Chapter 10
Sky glanced toward Tara giving her a look of bewilderment before saying, "You caught us in a --in a --."
Tara fully covered up with the blanket and began to take backward steps, disappearing into the bathroom. Her befuddled sounds of sorry, pardon me brought a smile to Sky's face that is until
a very confused Barbara Johnson was so close she could hear her breathe and even felt like she could feel the heat from each breath. For a moment Sky felt she was in a bull ring and was just about to be charged by a very angry bull.
"Want to tell me what is going on?" Barbara's eyes looked like they had just witnessed the parting of the Atlantic Ocean.
Realizing she was not dressed for company, Sky cleared her throat and said, make yourself a cup of coffee, invite Bern back in, I'll go change. I'm sure by now Tara looks more presentable to you and Bern, I will too, soon."
Barbara glanced toward the coffee maker, then back to Sky and said, "You did say, 'by now Tara looks more presentable to me and Bern'; Have to ask, are you saying she looked fine to you?"
"Barbara, Barbara, a lot has happened, too much to get in to at this moment. Get Bern in,
have some coffee, when I get back, I am sure Tara and I can rest your minds a bit."
As Sky walked away, Barbara replied, "Every little bit helps, Sky. You do your thing; we will be out here when you are done."
Instead of getting the coffee, Barbara went to the door and motioned for Bern to come inside. Once he was in the room, he glanced around for the two women then asked, "Where are they?"
She pointed toward the back and said, "Follow me to the kitchen area, I'll make us some coffee and we can talk while they are getting dressed."
Bern was glancing toward the back and stopped for a moment to take a better look and it was then that Barbara reached out grabbing him by his right arm, pulling him toward the kitchen area as she said, "Leave it, Bern. They are both big girls and certainly do not need your attentions."
Once the two were seated at the small kitchen table, Bernie Herbella took a sip of the coffee that Barbara had handed him; he nodded and said, "Hit's the spot. Now, back to Tara and Sky, never really thought I would ever use their names together in this way, but--?"
Barbara leaned back in her chair and gazed at the man. Even for so early in the morning, he looked like he had just stepped out of a shower, skin, gloriously tanned, blond hair a bit askew on his head and those blue eyes that made her want to dive in whenever he gazed at her, this man was the full package, good looking, smart, wealthy, he even had a way of making her feel she was special. Taking a sip of her coffee, she thought, Bern, looked like he just stepped off the cover of, The Ten Most Handsome Men in America's issue.
Bernie Herbella gazed around the room before saying, "Not an awful lot of room here, don't know why Sky and Bobie still insist on keeping this place."
"It is Bobie's home, and Sky likes it here too. Actually this is a beautiful area, a nice place to get away from the rat race of the big city."
He ran his tongue along the inside of his mouth, then said, "After the Incident at the Kiva, after all Sky and Bobie went through, getting as far away from this place should have been number one on their to do list. Course now, I am totally perplexed."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Tara calls us both with this story that Sky is so bad off, we both change our schedules get on a plane and come out here, only to find the two of them in what seems to be compromising positions."
"Nothing compromising about it Bern, just caught us both still in sleep mode when you two suddenly walked in the place."
Both turned to gaze at Sky who was standing near the kitchen area staring at the two. She was dressed in blue jeans, a Light blue Levi shirt with pearl snaps, her special brand of black boots adorned her feet and around her neck she wore a gold chain link necklace which she was nervously fingering.
Bern stood, followed by Barbara as they both said, "Sorry."
She walked into the room, past them to the coffee maker. Didn't take long to pour two cups of coffee, turn, walk past them as she said, "Be right back, taking Tara a cup, don't you two go anywhere we need to talk."
They sat and watched her disappear again, then gazed toward one another with questioning looks upon their faces. Finally Barbara said, "Sky is like that, needs her coffee first thing in the morning and if she has company, she will also make sure they are taken a cup too."
He raised his right eyebrow and asked, "You been in that position before?"
She nodded. "Yes, there have been a few times when we have been on assignment, she brought me coffee or I took her coffee. No biggee, just being cordial."
He drank the last drop from his cup before saying, "Gotcha, no biggee." I am getting hungry, wonder if they have anything in the frig?"
Barbara walked to the refrigerator opened the door and looked in, then said, "Not a great deal, good thing we brought some food with us. Why don't you go out to the jeep and bring it in. I'll start to fix something."
He nodded and left the room. Once he was out the door, Barbara softly made her way down the hall and stood outside the bedroom.
Tara was sitting on the edge of the bed pulling on a pair of black boots. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a sea green tank top, with a rounded neckline. She was holding a cup of coffee, nervously asking, "How does it seem in there?"
Sky replied, "Like you think. Wasn't the best way for anyone to walk in on us."
Standing, Tara set the cup on the dresser, picked up a brush and ran it through her hair as she said, "You sound like we were doing something."
"Well, even if we weren't, the way we looked sure put us in one's mind as we were." Sky sit beside her on the edge of the bed, took a drink of her coffee, then said, "After all we have been through, I am just happy to be alive, how about you?"
"Ditto. We still need to talk to them, let them know what has happened, fill them in on everything."
"I agree, are you about ready to face the lions?"
When Barbara heard those words she hurried back to the kitchen area and was surprised to see, Bern standing by the stove, cooking, bacon and eggs. "Hmmm smells divine. You really are a man of many skills, Bernie Herbella."
He turned to smile toward Barbara and said, "Stomach says feed me and so I am. Get some more coffee, sit; I'll have breakfast ready soon."
She walked past him to the toaster and said, "I'll make the toast. You are such a dear, Bern."
"Did you talk to them?"
She said, "No, didn't want to interrupt. Maybe we got this all wrong."
He was scrambling eggs and enjoying every moment as he replied, "Doubt that. I didn't tell you but Tara refused payment for this job."
It was Barbara's turn to be shocked; she couldn't believe her ears. "Hard to believe."
He was putting bacon, scrambled eggs on a large plate and said, "I thought so too. But it's true. So something has Tara Coltrane turned around? Woman has never refused money."
"That's because this is personal Bern."
Both looked up to see Tara Coltrane standing next to Skylar Richmond, looking refreshed and if it wasn't for the different colors of hair they could have been twins.
"Why don't the two of you come sit, breakfast is almost ready. Soon as the toast is done,
we can all sit, eat, drink our fill of coffee and talk. Definitely we need to talk."
Much later, Tara and Bernie had taken a walk to the lake, while Barbara and Sky stayed behind to catch up on business issues. Barbara wanted to do the dishes, and that was fine with Bern and Tara but Sky stood in the woman's way.
"Barbara you two flew out on a plane it had to be taxing, then came way out here, even fixed breakfast, least I can do is the dishes."
She shooed the woman away from the sink. "No. After hearing how badly you were injured, the problems with your head, no way. I will do them; you just sit and talk to me."
Sky knew when she was beat and Barbara Johnson was a woman to listen to. All the years they had worked together in some capacity, now more so than ever. She never let Sky down if at all possible and Sky didn't want to let her down either.
"Barbara, I know you still feel unsettled by this morning."
"Don't give it another thought. You two are grown women; it really was none of Bern or my business."
"You are wrong. It is, if it causes any problems with the company. "
"Well I am satisfied, it doesn't. You have to know I was also concerned about Bobie."
"I do. So am I. She has been on my mind and is on my mind. Tara and I have sort of formed a friendly alliance, but we are not in love or have had any--"
Turning to stare at the woman, Barbara bit at her lower lip and said, "It's really none of my business, I admit I was surprised at what Bern and I walked into, the two of you explained it and I apologize for arriving without calling ahead.
"I want to always know how you feel Barb. We have been through some tough times, it will always be important to me to know you are fine with what I am doing, with what the business is accomplishing… Tara helped me, we helped one another. That is all." Standing, Sky tossed her head allowing her lustrous red hair to bounce around seeming to enjoy the freedom before settling down once more. "Barb, I love you like a sister. Never thought I would be injured as badly as I was, at least from some idiotic accidental shooting. Accepting Tara's help was not an easy thing for me to do."
Barbara turned to gaze at the women she had come to know. Sky Richmond was a woman of strength, one she never thought would ever be taken down, this still did not keep her from worrying about her when she went off on missions. Somehow this journey to find Bobie was not turning out like any of the others. "I understand, and please believe me when I say and I have to bite my tongue because I never thought I would say this but thank God for Tara Coltrane."
Sky smiled toward the woman. "Not sure how I got so lucky as to have you in my corner but I am grateful you are. We talked about has been going on here. And you said you had something for me. Did you bring it with you?"
Finishing the last dish, Barbara dried her hands and said, "Yes, it is in the briefcase I brought in from the jeep. Sit down, I'll go get it."
Sky watched Barbara hurry from the area, pulled out a chair and sit. Before long Barbara was back, she set the briefcase in front of Sky and said, "For your eyes."
Sky looked up at the woman, raised an eyebrow and said, "Some sort of surveillance I don't know about?"
Sitting across the table from the woman, Barbara tapped the briefcase with the fingers of her right hand and said, "Open it, best way to find out."
In stead of opening the briefcase, Sky reached out and grasped the woman's hand with her left hand and said, "I may not say it enough, but I love you Barbara Johnson."
Barbara gazed at the woman's hand on hers and said, "Open it."
Within moments, Sky opened and peered into the briefcase, reaching in she pulled out
a large sealed envelope and said, "It's the information that was sent to the sheriff."
Nodding, Barbara replied, "Yes, took some doing from me and from Bern but we got it and now it is here and only for your eyes."
Swallowing with difficulty, Sky carefully opened the envelope, retrieving the document she stared at it, finally saying, "At last, something to go on."
Barbara was filled with questions but was happy when she asked, "It is what you needed then?"
"Yes. Oh yes! Barbara I could kiss you!" She stood and walked over to the woman, bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Woman you have made my day."
"I am glad it will help."
Sky handed the document to Barbara and said, "Sure hope so, at least there is something to go on."
As the woman finished reading the document she looked up at Sky and said, "I don't know him, but Max should."
"That's what I thought. First thing I need to do is talk to Bern and Tara, tell them about this and then strategize."
Standing, Barbara said, "Knowing you, strategize is going to be, taking the man by his throat and hanging him to a tall tree. Well, at least knocking him about a bit, for me and for Bobie."
Sky held out her right hand and said, "Let's go tell Bern and Tara the good news. I hope you also know I do appreciate you and Bern taking the time to fly way out here. It warms my heart to know that the two of you care. So forgive me for being such a redhead?"
Barbara laughed and said, "You sure do have that spark. There is nothing to forgive."
When the two left the cabin, Sky was feeling a renewed energy, Barbara and she had cleared the air and things were looking up, but most of all, she brought her a name and a picture of the man that was with Bobie Parker at the airport.
Her head still ached and at times she would feel a bit dizzy, but on this day happy to be alive. The walk to the lake was breathtaking, the beauty, the birds, forest animals peeking out to see who dared trespass on their land. It was a day to rejoice in being alive, in breathing the fresh air only one can get in this land of open spaces. The forest always came alive with its greenery, so many things blooming, growing, and the scents that enveloped a person in the best way. She could now see why Bobie Parker loved this area so much. And after all this time, Sky hoped to see Bobie very soon.
With the sounds of alarms going off and a voice booming through a sound system alerting everyone of an escape, Bobie Parker prayed the door would open. Sarah was bouncing up and down on the heels of her shoes, fear playing across her face. "Is it going to work?" She asked Bobie in a quivering voice.
Trying to smile but failing miserably, Bobie was about to tell the young woman to run when the door slid open. Grabbing Sarah by her right hand she said, "Let's go!"
Being inside for so long, it took a few minutes to get their eyes acclimated to the sunlight. When they did, both stared at the vastness in front of them. Sarah reached out and placed a finger through a belt loop in the waist of Bobie's Levis, tugging, she squeaked, "What do we do now?"
Bobie stared at the area, it looked to be some sort of desert, but there were mountains in the distance and shrubbery as well as cactus here and there. Heaving a sigh, she replied, "Not sure, but we had better get moving and fast. Won't take them long to realize we are no longer in the building, then they will come out here looking for us."
Turning to stare at where they had just escaped, she could see it was a large Quonset type complex. One large building in the center that snaked out to others along the sides. "That is big and I have to wonder just what are they doing inside that thing?"
Still holding on to the loop at Bobie's waist, Sarah answered, "I have no idea but whatever it is, it is not good, we should be thinking about getting away."
"Right, guess it is all the years in. . . Having been held in that place, I would like to know how and why."
"I can see that but later, can we think about this later?"
Bobie reached down and removed Sara's hand from the belt loop of her Levis and said, "Hope you are good at running, see those hills to the left?" Sarah nodded. "We are heading there as quick as our feet will take us, come on."
The two took off running as fast as they could, stopping to catch their breath and running again. Finally Bobie held up her hand and said, "Doesn't something strike you funny?"
Sarah looked puzzled as she asked, "What?"
Pointing in the direction they had come, Bobie replied, "No one has come after us yet."
"Be thankful, they have vehicles, we just have our feet. More than likely they are getting ready to do just that come after us but with equipment and guns."
"Sounds logical, I know I can't outrun a vehicle the likes of what I saw behind the fence near the far side of the compound. Look, break of some of the shrubbery, I'll do the same. Make sure it can be used to swipe."
Sarah tipped her head to the right and asked, "Swipe?"
"Yes. As we walk, we need to swipe away our tracks."
"Oh, just like in one of the books I read."
"Don't know about that but if they can't see any foot prints they may go a different direction, from what I see, there is a lot of space out here and a person could go anywhere."
Sarah did what Bobie had said and when she was finished she had to ask, "How about the broken shrubbery? Won't someone see it and know what we are doing?"
"Could be, but if they are in vehicles high off the ground, it is doubtful. Even if they did, they still would not know which way we are going."
Sarah gazed around then at the direction they were heading before she said, "Sure they will, doesn't take a genius to know we are heading to those hills."
"Ah but that is what we want them to think, instead we are going that way."
Sarah followed Bobie's finger which was pointing toward what looked like a canyon but in front of this was a large area of cactus, and shrubbery of some sort setting on a dry looking landscape. "Sure hope you are right. We get caught out there, nothing but cactus and shrubbery to hide behind."
"Then we do our best not to get caught. Now, walk, and swipe."
The two women were quite away from the complex and heading toward the canyon Bobie had pointed to when they saw two vehicles come tearing out of the complex area. They stopped only to be joined by two more. Expecting them to continue, they did not. Instead they lined up and stopped. These were followed soon by several people who came out on foot, they were dressed in military garb, olive green, each carrying submachine guns. It was obvious whoever this was, definitely wanted Bobie Parker back as well as Sarah.
Sarah poked Bobie in the left side and uttered, "Can't see them too good from here but if they catch us--"
Bobie patted the woman's hand and said, "Won't. Come on keep going." At this time there was a whirring noise close by and she reached out grasping Sarah by her left arm. "Stop."
Taken aback by Bobie's words and actions, Sarah asked, "Why?"
"Because I think that is a rattler."
"I hate snakes. You never said there was going to be snakes."
"If it makes you feel any better, I don't like them either. If we stay away from
clumps of rocks, shrubbery--"
"You mean there could have been snakes back there?"
"Could have but wasn't. Now come on, it will be dark before we know it."
The two worked diligently at swiping away their footsteps all the time making sure they were not walking into a den of snakes. Deciding to take a break, both sit down on the ground and began to pilfer through the knapsacks they carried over their shoulders. Finding some dry jerky and bottled water, they snacked.
Bobie gazed up at the sky and said, "Looks like it will be dark before I thought. We need to get someplace for the night."
Sarah looked around before saying, "My legs are tired and yours must be too. Not sure just how much further we are going to make it this day."
Bobie leaned back; her hands stretching back onto the sand to keep her sitting. "We have gone a great distance from there and as you have seen, they are going the direction I thought. Only a fool would take the path we are on now."
"Why is that?"
"Cause it is not the easiest way to go and not many want to spend the night out here. Will admit, mountains, hills, all have their way of protecting a person."
"Can we build a fire?"
"Not a good idea. The smoke can be seen and all our work would be for naught."
"Then what do we do? Neither one of us is dressed for the cold and it will get cold out here."
"We do have our bodies."
Sarah almost choked on the drink she was taking at the moment she heard Bobie's words.
Patting the woman on her back, Bobie asked, "Sarah are you all right?"
Taking a deep breath she replied, "Fine. Just went down the wrong windpipe. Are you ready to start again?"
"If you are. Let's go, hopefully we can at least make it to the mouth of the canyon before it does get dark."
The two women stood staring toward the canyon Bobie spoke of, both knowing they were too far to make it as was hoped. Sarah kicked at the dirt, while Bobie walked around the area; she did not go to far, only far enough to see what she had been looking for. Motioning for Sarah she called, "Come over here."
Trudging toward the woman, Sarah was definitely not enjoying the outsides as much as she had hoped. "What? Did you find something? Like a bed, warm blankets--"
Smiling toward the woman, Bobie said, "Nothing like that but maybe something that will help us make it through the night."
Feeling lost and frightened, Sarah said, "I read about you being an Annie Oakley when it came to saving someone but that was not out in a desolate area like this. What are you talking about, I don't see anything."
"I saw the look on your face when I said we have bodies. All I meant was that a person has body heat and it would not be the first time people huddled together to keep warm. We are in danger from a lot of things, so we have to do what we can to survive. I want you to begin digging in the dirt--"
"No way. I am not going to eat worms."
Throwing her head back, Bobie laughed. She had been so tensed up, and it felt good. This young woman had not been away from the city much it seemed and the thought of her digging up worms was comical.
The young woman huffed and puffed so much that actually Bobie thought she just might up and blow away any second. That is until Sarah sputtered, "What's so funny?
You laugh because of me on my knees digging for worms?"
"Nope. Has nothing to do with worms; however the thought did bring a chuckle to this very tired body. No worms, just dirt. You look perplexed, don't be. Dig up the dirt, and
Begin to place it in a circle, pile it on too, and keep doing this. If it won't stay, look for a rock or rocks to use in between to help hold the dirt."
Suddenly Sarah's face actually looked like a light had been turned on as it lit up with radiance. "A house, hogan, something for us to be in tonight, am I right?"
"Right, not a hogan, not even a house but it will be something for us to get in tonight. Just make sure the rocks are secure, do not want anything to topple down on us."
Hands on her hips, Sarah asked, "What about a roof?"
"Well, for now, shrubbery, foliage will do."
"unk uh--no way am I going to get snake bit."
"Take your personal swiper and makes noise, if you do not hear a rattle, then you are safe."
"Do you know how to tend to a snake bite?"
"I do, if needed but no one is going to get snake bit, I promise."
"What are you going to do?"
"Saw some rocks, going to check them out. The enclosure doesn't have to be too big."
Sarah feigned a smile and said, "Right, I forgot, body heat."
Turning to walk away, Bobie hoped Sarah did not see the grin on her face.
The two women worked hard at their tasks. Bobie carrying the rocks she had found to the area and Sarah actually building a fairly substantial place to stay in for the night. They had just finished when darkness began to settle in. Bobie had placed the rocks close to the opening of the shelter and once they were inside, Bobie began to place them over the opening of the entrance.
Once they sit and tried to relax Tara found a flashlight and got it working so she could find something to snack on. Bobie chose to drink her fill of water then she sighed. It had been a hectic day, but so far they were lucky for there had been no sounds of motors near and they were getting closer to the canyon. But of course once there, what would they find? Sighing she leaned forward, raised her knees and hugged them.
"Good thing I thought to bring the light, other wise we would be bumping into one another."
"Can't leave it on all night. Batteries will run down and you might still need it."
"Bobie?"
"Yes."
"Will it stay warm in here?"
"Nope."
"Then why build it? Look at my hands, my fingernails will never be the same."
Bobie was rocking back and forth as she sit, drawing her knees up and hugging them
gave her the movement of a rocking chair. She stopped what she was doing, turned to gaze at Sarah and said, "It is some shelter and will keep predators out, hopefully. It will also shield us some from the cold."
"Good. I don't like the cold. But hate the thought of predators more."
As the night began, Bobie continued to rock back and forth while Sarah began to shiver. "Cold, I'm cold. Can't you build a small fire in here?"
"No. We would get chocked from the smoke. No chimney, no outlet and besides, as I said earlier, the smoke will be detected."
"Can't take it, my bones are frozen. If it is not snakes, it is freezing."
"Doesn't have to be that way."
"I know you mentioned body to body. Just not sure how to do this or if I would be comfortable and how about you?"
"Been out before, caught, trapped, and needed shelter, and warmth. Have to say, body to body can certainly give off wondrous heat."
Sarah poked Bobie in the side and said, "I'm not talking about that kind of heat."
"I know, just relating. I have other ways that may also work."
Sarah was very open to anything and definitely wanted to hear what else might work.
Bobie pointed to the rocks she had covered the opening with. "If you take two of these rocks, hold them in each hand and strike one to cause friction, it will heat up the other.
Course this means you need to keep doing this to stay warm but it will work." Bobie took two of the rocks and did just that as Sarah watched mouth agape and totally amazed at what she was doing.
After she had placed the struck rock on the ground she said, "Hold your hand over it."
Sarah did as a big grin crossed her face. "It's warm."
"It may help, but be careful when striking it. And if you do get cold--"
"I know, body heat. Bobie, thank you,"
"Thank you, if not for you I would still be down there, or worse."
"Welcome. I only hope we can find a way out of this place and to people that will help. You have seen the area; do you have any idea where we are?"
"Not sure. Looks a bit like
Rattlesnake Basin but there are some things that give it a different look so at this moment, I don't know for sure."
"Anything named 'Rattlesnake' would mean to me there are a lot of them around."
"Makes sense. I think we will be fine as long as we keep our wits about us. I am going to try and get some shut eye, just be careful with those rocks."
"Bobie, how can you sleep with me hitting rocks?"
Lying on her left side, Bobie replied, "Hit them softly."
Sarah looked at the two rocks in her hands and then at Bobie who was laying with her head on her knapsack. The woman was actually snoring as Sarah smiled and whispered, "Have a good rest." Then she tried to strike the rock without using much strength, to her delight it still worked.
Sometime during the night, Bobie felt a body scoot up to her back and an arm fall over her waist, pulling her closer. She smiled and went back to sleep. Upon waking, in the morning she started to move only to be held fast by Sarah who was snuggled up close and did not want to lose the heat she had.
Reaching out and gently tapping the woman's hand, Bobie said, "Sarah, time to rise and shine." From behind there was a muffled groan as the woman's hand grew tighter. Turning in the hold, Bobie gazed into the sleeping face of Sarah Clemens, the woman looked very contented. She then glanced around the enclosure and could see the many rocks Sarah must have struck that night. Doing her best to wiggle from the woman's grasp, Bobie sit and ran her fingers through her blond hair. So much had been happening, she prayed that Skylar was all right and that she had stayed put. Reaching out she nudged Sarah and said, "Wake up sleepyhead; you have made it through your first night."
Sarah was surprised and delighted to see, she had indeed made it through the night. Glancing at the stones on the dirt floor she said, "Worked, the stones kept me snuggly warm."
Holding back a smile, Bobie said, "Good to know. Let's find something to eat, then we have to tear this down and make it look like it never existed. Take awhile so we need to get cracking."
Once the area had been swept clean, rocks buried, no sign of them being there they started to walk toward the canyon. Both Women looked like they had been in a windstorm, as dirt and dust was not only on their clothes but their faces and hands showed a great deal of it. It seemed to be mid afternoon by the position of the sun in the sky when Bobie said, "Let's take a breather, as you can see the canyon is close, we have put a lot of distance between them and us."
"Why do I hear a possible, but, you are not saying?"
"Because by now they have gone where they thought we went, but having not found any sign they will double back and head this way. Eventually they will come this way and we have to be long gone when they do."
"I understand. We have done well so far, what do you think we will run into in the canyon?"
"Don't know, hopefully someone that lives in the area who can give us help?"
Shaking her head, Sarah mumbled, "Doubtful. Can't believe anyone would live in there."
"Never know, I was taught as a child, to expect the unexpected."
"Then let's eat, drink some water, which we are getting low on and then set out again, still have a good part of the day to do this."
"Hopefully we will find success at the end of this."
"I am all for success when I think what is waiting for us if we do not."
The two ate their jerky and drank the water in silence. It had been a long hard
trek and both were tired. Neither wanting to let on to the other but still showing
signs of this in all they did.
Sarah stood and looked at the small path that twisted its way down into the canyon, they had made it this far and she only hoped that a bright future was in store for them now. Bobie reached out and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder saying, "We've come this far, let's do it."
A slight breeze was tussling Sarah's brown hair, which had grown quite a bit since the first time Bobie laid eyes on the woman. It was good to have a friend, for she had felt so alone and when Sarah happened into her life, it gave her hope.
Sarah looked at Bobie and asked, "Something on your mind?"
"No, just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life."
"Goes both ways. I am up for it, lead the way, I'll follow."
Bobie took the lead and Sarah followed sometimes too close as if she was afraid Bobie would disappear in a puff of smoke. Once at the feet of the canyon, the two looked for any signs of life, but there was none. It seemed the deeper one walked they would see higher and higher sides of dirt mixed with rock. Not the type of thing one might want to climb out on. Sitting on a flat rock, Sarah threw up her arms and said, "This is futile, we are stuck."
"Never admit defeat, my dear, and another thing I was taught, it's always darker before the dawn."
"Wow! You are just full of them aren't you?"
"Full of what?"
"Silly sayings that are getting us nowhere."
Ah, you are too much of a pessimist. There is always light at the end of a tunnel."
Sarah picked up a small pebble and tossed it at the woman. "Stop it. Anyone knows 'there is light at the end of the tunnel.'"
"I don't know about you but I won't give up this easily, haven't come this far only to sit and wait for them to catch up to me."
"I'm with you. It just gets frustrating."
Bobie moved in a circular fashion gazing at the many facets of this canyon and said, "At this moment it is our world, so let's get moving onward."
Standing, Sarah replied, "I got your back."
Bobie started to walk off and the young woman moved quickly to catch up with her. Bobie had been noticing the change in the landscape of the canyon, it was changing and so when they rounded a corner she was not as surprised as Sarah when a very steep wall of sand blocked their journey.
"What now all knowing one?" Sarah kicked at the sand with a disgusted look on her face she added, "All that way for this."
"Don't act so down, all we have to do is go up and over."
Glancing up, she replied, "If we were a bird perhaps but this is high and in case you did not notice, sand. We will go so far and fall back further."
"Then do you have any suggestions?" Bobie was beside herself. She knew Sarah was getting despondent; she too was experiencing similar feelings.
"Don't know; only know we can't go back. Like you said, they will come looking and at this time, shoot rather than capture."
"Then thank your lucky stars and hope never to be in their hands again. You can stay here and wait for them, me, I'm climbing."
Sarah shook her head in disbelief then said, "I'll sit right here waiting for you to slide back down." She did step back, fold her arms across her chest as she watched the beautiful blond attempt what she felt was a futile cause.
Bobie approached the steep wall of sand and began to poke at it. Then she walked about looking down until finding several broken tree branches. Taking a pocket knife from the knapsack she began to trim the branches. All this time Sarah watched thinking,
woman is wasting her time and her strength.
After several pokes into the sandy wall, she turned and said, "It is not all sand. If we get our hands and feet deep enough we should be able to hold on and keep going."
Looking toward the top of the wall, Sarah said, "That's a long way to fall."
Shrugging, Bobie said, "It is, but if I am going to go, might as well be doing what I want, not what some sort of militant wants."
"Do you think they are Military?"
"No doubt that, just wearing the type of garb, anyone can get their hands on this; it is all over the place is a person is looking. I'm going to give this a go, stay back, but watch. If it looks like I am going to make it, follow my steps. Better than waiting for what you know will happen."
It was a long difficult climb but Bobie was right, the sand only went so far and she was able to get a good hold with her hands and feet. Several times she slipped but was able to catch herself. Soon Sarah was taking her cue and following as Bobie suggested. When the two finally pulled themselves up and over the ledge, both lay exhausted.
Her voice fading, Sarah gurgled, "Can't believe we actually made it,"
Bobie reached over and touched Sarah's left hand and said, "We did. Never want to try that again."
Grasping Bobie's hand in hers, Sarah added, "Thanks to you. I was about to give up."
Acknowledging Sarah and her feelings, Bobie rolled onto her side and said, "I'll be--"
Following suit, Sarah asked, "You'll be what?" It was then she gazed at what Bobie had seen. Below them was an enormous ravine, deep and wide it was a majestic site to behold.
Sarah whispered, "So big, do you think if I stood on one side and yelled you would hear me on the other?"
"The way you are talking now, no. We are both taxed to the limit. Need to find a place to stay for tonight, try and get some rest. The ones that will be following us will be stopped when they come to the steep wall of sand. At least for awhile, hopefully for good.
"The sides are steep, even overhanging in places, this gives off an eerie vibe."
Tapping the woman on her left shoulder, Bobie said, "But doesn't that little stream at the bottom look inviting? I am thirsty and pray it is good water. Think you can make it down
As easily as you went up?"
"Ha ha, wasn't easy. How do we get down?"
Bobie stood and began to walk back and forth, each time she seemed to drop to her knees then stood and continued. It was when she disappeared from sight that Sarah became panicky and began yelling for Bobie. Though the sounds were more like a crippled fog horn. Before long Bobie appeared, smiling as she walked toward the woman.
"Found it."
Sighing, Sarah said, "The fountain of youth, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, found what?"
"Our way down. I got to thinking, this was not some wall of nature, no, I thought someone was behind it. Not sure when or how it happened but this was man built. At least it was people built. About twenty yards back there, it drops off, but better than that, there is a slide."
"I will never think of my life as dull again, since I have bet you, everything has been out of control. If someone had said to me I would be running from some sort of covert operation, trekking across barren ground, fearing rattle snakes, building some sort of sand, and rock igloo, spending the night striking stones to keep warm--"
"'Stones' you say? And 'warm'?"
"Yes, kept me warm all night."
Bobie ran her tongue against the inside of her left cheek before she interposed, "You did strike the stones but you grew tired and halfway through the night you decided to cuddle me for warmth."
"I didn't."
"Ah but you did. Believe me I am glad you did, shivering is not a good thing."
"If you say so, but you were no where near when I woke"
"Because I woke and moved away."
"Well, thank you for helping me through the night. And, Bobie Parker for helping me get away from those people."
"You are welcome. Follow me, I'll show you the slide."
Sarah looked at the slide, her eyebrows both arched as she turned to the woman and asked, "That is a long way down there. This thing will fly like a rocket, we will either get thrown and die, or burn up from the friction."
"Tell me Sarah Clemens have you always been such a spoilsport?"
"All right then you tell me how we are going to do this and live?"
"You're right about the speed and the friction but this is not the type of slide one might find in a playground or at some sort of an attraction, notice the bumps along the path, they should slow a person down. The slide is not metal and it is not straight down; it zigzags close to this hill of sand, dirt and rock. I think the way it is built, no one will just zoom. If I am right and people put this up, then they must have traveled on this a lot."
"If you are right."
"Then let me go first, if I don't make it, you do what you think is best."
"Nope, I will go with you. We came this far together; I want to go the rest of the way with you regardless what happens."
Bobie pointed to the pieces of tree branches that were used in climbing the steep wall of sand and said, "Each of us take two of these, perhaps we can use them as a brake in case needed. They are thick enough. And we can sit on the knapsacks. Take what we can from them, tuck our tops into the waist of the jeans, and then put what we can inside the tops"
Sarah was squinting her eyes as she mulled over Bobie's words. "Bulging our tops like that, we will look pregnant."
"Pregnant but alive."
"If you say so. I know, I don't want to sit on what I have left in the knapsack, heaven only knows what is down there, may not be anyway of finding food. I'll say one thing, never a dull moment with you Bobie Parker."
Once they were sitting beside each other, Bobie turned to Sarah and said, "Thanks again for helping m--" She never finished because Sarah leaned over and placed her lips on Bobie's in a soft brushing dance. When she pulled back, it was Bobbie Parker who had a look of surprise stammering, "Wh--why?"
"Because I like you and in case we do not make it, I wanted you to know. I'm ready now."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Continued