I walked a little bit further before arriving upon a little creek. Perfect. I could easily travel in it, by walking in the shallowest part, and I wouldn't be detected. I slid down the side of the rocky ditch where the creek was located at the bottom of it. Skinning my knee in the process, which caused me to curse out loud. But, nobody cared. The animals were the only ones around me, and they didn't speak English.
The water was extremely cold. I felt like somebody had just stuck my feet into a giant ice cube. The freezing temperatures brought back another memory.
Lydecker, that jerk, decided to test our strength on temperatures. Made us stand until we were turning blue in a freezer like environment. Could've killed us, the bastard. But did he care? Seriously, did he ever care? I didn't think so.
Furiously, I shook my head and tried to clear it of the memory. It's not like the past mattered. All the past could do was occasionally come back to bite you in the ass. Yeah, maybe it hurt, but that's why I tended to grit my teeth a lot-helps the pain of the freaking memories.
I continued upstream for some ways. Didn't matter much how far I walked. Not like I was trying to break any records. Still, the walking gave me a chance to think. Thinking wasn't something I especially enjoyed. I didn't sit and examine things and worry and fret. If it's done, it's done. If it's going to be done, just do it damn right. Well, that's my perspective anyhow.
I could've hummed or sang, or done something else. But, I've tried singing before when I was broke and needed money. Seriously, I could've become my very own sit-com. Yeah, some people laughed that hard.
Quickly, I traced over the memories of my friends, trying to remember if they would be okay without me for a couple days. Couple days? What am I, kidding myself? Ok, sure, probably a couple weeks before they see me again. But still, would they be okay? Mentally, I checked each of them off in my mind. As long as they were content, I was content. Sure, I might be freezing and starving, but hey, that was life.
I continued to walk until I heard the engine of a Jeep. Lydecker. I instantly stiffened. Guess he decided to launch a full-scale search of the area after all. Boy, didn't I feel loved to know I'm wanted so bad?
Picking up speed to a good running pace, I was able to jump high enough to grab a nearby tree branch overhanging the creek. The branch swayed and I thought for a moment it would break and send me tumbling into the water. Groaning, I swung myself up onto the branch and scurried into the foliage of the tree where Lydecker couldn't see me.
Geez, I told myself as the branch bowed, you have got to talk to Jenny Craig. I nearly laughed out loud at that thought. I barely had enough money to buy food and here I was worrying about weight loss?
Fortunately, I decided not to laugh just as Lydecker came into the forest surrounded by his usual buffoons. Lydecker was tired. It was obvious from the dark circles under his saggy baggy eyes and from the tedious pace he moved at. Hey, I mocked, you always told us never to drag behind, so why are you? Because you're weak, I jeered at him. Weak. Weak. Weak.
"You, go that way. You men go the other way. The rest of you, split up," Lydecker told his monkey men. "They couldn't have gone far." No, I haven't. I'm right above you. I'm so close I could spit and it'd land right it your hair. Hmm…spitting on Lydecker, not a bad idea.
It wasn't long before the men came back reporting that there was no trace that I had been near. Duh. Could've seen that one coming.
Lydecker ran his fingers through his hair. "They're around here somewhere. I know they are." Just look up, I thought, just look up.
He sighed, obviously tired of chasing after me. Hell, I would be tired of chasing after me too. "I guess if we move a little bit north, more into Canada, maybe we could find somebody who's seen 'im." Slowly, he turned back around and trudged away.
I crouched up in my little tree hiding spot, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Never gonna get me, are ya, Lydecker? Never gonna let me be caught up in your little psychopathic net of destruction? Never catch me? I jumped swiftly down to the ground, crouching, and glancing about before fully rising.
And smugly, I thought to myself, actually more or less directed at Lydecker, that's because I'm just too damn good for you. One of your own children better than you or your wildest dreams. Actually, for you, I'm your worst nightmare.