Hope

Running through the house, she grabbed an old coat, she had to get away before they found her. The militia was out, going house to house, harassing people, all to find out where she lived. She spoke out against them, the racism and sexism they promoted. The methods of control and propaganda used to control their followers had been exposed to the world in her writing. She could see them down the street through her living room curtains. The militia had come to kill her, burn down her house and all evidence she had on them.

Escaping at the last minute, she ran out the back door for the woods, praying they did not spot her. She moved at top speed, through the woods, over rocks, through the stream, and crossing the highway that leads out of town. Her heart beating rapidly, she felt like a scared rabbit without a hole to hide in.

Fear kept her going all night even though her body ached. Her mind was racing ,the thought of them finding her was too much to bare. Anyone who dared criticize them mysteriously disappeared. Just before sunrise, the woods lead her to a dirt road. Tired and unsure of where she was, she decided to stay on it for a while.

Out in the open road, she was vulnerable, there had to be somewhere to hide.

The dirt road leads to an old farm. The grass was tall that surrounded the worn-down house. Looking carefully where she stepped she hoped there was nothing in the grass that would bite her. Following the steps up the front porch, she took a look inside.

Searching the house for anything of use, she found an empty bottle to use for water, a knife, and a few utensils for eating, she packed them in her bag. In the back of the house, apple and pear trees were all over the property. She felt very fortunate to find something to eat.

She went into the barn to looked around for anything that would be of use. Nothing much was there, an old tractor and some tarps, it didn’t matter, she would rest, sleep there tonight and move on in the morning.

That night was warm, she found a corner up in the loft of the barn and tried to make the best of it. In the distance, the sound of trucks could be heard. She listened intently, wondering if it was the militia, did they know where she was? The thoughts of them pursuing her would not leave her mind. Her mind was overwhelmed with anxiety, she had to find safety. Maybe she could get to Canada if she could find north. The exhaustion finally overtook her and she slept.

She dreamed about her dad that night. He had passed years ago, but her mind went to thoughts of him when she felt alone and scared. They would go camping when she was a girl and he would teach her little bits of knowledge about the outdoors. In her dream, the two of them walked along the river where they use to camp. The conversation they were having she didn't completely understand. Parts of it seemed that he was trying to tell her to be strong and believe in herself.

“You have to do what you think is right” she remembered him saying.

Together, enjoying the sunshine, watching the water flow over the rocks, it was the most peaceful of she felt in years.

The next morning she woke just before the sun was up and sat outside to watch it rise and light the sky. Gathering her things she saw a piece of glass in the dirt and bent down to investigate. The compass looked old but it was in working order. Maybe she could find north, then to somewhere safe.

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