Part 21 (2/2)
”How far are we from Mississippi?” Howard asked.
”Two miles,” Nathan said, which got several gasps from the group. ”I'm sorry I picked up the pace but I really didn't want to run into the group patrolling that stretch of highway.”
”You mean-” Amanda checked her watch. ”We traveled thirty miles in eight hours?” she asked.
”A little more than that, firecracker,” Nathan said smiling. ”I'm sorry for pus.h.i.+ng everyone.”
”I wanted you to lead us in a run,” Jasmine confessed. Others nodded their agreement.
”Don't think it didn't cross my mind,” Nathan admitted.
”So what do we do now?” Jasmine asked.
”What we planned. We get to Howard's family farm. The only thing this changes is that we have to be more careful,” Nathan answered. ”Jasmine, come up with a watch schedule with two people on duty at all times. One adult and one of the kids,” Nathan said. ”Get some rest, everyone. We leave at dark.”
Chapter 13.
Day 18 Nathan watched the sun go down as he packed up the solar panel and newly recharged batteries. Amanda and Casey were helping with Emma just watching her run around them. Everyone got eight to ten hours of much needed sleep, with those on watch keeping Emma awake, fed, and happy. None of which were easy.
With the stuff put up Nathan and Amanda continued training Athena, with Ares helping. Athena was a smart dog but nowhere near what Ares was. When everyone was up the morning' workout routine was done and everyone started to eat.
”Howard, I think it would be best if we approached your dad's farm in daylight,” Nathan said.
”Yeah, I'm sure it would be in our best interest,” Howard agreed.
”We have forty miles to travel to get there. Let's see if we can make it halfway tonight then start out a noon tomorrow and get back on a day travel schedule. That should put us there a day sooner.”
”Why not just move close at night and wait till morning?” Jasmine asked.
Nathan grabbed his chest in mock surprise. ”This coming from the person who wanted the fastest route?” he exclaimed.
Jasmine looked down. ”You were right. The fast route could've gotten us killed,” she mumbled.
”Hey because you and the firecracker wanted the faster route it probably saved our lives,” Nathan said. ”Don't forget you were the one with the night travel idea.”
”How do you figure it saved our lives?” Amanda asked.
”We were going to be moving on secondary and state roads. I don't think whoever is trying to stop traffic will bother with small county roads, and the gravel roads will be impossible to monitor. But if we had used my original route we would be four days from our destination, not two. I think we would've run into those wanting the roads closed,” Nathan confessed.
”You really think so?” Amanda asked.
Nathan nodded. ”Yeah. Remember, we would've been traveling in daylight.”
”I say let's just move at night till we get to your place, Nathan,” Amanda offered.
John nodded. ”I like that plan.”
Nathan smiled. ”Let's just get to Howard's family first.”
”So we travel at night then wait till morning when we get close?” Howard asked.
”Guess so,” Nathan said as Emma ran over and wrapped her arms around him, giving him that freaky smile. ”You're so weird.” Nathan said making her giggle.
At dark the group left staying on gravel roads. It didn't take long before Nathan told everyone they were in Mississippi. With only scattered clouds they didn't need the NVGs much and most walked with them flipped up and off. Nathan stayed twenty yards ahead with either Amanda or Casey beside him.
After midnight Nathan stopped the group so everyone could eat and rest. Amanda sat down beside him with Casey. ”How are we going to cross the river ahead?” Amanda asked.
”One of the bridges in Amory,” Nathan replied.
”That's a town,” Amanda said.
”I'm not swimming the Tombigbee River,” Nathan said.
”Let's cross somewhere there isn't a town,” Amanda said.
”Bridges are usually in towns. We would have to travel thirty miles south to cross a small rural bridge then travel thirty miles back up,” Nathan stated.
Amanda let out a sigh. ”Man that sucks.”
”Yes it does,” Nathan agreed.
They reached the outskirts of Amory at two. Nathan guided them around neighborhoods. There were three bridges here: two for vehicles and one railway. They would cross on the closest, on Highway 6.
When they reached the village Nathan spotted a roadblock as they approached. He searched with his thermal scope but didn't see anyone. ”Everyone, stay quiet in case the guys who are supposed to be manning that roadblock are asleep nearby.”
Everyone gripped their rifles tightly as they followed Nathan to the roadblock. The roadblock consisted of cars parked across the road with walkways between them. To one side sat an empty guard shack. They pa.s.sed without incident and continued on. They heard an occasional dog barking but nothing else.
As the group turned on to Highway 6 they spotted the bridge. Barring their way was another roadblock. This one was manned. Four men stood around a barrel with a fire. The men just seemed to be talking to each other but they all had rifles across their backs. To everyone's surprise, Nathan strolled right down the middle of the road to the bridge.
He calmed his breathing as he walked. He realized the guards were dressed in t-s.h.i.+rts and jeans, not typical dress for paramilitary. When he was fifty yards away the guards still hadn't seen him. ”h.e.l.lo to the bridge!” Nathan called out. He beckoned the rest of the group to join him.
The guards all jumped, looking for Nathan. Nathan knew they couldn't see him after looking into a fire. ”We're coming forward!” he called. One of the guards lifted a ma.s.sive spotlight. ”You put that light on me and I will cut you in half, boy!” Nathan shouted, making the man freeze.
The guards slowly pulled their rifles off their backs. ”You can pull your rifles off your shoulders, you're not being that sneaky but you point them at us you're going to get shot. We aren't pointing rifles at you, so be nice,” Nathan said, stepping into the edge of the firelight the burning barrel was giving off.
When the guards saw him they all stiffened, but as the rest of the group eased in to the light the guards began to relax. ”Gentlemen I didn't mean to be rude but that d.a.m.n light you would've fried my night vision goggles,” Nathan explained.
A man with a t-s.h.i.+rt claiming he was ”Born in the USA” stepped forward. ”How the h.e.l.l did you get into town?” he asked.
”Walked,” Nathan answered.
”None of the other checkpoints have called in,” USA said.
”You tell me how I got here then,” Nathan said.
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