Chapter 44
The Escape
Alvin ran toward the town, but lowered his stance as he got closer. Veron’s soldiers were extra paranoid today, grabbing everyone out and shooting dwellers as if they are slaughtering farm animals.
“Give me a break…” said Alvin, rolling his eyes.
The soldiers are shouting at some man. “We are looking for this woman, where is she!” the soldier demanded, aggressively.
“You know hiding and feeding the infidels is against the law! The Emperor knows everything!” shouted the soldier, grabbing the poor man who was on the floor, trembling. The soldier entered the door and shouted something about the portrait of Veron, that it was too dusty. Alvin heard several gunshots. Alvin’s eyes became harsh and cold. He went across the road, headed to his house.
Alvin sneaked by the wall, avoiding the eyes of the soldiers, moving swiftly. At that time, he realized he didn’t bring the gun; but the house was near and he refused to go back. He crossed the bakery shop and candy store, and went near the woods to walk up the hills.
Alvin saw there were soldiers banging his house from a distance. He circled around the house and crawled near. When he got closer to the house, he heard soldiers kicking the door, but as the door was pretty thick, it was hard to break through. Away from the angry shouting, Alvin glanced at the pipe attached to the house and started climbing it as fast as he could. The voice of the soldiers was getting nearer to him. They are trying to get in through the window instead. Alvin climbed in haste. Before the soldier spotted him, Alvin managed to grab on the roof top and laid flat. He stumbled but managed to balance himself. Alvin looked down quietly as the soldiers walk by, one of them crashed the window and the booby trap got triggered, blowing off two of the soldiers. They got surprised and started shooting at the walls, and as they did few of the booby traps blew up and damaged the wall, creating a big enough gap for them to enter. The rest of the soldiers went in the house.
Alvin was thinking what he should do now. He glanced at the chimney. “You taught me well Santa, even though you never gave me a present,” he murmured. He started crawling to it and went inside the chimney. Alvin pushed the wall of the chimney with his foot and slowly moved down. He is now covered in black dust. The soldiers were in the house, he heard the loud crashing and furniture breaking.
Alvin realized he wanted to sneeze, he felt so stupid that he didn’t anticipate it before he started climbing down. He started picking his nose, hoping it would help. But it did no good, he sneezed anyway. Suddenly there were loud angry voices coming out from the soldiers. Alvin sneezed again, now climbing up the chimney, grunting and struggling. The soldiers are making noise in the room. They must be searching the room now. Alvin stopped at higher and waited, twisting his body to look down. Moment later, one soldier’s head appeared from the bottom.
“One two three, hold your breath,” whispered Alvin; he pulled his leg and dropped straight down.
The soldier looked up, frowned due to the falling dust, saw something falling. Alvin fell on the soldier’s face, crushing it completely. And ashes burst out from the fire place, covering the room. The other soldiers were coughing and shouting, trying to drag his buddy out, but Alvin grabbed the gun from the soldier he have crushed and started shooting at other soldiers. There were lot of shouts and fires in the room. But soon, everyone was down on the floor.
“Ho Ho Ho, cocksuckers!” shouted Alvin and howled. He took off the dust off, coughing; he ran to upstairs and entered his room. The coffee Diana had in this morning was still on the table. Alvin glimpsed and smiled, and went near his bed.
Alvin took out the old heavy chest under his bed. He grabbed the key under the table and pulled out the dusty chest under the bed. He plugged the key in and opened the chest. There were eight portable machine guns, which earned Alvin Caravel his old notorious fame. Alvin took out the eight machine guns and put it in his holster. And he wore his jacket over it.
He hung four bullet belts around him and took few grenades and put it on his pocket bag. He took a box of ammunition and put it into his heavy leather bag, and got out of the room.
“A heavy little fellow,” Alvin grumbled. Gripped it and shouldered the bag. He was thinking about burning down the house, but it seemed like an unnecessary procedure, so he just left the house. Alvin didn’t go through the town, he made a round trip.
About half an hour later, Jake spotted Alvin struggling from afar, carrying a leather bag.
“Look, he is coming!” exclaimed Jake, pointing at him.
“Oh, thank God,” Diana ran across the plain and hugged him, almost tackling him down. Alvin almost fell, but patted her back. The bag was heavy, his arms’ vein popped up, about to explode and soaked with sweat. Alvin dropped the bag, which made a heavy thud sound; Diana breathed softly and calmed down in his arm.
“I see you are not crying anymore,” Alvin chuckled. Diana smiled sheepishly. Nancy stood up, blushing and came toward them.
“You are such a pain in the ass!” shouted Nancy, grumbling about making them worried.
“I love your food Mrs. Diana. Hopefully you can make it with the stuff I brought.” said Alvin, kissing Diana on her lips. “Now let’s get out of here.”
It was getting dark when they entered the forest. Jake’s stomach growled. Nancy, hearing this, gave all of them sandwiches she grabbed from the house. They were munching together while walking. It was cold in the night. The moon was covered with cloud. Everyone stayed closer to get warm, all except Tasha, who was running around. Diana got tripped by the rock but grabbed the tree and did not fall.
“Ok… anyone brought a flashlight?” said Alvin, barely seeing anything.
“You are the one who supposed to bring the flashlight,” hissed Diana.
“I can’t do both, all I did was to get a gun and I had to take care of the people breaking our furniture,” complained Alvin.
“Ok, ok, do you know where we going?” asked Diana.
“No,” said Alvin.
“Be little more comforting will you?” said Diana, angrily.
“Well, hopefully we can figure it out?” muttered Alvin.
“…” Diana looked at him with a confused look.
“It’ll be all right. We will have an ice cream for a desert! Is your favorite strawberry shake waiting there Tasha?” said Alvin, positively.
“Yeah!” exclaimed Tasha.
Diana groaned and kept walking.
“Hey Tasha?” said Jake.
“What?” said Tasha.
“I think they like each other.” Jake giggled.
“Well, well, I think you are hopeless, my friend,” muttered Tasha. As the time went by, they were getting adjusted to the dark, so they could see the dim trail.
“Look!” Jake suddenly shouted.
“What?” said Tasha.
There was a narrow muddy trail full of puddles. Diana was supporting Nancy on her walking. Alvin’s arm almost went white due to the weight of the leather bag.
“Where do you think this leads too?” said Jake.
“Children, we are not going to follow the trail, it’s too dangerous, just go straight,” said Alvin. They walked for an hour, into the dry places where huge trees dwelled for ages.
Alvin stopped, and looked around. He didn’t hear the wolves howling but he didn’t want to take the risk.
“How are you doing Nancy?” said Alvin.
“Oh, don’t worry about me boy, you take good care of my girl,” said Nancy, tapping Alvin’s shoulder. “I’m not going to die before I see my grandchild.”
“Mom!” said Diana, blushing.
“I think you are too young to die, Mrs. Diana,” said Alvin, chuckling.
“Oh, well, thank you kiddo. But I’ve got to say… I have to teach her how to cook, it’s horrible…” said Nancy. Tasha started laughing hard.
“Tasha! Mom!” shouted Diana.
At that time, the owl hooted and swooshed in the air, right above Jake. Ja
ke screamed and jumped, shuddering.
“I do not like this place,” murmured Jake.
“Well, I think we are far enough to make a fire here,” said Alvin. “Jake, Tasha? Can you guys gather some branches?”
“Ok Alvin,” said Jake and Tasha, they ran into the woods and bushes. Alvin came to the tree and tried to break the branch, struggling.
“Oh honey, can’t you break that little tree?” teased Diana.
“What do you mean a little? It’s thicker than your leg,” said Alvin.
“There is nothing wrong with my leg!” shouted Diana.
Grunting, he took out the machine gun and started shooting at it. Diana didn’t even flinch but Nancy screamed.
“Sorry Nancy,” said Alvin and kicked the branch, and the huge chunk fell down on the ground.
THUMP.
“Ok, hopefully those stray bullets didn’t hit the kids,” murmured Alvin.
Nancy muttered something, passing out. Diana was comforting her, assuring that the kids went the other way. Alvin was now going for the thin branches, just making sure to start the fire. Tasha and Jake ran back and forth and soon there were a pile of wood and dry leaves. Alvin took out the lighter and lightened the branches. The fire came to life. Jake got closer, blowing it to make fire bigger.
They were enjoying the warmth near fire. Alvin was emptying the bag and put the bullet box on the ground. He packed the few rounds, grunting, and came near the fireplace, massaging his arm.
“Stay here, stay close. It’s cold in the night, and Tasha?” said Alvin.
“Yes Alvin?” said Tasha.
“Protect them,” said Alvin, giving her two portable machine guns.
“Right away sir,” said Tasha, playfully saluting at him.
“Where are you going?” said Diana, didn’t want him to go.
“I’ll be back soon. I’m going to scout around this region,” said Alvin.
“Ok… be safe,” said Diana, looking at him dearly, little worried.
“Of course,” said Alvin. And he headed back to the muddy trail which Tasha found before.