The Road Home by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 30

Sleep proved to be elusive for everyone as Nathan’s absence drifted through the cabin like a ghost--their troubled minds still awash with the pain of losing someone so close to them. Even Maya, as strong as she was, wrestled the demons that had taken up residence in her soul. Eventually, she drifted off into a light but uneasy sleep. Eli was awake for most of the night—his mind possessed by the waking nightmare of seeing his friend’s near-headless body sprawled out on the store’s steps. His imagination filled in what he was afraid to see as the moving pictures of nocturnal ideation played out the grotesque destruction of Nathan’s remains by half-starved wolves. It was a vision that would forever remain with him, lying just beneath his consciousness, cloaked in the guise of what should remain in the past.

Morning arrived too quickly and found everyone up before it’s rising. They were exhausted, with their minds still haunted by the specter of Nathan’s death. But it was time to leave, and the group wanted to move on sooner rather than later. To say that they hurried would be an understatement, with Maya keeping them focused on speed and organization. Within half an hour, their cars were packed and with Maya taking the lead, they struck out on the road. The morning sky was a royal blue and the air was chilly—far more than they expected. But Aurora, barely holding herself together, commented that the dusting of snow on the mountaintops and the deep blue of the sky indicated that winter had already begun. Hearing this, Maya became concerned that perhaps they should remain in the cabin, but there was the issue of food and water and the closest city with those resources was Tacoma. But first, they needed reliable transportation, and as soon as they reached the highway, Jackson pointed the way to the RV store.

Parking in front of the store, everyone got up and immediately began scanning their surroundings, hoping the wolves were purely nocturnal. All were relieved when concluding that there was nothing to be concerned about. Maya was the first to approach the doors of the store. She peered through the glass and was excited to see that the vehicles were not campers but large caravans— each the size of a large bus with added length. Aurora was right; each vehicle seemed like a palace on wheels—almost opulent. Now, with everyone’s faces at the glass, Jackson was first to comment.

“Holy fuck,” he said. “We have got to get one of those.”

Everyone was excited to hit the road in what looked like a vehicle fit for a celebrity. But while they continued gawking, Eli picked up a rock and with a single throw rendered the plate glass window into a shower of pea-sized chunks. The sudden shatter startled everyone else into a gasp as they turned to Eli with as much anger as surprise.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Maya asked. She was normally calm in her demeanor, but Eli’s unexpected actions led her to discharge a loud bolt of anger, surprising everyone but especially Eli.

“Why don’t you give us a heads-up next time? You asshole!”

Taken aback by what was clearly not typical of Maya, Eli stammered an apology, stating he just couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of one of those bad boys.

Climbing through the stainless steel window frame, the group stood in awe of what would become their new mode of travel. With five RVs lined up in front of them, all they needed to do was pick one. Trying the door of the first, they found it locked. Excitement was soon replaced by frustration as Eli made his thoughts known. “Fuck!” he said. “How do I get into this thing?!” What was needed now was both calm and common sense, as Aurora, standing nearby, stated the obvious.

“Excuse me, dumbass,” she began. “I think you need, like, I don’t know, a key or something.” Eli was not a fan of her sarcasm, even though she was right. He continued examining the vehicle as Aurora shook her head in disbelief, then walked off to find the store’s office. During her search, the others moved from one RV to another, finding that the only difference was the color. Having recovered the keys to all five RV’s, Aurora returned and, handing them out, asked everyone to match them to the correct vehicle. Having done so, Eli suggested they each take one of their own. Again, Aurora stepped in.

“You dick,” she said. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Eli was about to launch a verbal assault when Maya interrupted.

“Hey,” she said. “Come on, you two. We’re wasting time, and we’ve got a lot to do. So just pick one!”

After another quick inspection, the group made its decision, choosing a white RV with a heavy green stripe running down its side. But how would they move it? The showroom doors were magnetically locked and without power, another solution had to be considered. Now, Jackson decided to make his contribution.

“Hey, Eli,” he said. “It kind of seems like you’re the destructive type. Those doors are huge. How do we get open? Even if we smash the glass, the frame is still going to be in the way.” After a few moments of thought, Eli suggested something that seemed as brilliant as it was destructive.

“Let’s just drive one of these babies right through the door,” he replied. “We’ll take out the door frame and the glass. Simple.”

Maya, generally not being one for humor, was first to congratulate him.

“That is a fucking awesome idea,” she said. “I’m driving. We’ll fuck up the door with one RV, then drive out with another.”

Never having heard Maya speak with such language or even crack a joke, Jackson inquired as to her state of mind.

“I’m fine,” she answered.

The group stood in shock, as if she had grown another head.

“What?” she continued. “I don’t get to be funny once in a while?”

The air grew still with hesitation as everyone tried to think of a response.

“Oh, Jesus Christ,” Maya said. “Just get in. I’ll handle the doors.”

Unlocking the door, she climbed into the RV and immediately noticed how opulent its interior was. The driver’s seat was a swiveling captain’s chair. Her reaction to sitting in it was immediate. “Holy fuck,” she whispered. “This is heaven.”

But this was not the vehicle they would be using and starting the engine, Maya put it in gear and floored the gas pedal. Having never driven such an RV, she was not accustomed to how it handled, and giving it too much gas sent it careening forward. The glass doors didn’t stand a chance as the RV plowed through the double doors, shattering the glass and ripping the door frame from its hinges. The deed was done and struggling with the vehicle, Maya brought it to a chaotic stop.

The experience left Maya dazed and stumbling out of the RV, she was met with applause and cheers as the group stood by, having watched the dramatic moment unfold. Pausing just long enough to compose herself, she took an awkward bow as the group continued showering her with accolades.

“Alright,” she said. “Let’s just get going, okay?” Walking back to their intended means of transportation, Eli hesitated, and turned back, hoping to get a look at the damage Maya had caused. Once in front of the RV, he was astonished to find how much carnage had been done and, getting everyone’s attention, called them over.

“Guys,” he said. “You’ve got to see this.” Maya again prompted them to board the other RV, but upon hearing Eli’s comments, rushed to examine the damage for herself, followed by Aurora and Jackson.

“Holy shit,” Eli said. “You don’t fuck around, do you?”

The front of the RV was heavily dented, with broad cracks in the windshield, spreading out in every direction. The front wheels were pinned within the wheel wells by the resulting impact with the door frame. The RV was undrivable— totaled by any standard. Maya couldn’t believe the damage she had done, but was somehow impressed.

“God damn,” she said. “Did I do good or what?” She may not be a law student anymore, but she had developed a skill for destruction. And yes, she enjoyed it. Now, Maya reminded everyone it was time to go, and unlocking the RV, they retreated to their cars and gathered everything they owned. This was an important step in their journey, as they left behind everything they had known since entering college. From here on, life was going to be difficult, unpredictable, and likely, dangerous. Each bridge of their future would be crossed one at a time as they formulated solutions to most of the problems that arose. Yet, some problems can’t be fixed, while mistakes can be costly.