Chapter 23: Exodus

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

Lao Tzu

Mikhail's Audio Journal 30.09.2010

The big day had dawned and I knew it would be a long journey, a long daunting journey. There was no guarantee we would all make it to Montana in one piece, let alone find the place, but it was a risk worth taking. We had to do it, we had to succeed, we had to survive.

„You sure you want to do this," I asked, looking directly into Nick's secure eyes and confident face.

„I'm sure Mikhail," said Nick.

„You know, this means we won't be seeing each other for a long time, even your family."

„Yeah I know, but it's what I want. I'm a grown boy, old enough to make his own decisions in life. I want to be with Luciana and I'm going to help her find her people."

„But your family, don't you want to…"

Nick placed a hand on my shoulder, smiled and said, „Listen Mikhail, your job is to protect my family. You are Alicia's boyfriend and it's your duty to protect her and my mum."

„Don't know how well they'll adapt to a Russian environment."

„I'm sure they'll manage Mikhail, Alicia learnt Spanish, I'm sure she'll pick up Russian well."

„I'm sure she will," I placed my hand on Nick's shoulder.

We smiled, hugged each other and then I watched him depart with Luciana. Luciana didn't come to say her goodbyes to me, she just gave me a smile before boarding the truck she got into with Nick and they drove away.

I looked at Madison and Alicia looking sentimental and slightly tearful seeing a member of their family choosing to depart from the group. At least he got to wish them well, unlike the time he just abandoned the family by walking away.

Before I would take one last look at the cabin, I would wait for Madison who was talking to one member of the group, a female her age who chose to stay with her family and make the cabin her new home. It was good to know someone would be residing in the cabin, living in that cabin with the Clarks made me feel like Nicholas the Czar and our community were his people ready to revolt, after he failed to appease them as their ruler.

I did open the crates that Dimitri gave me befor he departed, and they were just what I needed for a long journey, well for defensive purposes that is. One was a PKM and the other was a RPG-7. The PKM is a 7.62x54 light weight machine gun, which has been deployed in service since 1969 and is still used by Russian forces. It has a box magazine and holds 100 rounds and can fire 650 rounds per minute. This one was specifically customized with a fibre glass buttstock to add to its light weightiness and there was a strap to enable shooting while running.

The RPG-7 is a rocket propelled grenade, which is still used by Russian forces and other military forces around the world, mainly because of its considerable ballistic range. It's mainly used as an anti tank weapon and is fitted with various warheads. The warheads I've been issued with is three. Two were Tandem charge HEAT, which would penetrate heavily armored vehicles. The other warhead was thermobaric, which had an effective blast radius. Any human target caught in its blast radius would suffer devastating injuries, I'm surprised it hasn't been banned by the Geneva convention. These three warheads I knew I would have to use sparingly because I didn't know what the odds against me were of not coming across armored vehicles.

My SVD sniper rifle I have officially donated to Alicia, knowing how good she was with the sniper rifle and that she had it by her side in case we should come under attack. I even allowed her to use my RMB-93 pump action shotgun, which I think she would be better off with. Mainly because I was carrying a lot of weight already and I thought the shotgun would protect her against ambushes, where the shotguns wide-spread would incapacitate the hostile.

So we were all packed and assembled in our vehicles as we would be tailgating. I considered this to be a bad idea, mainly because this would render us vulnerable to ambushes. We didn't have machine gun turrets and not everyone was armed and had means to defend themselves. I was the best means of defense and everyone seemed to rely on me for protection, but I knew I could not guarantee their safety. Looking at everyone male and female, young or old, I was getting a bad feeling about this journey.

I was riding with Alicia, Travis and Madison of course, with Madison behind the wheel and I was on guard duty while Travis read the map. Alicia was just chilling at back where I entertained her with music. I played the guitar and Alicia watched and smiled at me with such amusement and adulation. In order to abate my concern that we might get ambushed and to lighten Alicia's spirits, I decided to play something comical on the guitar. Knowing that nearly every westerner probably watched Disney as a kid, I assumed Alicia was one of them. The first Disney film I watched wasn't a Disney classic, but a cult classic, one that continued to grow in popularity, A Goofy Movie. After watching the old Disney Classics up to the later ones, could I distinguish why the film is unique in its own right. It depicts teenage angst and how kids take it out on their family. The plot involves Goofy trying to bond with his son Max on a road trip, but along the way Max hides his own insecurities from his father and feels embarrassed being around him, but deep down he loves his father. Seeing Max open up to his father and seeing them become like father and son again, it really made me reflect on my relationship with my father and know it was nothing like that. However, I could relate to Max crushing on a girl who attended his high school because I went through the same phase as Max, but won her heart in the end.

How could I have come across this as my first Disney film? Mainly it was because Matt was the one to introduce me to it. He didn't follow the Disney Princess films that wasn't for boys like us who were butch and hardcore.

I sung a song from the movie titled ‚On the Open Road', which was pertaining because we were driving on the open road. While singing I put on my best Goofy voice and since Alicia probably didn't know the lyrics, I covered Max's lyrics and lyrics of the other characters who joined in. I remember Alicia laughing at my cheesy Micky Mouse impression (along with the other voices) when he makes a cameo during the musical number where he hitchhikes with Donald Duck.

After giving my voice and fingers a rest, I relaxed with Alicia and we both enjoyed the view and what seemed like a nice tranquil and peaceful open road. All of a sudden our serenity was broken by a horrible sound that roared and vibrated around us. I felt an intense heat wave waft on my skin, it was like I was slowly roasting in the oven.

After recovering from being stunned and regaining my sense of hearing, I could hear a voice emitting from a megaphone.

„Sorry, road is closed," boomed a voice, the voice of a ghost. It can't be, it was true when I looked up on a cliff-top to see who it was. It was him, it was Marc Antony. „Privyet Mikhail, did you think I was dead?"

„Marc Antony, how the…"

„What, you thought I'd reveal to you my means of escape?"

„So you weren't in the chopper when I shot it down."

„10 points, it's one of those neat remote controlled helicopters. So much for new technology, man it's a thing of beauty."

„Marc Antony, let us go. We mean you no harm," intervened Madison, staring up at him.

„Hey Madison, who gave you permission to speak?" jested Marc Antony.

„Just let us go, we won't fight you," pleaded Madison.

„Well that Madison Clark is the problem. You were trespassing and that is why we shot one of your convoys. Besides, we want to fight you. You're allied with Mikhail and anyone who's a friend of Mikhail is not a friend of mine and anyone who's a friend of Mikhail, is dead."

That horrible word infused my body with fright because I knew what he had planned next for us. He was going to order his men to shoot at the innocent convoys that stood on the road like sitting ducks waiting to be rained on with bullets and rockets.

„Marc Antony, listen. Maybe we can cut a deal. Take me and let the others go," I persuaded, standing in the open and spreading my arms out, submitting myself as an open target.

„You know Mikhail, I'm tempted I really am. I am tempted to turn your body into mincemeat and make a nice meal of you for the rats. Unfortunately that wouldn't be much fun, it would be too easy. First I want you to feel your death before you die, and I know just how. Let's give my boys a little target practice."

The decision has been made, there was no reasoning with Marc Antony. He wanted war and it was clear that war was what he would get. All these innocent victims who wouldn't hurt a fly and wanted nothing but peace and prosperity, were now going to be at the receiving end of a bullet. The only solution now was to pick up my gun and fight again.

Marc Antony's men blazed their guns and bullets fired right at the line of vehicles. Bullets dented the metallic exterior and windows exploded into fragments. Passengers desperately climbed out of their vehicles, those that were lucky to evade gunfire. They were consumed with fear and were covered with glass shards or were clipped with bullets. Some were too paralyzed with fear to do anything but take cover, while some did take up arms and fight, despite that they were outgunned and were up against those with automatics.

Alicia attempted to try and take out one of Marc Antony's men with her SVD, but I desperately pulled Alicia down, just before a bullet whizzed right over her head. It was clear that if I didn't stop her, she would have been killed.

„Nyet Alicia, it's too dangerous. You don't know where the enemy is."

Madison and Travis climbed out of the front and luckily avoided the gunfire. They moved in closer to where Alicia and I were still taking cover.

„Are you alright Alicia?" asked Madison, looking concerned and holding her daughter's face in her hands.

„I'm fine mum," panicked Alicia, sensing fear that her family and her were going to die unless I can get them out of this situation.

„What about you Mikhail?" asked Madison, drawing her eyes briefly on me.

„I'm fine Madison, I need you and Alicia to stay down and I'll get us out of this," I responded.

Suddenly another car exploded and flipped in the air, setting those that were taking cover into motionless human torches.

„We better do it sooner, they have grenades," I worried, knowing I better think of a plan fast.

„SO WHAT'S THE PLAN?" yelled Travis, covering his ears and being rained on with shards of glass.

„Our only option is to run away, we'll be killed if we try and fight them off," I suggested, knowing we were going to have to leave everyone to fend for themselves.

„YOU BETTER THINK FAST," screamed Travis, while Madison was holding Alicia. Alicia buried her face in her mother and I could see how much the Clarks and Travis depended on me.

I saw the wing mirror still untouched by bullets and intact, which hung next to Travis.

„TRAVIS, BREAK OFF THE WING MIRROR AND HAND IT TO ME," I screamed.

Travis instantly ripped off the wing mirror and tossed it at me. I used it to see where the soldiers stood on the cliff and where they were firing and they had their weapons firing at the other vehicles and no longer firing at ours. I used the opportunity to grab one of the two weapons crate, I didn't have the opportunity to grab both of them because gunfire was directed back at me. Examining the crate, I could see I grabbed the RPG, which was exactly what I needed for our escape. I opened the crate and selected the thermobaric warhead to load the RPG with.

„Now listen very carefully, as soon as I fire the rocket. I want you to run, don't look back, just run into the woods. Got it?"

„Yes Mikhail," nodded Madison before pulling Alicia away from her chest just to communicate to her.

„TRAVIS, ARE YOU ARMED?" I yelled at Travis looking at me.

„YEAH," responded Travis.

„GIVE ME SOME COVER FIRE," I ordered.

Travis obediently fired his pistol blindly over the hood of the vehicle and bullets whizzed passed his head, this was it, my golden opportunity and escape plan implemented into action.

I popped my head out with the RPG resting on my shoulder, I aimed at the line of men and fired the rocket. It gave off a loud hiss and flew directly at the soldiers and created a massive explosion.

Without viewing the damage and how many I killed, I yelled at the top of my voice, „RUN!"

Alicia and Madison ran to the safety of the trees while I grabbed Travis and carried him over my shoulder and ran as fast as I could into the woods, which lay 30 feet away. Relieved to see that I bought enough time for Alicia and Madison to reach the woods before the enemy would recover and return fire. The enemy would return fire, but I wouldn't be hit. A loud resonating gunshot cracked and echoed in the air and thudded near my leg. The bullet did hit a leg, but not my leg, it struck Travis' leg. Blood spurted out, but there was no scream from Travis, mainly because he was paralyzed from the waist down so he couldn't feel it. Despite the bullet didn't hit me, the impact of the bullet on Travis' leg caused me to lose balance and tumble to the ground. While on the ground I did lay eyes to where the shot emanated from and there were no hostiles approaching from behind. It was the sign that a sniper was targeting us.

„TRAVIS," cried Madison, coming out of the safety of the trees to try and help Travis.

„MADISON NYET," I dissuaded, but unfortunately it was too late when a sniper gunshot struck her in the shoulder and she collapsed on the ground.

„MUM!" cried Alicia.

I somersaulted on the ground towards the trees and took cover. Alicia started to express anger and finally snapped by raising her sniper rifle to her shoulder. She fired into the distance letting out a rage filled scream. It was clear that Alicia had no idea where the sniper was as she was firing shot after shot.

„ALICIA STOP," I yelled, charged at her in a panic and wrestled her to the ground only missing a return shot from the sniper.

„LET GO OF ME MIKHAIL," screamed Alicia.

„Nyet Alicia, it's too dangerous."

„I SAID LET GO OF ME," persisted Alicia, trying to break free from my grapple by punching me hard in the mouth. My lips felt numb and I thought I could taste blood in my mouth.

„Alicia please, listen to me. The sniper is using Travis and your mum as bait, don't do it," I pleaded, holding Alicia down by her wrists.

„Mikhail please, my mum needs help. Please help her," cried Alicia tearfully.

„Alicia," wheezed Madison, sounding as if she was dying and about to pass out. „Please, save yourself. Mikhail must protect you."

„Mum," bawled Alicia, unable to look at her because I was still holding her to the ground, but obviously was able to hear her.

„Alicia please, do it for mummy. Don't forget, mummy loves you with all her heart," breathed Madison.

„I love you too mum," sobbed Alicia.

„Come Alicia, we have to get out of here," I persuaded, but Alicia was in too much of an emotional breakdown to get herself off the ground, so I had to pick her up and carry her over my shoulder.

I carried Alicia deep into the woods as fast as I could to hopefully lose Marc Antony's would be search parties. I didn't know whether he had an air-force and could carpet bomb the entire area with napalm. Knowing what I've seen in his arsenal I didn't want to underestimate him. The best solution would be to head north and avoid open terrain.

„PUT ME DOWN MIKHAIL," screamed Alicia, squirming that swinging her arms at me.

„Okay Alicia."

I gently placed Alicia on the ground and in response she slapped me hard across the face.

„I HATE YOU MIKHAIL. HOW COULD YOU LEAVE MY MUM TO DIE?"

Wanting to dismiss the idea that Madison could be dead, I knew that wasn't something I was 100% certain on.

„Alicia, there was nothing I could have done. There was a sniper or maybe there were two. I didn't know where they were and staying to fight them would have been suicide for us and for your mum and Travis."

„Bullshit Mikhail, you could have taken them, stood your ground and rescued my mum and Travis. What did you do instead? Ran away like a big pussy."

„It's what your mother wanted Alicia, I was respecting her wishes. She wanted me to save you and that's what I did."

Alicia glared at me with cold angry eyes and callously responded, „Fuck you Mikhail."

Alicia turned her back and stormed off and I tried to intervene.

„Alicia wait, you're going the wrong way."

Once I placed my hand on her shoulder, she swung the back of her hand at me, which I deflected and grabbed her wrists.

„LET GO OF ME, MIKHAIL," yelled Alicia.

„Alicia, please don't."

Without warning, Alicia spat in my face, which caught me off guard and stunned me. Then I felt something hard strike me at the side of the jaw, Alicia had punched me. Her punch was so strong it felt as if she dislocated my jaw. After all that training she really did grow stronger like I wanted, it's just I was her first opponent who she now resents and that punch she really did intend to hurt me.

„You are not the hero I thought you were," censured Alicia as she turned her back on me and walked away.

While I allowed Alicia to walk away, I nursed my sore jaw and emotional pain of losing Madison and Travis and failing Alicia, who now resents me.

To be continued…