A Abba's Apocalypse (17 page)

the consistent flopping sounds drawing near. I rack my head

for an answer to this dilemma. Once more I beg God for help. I now see four trotting legs linking this floating shadow. I think to myself, “I got it!” The thought occurs to me as the fatigued family arrives.

              Moses and Katie pant while I pull some rope out of my sack. I pull Moses bent over body away from the bunch to inform him about the change in plans. He straddles his slightly bent knees with his hands as he shuffles along with me. I measure off two sections of rope that are each five arm lengths long. I tell Moses, “This is what we are going to do,” as I slice free two sections. “We can’t make it to the store tonight. There are too many LD vigilantes roaming the streets. Trying to make it to the safety of the store is just plain suicide. It’s just too far. My house is out of the question. I even thought of searching for a nearby abandoned house. But, we just can’t be sure what’s inside. They’re setting traps for us. They’re angry and want their ‘pound of flesh;’ and want it tonight.” I continue telling Moses my plan as his face cringes at the task ahead. But, we both agree on the ordeal together. Our new goal is get to “T” real, real fast. “This is our best chance of survival.”

              Moses moves back to his bunch and briefs them on our new plan of action. First, he apologizes to the family for all they’ve endured. He asks the children, but he stares at Katie as he says, “I need you to be brave a little while longer. Can you all do that?” I give him a few seconds to explain what we will attempt as I continue winding up the two sections of rope around my bent left arm. “Hanna, my good friend Joey is going to carry you a while. You just hold on to him tight and you’ll be..., just fine.” He gives her a peck of reassurance on her little red cheek. I move closer while winding the last section. Both the kids seem to be already half asleep. I see a lot of eyelid, but little of their eyeballs. “And Jordan, you’re going to ride on poppas back for a while. If you get tired you just go right on ahead and sleep. Is this okay little man?”

              I pull Moses towards me, as his face stares at Jordan’s

waiting for his nod of approval. I slide my hand on Moses back instructing him to bend over. Jordan answers daddy by nodding, “Yes.” Moses says, “That’s my big boy.” He winks and smiles at him, and then I lift and lay Jordan on daddy’s back. I grab one rope and toss it two times around the big guy. I hang the loose ends over Moses chest and ask him to tie it. I ask Katie if she has anything soft in her personal belonging’s bag. She recollects she might. She abruptly tosses it on the ground and jerks it open. She hands me a towel. I ask her if she has one more in her bag, maybe under the “kitchen sink.” My irritating humor temporarily wipes the worry off her face as her hand dives back in. It’s replaced with a “half baked” smile and a sideway shrug of her head. She pulls out a second towel while quietly and firmly informing me, “Towels can be tiny blankets, wrapped pillows, an extra jacket, ‘first aid’ dressing, and to dry off dirty kids.” I give her a big quirky smile as a reward for her witty response. I quickly tuck the first towel between Jordan’s head and the big guy’s back. He stands, and then I bend over. I think how I’d like to meet a woman one day just like Katie. Any woman that jokes in the “face of danger” is my kind of lady. She lifts Hanna on to my back and uses Moses as the template to perform the task at hand. I snug the rope tight and whisper over my shoulder, “Is this hurting you honey?” Katie checks the rope by sliding her hand between Hanna and the rope. Katie tells me, “She’s just fine,” and then pecks her darling a kiss while sliding her open hand gently across her tiny face. I turn my neck back around front and stand, while Katie tucks the towel in against my back and Hanna’s head. I tug the rope a couple times to see if it’s still taut, and then hand Katie my rucksack. She quickly stuffs her smaller bag into it, and hangs it over her shoulder. I look around and ask, “Well then, are we ready?” They all nervously say, “Yes.” I look at Moses and nod. He gives a quick short nod back. My final instruction is, “We’ll move fast, steady, and together.” I lead us on.

              I turn left after leaving the alley and proceed to the

street corner. A second later we’re all together hiding next to a telephone pole. I motion them to “stay here.” I slowly move away. I cautiously walk into the adjacent street while observing in both directions. I continue across as I wave my hand, signaling them to advance. I hear their hurried steps race across the pavement as I bend down next to another pole on the other side of the street. I stare into the darkness ahead looking for the next adjacent alleyway, and for any LD. Katie and Moses don’t get a chance to rest, as I jump to the next position near the alleyway entrance. I follow a wet reflecting trail up to the alley trying not to slip on it. I turn in the alley and notice the wide strip continues up the street. I know in my sinking spirit what made this mark. 

              Hanna feels like she’s fast asleep. I run off and feel her little legs again uncontrollably bounce and kick the sides of my belly. I hear Moses huffing, and one of them slide on the wet mess left in the street. Their approaching noise tells me they must have recovered alright. I leer in the alley as I try and remember exactly how far “T” is. I stop momentarily just inside the alley and look back to see them approaching. I don’t wait for them, but instead I jump ahead to the next hiding spot. I want us to keep moving. I see a spot by a little shed ahead that looks like it may be a good cover spot. I race to it as I calculate we have five or six blocks more to travel. I plant us slightly against the shed and turn to see the couple struggling to make it their last few remaining steps. I whisper to them, “We’ll wait here till you catch your breaths.” I peek around the side of the shed as they sit and lean their backs up against it. My face keeps watching down the alley as they gasp. I try to pace my breathing attempting to quicken my recovery. I try hiding my weakness of being totally exhausted by trying to remain strong as their example. Their rapid breathing slows enough to seemingly handle a little more lung pain. I turn back to them and whisper, “It’s time.” Moses sighs, “Yes,” and then grabs Katie’s spaghetti looking arm,

yanking her up.

              I place myself in a “racer’s starting position,” and then dart to the next hiding spot. I don’t look back, but I do expect their steps to confirm my actions. I think as I run about slowing the pace, but I realize speed is our best insurance against getting caught. The less time we are exposed gives us a greater chance of success. I hear their steps again, so I “push off.”  I keep pushing them to keep up as we rush through our maneuvering procedure for the next three sets of alleys. I just hope they can hold up.

              I tell myself, “We have to ‘brake’ before we all break.” I locate another shed ahead. I dash to it and take a much needed rest. I turn and look at the shadows “leapfrogging” two stops behind. I notice a window on the shed’s side, and no lock on its door. I decide I’ll sneak a peek while they catch up. It looks dark and empty. It also looks just big enough to hold all of us inside. I grab the door handle and softly press the latch. I tug the door easily as it slowly begins to open. I lean my head slowly around the corner of the door and prepare myself to slam it closed. But, I don’t see anyone inside. I move inside and hold the door open. I see the shadows are almost here, as I watch them force their bodies on. They are close enough to see my hand waving them inside, as I prepare to shut the door. My beckoning hand keeps on instructing and encouraging them to make it. Fifty feet away they notice this is a place of rest and refuge. I hope it gives them the “oomph” they need to finish running here.

              Just a few feet away I see the sheen of ice on Moses hair. I suddenly realize how cold it has become. I guess my concentration to hurry has made me numb tonight. Katie’s clothes and hair are gleaming too. I reason, Moses steamy breath blew over the trailing Katie and froze to her clothes. I am able to make out their faces now. I keep waving them on their last few agonizing paces. “Come on guys. Just a few more steps,” I loudly whisper. 

              I take several steps out and help drag both of them in

the shed. They hysterically gasp like someone has suffocated

them. I help Katie down in the dark corner and watch Moses bend and grab the wall. They continue deep breathing as I look outside with my head. No one is around or has followed us. I quietly close the door and return inside.

              “Okay guys, we just have about three blocks to go. We move out...,” I check the time and tell them, “In ten minutes.” Hanna stays asleep on my back enjoying the heat I must be producing. In a way, she is my tiny jacket. I strain my eyes by constantly rechecking the iridescent minute hand on my dark watch. I keep repeating every few minutes how much time is left. I try encouraging them with, “We’re almost there guys.” In the back of my mind I know it is growing more dangerous. We’re not just battling time, but hope too. I believe all the LD activity may have given “T’s” secret location away. It would only have taken one careless Irreverent brothers to let them know its location. Or worse, one captured brother who’s willing to trade his loyalty rather than accept his awful fate. “One minute,” I tell them. I notice Jordan sleeping on the bent back of Moses as momma comes to kiss both her babies. I say aloud a soft prayer of protection for the remaining journey, “God, please give us swift strong legs.”

              No sooner do I finish praying and I hear many far off voices. They still sound like they’re several blocks away, but I can’t tell if they are coming this way. “Come on guys, we got to go!” The voices are faint enough for me to hope I am the only one hearing them. I don’t want the family to panic and run afraid. This will tire them even more while dashing their hopes. Katie gathers herself as Moses gives me a strange look. I think he’s acknowledging he hears the voices too. It seems so by the stare he’s now giving me. It also looks like he’s thanking me for not alerting Katie and the kids. She checks the children and confirms they’re still asleep. I see their tiny limp bodies and think how much exercise they’ve gotten tonight while sleeping. I nod to Moses then dash out. Katie is next as Moses brings up the rear.

              I think of another strategy while running. I slow and

wait for them to catch up to me. I wave each of them to each of my sides. I keep a steady pace while directing each of them with both of my outstretched hands to their prescribed positions along side of me. I focus straight ahead so they can both hear my plan at the same time. “We’re going to speed things up by forgo our ‘duck and cover’ maneuvering. I want both of you to stay alongside me. We’re going to jog at a pace a little faster than this the rest of the way. We need to get there fast. Do you think you both can handle it?” Katie reluctantly forces herself to say, “Yes,” as I see Moses out of the corner of my eye nod his affirmation with his face full of determination. “Here we go then.” I increase my speed slightly as my mind drifts to that unconscious place filled with pass thoughts.

              The closeness this family has given me tonight kindles memories of a family life long ago. I see my little sis playing dolly and teaching it to swing. I’m on the adjacent swing listening to her tell Miss Polly to hold on tight while she pushes her. I don’t have a care in the world, as I try kicking the clouds out of the sky with each closer swipe of my feet. Momma yells out the back door “Joey! Is your sister with you?” I yell back a lackadaisically, “Yeah mom!” I feel so apathetic and happy at the same time. Sis lectures her dolly for falling off the swing, as I fly my jet exploring the world. “Kids, I want you in here in five minutes!” I try and give negotiation a chance and yell back, “Ah mom, how about 15?” She once again yells to us, “10 minutes, and I expect your hands to be washed. We’re going to eat dinner.” I yell back, “Okay momma,” and feel I negotiated an end to all war and ushered in world peace. My heart tells my momma and sis, “Goodbye,” as mind forces me to drift back to reality. I soon enter this tired, worried, and worn body; and regain the pain of living once more.

              My sight recognizes the area just ahead. I form “starting gates” in front of my replacement sis and momma. I

guide them along as I slow my pace. We reach a “quick time”

marching pace before I pull their reigns. I steer them with my

outstretched arms to the bushes near “T”. We calmly stop and bend down in the bushes. I try and hush their noisy breathing by using my hands to orchestrate them to my tempo. “Slowly, slowly,” I command, as I try training them to regulate their breathing. My hand moves up as I take in a deep breath of air. I hold it till my hand drops, and then slowly exhale. They try matching this pattern to the tune of my moving hand. It takes about a minute before our breathing returns to normal. I try and keep rhythm as my eyes travel around the premise. I untie the rope holding Hanna, and then slowly release the rope. I continue the breathing technique while gesturing to Katie to catch the sliding baby.

              I quietly explain where we are going. I point out the stone entranceway next to that pile of rubble; which is on the other side of this open area. I then tell Katie to grab Hanna and hold her tight. I turn to Moses and ask him if he can find his way to the department store from here. He nods a confusing, “Yes.” “I’m going to the secret entranceway. I’ll wave you on if everything turns out alright. But, if you see anything happen to me, take off fast and as quietly as you can. I’ll play decoy in the event the LD are around. You head to the store, but keep in mind the old floral mill as a backup. Do you understand?” Moses forms the saddest face I’ve ever seen. It instantly freezes into a cold stare. I command him once more, “Do you understand?”  He speaks straight ahead into the dark, “I will never forget all you’ve done for us. I want you to know you are family now. I promise you we will be together; in this life, or the one to come.” I almost shed a tear, but I rub his slick icy head instead. My last words to him are, “I love you too dear.” He continues to stare as I lean to get up. Katie almost tackles me with her hug from behind. I hear her over my shoulder, “You gave me the greatest eternal gift. God bless you Joey.” I give a slight turn of my head and a slight nod of approval. My heart silently replies to all of them, “You’re welcome family.”