The Light of His Sword (2 page)

Alyssa forced herself to walk quickly across
the street not wanting to draw attention. She shifted Samantha in
her arms, opened the glass door to the diner and went inside.
Samantha buried her face in her mother’s shoulder hiding from the
bright light of the diner. The rush of warm air and aroma of hot
food was intoxicating. Alyssa’s stomach growled as she glanced
around. She was uncertain of what to do.

A long counter with red vinyl stools ran
across the far side. A row of red booths lined the windows. The
diner had stark white walls and silvery metallic tables with a gray
speckled floor. One solid red stripe ran around the edge of the
counter. She glanced at the chubby brunette waitress who was
talking to a man sitting at the nearest booth. There was a young
couple in a booth at the back of the diner staring intently at each
other. No one approached or even glanced in their direction. Alyssa
moved slowly to a booth at the center of the diner.

“I’m thirsty,” Samantha announced,
stretching her arms and allowing her mother to place her on the
seat in the booth beside her.

The waitress came to their table and said,
“I bet this little one would like a hot chocolate with
marshmallows.”

Alyssa stared at the waitress not knowing
what to say. The waitress recognized their clothing. They were from
the compound. Her heart went out to the young woman who was
obviously trying to escape. She glanced out the window. They didn’t
see this often, but when they did the others usually showed up
right away. She added, “And a cup of coffee with cream and sugar
for mommy? Perhaps a bowl of soup to warm your bones?”

“Yes,” Alyssa said softly.

The waitress disappeared behind the counter
and into the kitchen. Alyssa followed her gaze out the window. It
was so bright in the diner she couldn’t see any farther than the
dimly lit parking lot that held the gas pumps. A dark blue
semi-truck with a large white trailer blocked the view of the
street. She glanced at the man that sat in the booth near the door.
He had on blue jeans and a green flannel shirt; he must be the
truck driver. Their eyes met for a brief moment causing Alyssa’s
heart to jump. He was beautiful. His light brown hair, and deep
blue eyes were striking. He had high cheekbones and a square jaw
with a cleft chin.

Alyssa forced her eyes away from him and
glanced back to the parking lot as an old tan Buick pulled in and
stopped. Three men in gray shirts and black pants climbed out of
the car and glanced around. Alyssa ducked down in the booth and
grabbed hold of Samantha. She glanced toward the rear of the diner
as the waitress returned with their drinks. Noticing the look of
panic on Alyssa’s face, the waitress looked out the window at the
approaching men. She motioned toward the rear of the diner and
said, “Head to the back; there’s a door past the bathroom that
leads to the alley. I’ll keep them busy.”

Without another word, the waitress hurried
to the front door to block the men’s view of Alyssa’s escape. The
truck driver sat silently watching as Alyssa disappeared into the
short back hallway. He turned slowly to gaze at the three men who
entered. Casually rising, he left cash on the table, picked up the
sugar dispenser and nodded at the waitress. He locked eyes with the
oldest of the three men. He was tall, had dark hair speckled with
gray at the temples. The truck driver flashed the man an innocent
smile, pushing past him. He returned it with an icy glare.

“No, I haven’t seen anyone like that in here
tonight.” The waitress’ voice echoed behind him.

The truck driver walked slowly to the back
of the rusty Buick and flipped down the license plate at the rear
of the vehicle. He emptied the sugar dispenser into the gas tank,
then casually walked to his truck.

Alyssa held onto Samantha and ran across the
back of the diner toward the two-lane highway that led out of town.
Exhaustion made her arms and legs feel like lead. She stumbled,
nearly falling. She wasn’t going to make it; she wasn’t strong
enough.
Oh grandma, I was such a fool to think I could do
this!
Her mind screamed.

She glanced down at her daughters frightened
face turned up toward hers searching for comfort. A voice inside
her urged,
Keep going. Don’t stop, you’re nearly there.
Suddenly a burst of energy flowed through her. She didn’t stop
running until she found the remnants of a small white barn sitting
alone in the center of a field. The barn leaned precariously to one
side. Running around to the rear through the deep mud that sucked
the shoes off her feet, she sat Samantha down and pulled at the
wide wooden door sliding it sideways to reveal a car hidden
inside.

Alyssa smiled in relief. “We did it!” She
whispered to Samantha. “Now you can rest and soon we will be
safe.”

The barn smelled of straw, animal musk and
manure. The scent was so strong Alyssa could almost taste it. She
pulled the envelope from her pocket and found the key. Unlocking
the car door, she slid behind the wheel and sat Samantha on the
cold vinyl bench seat beside her. When she closed the car door, the
lights went out and Samantha gasped in fear.

“It’s okay sweetie,” Alyssa pulled Samantha
against her and opened the door to turn the light back on.

Alyssa pulled the note from her pocket and
read the instructions about the car. She studied the console
searching for the spot where the key should go. Finally, she found
a small opening on the steering column and wiggled the key until it
slid into the narrow slit. She turned the key, and the engine
started. Alyssa thought her heart would burst with excitement as
she wiggled the shift lever until it slipped into reverse. She
pushed lightly on the gas pedal.

The car lurched backward much faster than
she expected and bounced across the grassy field. Alyssa stomped on
the brake with her left foot and jolted to a stop. Samantha slid
from her seat onto the floor and began to cry.

“Oh baby!” Alyssa said reaching for her. She
pulled her near and kissed her cheek asking, “Are you hurt?”

“No mommy,” Samantha said quietly, adding,
“Just don’t do that again. Maybe you should go slower.”

Alyssa laughed and said, “Thank you; I will
do my best.”

She took a deep breath and searched for the
knob that turned on the headlights. When she located it, and the
lights came on, she smiled at Samantha and put the car into gear.
The car jerked as she struggled to move toward the highway. A dark
blue semi-truck sped by as she reached the road. The truck driver
smiled at the crazy driving. “Oh boy,” he whispered softly.

Alyssa pulled gingerly out behind the truck
driver and followed him down the road. His taillights disappeared
in the distance as she began to pick up speed. Her spirits soared
as the distance grew between them and the compound. She glanced
down at Samantha, who stared out the windshield into the darkness
before them. They had done it! They escaped Walton’s clutches!
Samantha was safe! They were both safe and on their way to their
new life!

Samantha would never have to endure the evil
of the sanctuary. Tears filled Alyssa’s eyes at the thought of the
other children she was forced to leave behind. She had been one of
those children not so long ago. She was spared the worst of it. She
was never taken to the sanctuary. She was taken to the high elder
Walton instead. She gave birth to Samantha at age 15, still a child
herself. She would never allow that to happen to her baby. Once she
reached the safety of her grandmother’s farm; she would see to it
no other child suffered at the elders’ hands again. She would find
a way to rescue them.

Alyssa reached out to play with the knobs
and buttons on the dash that appeared to be a heater. She slid one
nob into the red zone and flipped a switch. A surge of warm musty
air poured through the vents in the dash. Samantha smiled up at her
and reached out to warm her hands in the gentle flow of air. Alyssa
reached over and stroked Samantha’s hair. They were together and
safe. Alyssa was determined to keep it that way.

However, Walton was not one to give up
easily. Alyssa forced herself to stay awake and drive until the
purple glow of dawn caressed the horizon in front of them. Her
fingers ached from clutching the steering wheel tightly for so many
hours. Luckily, Samantha fell asleep shortly after the car filled
with warmth. Her tiny head lay nestled on Alyssa’s lap.
Just
keep driving
, she told herself. She pulled the envelope from
her pocket as the suns soft light filled the car. Reaching inside
she pulled out her grandmother’s note. It not only listed
instructions about the car, but which highways to take to reach her
farm.

It was a long journey. It would take at
least 4 days to drive from northern Idaho to Indiana because they
were going to drive straight south first, then turn east once she
was certain they were not being followed. Walton would be extremely
angry at her escape, so she had to be careful. Glancing at the note
Alyssa checked the first two highways listed. She glanced up at the
signs they passed to verify she was on the right road. Yes, there
was a road sign. She was doing fine.

When the sun rose higher in the sky, the car
began to grow too warm. Alyssa turned down the heat and rolled down
her window a tiny bit to allow the moist morning air to fill the
car. Samantha rubbed her eyes and sat up glancing around.

“I’m hungry, mommy.” She said with a yawn,
gazing at her expectantly.

Alyssa stretched her arms and leaned
forward, trying to stretch the sore muscles in her back. She was
exhausted and sleepy. A large sign up ahead said
Travel
Center
. Alyssa pointed at the sign and said, “There is a place
we can stop. It says it’s for travelers, and that’s who we are
today.”

Samantha glanced at the sign and smiled.
“Can I get a sweet biscuit?”

“Of course, they might even have chocolate.”
Alyssa smiled and turned into the large parking area filled with
cars and semi-trucks. Gas pumps sat under a tall canopy that
surrounded the large main building. Alyssa glanced down at the
panel on the car and noted the gauge was pointing toward the
E
, which must mean it was nearly empty. They would need gas.
She hoped she would be able to figure out how to do it. She parked
next to a row of cars in front of the diner.

The moist concrete was so cold on Alyssa’s
bare feet. She glanced down at her mud-caked toes as she pulled
open the door that said
No shirt, no shoes, no service
and
tried to control her breathing as they went inside.

The store was filled with food, clothing and
a small variety of toys. Soft music rang through the store. Alyssa
and Samantha gazed at everything in awe for only a moment before
Samantha began to dance. “I have to go potty.” She whispered,
glancing nervously around the store.

Alyssa saw a sign with a silhouette of a man
and a woman that said
Restrooms
and headed toward them. The
bathroom held so many stalls Alyssa hesitated at first, then walked
quickly to the first stall and took Samantha inside. There was only
one other woman in the restroom when they came out of the stall.
Alyssa watched as the older woman pushed a button on the box for
soap then held her hands under the faucet. Alyssa gasped, amazed as
the water rushed out onto the woman’s hands.

Following suit, she and Samantha giggled as
the water appeared magically on command then stopped when they
pulled their hands away. The box with paper towels did the same.
Popping a towel out when they reached toward it.

A small display case of pastries was located
at the back of the store. Samantha chose several and placed them in
a small white box. A long row of refrigerators with glass doors
held drinks and other snacks. Alyssa pulled out a small bottle of
chocolate milk and handed it to Samantha. They walked down each
aisle in the store amazed at the food and assortment of toys and
other unknown items displayed. Finding a small shelf that held
soaps and perfumes Alyssa grabbed a pair of sandals marked as
discounted. Alyssa chose a couple bags of assorted nuts and cookies
then headed to the cashier.

Intent on keeping Samantha by her side
Alyssa didn’t notice the truck driver from the diner standing in
line in front of them until he turned around. His hair was damp,
and he smelled of soap. Alyssa gazed into his deep, blue eyes and
felt that same lurch in her stomach as in the diner.

He flashed a surprised smile, adjusted
several energy drinks and bottled waters in his hands. “Good
Morning, ladies! It’s nice to see you again. Traveling far?”

Alyssa pulled her eyes away and glanced at
the floor. “Yes,” she answered in a quiet yet annoyed tone. She
forced her eyes to rise and focused on placing her items on the
counter as he moved aside.

He glanced at the pretty little girl beside
her, then back to Alyssa. She had dark circles under her eyes; her
dress was slightly torn. Both of their clothes held stains and
splashes of dirt. His gaze lingered on Alyssa’s muddy bare feet. He
said, “It looks like you could use this more than me.” He handed
her one of the energy drinks, “It’s not a drug. It’s full of
vitamins and caffeine. It’s like having 4 cups of coffee all at
once. It will keep you awake for several hours.”

Alyssa paid the cashier with cash and
glanced up at him as she accepted the can of liquid. He had a very
kind face. His eyes were sincere and beckoning. “Thank you,” She
said in a soft tone.

“My pleasure and you might be interested in
the farmers market a couple miles up the highway if you are looking
for some fresh fruit.” He winked at the child, then turned and
headed out the door.

Alyssa pulled the food from the counter,
took hold of Samantha’s hand and followed him outside. He stopped
to open one of his bottled waters just outside the door. Alyssa
took a deep breath and approached him.