“I think we should pick up the pace a little,” Megan said to the group in general. They were walking far slower than usual. “Are you okay with that?” Megan directed the question at Willow.
“Yes, I am. Whatever gets us there faster works for me. I'm not a wilting flower, guys. I’m not going to break if I work up a sweat. I know I’ve been a little off these past few months, but I can be strong. I will be strong. Don't tiptoe around me or feel like you have to baby me. Let's get this little guy to the hospital. I'll survive a rough hike, but he…” she stopped talking.
Megan knew she was going to say he might not survive if they didn't get him some medical help. They all knew it, but none of them dared say the words.
“Let's go then. We’re burning daylight,” Megan joked. It was something her dad would often say.
It wasn't long before they made it down the mountain and stopped to rehydrate, taking a few minutes to plan their next move. The sun was beating down on them, which had them all concerned about dehydration. They couldn't carry as much water as they’d need to stay hydrated if they kept moving in the heat of the day.
“Do we stick to the highway?” Bryan asked.
Megan didn't answer. The last time they walked on the highway, they’d found Neil. It’d been an ugly scene and not one she wanted to encounter again. The people that attacked Neil's convoy could be waiting. Her group didn't have the luxury of jeeps, machine guns or body armor, not that it helped the convoy.
Wyatt looked around the group, his eyes stopped on Willow. She had found some privacy in the trees and was feeding JJ.
“We need to walk on the highway. I know it’s a risk, but it will be much easier for all of us. We need to stay alert. If it starts to get too hot, we'll find some shade and wait until this evening,” he said.
They all nodded in agreement, even though Megan suspected they all had reservations about traveling in the open. Walking over rough terrain posed another risk. Willow wasn't used to such hikes and the risk of her tripping with the baby was too great. None of them could afford to get a twisted ankle or some other serious injury. The highway was the lesser of two evils.
Megan scanned the area while they waited for JJ to finish his meal. She watched to see if anything looked out of place or whether she saw any kind of movement. It was a lot like hunting deer and other wildlife. She had to let her eyes go out of focus and then scan.
“Hey, is that a cherry tree?” she asked pointing off into the distance.
Wyatt turned to look and smiled. “It is and it looks to be full of cherries!”
“Go, we'll stay and keep watch,” Bryan said when Megan turned to him.
She laughed. “Great. We'll pick all that we can.”
Wyatt grabbed her hand and they jogged towards the full tree, dotted with red.
“This will allow us to conserve our rations. Plus, the fresh fruit will help keep us hydrated. I hope they aren't sour cherries,” he added.
Megan plucked a cherry the moment they reached the tree and popped it in her mouth. She moaned when the juice exploded in her mouth.
“Not sour,” she said, spitting out the pit. “Deliciously sweet!”
Wyatt grabbed a few and put them in his mouth, “This is great. Let's pick as many as we can and get going,” he said, around a mouthful of cherries.
Between the two of them, they managed to pick the tree clean within ten minutes. They quickly rushed back to Bryan and Evan, handing them each a handful. When Willow emerged from her place in the trees, she was rewarded with some cherries.
“This is amazing. It’s been far too long since we’ve had fresh fruit. Hopefully the trees at the lodge will produce,” she said.
“Let's get moving,” Wyatt said. “Keep your eyes open and look for any signs we have company.”
Bryan walked behind Willow. Wyatt was out front and Megan walked on Willow's left with Evan on her right. They walked in silence for close to thirty minutes before Wyatt put his hand up, halting their procession. Each of them was instantly on alert.
“What is it?” Bryan asked, scanning the area.
“Up there. Something isn't right,” he said in a quiet voice.
The hairs on the back of Megan's neck stood straight up. She heard Willow gasp and quickly looked at her, willing her not to panic and run.
Wyatt pointed to the trees, indicating he wanted them all off the road. No one hesitated.
When they were all in the safety of the trees, Wyatt looked at them with a grim look. “It's a trap,” he said.
“What's a trap?” Bryan asked.
“Did you see the way the cars were arranged?” Wyatt asked.
Megan looked at Bryan and Evan who looked equally as confused as her. They were walking along a highway, littered with cars that had stopped running the second the EMP exploded. Seeing cars on the roads that now resembled parking lots was common. It’d be weird if there weren't any cars on what used to be a busy highway.
“They've looked like that all along the way, Wyatt. What's different?” Megan asked.
He shook his head. “That’s exactly what it’s supposed to look like. The cars were lined up to funnel us up the center. I'm guessing there are people lying in wait to take us out. Maybe they’re waiting for Neil's team, I don't know, but I do know I saw similar setups in Afghanistan.”
Willow blanched. “Someone is out there, waiting to kill us?”
“Maybe not us specifically. It could be bandits waiting for travelers so they can take their supplies or it could be the same group that went after Neil's convoy. Either way, it's there and we need to figure out what to do next,” Wyatt explained.
“What are our options?” Bryan asked.
Wyatt took a deep breath. “We go through and hope we can shoot our way out of it or we go around. We’d have to go far off our path, possibly adding an extra day of travel. This map doesn't show any roads. It’d be all wilderness,” he revealed.
Megan looked at Willow, who was cradling JJ's head as if to protect him. They couldn't run into a gun battle with JJ.
“I think we need to take a wide berth around the blockade. It’s far too risky to try to shoot our way through,” Megan announced. “We don't know how many of them there are or what kind of weapons they have.”
Bryan shook his head. “We don't have the supplies to sustain us if we add an extra day to our trip. We’ve avoided the heavy brush for a reason. It doesn't make sense to risk it now. Plus, it's getting dark. We don't want to risk walking blindly through the wilderness.”
“I'm with Megan on this one,” Evan said. He pointedly looked at the baby, revealing his personal motivation.
Wyatt sighed, looked at Willow and JJ before staring into the heavy brush and trees.
“I think we have to take the long way around,” he finally said.
Bryan didn't argue but with the set of his chin, Megan knew he wasn't pleased, but he had to recognize the danger of JJ or Willow being shot. It was more work, but if it kept them all alive, it was worth it.
“So, it's settled?” Wyatt asked.
There was a unanimous yes, which gave Megan a great deal of relief. There was no way she wanted JJ and flying bullets in the same area. Bullets weren’t picky about what they hit and JJ was an innocent baby. The long way would be harder, but safer—she hoped.
12
“At least it isn't as hot as it was on the highway,” Willow huffed out, pushing aside a branch.
The off-road decision seemed to be working out. They were making good time and the brush wasn't nearly as thick as they’d expected and the trees and tall sagebrush provided some much-needed shade. Their legs were relatively protected from the scratching and poking weeds, which made the impromptu detour a little easier to manage.
“I’m guessing this trail was used before the EMP or there was someone in this area a while ago,” Wyatt said, pointing to the branches that had already been broken.
Megan had been paying attention to the ground, looking for tracks
or other signs they weren't alone, but the ground was dry and hard making footprints impossible. The weeds were pushed down along with broken twigs indicating something big had come through. Megan knew she’d be a whole lot more comfortable if she knew if it was wildlife or human.
As she walked along, directly in front of Willow and behind Wyatt, she heard what sounded like a bird chirping. She listened, waiting to see if she’d hear the sound again. They'd been walking for hours. The sun was dropping below the horizon. A bird call at this time of day felt out of place.
“Wyatt!” she hissed, slowing her steps.
He stopped and turned around, giving her a questioning look.
“Listen!”
They all halted on the trail, still in single file, but much closer together. All of them cocked their heads to the side to listen for whatever it was that had spooked Megan. The sound of a bird calling out cut through the silence.
Megan's eyes widened. “Did you hear that?”
Wyatt gave her a look that said he did, but didn't want her to make a big deal. She nodded her head in understanding. She wasn't crazy or paranoid. That was no bird.
“What was it?” Evan asked from behind Willow.
Megan shrugged, but couldn't look directly at him and lie. “I don't know. I thought I heard something, but it was only a bird.”
Evan didn't say anything for a few seconds. “Okay, then I guess we keep going?”
“Yep, let's move. I want to use every bit of daylight we have,” Wyatt said and moved forward, but at a much slower pace.
Megan could see the tension in his shoulders. He looked like a cat ready to spring. Something wasn't right. She hated not knowing. They walked for another ten minutes in silence. The birdcalls continued. Each time she heard the repeated song, it confirmed what she’d suspected earlier. That was a human and possibly more than one.
Wyatt slowed to a stop. “Let's take a quick break before we continue on.”
Bryan, who was at the back of the procession, asked, “Why? We’re going to be stopping soon for the night aren't we? I think we can go a little longer.”
Wyatt growled. “I need to go now.”
Bryan chuckled. “Okay, man. When nature calls, nature calls. We'll stay here.”
Wyatt looked at Megan. She quickly understood and followed him into the thicker vegetation.
“Well?” she whispered when they were out of earshot of the rest of the group. “Do you hear that mockingbird? Mockingbirds aren't around here. That chirp and song isn’t natural.”
Wyatt agreed. “I caught the flash of a mirror signaling up ahead. I think we’re walking into trouble. I don't want to scare Willow.”
“We have to get off this path, Wyatt. I'm guessing this is another one of those traps you saw earlier,” Megan said.
“Yeah, I think we’re walking straight into an ambush. I don't want to alert everyone. If Willow stresses, she may panic and it’s hard to say what she’ll do. We have to stay calm and methodical. We need to out-think our would-be attackers.”
“Okay, let's get back to the rest of the group. I don't like sitting here. I feel too exposed,” Megan said, looking around the area.
Wyatt grabbed her hand and they quickly made their way back to Willow, Bryan and Evan.
“He's being so good,” Megan said, looking at JJ.
Willow smiled. “He loves the walking. I’m going to have to use this carrier back at the lodge. I’ll be able to get so much more done if I don't have to carry him around.”
“Let's move,” Wyatt ordered, cutting off their conversation. “Stay alert.”
They all fell back in line, with Wyatt leading the group. Evan walked directly behind Willow, with Bryan bringing up the rear. Everyone had noticed Wyatt's change in demeanor and had grown silent. The tension was palpable as they stalked through the tall grass, each of them turning their heads left and right.
As they walked, Megan was scanning the area, looking for anything that looked out of place. “Wyatt,” she said quietly. “To the right.”
She watched as he turned his head. “I see it.”
He stopped walking, which caused a domino effect. They were all huddled together staring at a mass of poison oak that stretched wide across an area. It didn't look natural.
“Well, we aren't going through there,” Evan said matter-of-factly. “I can see a faint trail heading out that way,” he pointed up ahead. “That looks like a better choice than cutting through a wall of poison oak.”
Wyatt was staring at the plants. “I don't think that's a good idea,” he muttered.
“Why not?” Evan asked. “We can go around, make a wide half circle and get right back on course.”
Megan walked closer to the wall of poison oak. “They aren't plants. They're cuttings,” she said squatting to get a better look. “I think there is a piece of wood or maybe a metal sheet being used to prop them up.” She could see bits of rusted metal through the breaks in cuttings. “It looks like one of those shipping container doors. I think it may actually be steel, which means it took several people to move into place.”
Wyatt stood behind her. “I can see a trail beyond the poison oak. It's another trap. They want us to take that other trail. This detour is to funnel us towards them.”
“What!” Willow gasped. “Did we walk right into another trap? I thought we took this route because it was safer?”
“It's okay, Willow. We'll figure this out,” Bryan said, trying to calm her down.
They all stared at the barricade. Once again, they were forced to go around or attempt to go through. The precarious situation made Megan very uneasy. Whoever was setting these elaborate traps wasn't messing around. It was very calculated.
“There’s no way around that area,” Bryan said, studying the place where the poison oak stretched across. The only option is to veer left. It will take us longer, but I don't think an itchy rash is a great option. I know we already added more distance to our route, but what choice do we have?”
“We can go through it,” Megan said, standing and removing her backpack.
Evan laughed. “You want us to walk through a wall of poison oak? I don't think that’s your best idea, Megan.”
She rolled her eyes. “We’re going to use some sticks and remove the plants. They aren't in the ground. They’re cuttings carefully laid against that wall. We won't have to use our hands and risk contact. Once we remove the poison oak, we can move that metal and run like hell.”
Willow was shaking her head. “Megan, I'm sorry, but that doesn't sound like a very good plan.”
Wyatt was already searching the area for branches. “Evan, give me a hand,” he said, picking up one branch.
Evan jumped into action. The two men carefully pulled as many of the cuttings away from the massive metal sheet, using the branches like chopsticks. Megan helped get the baby ready for the walk through the area and covered JJ with a small blanket.
“We need to keep him completely covered,” Megan explained. “Whatever we put on the outside to cover his body we leave behind. We don't want to risk the oils inadvertently getting on you or back on him.”
Willow agreed. “I have an extra blanket I will put over him.”
Megan reached into her pack and held up some plastic grocery bags, “I’m going to tie these around your knees to cover your pants and shoes,” she told Willow.
Megan tied a bag around each of her legs as well.
“Why the bags?” Willow asked.
“In case we touch any of the poison oak when we’re going through, the bags will keep the oil off our clothing. As soon as we’re clear, we'll take off the bags and toss them,” Megan explained, handing four bags to Bryan. “Rosie also said that plantain would help cure the rash if we do happen to get any oil on us. I’ve seen quite a bit of it around here. We can crush the leaves and rub it on the rash. It will also take care of any bug bites we may get from sleeping outside tonight.”
Willow agreed. “Yes, she pointed the plant out
to me. I can help look for that one if we need it. It's better to have it on hand than to try and find it when we really need it.”
Megan smiled at her. This trip would do Willow good assuming it was successful. Willow was a strong woman, but for so long, everyone had been taking care of her. Jack took care of her and when he died, everyone else at the lodge had jumped in to help her. She’d been coddled, which was actually a disservice to her friend. She needed to do for herself to increase her self-confidence. It would help her feel stronger and more in control. At least that was Megan's opinion. Doing for herself had helped her in many ways and she wanted Willow to feel that same sense of empowerment.
Megan watched as Evan and Wyatt struggled to move the metal sheet, but it was too heavy. It was even more difficult because they had to be wary of any booby traps that may have been set.
“I think it’s going to take all of us pushing to move that door,” Megan said, watching them heave and get nowhere.
“Bryan, I think if you help us, we can move this thing enough for us to squeeze through,” Wyatt said. “There isn't enough available space for all of us to hold on. One more pair of hands is all we can manage.”
Megan turned to Willow, “Once they move that sheet, we have to run. Don't panic. Follow our directions and it’ll be okay.”
Willow nodded, clearly not feeling confident about the plan. She tucked the blanket around JJ, making sure every inch of his tiny body was completely covered.
“You brought bags, right?” Megan said to Wyatt. “Use them as gloves so you don't get any oil transferred on you.”
He quickly took off his pack and pulled out the bags. He handed an extra bag to Evan to put over his hands.
“Everyone ready?” he asked.
Megan took a deep breath and stood to the side of the metal sheet. She prayed the men had the strength to move the massive door. Even now, the people waiting to ambush them could be coming. She knew they were being watched; it was only a matter of time before they realized their trap wasn't going to work.
EMP Lodge Series Box Set | Books 1-6 Page 86
