The Chasm, Chapter 8 "The road-less-traveled."
By Diannek

Patricia, Adele and Henry picked their way slowly along the rutted track. Evening twilight had soon given way to an overcast night sky that didn’t make for an easy journey. They had left the jeep after several futile attempts to start it.  Henry eventually surmised that it simply wouldn't start. They’d have to hike.

The women decided to change out of their rebel disguises and into as much clothing as they could possibly wear, layer upon layer.  They each carried a small daypack of stuff they figured they couldn’t live without.  What food they had leftover they packed into a cloth bag that they took turns carrying. The rest of their belongings they left with the jeep.  The last thing they did was to throw the extra blankets back over it in hopes that nobody would discover its carcass for a while.

Henry traveled light as usual as he had seldom ever ventured far from the mansion. His only additional load was the weaponry they had confiscated from the rebels. The rifle was slung over his shoulder, and the .9 mm he strapped to his belt. He crammed some of the extra ammunition into his rucksack.  He felt its added weight with each step but kept that information to himself.  The women didn’t need to know his problems right now.

The night air was cold and it smelled like it might rain.  The wind gusted and blew dust and leaves into their path. They were traveling generally westward into the high pastures and grazing land Henry knew about but had never seen before. It was a land of shepherds and small remote villages whose inhabitants had not even heard about the troubles over the chasm.  He chuckled to himself.  He realized he didn’t know very much about his homeland. Now that he was trying to leave it, he'd finally be allowed to see some of it for the very first time. 

Adele muttered softly as they stumbled along. Her sensible walking shoes were not meant for this kind of work. This was no English country road and it seemed to get worse with every step they took.

-So, whose idea was this anyhow? Adele asked.

-Yours, Adele. Patricia answered. You've forgotten already?

-Oh. Well then. She cleared her throat.  So how far do you think we've come, Henry?

-Don't know that, ma'am. But we're making good time, I think.  We should be counting our blessings that we haven't run into a living soul.  Maybe we can just keep on walking clear to the sea.

-Right, Henry. Patricia chimed in.  And then we'll just flag a passing cruise ship, hop aboard and order up a round of hot buttered rums.

-Cruise ship, ma'am?  What's a cruise ship?  I'm afraid I've never heard that expression before. Is that was you call the British navy?

-Ha! That's it.  More sarcasm.  That's just what we need.  Course, a hot toddy sure does sound good. Adele turned to Henry.  No, Henry, that's not how we refer to the navy. A cruise ship is, well, never mind, Henry. Patricia was just trying to make a little joke.

The road began to climb into the hills and became steeper and even more rutted and bumpy.  There were no fences to block off property lines and there were no telephone poles, making it feel even more remote. 

-I can see why that other jeep turned around so quickly.  I wouldn't have followed us here either.  Adele stopped to catch her breath.  The other two halted as well and plunked down their heavy packs.

-So what do you think, Henry?  Are we making a mistake heading this way?  Patricia hated to admit it when she'd made a strategic error and she hated even more to have to backtrack.

-Well, ma'am.  Here's what I'm thinking.  This is a road, even though it doesn't look like it gets much use.  So there's got to be some use for it.  But honestly, I have no idea where we're going or what's up ahead.  I say we keep on a bit longer.

-Hmm.  Patricia nodded.  That's what she had been thinking too but it wasn't very reassuring. As far as she was concerned, they were walking away from where they should be going.  That was never a good plan in her estimation. She looked at the darkening sky.  The clouds above them were black.

-I think we should look for shelter before this rain hits.  That's what I think.  Patricia and Henry looked at Adele, who continued.  Well, if you ask me, that is.

-Right then, let's continue on. 

Patricia hoisted her pack and started off with the other two close behind. The road followed the undulating landforms.  Sometimes they crossed dry creekbeds and other times the road seemed to be carved precariously into the hillside.  Eventually they reached the crest, which might have afforded some sort of view, if only the weather were better.  A slight drizzle began to fall and a thin fog swirled around them.

-What's this?  Patricia was just ahead of the other two on the trail, which threatened to disappear completely at times.  See just here.  Doesn't this look like the path forks off just here?  Which way should we go now?

Henry just scratched his head and looked around.

-Do you suppose this is road is just some sort of picnic area that finishes right here? Adele was skeptical.

-Adele, you stay here with the stuff.  I'll go on for a little ways down this path, and Henry, you go in that direction.  See what's there, will you?  But don't go far.

Adele watched the two disappear in different directions as she stood surrounded by their meager possessions. The drizzle stopped but the air was damp.  She could feel it in her bones like a winter morning back home. She tried to think of something else to take her mind off her gloomy thoughts and the lingering homesickness she'd felt for some time now.  She didn't know where to start.  She didn't know what day it was, or even the month to be exact.  The end of the year was coming up.  Christmas in England.  Why ever weren't they home where they belonged!

Stop that, she told herself.  Think of something else.  She took a deep breath and tried to remember the mansion.  They loved it at first.  Everything seemed so grand, even the master's pet dog and cat had been friendly.  Now it was gone.  The dog!  What would become of the poor little creature?  Worse yet, what would become of them.

She looked up as she heard footsteps returning. 

-Is that you, Patricia? She said in a small voice.

-Yes, it's me.  I think we should continue on down that way.  I thought I spotted something not too far.  Maybe a suitable shelter.  HENRY!  She called out. ARE YOU THERE?

No answer.  The teachers looked at each other and then down the little trail where Henry had wandered. 

-Oh, drat it.  Patricia fumed.  Has he gone off too far? 

-HENRY?  CAN YOU HEAR ME?

-Patricia, just be still for a minute.  He'll be back soon, Adele said.  He can't have gotten far.

The two stood there waiting for what seemed the longest time, hands in jacket pockets for warmth, feet stamping to keep the circulation going. 

-I'm getting sleepy, Patricia mumbled.  And what is that I see in the distance.  Is that the sun coming up now?

-Could be, Adele said.  You know, it takes longer to rise if you're waiting for it.

-Humph. 

Patricia squatted and peered into the small bag of rations.  There was so little left and she was thirsty again. 

-Where's Henry's stuff?  Patricia looked up at Adele.  Didn't he leave it when he took off down that trail?  I thought I saw him drop off his rucksack.

-Yes, I thought so too.  Isn't it there, just under yours?

-No, it isn't.  Here's my bag and yours too and the rations. Well, what do you make of this?  And where is he anyhow?

-HENRY?  Where the devil are you, HENRY?

(Go to Chapter 9)

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