Untitled Agenda 21 Sequel (9781476746852) by Glenn Beck

They looked old and dirty. Both had long hair. It was a man and a woman, holding hands, close enough now that I could make out their mud-covered faces and thin, frayed clothing.
    I moved away from the hiding place, away from my little family and out into the open. I pushed the release button and the knife blade flashed out with a harsh metallic click. No one, absolutely no one, would hurt my family. I would do whatever it took.
    They were at the end of the span, walking down toward me with their hands held out in front of them, reaching out to me with their palms up and fingers outstretched. I held the knife in front of me, my arm extended. Sunlight reflected off the blade, flashing sparks of light.
    â€œWe mean you no harm,” the man said.
    â€œStay back,” I said. “Stay back. Come no closer.” I didn’t want them to see my family. Surely, they were well hidden by the rock. How foolish I had been to go to the river, exposed and unprotected!
    I walked cautiously toward them, trying to measure their intent. Who were they and where did they come from? Finally, I was within a few feet of them, close enough to see their pale blue eyes, and the knotty veins in their thin arms.
    â€œSit, child. Talk to us,” the woman said, a bit out of breath, as she lowered herself onto a log. She folded her legs feebly in front of her. The man, shoulders hunched, remained standing beside her.
    â€œWho are you?” I asked. “And what do you want?”
    â€œI’m Ingrid,” the woman said, pointing to herself. “And this is my husband, Paul.”
    â€œWhat do you want?” I asked again.
    â€œWon’t you sit and talk?” Ingrid asked. “What is your name, child?”
    â€œNo, I will not sit. I want to know what you want. I want to know who you are, what you are doing here.”
    â€œWe’re surviving,” Paul said. “That’s all. Surviving. Just like you’re trying to do.”
    â€œHow do you know what I’m trying to do? How do you know anything about me?”
    Paul sat beside his wife on the log, his thin legs stretched in front of him. He had no shoes; the soles of his feet were thick with calluses, his toenails long yellow horns. “You must have escaped somehow. Lord only knows how. But sooner or later, you’ll get caught. They all do eventually. They are nothing if not persistent and ruthless.”
    â€œJust where are you from?” I asked, my hand shaking. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œWe slipped away a year before the relocations and we’ve been surviving the best we can ever since,” Ingrid said. “Aren’t you frightened that they’ll find you? They’re probably already searching.” She turned to her husband. “What are they called? The ones who search? What are they called?”
    â€œEarth Protectors,” he answered, patiently. “From the Earth Protection Agency.”
    I remembered the voices of the men we heard the first day of our escape. They had said, “There will be hell to pay. They’ll call in Earth Protectors.” And this man and woman claimed to be shadow people, those who had run away. Could I trust them?
    â€œMaybe you’re part of them. Maybe you’re disguised so you can fool us. Maybe I’m in danger right now, talking to you.” My extended arm was getting tired; I switched the knife to my other hand.
    â€œYes, we’re all in danger right now, out here in the open. Let us help hide you. We mean no harm to you,” Paul told her. He placed his right hand flat against his chest. “I promise you.”
    â€œWhy do you want to help me? If they’re looking for me and you help me, well, isn’t that dangerous for you?”
    â€œWe’ve been safe all these years. We want the same safety for you.”
    â€œWhy? Why do you care about me? What am I to you?” I heard a twig snap behind me and turned my head.