I swear it!”
“I love you! I’ll wait for you, forever if I have to,” I promised him.
There was no choice.
I would have to flee with Benjamin.
Mal pulled me away, nodding at Alec. He would keep us safe. We would be fine. But Alec? How was he going to escape and find us? I tried not to panic as I ran away to safety, cradling our child against me.
The last I saw of him he was shooting the enemy, a stubborn and determined set to his jaw. He would survive. He had everything to live for. I didn’t doubt it for a moment. He glanced at me before I disappeared around the corner and I blew him a kiss, mouthing “I love you” so he was reassured.
I tried not to panic or let thoughts of fear invade my mind. It was dangerous. Our lives were at stake but they had always been at risk. This was nothing new. The only difference now was our son. He made us risk everything, push through every barrier, never relent. Every choice we made, every action we took, every breath that left our bodies, was for him. His future.
Mal led me down the escape corridor and into the mountain passages, deep inside. I wrapped little Benjamin securely against me. He was hidden and warm in the thick material of the sling, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic movement of my body. He knew nothing of the dangers, content to be snuggled close.
There wasn’t any time to stop in our room. We had planned for a fast getaway just in case. In the jeep that awaited my departure were plenty of supplies. Alec had packed it weeks ago. I had food and water, weapons and ammo, clothing and accessories for little Benjamin, a cradle, and a car seat. Even a stockpile of diapers and wipes. There were maps and locations for hideouts. Our next location wasn’t on the map but Mal knew where to go.
Alec and Mal had made several trips to prepare the next place. Last month they had left for several days taking food, water, guns, ammunition, and other supplies to several different safe locations. Only Mal, Alec, and Big Dog knew exactly where they were hidden. In the event of capture or torture, no refugee would be able to give that information away.
We reached the exit where the jeep was located an hour later. I was getting tired of running and worried sick about Alec. Mal disappeared outside first and checked the surrounding area. He didn’t return for several long minutes. Safety was his top priority. It was dark when he took my hand and led us to the jeep. It was camouflaged to look like the surrounding countryside. Mal removed the branches and netting, quickly ushering me inside.
I hurriedly buckled little Benjamin, who stayed asleep, into his little car seat. I didn’t know how he could sleep through all of the noise. It wasn’t as loud down here but there was no mistaking the sounds of gunfire and explosions from above. Even in the mountain it wasn’t quiet, the noises seemed to bounce around the walls and interior.
Mal didn’t turn any headlights on in the car. We would be a bright flashing neon sign from above. Instead he surprised me by donning night vision goggles and speeding away, accurately avoiding any bumps in the road. Anxiously I watched as the mountain grew smaller and smaller in the distance. A sense of dread filled my stomach, replaced with fear. How would our people escape? Would Alec make it out of there alive and unharmed?
We drove for hours. I lost track of time and eventually fell asleep. I awakened to Mal lightly shaking my shoulder. I could hear little Benjamin whimpering in the back and I knew he was hungry. I blinked a few times and sat up. Mal pulled the baby from the car seat and handed him to me.
“He’s hungry. I’ve heard him for a while but I wanted to get to safety before I pulled over. You have a few minutes if you want to feed him Lizzie.”
“Thanks, I will.” I didn’t worry about flashing Mal.
I lifted my shirt and unsnapped my bra. Little Benjamin latched on easily and I relaxed back against the seat. I tried to clear
“I love you! I’ll wait for you, forever if I have to,” I promised him.
There was no choice.
I would have to flee with Benjamin.
Mal pulled me away, nodding at Alec. He would keep us safe. We would be fine. But Alec? How was he going to escape and find us? I tried not to panic as I ran away to safety, cradling our child against me.
The last I saw of him he was shooting the enemy, a stubborn and determined set to his jaw. He would survive. He had everything to live for. I didn’t doubt it for a moment. He glanced at me before I disappeared around the corner and I blew him a kiss, mouthing “I love you” so he was reassured.
I tried not to panic or let thoughts of fear invade my mind. It was dangerous. Our lives were at stake but they had always been at risk. This was nothing new. The only difference now was our son. He made us risk everything, push through every barrier, never relent. Every choice we made, every action we took, every breath that left our bodies, was for him. His future.
Mal led me down the escape corridor and into the mountain passages, deep inside. I wrapped little Benjamin securely against me. He was hidden and warm in the thick material of the sling, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic movement of my body. He knew nothing of the dangers, content to be snuggled close.
There wasn’t any time to stop in our room. We had planned for a fast getaway just in case. In the jeep that awaited my departure were plenty of supplies. Alec had packed it weeks ago. I had food and water, weapons and ammo, clothing and accessories for little Benjamin, a cradle, and a car seat. Even a stockpile of diapers and wipes. There were maps and locations for hideouts. Our next location wasn’t on the map but Mal knew where to go.
Alec and Mal had made several trips to prepare the next place. Last month they had left for several days taking food, water, guns, ammunition, and other supplies to several different safe locations. Only Mal, Alec, and Big Dog knew exactly where they were hidden. In the event of capture or torture, no refugee would be able to give that information away.
We reached the exit where the jeep was located an hour later. I was getting tired of running and worried sick about Alec. Mal disappeared outside first and checked the surrounding area. He didn’t return for several long minutes. Safety was his top priority. It was dark when he took my hand and led us to the jeep. It was camouflaged to look like the surrounding countryside. Mal removed the branches and netting, quickly ushering me inside.
I hurriedly buckled little Benjamin, who stayed asleep, into his little car seat. I didn’t know how he could sleep through all of the noise. It wasn’t as loud down here but there was no mistaking the sounds of gunfire and explosions from above. Even in the mountain it wasn’t quiet, the noises seemed to bounce around the walls and interior.
Mal didn’t turn any headlights on in the car. We would be a bright flashing neon sign from above. Instead he surprised me by donning night vision goggles and speeding away, accurately avoiding any bumps in the road. Anxiously I watched as the mountain grew smaller and smaller in the distance. A sense of dread filled my stomach, replaced with fear. How would our people escape? Would Alec make it out of there alive and unharmed?
We drove for hours. I lost track of time and eventually fell asleep. I awakened to Mal lightly shaking my shoulder. I could hear little Benjamin whimpering in the back and I knew he was hungry. I blinked a few times and sat up. Mal pulled the baby from the car seat and handed him to me.
“He’s hungry. I’ve heard him for a while but I wanted to get to safety before I pulled over. You have a few minutes if you want to feed him Lizzie.”
“Thanks, I will.” I didn’t worry about flashing Mal.
I lifted my shirt and unsnapped my bra. Little Benjamin latched on easily and I relaxed back against the seat. I tried to clear
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