Ryan Westfield - Getting Out

He saw in her face that she was hungry and tired, but that she had some inner strength, some force that would propel her forward. He hadn’t seen that strength in her before.

He also saw that she really was beautiful. There were some minor lines on her face. She hadn’t had an easy life. She’d been through some shit. But she had those classically beautiful features that time or worry couldn’t touch.

Max was trying to think while he watched Mandy, but no plans came to him. His head still felt fuzzy from the blow.

“The only thing I can think of,” said Mandy. “Is that they seem really disorganized. Maybe we can use that to our advantage. You know, convince one of them he should be the leader or something, and then play them off each other?”

“This isn’t some comedy movie,” said Max. “This shit is real. That’ll never work.”

“You got a better plan?” said Mandy.

“Someone’s coming,” whispered Max.

He watched through the morning light in the dusty room as the door handle started to turn.

“That’s crazy, Mom,” said James.

“Yeah, you’ve really lost your mind now,” said Sadie. “Why can’t we just go home?”

“Really, Sadie?” said Georgia. “You think we can just go home?”

Sadie didn’t say anything. Georgia knew she was just speaking out, or acting out, or whatever they called it. Sometimes it seemed like teenagers were just as bad as toddlers.

“You can’t just go steal some car,” said James. “Anyway, I don’t see any cars around here.”

“A truck,” said Georgia, correcting him. “It needs to be a truck or an SUV, or something with four wheel drive.”

“Like one of those Subaru wagons?” said Sadie.

“Sadie!” said James. “Don’t encourage her.”

“Exactly, Sadie,” said Georgia.

Her children had been a comfort to her, sitting by her side and telling her that everything would be OK. That was what had given her the strength to pursue this idea.

She was tired and weary. She would need to eat before starting.

“I’m going,” she said. “It’s the only way. Unless you want to walk all the way there with all our gear.”

“We can do it,” said James. “We’ll just take the food and stuff… we’ll be fine.”

Georgia considered it for a moment. Actually, he did have a bit of a point.

“It’s a long walk,” she said.

“But it’s better than not getting there at all,” said James.

“I don’t know,” said Georgia. “I don’t feel like I’m thinking clearly. Let’s get something to eat.”

Georgia went to the bed of the damaged pickup and grabbed some tins of food that were stuffed into a paper shopping bag. Everything was so disorganized and there weren’t proper bags for most of the stuff. It would be very difficult to carry the gear with them if they did end up walking.

Georgia was too tired to figure out how long it would take to walk there. But it would be days, if not weeks. Actually, she had no idea. She tried to do the math, but she got stuck on wondering about how many miles per hour they would be walking.

“It’s cold soup,” said Georgia, bringing a couple cans back to her kids. “But it’s what we got. I don’t want to break out the stove yet. So no complaining, Sadie.”

“What?” said Sadie, grabbing the can of soup eagerly. “I don’t care if it’s cold. I’m starving.”

Georgia was too tired to chuckle.

The tops of the cans were the kind that they could peel back easily without using a can opener.

The three of them sat cross-legged facing each other, drinking down their soup. Georgia poured the noodles and beef chunks into her mouth, tipping the can up high.

Nothing had ever tasted so good.

After about ten minutes, she felt better. Not a lot better. She still hadn’t slept much. The three of them had fallen asleep in the truck. Georgia had tried to stay awake, and she’d vaguely had the idea of taking shifts to keep guard, but she’d simply been too exhausted, and she’d fallen asleep before she could remember.

“I want another,” said James.

“We’ve got to save it,” said Georgia. “We don’t know how long it is before we get to the cabin.”

“Why can’t you just shoot something here, Mom?” said Sadie.

“I thought you didn’t approve of hunting,” said James.

“I don’t want to draw attention to us,” said Georgia. “The shot would ring out loud and clear all around. Plus, what am I going to do, field dress a deer and then drag it with us?”

Sadie didn’t say anything.

“It’s a good idea, though, Sadie,” said Georgia, her motherly instincts kicking in. “I’ll be teaching you how to hunt soon enough. Once we get to the cabin…”

“So we’re walking there, right?” said James.

Despite the soup, Georgia still didn’t feel like her energetic self. And she knew that Sadie and James were tired. In the light of day, their faces looked weary.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” said Georgia. “You and Sadie are going to stay here. You’re going to stay in the woods, away from the truck…”

“Mom!” said Sadie. “You can’t leave us here.”

“This is one time that I agree with her,” said James.

“Hear me out before you start arguing with me,” said Georgia. “Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to hike down the road. If I don’t find a house with a car there that I can take, then I’ll come back by the end of the day. You two will stay here, in the woods, with guns and food. If anyone comes near the truck to steal anything, shoot them dead.”

“Mom!” cried out Sadie.

“You’re going to listen to me if you want to survive,” said Georgia. “While you’re waiting, Sadie, let your brother show you how to shoot, but don’t actually fire any shots.”

“Are you sure about this, Mom?” said James.

She looked into his eyes and saw that he had that steely determined look that his father had had many years before, before he’d changed his ways and run off. Georgia felt pride swelling in her chest for her son.

“Yes,” said Georgia. “We can walk there if I don’t find a vehicle, but it’s riskier. Our chances of getting there safely in a car are much better.”

Georgia started to get ready. She took the pistol and a rifle with her, along with a small bag with some food.

She gave James and Sadie a hug each. Sadie had tears in her eyes when Georgia started walking down the road.

“It’s going to be fine, Sadie,” said Georgia.

James just looked at her with that determined look.

“I know you’ll protect her, James,” said Georgia.

James gave her a stiff nod. He understood that this was the best thing, the best course of action. It seemed as if overnight he’d become a man.

Georgia started walking down the road. She tried not to look back, but she couldn’t help it.

They were standing there, watching her walk down the road.

The sun had been shining, but clouds were starting to form, obscuring the light. The trees were thick on the sides of the road, which was filled with potholes.

It was a long road ahead, and Georgia didn’t know where it would lead. Her feet were already tired and her head hurt from lack of sleep. Her rifle was slung over her shoulder, and her handgun was tucked into the waistband of her jeans.

Her boots hitting the pavement made the only sound in the area.

She turned back once more, looking over at her children, the children she was determined to protect.

“Mom’s been gone a long time,” said Sadie. “Do you think she’s OK?”