Paths of Righteousness (Land of Tomorrow Book 3) by Ryan King

Author:Ryan King [King, Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Three Kings Publishing
Published: 2014-06-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6 - The Migration

Nathan panted and rested his head against the cool metal rungs. Nearly three quarters of the way to the top, his healing leg trembled and shook with exhaustion.

"I told you it was too soon," said Jack, leaning out over the railing above him. "But now that you've started, you damn well better finish."

"I intend to," said Nathan, starting again. He had ridden to the bottom of the tower in the central lift and his manual climb to the top was his yardstick to determine if he was healthy enough to continue on their journey home.

"You got it, Dad," said Joshua below him on the ladder. "You're almost there." He followed more slowly, moving the safety lines attached to him and Nathan up a little at a time so that if either of them fell, it wouldn't be far.

"We need to hurry this up," said Caleb. "It's almost dawn and I don't like being out here exposed where people can see us."

Nathan focused on the rungs in front of him and tried to ignore his screaming muscles. He forced one limb to move and then another as if they were all independent organisms in no way related to the whole.

Something made Nathan look to the north and he froze.

"Come on now," urged Jack. "You're too close to stop now."

"Look," Nathan said once he could breathe again.

They followed his gaze toward the four-lane highway visible over the fields and woods between them. Although the highway was normally clear except for several random abandoned vehicles, now it had filled. Dozens of horse-drawn carts used the road surface while hundreds of cattle, sheep, and goats idly made their way in the median and on the sides. Dogs and riders with rifles roamed the edges.

"Hurry up," hissed Joshua. "They may not have seen us yet."

Nathan started moving again, will overcoming the pain in his leg. At the top, Jack grasped his outstretched hand and pulled him onto the platform. Joshua followed quickly and they all went inside, easing the outer hatch closed. Caleb led them to the north edge of the tower where there were several small openings. They stuck their faces to the holes and looked out. Caleb watched them in silence through binoculars before passing them down the line.

"Looks like a bunch of herding nomads," said Caleb. "I see women and children. That's a good sign."

"Just because they have women and children of their own," said Jack, "doesn't mean they won't kill or take yours. For all we know, that's where those came from."

"They don't have that look about them," said Caleb softly.

"What look?" asked Joshua.

"Of enforced servitude," said Caleb. "Look at them. I mean some of them are smiling. They look happy. Like they are a community or a family."

"The Viet Cong had communities and families too," said Jack. "That didn't mean they wouldn't kill you."

"It doesn't matter," said Nathan. "I don't think they've seen us. Give them time and they'll be gone."

The Ark Community held its collective breath the next few hours.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.