I forced myself to concentrate, making sure I had plenty of tissues, another protein bar and my cell phone. I secreted the tiny LED flashlight in my b*a and, just as a precaution, I shoved my handy-dandy knife into the side of my boot and slipped my handgun into my zippered coat pocket. I tried to hydrate myself as best as I could by drinking another bottle of water before sliding outside into the icy wind. I never in a million years thought I would long for those sizzling, furnace-like days of summer, but I sure did as I zipped my jacket chin-high. Then I stealthily made my way towards the gate—fully expecting it to be locked—and mentally prepared myself to climb through the barbed-wire fence. Much to my surprise, I discovered the gate unlatched and standing open a few inches with th
