After Day One

After Day One (final half)

Seventeen

Home Free

“Oliver, where the hell are we?” John said.

Just be thankful we’re out of the god-awful tunnel.

Oliver looked around at the trees, the mountains looming high above, the creek, and the cabin hidden on a hill behind the trees.

“Yes, some explaining is in order, but all in due time, all in due time,” he said and continued up the trail toward a small stream. He pointed to a fork of paths that led farther up into the mountains. “All these trails lead to our little-known pass through the mountains. We’ll find some extra supplies up there at the cabin. Fresh food, water. Maybe rest awhile, resupply, and catch our breath.”

“I’m so thankful, Oli, for your always lengthy, yet un-insightful explanation.”

“Thank you, John.”

Sage came out of the opening followed by Quinn, Sierra, and Adam. Sierra stretched her arms out wide and put her face to the sun.

“I think your sarcasm is lost on Oli right now, John,” Sage said.

Maybe we should make a run for it while we have the chance.

“Oh yes, finally!” Sierra said. “I think I would have gone mad if I would’ve had to be in there one more second.”

“That sun feels amazing,” Quinn said.

John sighed, dropped to one knee, and surveyed his companions. No one had rested since the fight in the tunnel, since they’d lost Jane. Their dirt-covered faces were pale with weariness, and their shoulders slumped from exhaustion, from carrying more than just the baggage they had on their backs.

They need a break, John.

They need to keep moving.

They need a break.

Give me a quick scan while we break then, Cam.

“We need to check our stock and see what we have left. We have a long way to go.”

John pulled a leathery meat stick out of one of his pouches and held it out for Adam.

“Here, boy. You did good in the tunnel today, Adam, yes you did. I have another scout for you, boy.”

Adam licked John’s hand and chomped down the jerky before taking off into the woods.

“Where’s Adam going?” Quinn said.

“He’s going to check ahead make sure it’s safe.”

Sierra glared at him. “It’s sick, you know. You just using him to do the dangerous stuff you don’t want to do all the time.”

“Well, I guess I’m a sick guy then.”

“Whatever,” Sierra said.

She dropped her pack and stormed over by a fresh stream that ran out of the rocks and along the trail. Quinn followed her and let Sage, John, and Oliver decide on what to do next.

“We have to keep moving,” John said.

“I understand your point, John, but we have to rest. We have to eat, and we have to restock. All things we can do at the cabin.”

You know he’s right, John.

If we rest now we might never get moving again.

“You know,” Sage said, “I can see how standing out here and discussing going to a cabin that’s only a couple hundred yards away might make sense to you two, but I’m a little lost.”