Our beginning

Into The Unknown

As I started making a plan to get them the 8 blocks we needed to travel I needed to know what we may or may not run into. I decided it would be a better idea to put the car in neutral and push it as far as we could with Cheyanne and Maverick sleeping inside that way I knew they were all safe and I didn't have to sacrifice any extra protection for myself or the kids.

Since all the cooking gear was put away and I was almost ready for our newest adventure, I started getting all my gear back on and with knowing it wouldn't only be humans I I pulled out some extra toys. When I got my holster out and took my back pack off Brian knew I was getting ready for anything we could possibly run into, "Get my hatchets..." he was already heading towards the trunk to get them out of their hiding place but I didn't want to startle the kids so I made it obvious what was happening.

Tess and Amy's eyes lit up as Brian handed me my favorite weapons and I put them in there holsters on my back. "Let's hope you don't have to see me use these little ladys." I smirked and winked which made them both giggle and smile.

Brian smiled at their reaction, "She's a warrior women when she needs to be, I'm glad I heard you in that room. I'm honored to help the 5 of you get home." he dramatically bowed and gave his biggest toothy grin. The girls laughed so hard and that made me smile, it was nice to see them smiling. I wasn't sure how long they'd been here but we were meant to find them and that I felt deep down in my heart and soul.

"Oh, stop playing around already Brian. I'm going to need the tow rope hooked to the car so I can help guide it without starting her up or having someone in the driver's seat the first...." I glanced at the map, "we'll go for 2 blocks for now.... I can see all the way down and if we get the car centered out it's a straight shot. I'll set the steering wheel and hook the rope to me like I do Kena, the kids can sit on the hood and trunk while you two push. When we get to the two block point we'll start a new plan for the next two blocks. Sound good?" I already knew no one was going to argue with me but I wanted to make sure no one saw any flaws in my plan.

As we evened the car out to make it a straight shot I noticed movement down a few blocks and was glad I had only said two blocks to start off. If I changed plans now it would make those looking up to me nervous, especially Brian because he knew me better than anyone else here did. I kept my eyes on the distance but made sure no one noticed, "A little to the left.... now back to the right.... there we go.... we're evened out.... let's get everyone settled where they're going to be the next 2 blocks, we're going all the way to the end of the second block." As we got children situated I noticed the movement again and tried not to be noticed as I knelt down and took a better look. I put the girls on the front hood closest to me since they seemed to be warming up to me. "Ready to go?" Both Brian and Luke nodded and stood at either end of the trunk with the three young boys on the trunk between them.

Amy whispered something in her sister's ear and then nodded toward the movement and Tess looked a bit nervous. "She says she saw something run across the street a few blocks down." Tess said softly to me so no one else heard.

I leaned over and quietly replied, "Good eye... I saw it when we started moving the car, let's keep this between the of us and if you see anything that could potentially harm any of us give me a little whistle. Alright?" They both smiled through their whole faces, I could see the excitement in their eyes. When they started nodding vigorously I got the rope tied to my waist and gave the guys a nod to start pushing as I pulled the car in the direction I wanted us to go.

Everything was going perfectly and we made it to our goal in no time at all, two blocks down and six more to go. I hadn't seen any more movement and the girls hadn't either but I had to make sure the guys were prepared if anything bad were to happen. We had taken a bit to get ready and everything was set now so I knew the car wasn't going to be a problem but outside interference absolutely could turn into an issue. My main concern was that those two blocks just seemed a bit to easy so better to be prepared than not.

"Keep a look out for me girls," I winked, "I'll be right back." I walked to the back of the car and motioned for Luke and Brian to follow me so I could talk to them.

"Have you noticed anything strange? out of the ordinary? anything?"

"No, you sound like you did though?" Brian smirked in amusement.

"Not just me, I kept it to myself and then the girls both noticed it also..." I glanced over where we had seen the figure and then looked back at them. "Something was moving around in the shadows over there and then the girls saw it moving around then cross the street, we didn't get a good look but I wanted to make sure you both knew before we go another 2 blocks."

"We'll keep an eye out." Luke said and I noticed his knife hanging out of his side holster.

"Ready? We'll go 2 more blocks." They both nodded and got back where they had been pushing earlier. I approached the front of the car and Tess looked me over for a moment questioning like. "They didn't notice anything, you guys see anything new?"

"I think I saw a deer or something but it wasn't what I saw earlier. Amy says it didn't look like what she saw either, do you think they left?" Tess seemed a bit nervous but she wasn't wanting her feelings noticed, probably trying to be strong for her sister.

"Maybe.... We're going to keep an eye out anyways though, just to be safe. Ready to go another two blocks? Looks like a clear shot to me." I mused.

"Yep!" They both chimed at the same time.

"Remember.... if you want me to stop...." I listened....

"Whistle...." They whispered and then I winked and got ready to pull and guide the way again.

We got another two blocks with no problem so I turned around and twirled my pointer finger above my head, to signal for us to go another two blocks, four blocks down four more to go. Everyone nodded to give the go ahead so I kept leading the way but this time I had a strange feeling that I was being watched now and I couldn't shake it. I turned my head to look at the girls and they were scouting the area like they felt the same eerie feeling that someone was watching us, which only made me more uncomfortable but the boys looked rather relaxed and it seemed that everyone in the car was fast asleep. Then again, they hadn't seen the shadow and we had. When we got to our five block marker we had to turn right two blocks and that made me a bit happier since the shadow had gone to the left. I stopped and informed everyone of the next steps in our plan, I hadn't thought this was going to go as smooth as it had but that was a relief and I relaxed a bit. When we got to block seven there were several problems though.

"When you left home was there a hole in this road?" I asked Tess and Amelia.

"No, what day is it? Tess asked.

"Thursday.... I think." I replied, "Why? How long were you 5 in the library?" she looked like she might cry so I went over and put my arms out offering a hug if she wanted it. As soon as I did, she practically jumped on me and buried her face in my neck to hide while hot tears gathered on me. "It's alright... we're going to turn the car around and make sure that everyone I'm leaving at the car will be safe while I bring you all home. I'm not giving up so don't you give up sweetheart." I said softly so only the three of us could hear.

Seemed like that helped a bit and she started to calm down so I gave her my handkerchief to wipe her face and waited for her to speak again.

"We were there for three days, we were having a sleep over and our dad fell asleep early so we decided to sneak out and have some fun. I shouldn't have had everyone go to the library but I really wanted to get a book and Miles told Amelia that he had heard zoo animals were locked in there so she wanted to go too. My dad's probably really worried about us, he's going to be so mad at me." The moon was brilliant tonight and the stars were bright and every which way you could look.

I smiled at her as I looked into her adorable eyes, "I'm sure your Daddy misses you so much that he won't be mad at all. I know that I would be worried sick if I fell asleep and five children were missing when I woke up."

"You're really sure?" she looked sad and worried.

"He loves you, right?"

"Yes...."

"Then, I'm surer than sure.... Are you ready to help me find our way to your Daddy?" she nodded with a smile and Amelia jumped over her sister and into my arms with the biggest smile on her face.

"Thank you soooo much! I miss my Daddy!" happy tears trailing from her eyes and now mine because she spoke to me.

"Let's do this... I would never abandon you and I can't just take you with me so you're stuck with me and I'm stuck with you until we find your Dad." They seemed way happier so I turned around and looked at the boys, "We're going to have to split up again.... Let's get the car turned around and in a safe position, Brian you'll stay here and I'll be taking Luke with me. There's only about a block to go according to the girls but we have to get around this hole and they've been gone at least three days."

"Sounds good to me!" They both chimed, "Time to get you all home." Luke said to the boys.

After we got everything set up and we were ready to go, Brian gave me a hug and I told Kena and Luna to be good. I waited for Brian to get in and lock the car then made sure our walkie talkies were working.

"Testing.... Testing.... Chevy Girl to Shorty21...... Come Back...."

"Shorty21 to Chevy Girl... All Clear.... Stay Safe, I'll be waiting."

"Ten Four"

We decided to follow the hole and then find our way from there. I had Luke and the boys go first so I could keep an eye on things and the girls wanted to walk backwards to "watch my back" as they put it. They kept me smiling as often as they could.

"I think I know why we didn't see the shadow anymore... Chevy... turn around...." Tess looked rather serious.

As I turned around a knee high black fluffy fuz ball of a dog ran straight between my legs almost knocking me over and jumped on Amelia. "It's Champ!!" I was glad the dog was one they knew and not some stray looking for food. "Is Dad with you?"

I couldn't see anyone and we didn't really have time to look around," I'm guessing he followed you when you left and has been waiting for you. It might have made him nervous with all the new smells and Kena added with your scent." They nodded and we continued on towards the thought of the hole ending.

Once we found the end of the hole the kids pretty much led the way to our destination and I was relieved to see a sad looking man's face brighten up as he ran to his children and held them in his arms. "I'm so happy to see all of you safe, I was so worried." and then when Amelia started rattling on about how cool I am and that she was sad I had to go he turned to me, "She's talking? I can't thank you enough.... are you sure you have to go right away?"

"I have my own family to make it home to and a 21 hour drive to do so. I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time to help. It was nice meeting you all, maybe we'll see each other again. I'm sure they have story's to tell you and we need to get back to the car to get going." all of the kids gave me hugs and the girls both kissed my cheek before we headed back.

We jogged all the way back and I let Brian know we were on our way. Our stop in Brownsville had taken more time than I had planned but I was glad we got to be there for those little ones in their time of need.