigs snapped quietly, and Beckett smiled. The man was quiet, but he did make noise. He too was careful where he placed his foot. The shadows were lengthening and the deep forest becoming a muted green and gray.

  Dustu’s arrow flew without warning, and it pinned a fat rabbit to the ground. Becket smiled and he and Dustu went to retrieve the rabbit. They continued walking, swinging east, coming back around toward the camp. Suddenly, the hair rose on Beckett and he froze. Dustu did as well and he could see goosebumps covering the man’s body.

  Dustu’s eyes looked quickly around and then settled on a large tree. Beckett looked up and saw a massive mountain lion sitting on a large branch, looking down at them, its long tail twitching restlessly. Christ, he’d never seen one that large. Dustu said something that Beckett didn’t understand and the man began to walk backwards, keeping his arrow pointed at the enormous cat. Beckett backed up as well, slowly, so he wouldn’t trip.

  Both men moved away and turned once the tree and mountain lion were out of sight.

  “Ganiyegv, dangerous.” Was all Dustu said.

  No shit, Beckett thought, looking over his shoulder every few minutes. Once away, both men began to relax. And then Beckett saw another rabbit, it was becoming more difficult to see, the monochromatic colors blending. He let fly his arrow and the hit was true. They had two good sized rabbits and walked back to camp. They could hear the group as they drew closer. Beckett smiled, he heard Christy laughing and he was glad. She’d not been horribly traumatized, though he was sure she’d have nightmares.

  He and Dustu walked up river a bit to clean the animals. Dustu was fascinated by Beckett’s knife and Beckett let the man hold it. Dustu grunted when he felt the sharp blade and drew a thin line of blood on his thumb. He nodded appreciatively. Beckett smiled. He wished he could give the man the knife. Would it be okay? Would he screw up the space time continuum? Was there any such thing? He snorted internally. He didn’t think he’d change history or anything like that, not with a knife.

  When Dustu tried to hand the knife back, Beckett shook his head and smiled.

  “Nihi asquanigododi, iginvtli, you keep, my brother.” Beckett said softly, nodding.

  “Wado iginvtli, uwoduhi! Thank you, my brother, beautiful! Dustu breathed, holding the knife up like a treasure. Beckett almost laughed; the man looked at the knife as a man would, a woman he wanted. The knife however, to this man, was so much more and Beckett lost the desire to laugh. No, this knife
meant life to these people. It was an important tool. Once he got back home, Beckett would get another. He owed Dustu, he’d saved Christy and the women.

  The man was also risking his life to take them back to their own time. This trip was dangerous as hell, and yet, this man was risking his life to help them. He owed him so much more than a knife.

  XX

  Dustu knew that he shouldn’t accept the amazing knife, they weren’t supposed to, but this was a gift, something quite remarkable. He watched as Beckett took out a small black stone from his pocket. Beckett took the knife and ran it across the stone several times and Dustu understood that this was how he was to sharpen the remarkable knife. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. And it was sharp! He’d barely ran this thumb over the blade and it had cut so smoothly, that he’d been surprised to see the blood.

  He took his own knife and handed it over to Beckett, who seemed excited and happy to receive it. Beckett held up the stone knife and admired it, a huge smile on his face. Both men skinned their rabbits and washed them off in the water. Dustu folded the knife and put it into the bottom of his quiver. It was so small when he folded it. He’d never seen anything like it. It had that same shiny substance to it. He’d have to fashion something to carry the knife at his hip, or perhaps have his wife do it for him, she made beautiful things. He’d certainly not wish to lose such a precious gift.

  Both men walked back to the others and handed the carcass to the women, who set up their pots. Those pots were shiny, like the knife, poles and thunder weapons. He shook his head. What ever this shiny thing was, it was useful and durable. Like the rock. Was it some kind of rock? A shiny rock? It was hard like a rock.

  Dustu sat and watched the strange people move about the camp. He’d been shocked to watch as the man, Wyyet, had cleaned the man’s wounds and then with some kind of water, had sealed the opened wound and stopped the bleeding. He’d never seen anything like it. Was he some kind of healer? Clearly, he was, but he had magic things, strange things. To stop and close wounds like that.