The White Fox Chronicles (11 page)

Almost before he got the words out, the patrol trucks stormed over the incline. Cody aimed his weapon and fired.

Something resembling a blue lightning bolt hit the patrol and took out the first two trucks, incinerating them. A few of the soldiers from the last truck jumped clear just as Cody fired again, leaving it a smoking pile of ashes.

To his right he could hear Rachel firing at the soldiers who were running for cover.

What was left of the patrol started shooting back. Cody aimed at a stand of trees. When the laser hit them, they boiled into flame.

“Get in the buggy, Rachel. It’s time to leave.”

Cody carefully laid the laser gun in the back and crawled in beside Mike. Rachel turned the key and tore down the hill.

“We did it, Cody,” Rachel said, beaming. “Nobody ever beats the CCR but we did it. Cody? What’s the matter?”

He didn’t answer. Rachel glanced over at him. The front of his shirt was wet with blood.

C
ody was dreaming. A Blackhawk III chopper with a medevac team was landing near them. The pilot smiled warmly at him. It was Toni. She told him not to worry and then she put a cold compress on his burning forehead.

The medics were attempting to put him on a stretcher but his shoulder was so sore that the slightest movement sent pain jolting through his body.

Something wet and slimy licked his chin.
His eyes fluttered open and he saw Mike’s big, furry, concerned face.

The dog barked and Rachel ran to his side. “How are you feeling?”

“I … think I’ve felt better. My mouth tastes like cotton. Could I have some water?”

“Water is one thing we have plenty of—we’re camped beside a river. Be right back.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Cody couldn’t remember when he’d felt so awful, unless it was the time Sidoron had burned him with his cigar and then beaten him senseless.

Rachel brought a canteen and held it to his lips. “Here you go. Take it easy.” She tipped it up and waited for him to swallow. “You talk in your sleep. Did you know that?”

Cody moved his head. “Thanks for the water.”

“No problem. Who’s Toni? Your girlfriend?”

“She’s a friend. Where did you say we were?”

“I’ve hidden the buggy in some trees. It’s out of fuel. If my geography serves me right, we’re camped by the Gila River.”

Cody tried to sit up but he was too weak.

“You shouldn’t move. You took a bullet in the shoulder. I washed it and did the best I could with it, but frankly it looks pretty bad.”

“Thanks for the encouraging words.”

“I’m just trying to be honest. By the way, I’m sorry about your friends at the warehouse. It sounded awful.”

“Is there anything I didn’t talk about while I was out?”

“Nope, I think you about covered everything.”

“How long have we been here?”

“A night and a day. I found this place just before dark yesterday.”

“Get me up, Rachel. We can’t stay here. After that bit with the laser gun, the CCR isn’t just going to forget about us.”

“You’re staying right where you are. Do you know how long it took me to stop the bleeding in your shoulder? Besides, if you’re bent on killing yourself anyway, why not do it here?”

Cody moaned in agony. “Help me, Rachel. I can’t do it by myself.”

Rachel put a restraining hand on his arm. “I know you’re a big tough guy but …”

He had half risen but he was too weak and fell back, his eyes only half-open, and Rachel smiled as she watched him drift back to sleep.

R
achel felt Cody stir beside her. She and Mike were lying close to him to keep him warm. In the night he’d gotten chills and his fever seemed higher. She’d emptied the packs but couldn’t find any blankets, so she’d piled the canvas bags on him and ordered Mike to lie down next to him.

Cody moaned deliriously and threatened a guy named Sidoron and then rambled wildly about someone hanging from a flagpole.

A twig snapped behind her.

Mike raised his head. Rachel felt for Cody’s gun. She’d deliberately laid it beside her before going to sleep but it was too late. They were suddenly surrounded by a circle of men, dressed in animal skins and holding torches.

Rachel pulled the gun around and pointed it at the man in front. “What do you want here?”

The man moved forward. He was dressed only in a tanned hide tied loosely around his waist. Mike growled but didn’t attack. He allowed the man to kneel by Cody and examine his wound.

“This boy is dying. We can help.” The man signaled for two of his men. They lifted Cody gently and carried him to the edge of the circle.

“Wait. Why should we trust you?”

The man turned. “Do you want him to live?”

Rachel hesitated. “What about our things?” The man inclined his head and the others started gathering Cody’s belongings. Rachel double-checked to make sure nothing was left; then she and Mike followed them along the river and up a steep hill.

The sun came out and the hill turned into a mountain. Now they were in the middle of a wilderness. The grass was green and the trees were tall. Above them were high red bluffs practically hidden by the wild overgrowth.

The group stopped at the foot of the cliffs and Rachel sat down to catch her breath. No one spoke to her. They went about their business as if she weren’t there.

At last the largest man in the group put down his spear and stood still while the others placed Cody on his back, tying the boy’s hands and feet securely together.

Two men moved some branches and exposed a homemade wooden ladder next to the cliff. The big man started up it.

Rachel put her hand over her eyes to block the sun’s rays and looked up. There were several ladders going all the way to the top of the cliffs.

One of the men indicated that it was her turn to climb. She held on to Mike. “What about our dog? He can’t go up there.”

“The dog will stay. We have hidden your
supplies in the woods near our horses. He can guard them until your friend is better. Don’t worry. Our hunting parties will bring him food from time to time.” The man took the gun from around her neck. She started to protest but he interrupted. “Too heavy. I’ll carry it.”

Rachel nodded wearily and started climbing. Halfway up she looked at the ground and started feeling dizzy.

“Look up only,” the man behind her ordered.

Rachel took his advice and soon found herself on a ledge. She stumbled onward and stepped through a curtain of brush.

She stopped and held her breath. It was amazing. Hidden deep in the heart of the cliff was a whole village. Children were running and playing while women dressed in skins sat near cave entrances making baskets and cooking.

The scene was right out of prehistoric times, except that these people spoke English and one of them now carried Cody’s submachine gun.

“R
ise and shine, Cody. Breakfast is ready.”

“Uggh. Get that lumpy stuff away from me. For the past two weeks all I’ve had to eat is mush. Can’t you get me some real food?”

Rachel frowned. “Keep your voice down. These people saved your life and now you’re complaining about the food? And it’s been three weeks. You were unconscious for most of the first one.”

“Whatever. Tell the big cheese to give me my clothes back and I’ll go get my own food.”
Cody shyly pulled the hide blanket up a little higher on his chest.

“His name is Samuel. And if it wasn’t for him …”

“Your young friend may be right.” Samuel stepped through the small cave entrance. He was a tall man with skin tanned by the sun. His blue eyes seemed to laugh when he spoke. “If the patient is complaining, it’s a sure sign that he’s improving.”

Cody fidgeted with the edge of the hide. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done. Rachel told me how your hunting party found us and brought us here. It must have been a hard decision to expose your people to outsiders like that. You’ve got your own little world up here. A perfect hiding spot from the CCR.”

Samuel shrugged. “It wasn’t hard. You’re Americans and so are we.” He turned to go. “I’ll bring your clothes. But take it slow, okay? We didn’t heal you so that you could start moving around too soon and make yourself sick again.”

“Thanks, Samuel.”

“I guess you want me to take this back to the cook?” Rachel held out the bowl.

Cody made a face and sighed. “Oh, I guess I can force it down one more time. Heck, I used to eat worse than this all the time in the prison camp.”

Rachel handed him the bowl. “Are you still planning on going back there?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Nothing’s changed.”

“It’s just that … never mind. When were you thinking of leaving?”

“As soon as my arm can do what I tell it to.” Cody stopped eating. “Look, Rachel, you don’t have to come. I can tell you like it here. This is my own private war. Stay with these people. They’ll be glad to have you.”

“Don’t talk like that. You need me. At least you have so far. You’d probably be lying in a ditch somewhere if you hadn’t met me.”

Cody rubbed the back of his head. “Or had one less concussion.”

A young boy stepped into the cave carrying Cody’s clothes. “Uncle Samuel said to bring these.” He stared at Cody’s wound. “Is it true
what they say about you? That you are strong and able to defeat the CCR?”

Cody looked at Rachel and raised one eyebrow. “What have you been telling these people about me?”

A light red flush crawled across Rachel’s cheeks. “Nothing much. Are you through with that bowl?”

Cody handed it to her and winked at the boy. “Thanks for bringing my clothes. Now if you two will excuse me …”

He waited until he was alone and pulled his clothes on under the blanket. Then he threw back the hide and stood up. Walking was easy for him. He’d been practicing when no one was around. He walked across the floor and flexed his muscles. His shoulder was still incredibly sore but he could use it and he knew it was time to go.

“Looks like we are pretty good healers.”

Cody turned around. Samuel was standing in the opening. “I brought you this.” The tall man handed him a leather bridle. “I want you to have the pick of the horses we have corralled
below. And don’t forget your gun. Rachel keeps it wrapped in that bag in the corner.”

“You knew I was leaving?”

“When Rachel told us of your mission, I assumed you would leave the instant you were able.”

“There is no way I can thank you enough for all you’ve done—but I wonder if I could ask one more thing.”

“Of course.”

“It’s Rachel. She doesn’t really understand how rough it’s going to be.…”

“And you want us to keep her here with us?”

“Would you?”

Samuel nodded. “I’ll go and tell the others to keep her occupied for a while.”

Cody extended his hand. “Thank you. If I’m ever back this way, I’ll be sure and look you up.”

“You will always be welcome.”

M
ike jumped on him and licked every part of his face. Cody hugged him with both arms. “I’ve missed you too.”

The stocky dog barked as if he understood every word.

“They tell me you’ve been keeping an eye on my things down here. That’s a good boy. Just as soon as I can catch one of these horses we’ll load him up and be on our way. What do you say?”

Mike barked again and ran alongside Cody into the corral.

Cody shook out the bridle and tried for the nearest horse. It danced sideways, easily staying out of his reach.

“Something tells me this could be harder than it looks, boy. You wait outside. I think you’re scaring them.”

Mike obediently went to the edge of the fence and sat down. Cody shook out the bridle again and edged up to a large sorrel. He put his hand out and the horse snorted, whirled and kicked, narrowly missing him.

“Need some help with that?” Rachel called from behind him.

Cody’s shoulders slumped. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw you trying to run out on me and I thought I’d follow along to see how far you could make it without my help. From here it doesn’t look like you’ve gotten too far.”

“I wasn’t running out on you. It’s better for you if you stay here.”

“Listen, macho man. I’m a big girl and I’ll decide what’s best for me.” Rachel stepped
into the corral and took the bridle. “My parents used to run a horse farm, remember?”

Effortlessly she wrapped one end of a rein around the sorrel’s neck. Then she slid the headstall over his face and fastened it. “Here.” She held the reins out to Cody and then ducked under the bottom fence rail and ran back to the ladder. “You could have at least said goodbye.”

Cody dropped the reins and trotted after her. “Rachel, wait.” He took hold of her arm. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have just left like that. I’m sorry.”

Rachel looked past him. “You’re forgiven. And Cody …?”

“Yeah?”

“I kind of got used to having you around.” She looked away. “It would be awful if you got killed.”

She moved quickly up the ladder and Cody watched her until she was out of sight and he thought, You’ve got that right, Rachel. It would be just awful.