XLIII Holy Fuck I Escaped

Well one thing that illness did was revitalize me and give me the message it was time to get the HELL out of here.

So I made a point to have a conversation with the stranger men kept in the cells just down the hall from us. The men that share the cell with mystery man (who fucking idiot never told me his goddamn name you asshole).

I mean there was no real reason for me to escape if there was no one to turn to for help. So these men who appear to be soldiers of some elite unit told me where their base is and that I could go to their team and that their team could help me.

Mystery man looked like he had just swallowed an entire bottle of prune juice when they said that. He told me that his team was twelve and that they will help me save the others.

"In fact just so you will actually get the hell out of here this time I'll go with you." He told me while I stood out side his door.

"Are you sure your lazy ass can keep up with me?" I ask him sweetly. I learned he likes sarcasm so I give him just enough to be happy with out appearing ungrateful to the man that saved me. God knows he never lets me forget it these days the bastard.

He raised an eyebrow and replies "I believe little girl who can't eat, the question is can you keep up with me?" The expression on his face after he said that showed that he highly doubted it.

"I guess we will never know because you are to fucking lazy to get out of your own damn cell." I tell him.

"Actually I got out of my cell five times and here is how. Now move the fuck away or you may get hurt and I will not have that on me." He tells me and reaches for something. I am curious as hell but I back away. The door soon disappears.

"Let's go kid those guards aren't deaf just dumb."

He starts heading for the outside and I am right beside him I sure as hell wasn't going to be behind him you know. (Stop laughing Richard) When we got to the door I put on a burst of speed and exited before him (the door was narrow only one of us could leave at a time) and I would not be behind him (I just knew he would never let me live it down if I did let him lead).

For a half dead guy he can actually move. Fuck I'm actually impressed the walking corpse can move at a dead run. Not that I'd ever admit it to him (I don't care if you show me this page I'm still denying I wrote it Richard) but it took all the speed inside of me just to keep up with him.

He was right (curse him for an arrogant bastard) the guards weren't deaf and they weren't slow either. Apparently an exploding door caused quite a crowd to follow us.

I never should have looked back. For when I looked back I saw there in the crowd were all five of the guards that took me to that cell and the guard that nearly whipped me to death 'Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Please merciful God don't let them catch me!' I know that even if I survive what they will do to me I will wish for the rest of eternity that I had not.

I started to slow down and shake when I saw who was following us I would have been frozen in fear if not for mystery guy 'would the lazy bastard never tell me his name.'

He grabbed me by my wrist and hauled me along after him. I noticed that he would glimpse back at the guards following us and his eyes narrowed. I must have just imagined it but I swear he was giving them a peaking order of who he will kill first and it looked like the five guards won.

Anyway we were running for all we were worth but that lack of food and real exercise started to pay a toll on our bodies. "Can't you keep up little girl. Those bastards will do worst to you if they catch us."

"Tell me something I haven't figured out on my own yet?" I pant at him as I try to keep the speed we started out with. God there it is sunlight. I can see the outdoors at last.

Mystery guy just raises an eyebrow and gives a slight smile like he approves my comeback or something like that.

Whatever 'legs keep moving we never let our stomach dictate our actions before and we sure as hell won't start now' (Oh my gosh I swear I can hear your laughter from here it's not that funny.)( Yes it is little girl who can't write.)(Fuck you goddamn arrogant asshole this is my story and I can too write.)(Right)(Get out of my story)

My pep talk isn't working I managed to get physically outside on my own two feet but I am fading fast. I swear I am starting to see gray spots in my vision and I start to stumble like I am drunk.

If he hadn't been holding me I would have collapsed to the ground. 'Holy fuck! What the HELL just happened!' My world had spin out of control and when it settled down again I was being held in his arms.

"Next time you decide to escape you really should remember to eat first you'll last longer." He told me when he saw my eyes were focused on him.

I know I had a look of confusion on my face I mean come on who wouldn't. How is the walking dead guy strong enough to pick me up let alone carry me to safety? Doesn't he have limits and what will we do when he reaches them? (find new ones!)

God I hate this! My life hangs in the balance and the outcome depends entirely on him. Why can't I control my own fate? (Quit smirking all of you I mean it!)

"Since you weren't smart enough to plan this out I'll just carry you." He tells me with his eyes straight ahead.

I can't let him get away with such a comment you know. Ah pride we all possess thee. "What are you talking about I just need to catch my second wind then I'll be fine." I tell him. I have no idea where my second wind is hiding but when I find it I plan on using it. Again with that damned raised eyebrow.

"Really shall we see if you found it yet for a half starved little girl you are not that light." With that he removes the arm supporting my legs and let them dangle. Then still holding on to the upper half of me he sets my feet down on the ground.

They feel like unset Jello and it's like trying to run a marathon in the ocean. I'm trying to get my legs to obey my will. I'm trying to get them to move but they just won't.

With a little jerk he has me back in his arms. "I guess not oh well I suppose I can carry you if I must." Even though his tone is sarcastic his eyes are compassionate.

I guess he saw my struggle to force my will on my body and realized what I did my spirit is very willing to run and escape but my flesh is just too weak to listen right now. I can only hope with a little more rest I can force my body to move.

Since I am in his arms for the foreseeable future I look behind us to see where the guards are at. Ice fills my whole body and I think I stopped breathing. 'They're that close? They weren't that close before! Shit they are going to catch us and I can't move!'

My mind conjured all that would happen to me when they catch us and I half had a panic attack and half went into shock. This is so not good my imagination is a little too active and I have a feeling that it won't be just imagination for much longer.

Mystery guy must have been telepathic (shut the fuck up all of you) and a hell of a lot more compassionate than I gave him credit for. He jostled me to get me to look at him and his eyes were full of strength.

It was like he was willing his strength into me I swear I could feel myself grow stronger just by looking at him. "Don't look back! Never look back! You can't change what happened to you before but, you can always move forward and be a better person because of what took place before. You will discover strength beyond imagining if you can only remember to keep moving forward no matter what you had to wade through behind you."

He looked like he cared about me it's been so long since I saw an adult that cared about me.

He smiled at me and in a tone that any father or parent would recognize said "it's alright little one I've got you. You don't need to be afraid I'm here and I'll keep the bastards away from you."

I'll never admit it to him but we both know I did I snuggled into him and just let him hold me really hold me. I felt loved gosh how long had it been since I felt that. (The love of a parent you perverted assholes. (huh?) It is just like a little kid coming to sleep with mom and dad after a nightmare. God get your thoughts out of the gutters.)

We kept running with me in his arms. He seemed tireless but all good things must come to an end. My little moment of happiness was shattered when the guards caught up enough that mystery guy could no longer ignore them.

"Listen to me little girl very carefully." His tone alone got my eyes glued onto him and I listen with all my being I knew what he had to say I had to pay very close attention to.

"WE will not be able to outrun them so WE won't. I will be a distraction and buy you time to escape. When I set you down I want you to move as fast as you can forward." Then he half smiled half smirked at me "even if you have to walk keep moving forward don't look back. Can you do that for me?"

I was scared spitless but I nodded my head yes I could do that.

This time he fully smiled at me it was a proud father type smile "Good here we go then."

For the second time he swung my legs down and lowered me to the ground. Again he kept a hold of me I was a little shaky but my legs were working again. He slowly released me a little at a time until only our hands remained joined. Then with a thrust of his arm he slingshots me in front of him and turns around to face the guards.

XLIV He Saved Me

I faced forward until the momentum of his swing is gone then I turn to face what is happening. I don't stop moving mind you just walk backwards as fast as I can.

But I had to know what was going on partly curiosity and partly I don't like being alone so I'm moving forward but still able to see what's behind me (sigh that's the story of my life in one pathetic statement). My eyes got big my mouth hit the ground because you should have seen the sight I found behind me when I turned around.

Mystery guy was taking them all on at once and he was armed with this huge ass sword. I got to tell you he knew how to swing his sword but still I wonder to this day WHERE THE HELL DID YOU HIDE YOUR SWORD YOU BASTARD! Richard never will tell me that which is so annoying.

As I watch him fight I realize that I can't see the five guards. I am really nervous and start to walk faster and glance around as I continue to watch the fight. I can only hope that he really did kill them first.

Wow! My lazy-ass mother fucker mystery guy can really fight he swings that sword around with such strength and grace (that is not me stoking your ego Richard so stop smirking) all I can think is 'I want to be able to do that too someday soon' (God if I only knew I would have started screaming as soon as I had that thought).

He is holding his own guard after guard he lays on the ground. I don't know if they are dead or just to hurt to get back up. I don't even care I just can't find it in myself to grieve for those wasted lives he slaughtered.

If I had had the skill I would have slaughtered those assholes myself. Wow! If my fellow Mormons could here these thoughts I just might be in danger of being excommunicated.

Then it happens I am only just close enough to still see the battle as vague shapes in the distance. I see him fall down to the ground and he doesn't get back up.

I know I have to face forward because tears will only slow me down. I vow that I will not cry I will be strong for him and I will run. (Oh if I only knew how long it would take for me to cry again I never would have made that vow.)

My only chance at disappearing is if they take the time to gloat over defeating him. I knew that I had to find his twelve men they deserved to know that their leader is dead.

'Oh merciful God in Heaven how am I supposed to tell them he died for a worthless creature like me? Why would he do that for me? Why would he sacrifice himself for a complete stranger like me? I'm a nobody I don't matter and I never will God I don't understand what kind of man does what he did and how do I become worthy of his sacrifice?' SHUT UP RICHARD AND NO I AM NOT STROKING YOUR EGO!

XLV My Ships Come In

I ran for all I was worth away from the man who died for me. I don't know where this energy came from unless it really is my second wind or a God given gift, it had nothing to with you Richard.

Anyway before my legs give out a second time I reach a village or maybe it's a town. All I know is that it is by the sea. My Gosh we were this close to the sea and we never heard it once in our cells.

If the only the others knew how close we were to a means of freedom they would have had such hope. But I have no way of getting a message back to them so I just suck it up and look for some way back to the States.

Oh Praise the Lord and God's sense of humor. There was a ship leaving for the States the name of the ship is FREEDOMS PRIDE. I almost laughed out loud when I saw it.

Now to sneak on board there is so much bustle on the dock they won't notice one little girl I hoped. I noticed a couple of times that some crates groupings had room in front for a body if they scrunched up tight. Good thing I am little and am good at scrunching up tight. So I look for one of these and while I do I pray 'God please don't let them see me.'

There's one so I make a mad dash to it and just as I get there it slows down so I can get on it and cover myself up. I ride it onto the ship and even better luck it is on the aisle so I don't get trapped in this thing.

I sit there in the dark and I wait for them to finish loading and set sail. As I sit I realize that I have no idea where this ship is going. Oh well at least it is away form those bastards that killed him and I can always sneak onto another ship if I have to.

With nothing else to do I sit and I think about him and everything he ever said to me or did for me. I am nothing special and never will be so why would he die for me?

He doesn't know me and he sure as hell don't owe me nothing so why would he fight to save me? Eventually I exhaust myself with all these questions that I have no answers to and fall asleep.

XLVI The Voyage of Luck

I wake up hungry and freezing my ass off. But by the sway I can tell we are moving to the ships destination. That's good that were moving and I only now realized just how warm body heat is.

They don't bother to heat or cool the cargo area and I think where I am place it is actually below the water so the walls are the same temperature of the sea. 'God it's cold!' My teeth are chattering so loud that they should hear it clearly two levels up then they will catch me and throw me into that cold cold sea. 'God it's cold!'

I know I have to warm up or I will die. Even a stupid blond like me knew that much. But as I tried to stand I realized that all the running and activity of the past….day?...two days?...how long have I been asleep? Well it caught up to me and I barely have the strength to stand. Shit if I can't stand I can't move if I can't move I will freeze to death.

I was to cold to pray my thoughts just were not coherent at all. But I tried anyway and I think the most coherent part of that prayer was 'miracle now'. It occurred to me that the only way to survive was to get caught and hope that the men wouldn't murder or worse a child. Ok that thought so did not help my shivering!

I crawl to the tarp that covered this group of cargo and pull the tarp back to get outside. Right at the floor by my feet was a thin looking blanket and a bowl of rolls. I look around but I don't see anyone.

I really don't want to reveal myself since I don't know what type of men these sailors are or what they will do to me. So reaching down I drag both items into my room and quickly replace the tarp.

Then I wrapped the blanket around me. 'Holy shit! That blanket must have came straight from Heaven. It felt like an electric blanket cranked all the way up.' My shivering stops almost instantly. I'm warm again and it feels so good.

My hunger refuses to be ignored any longer and I eat a roll…then two…I make myself stop at three. This is my only food I have to make it last the journey. 'God does love me he sent me a miracle.' (I can hear laughing again.)

Every other day I would find a bowl of rolls outside my door and I would make them last for a few days I knew I had to get my strength up for the next part of my mission to get help for the others.

The blanket never lost its' heat so I never shivered again. I still kept the Sabbath day but I would only hum out loud softly and sing the words in my head.

I worried constantly for the others and if anyone was feeding them? If their hopes were still high? If they were being beaten again? All I could do is pray my heart out to God and do my best to find the people I was told about quickly.

The day finally arrived when the ship reached port. In preparation for my next stage of the journey I carefully folded up the blanket and stuck it in my messenger bag along with the rolls I have not yet eaten. I am excited and scared wondering where I am and how much longer will my journey last before I can get help to my friends.

I can hear the men checking the cargo for rat damage. There were a lot of rats in this cargo hold I think I managed to name at least half of them. I gave them all Disney character names and maybe it was the name I chose for them or the roll of bread I would feed them with but they never tried to bite me or mess with me.

So that means that my group of cargo was untouched by the rats and the men just kept on walking when they got to my side of the hold. Leaving the ship was similar to getting on the ship.

When it came time for my cargo to be taken ashore the machine operator actually stopped the vehicle as soon as he left the ship and I was able to get out and scurry away unnoticed.

XLVII Port of Choice

I soon got my bearings and could not help but smile. I WAS HOME! The ship made port into America and not just any port in America but The state that is just below my own and near where the group of men I am looking for can be found. God loves me he sent me straight here.

'Okay time to start moving' and I head out in the direction of the military group while keeping an eye out for mystery guys group. Yes I wanted to find the mystery guys group not only to ask them for help but to tell them their man…leader...whatever the hell he was to them had died.

Well I never found the twelve and I am now right at the gates so to speak of the other group. Guess I'll have to go with them. Oh well their men thought they would help guess I'll know if that's true or not in a couple of minutes.

I get through the back door like they told me about and I'm inside now I know who to ask for just not where to find them.

Huh you'd think there would be more people in a place like this wonder where they are. So the main conference room is just up ahead if I remembered correctly my rights from my lefts and I guess I'll just wait inside for someone to find me.

XLVIII The New Prison

They found me. Apparently they were arming themselves and waiting to ambush me in the conference room that's why I couldn't find anyone before. Well good it makes finding the person I was told to seek so much easier.

I smile at them and introduce myself although I do wonder why they feel the need to point all those guns in my face I mean it's not like I'm armed here people or even a dangerous criminal nope I'm just a ten year old little girl who needs help saving the people she loves.

"I was told to ask for Clint is he here or do I have to wait?" I ask with a quizzical but innocent expression on my face. One of the men in the back shifts to the front and stands in front of me.

"I'm Clint who told you to ask for me?" He asks me.

I proceed to tell him about the men I talked to in the cell naming them by name. I certainly got the entire rooms attention now.

The whole room erupted with garbling noise. "Are they okay?" "Where are they?" "How do you know them?" "Are they still alive?" "Are they hurt?" "Why would they tell you to come here?" "Why would they send you?"

And so on and so forth to tell you the truth they were giving me a headache. I couldn't help but wince at all the noise and Clint couldn't help but notice since he never took his eyes off of me.

"Quiet everyone!" Clint yells and the whole room is instantly silent.

I just look at him and say "Wow! I usually don't get a reaction that quick unless I shout that the guards are coming." I tell Clint I have to admit I was impressed at the instant leadership thing.

"Guards…what guards?" He asks me.

I answer with "The guards where everybody is at."

As you may imagine this conversation took several hours. I saw no reason not to tell them everything so I did and that alone took like four hours. Clint appeared to be a very understanding guy and calmly spoke to me as he asked for more details and stuff.

When it came time to tell them what country it was I broke down and cried because I didn't know the guards never mentioned it not even mystery guy told me that and that took a good half hour to calm down from.

By the end of it they believed me but at the same time they didn't believe you know. They believed that there were children in danger and they believed that their missing men were with them. They believe that I care about the children and want to help them.

They also believe that I was a goddamn mother fucking son of a bitch piece of shit spy for the very men who have them captured. I would just like to take this time to say 'what the fuck were they smoking?'

So yeah I end up getting thrown into another cell one of their cells. Oh joy more bars. I will say this it is a luxury cell they have me in.

There is a real window high up on the wall with glass you can open and shut. There is furniture in the room including an actual bed WITH BLANKETS! They even provided meals three times in a day I vaguely remember mom doing that for us.

For the first week all I could think of was my family and how much I missed them. That lead into the families of my friends and how much they missed them. I think I may have been slightly depressed.

That first week I didn't eat anything more than a bite a day and I only ate that much because they talked about forcing me to eat. I was really tired of people forcing me to do stuff. (Although that seems to be all that is happening in my life.)

I was stuck in that cell for months. I really should have looked for the twelve men that mystery guy told me to find.

I now understood the true meaning behind the word could and why mystery guy looked so….angry with that word. Damnit I'm angry too why are they not even planning to help the others.

I mean you can think what you want about me so long as the others get rescued. But nothing they haven't even tried to rescue their own men yet. What the hell is wrong with these people? They're military for goodness sake aren't they supposed to be about brotherhood and no man left behind. So what the fuck are they waiting for?

My friends can't hold out hope much longer. They need me and I'm stuck in this room damn you mother fucking idiots to the farthest depths of hell you fucking pansies!

All I could do was pray for help for all of us. I prayed that there was someone on this planet that would actually help us and that I would meet them. (Quit snickering all of you it is distracting). I prayed that my friends wouldn't lose hope and could wait for my return just a little longer. I prayed that someone would give these assholes a clue and light a fire under their ass to get them moving. I prayed a lot in those months.

Then one day I knew it was time to help myself. I had a dream…vision… experience with my friend Megan. She was in such pain and agony I felt like I was literally dieing.

I screamed out in sympathetic agony until my throat closed up and I swear I stopped breathing and no one came to check up on me. At the end of this…whatever it was I heard Megan scream my name and I knew that they needed me back to them NOW!

So not even stopping to catch my breath I dropped to my knees and I prayed that God provide an escape route and I told Him that since I can't get out the door I was going out the window please let it work.

All that lack of food really helped because I am one skinny little bitch I was able to squeeze through the bars of the window and plop head first to the ground. I was at least on the second floor so that should have hurt and it would have hurt but there was someone there to catch me. Okay a lot of someone to catch me.