Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny (7 page)

“I didn’t miss,” Agnes said. “If I’d shot him, there would have been a big mess to clean up and lots of paperwork afterwards. I thought hitting the fence post next to him would be sufficient.”

“In that case, ma’am, I rescind the requirement about target practice,” the officer said and they continued into the house. “I couldn’t have hit that close to the center of the post if I’d tried.”

They went inside and while Agnes cut the officer a large piece of pie, Robert poured them all cups of fresh coffee. Sitting around the table, they discussed the problem of Delmar’s brother.

“He’s been a problem to us for quite a while,” the officer said. “He’s had several run-ins with us, but nothing we can hold him on.”

“He has?” said Robert with open surprise. “We spoke to the director down at the social agency yesterday and she claimed that he was an exemplary citizen.”

“That’s a laugh!” replied the officer. “But it figures, knowing that agency.”

“We’ve had our frustrations with them too,” said Agnes evenly. “We tried to get them to do something about the abuse that man is inflicting on Delmar, but got nowhere.”

“You’ve got our sympathy, ma’am,” the officer said. “How is Delmar doing anyway?”

“That’s what we don’t know,” answered Robert. “After bringing him home from his graduation test yesterday, he went home and we haven’t seen him since. Then last night his brother came here thinking we were hiding the boy, so we suspect Delmar has run off.”

“That is interesting news,” remarked the officer. “You say Delmar didn’t show up here?”

“That’s right,” Robert said. “We went out and searched early this morning but couldn’t find him.”

The officer thought for a moment. “It’s probably best the boy didn’t come here. This is where his brother would look first. And if the boy is classified as a runaway, the social agency will have him sought out and arrested.”

“Do you think Dorn will report it?” Agnes asked.

“Don’t think so. If he did, they would cut off the financial aid they’re sending him to care for his brother. I’m sure he won’t jeopardize that.”

“That’s a relief,” Robert said. “I wish we could find the boy and help him.”

“Until he turns twenty-one, we can’t do a thing about getting him out from under his brother,” the officer added.

“There has to be a way,” Robert said.

The officer thought for a minute. “There might be one way, if we can find him,” the officer answered. “Of course, he has to be at least eighteen first.” The trio fell silent as they thought through the situation.

“I just hope he can stay safe until his birthday,” Robert said, shaking his head. “If he goes home, he’s in for nothing but trouble.”

“Well, he better not come here,” the officer said. “The social agency will probably have you under surveillance for a few days, especially after your visit to their office yesterday. If nothing else, Dorn and his drinking buddies will be watching your place.”

∞∞∞

The light filtering into the cold interior of the dilapidated shack fell on the huddled form on the dirt floor. With a shudder, the boy stirred and raised himself up into a sitting position. The back of his head still ached, and he could feel the bruises on his knees from hitting the floor when his brother had attacked him.

A metallic taste in Delmar’s mouth made him realize that at least one of his brother’s blows had connected. Though he didn’t recall being hit there, he checked his teeth with his tongue and found everything as it should be. His stomach growled and he ignored it of necessity.

After checking through cracks in the wall for anyone waiting outside, Delmar removed the barricade from the makeshift door and stepped out into the early sunlight. He washed and drank his fill at a nearby creek in an effort to quiet his stomach and to clear the bitter taste from his mouth. He returned to the shack to consider his options.

He knew could never return to the farm out of fear for his safety. Legally, his brother was still his guardian until he turned twenty-one. But the thought of over three more years like last night made him shudder.

His brother would check the Hassel farm, and Delmar refused to endanger them. From what Mr. Hassel had told him, he knew going to the social agency would only get him into more trouble, either with them or with his brother. This meant there was no other option. He would have to survive alone until he turned twenty-one. A deep sense of loneliness descended on Delmar at the prospect of hiding out for three years.

∞∞∞

The Hassels started trying to figure out how they could find Delmar, much less help him. They’d found no sign of him, and although discouraging, probably meant his brother couldn’t find him either. Robert figured that Delmar would avoid their place, and his brother showing up last night explained why.

Robert knew Delmar would probably hide out for a while and there were plenty of hills and hollows for that. Hunger would be a definite problem for the boy. There was little to live off of in the woods at this time of year. Anything from last season would be long gone, and it was still too early in the spring for there to be much new growth. Water would be no problem, and Delmar was resourceful enough to build or find some sort of shelter.
Food
, thought Robert,
would be the key
.

All day he tried to think of how to find the boy but came up with nothing viable. While he was feeding the stock, he realized that he’d been trying to figure it out backwards. He didn’t need to find Delmar. The boy would find him. With the glimmer of a workable plan in his mind, Robert hurried back to the house for supper.

After washing up, Robert sat down while Agnes brought the last items to the table. She took her place at his right, and after a brief prayer to the Unseen One, they served themselves.

Robert had just gotten a bite of roast beef into his mouth when Agnes spoke up. “Oh Robert, I just can’t get my mind off of Delmar.”

“I know,” he said after hastily choking down the bite. “He’s been on my mind all day too.”

“What are we going to do?” Agnes asked. “How are we going to find him?”

“We’re going to do nothing,” Robert said. “When the time is right, he’ll find us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Right now,” explained her husband, “it isn’t safe for Delmar, especially here. Dorn will be watching us. He’s going to have to hide out until we can get this mess straightened out.”

“But what about food? How will he survive?”

“I’m sure he’ll do fine on all accounts except food,” Robert answered. “That’s where we come in.”

“How?”

“What I’m thinking is that Delmar will contact us when and where we least expect it. If we don’t expect him, neither will Dorn.”

Thinking for a moment, Robert continued. “What we need to do is always be carrying non-perishable food with us so when we do meet, we can give it to him quickly.”

“But we can’t carry enough food like that to feed the boy, and large packs will attract attention.”

“I know,” Robert said. “For now, the first move is up to him.”

∞∞∞

The subject of their conversation was just returning to the shack after exploring the nearby hollows. Several caves in the vicinity looked inviting but further up in rougher country, Delmar found an ideal cave in which to hide. Situated high enough that he could survey the approaches without being seen, it was still well concealed by surrounding trees and outcroppings of native stone.

Inside he found a small clear stream that showed signs of being a year-round water source. He found several small vents in the deeper chambers of the cave, a couple of which with a little work would make excellent emergency escape routes. Tomorrow he’d move up there after he had done something about finding food.

It had been over twenty-four hours since Delmar had last eaten, and he knew from experience that he could go another two days before it greatly hindered him. During his search, he’d found no berries or fruit ready to eat and had no tools or weapons with which to hunt. Delmar considered raiding farms down in the valley but the thought of stealing from his neighbors was repulsive to the boy.

His only option left was to get food from someone like the Hassels. He’d thought of them often and knew they would understand his need. The problem was that going there might place them in danger from his brother who would surely be watching.

“Watching!” the boy exclaimed aloud. “Watch!” Digging in his pocket, he found the old pocket watch from the 653rd safe and unharmed. He opened it and saw that it had run down. Looking at it hard, a plan began to form in his mind.

∞∞∞

Early the next morning Agnes went out to put a letter in the mailbox. Opening it, she found the old watch, a twig of hickory, and a piece of limestone.

“Robert!” she cried. At first, she was afraid to touch the items, and then hesitantly gathered them into her trembling hands. When her husband got there, she was holding them out in front of her.

“What is it?” he asked breathlessly as he ran up to her. She lifted the items toward him and the realization dawned on his face. Without saying a word, he led her into the house where she laid the items on the kitchen table.

“We know he’s all right,” Agnes said in a whisper.

“Yes,” Robert agreed. “This is obviously from him. But why?”

“He’s not rejecting our gift, is he?” she asked, suddenly fearful.

“No,” her husband said. “I think this is some sort of message.”

Robert sat for a while trying to unravel the secret of the three items. That Delmar had somehow wanted to communicate with them was a relief. The boy would have figured out about his need of supplies and he was appealing to them. Looking at each item in turn, Robert began to form an idea.

“Agnes, I think these might indicate a location of where we can find Delmar.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at this rock,” Robert said. “It’s unique to about three or four places up in those hills. Delmar knows about that because we covered it a few months ago in his studies.”

Picking up the hickory twig, he continued, “This is from a hickory, which is also rare.”

“So if we could find some hickory near such an outcropping, we’d know his location!” Agnes said excitedly.

“Yes, and I think I know of such a place.”

“Then we can take supplies to him.”

“Not yet,” Robert said. “We can’t just leave food out. Animals could get it before he does.”

Robert picked up the watch and carefully opened it, thinking there might be a note inside. He was disappointed when he found nothing. He stared at the face of the watch for a moment. Absentmindedly, he started winding the watch when the idea hit him. Looking at the face again, he realized that it was set for exactly eleven-thirty.

“That’s it!”

“What?” asked Agnes.

“Delmar stopped the watch and set it for the time he wants to meet us!” Robert continued. Glancing at the kitchen clock, Robert noted that he had plenty of time to get ready.

“Agnes,” he said, “start packing some foodstuffs in my old side pack while I gather some tools and fishing gear.”

Agnes rose and entered her pantry while Robert laid the watch down and hurried to his workshop. A short time later, the side pack was ready. “When do we leave?” Agnes asked.

“We don’t,” Robert replied. “I’m going alone, tonight.”

“But why, Robert?” she asked pleadingly. “I want to see the boy too. You know I can still hike.”

“It’s not that I’m worried about your ability, honey,” Robert said with a smile. “You always were athletic, even after you retired from the Ladies of the Fleet to be with me. It would attract too much attention if we both go.”

Agnes looked crestfallen and then frowned. “What do you want me to do here?”

Robert thought for a moment. “Stay here and make a distraction if anyone comes. I don’t want to be followed.”

Later that night, Robert shouldered the pack and left out the back door. Crossing behind his barn, he was soon in the woods. Back at the house, Agnes closed all of the curtains and went upstairs to their room. She turned on a low light and put a cartridge in the player. The room soon filled with music. All that could be seen from outside was the rosy glow of lamplight on the curtains.

Robert followed several of the game trails that ran deep into the hollows. Turning up one in particular, he reached his destination only an hour after leaving the farm. Pausing for breath after his climb, he was startled by the snap of a branch behind him. Turning cautiously, he saw the form of a man separate itself from the darkness.

“Delmar?” he whispered.

“Mr. Hassel?” returned a whispered reply. “Am I glad to see you!” Embracing in a hug for a moment, Robert pulled back and looked at the boy.

“Not here,” Delmar whispered. Motioning the older man to follow, the boy led him for some distance until they came to a thicket. He pulled back a tangle of branches and revealed a hole even darker than the night. Robert followed him through the opening. Once inside, Delmar whispered again. “Okay, we’re safe in here.”

Robert opened his pack and pulled out a small hand lantern. He switched it on and the meager light he allowed to escape from his overshadowing hand revealed they were in a deep cave. He turned his eyes toward the boy and was shocked and disgusted by what he saw.

The young face looking back at him was clean but bruised and suffering ugly dried cuts. It was obvious that Delmar had received a few going away presents at the hands of his brutish brother.

“We packed you some supplies,” Robert said, opening the pack. “It should be enough to keep you for a week or two.”

“Thanks, Mr. Hassel!” the boy said as he eyed the food hungrily. Robert reached into his jacket and pulled out the old pocket watch.

“Here,” he said, “I thought you might want this back.” The boy’s smile was more eloquent than words.

“You better eat, son,” Robert said. “You look like you could use it.” Just then, Delmar’s stomach growled a reply.

Robert sat down next to the boy while he quickly ate two sandwiches Agnes had packed on top of the supplies as a decoy for Robert in case he was stopped by a roving patrol. That he occasionally went out at night to stargaze was no secret. Robert let Delmar eat while he filled him in about what had happened since they were last together. After he’d finished the sandwiches, Delmar told Robert about what happened with his brother. The older man gritted his teeth in anger. They discussed what Delmar should do and arranged to meet again for more supplies.