Joint Task Force #1: Liberia Read Free Page B

tonight.”
    “What about Momma and Daddy?” Jamal asked falling into step beside Uncle Nathan as they hurriedly walked through the dark toward the front of the houses that circled this small cul de sac in the suburb of New Carrollton. “Momma and Daddy were there when we left, Uncle Nathan. Maybe they’re following us?”
    “Maybe they are, Jamal. Let’s hope so, and if they did by some miracle make it out, then they’ll catch up with us. Your daddy, my brother Jerry, knows the plans if we ever had to flee. He’ll know where we’re going and how we intended to go. They’ll catch up.”
    Jamal jerked away from him. “You don’t think they made it out like Selma and me, do you?”
    “Jamal, I can’t expect someone your age to understand, but the government has fallen. President Jefferson is dead and African rebels led by Arab fanatics are overrunning the city, killing Americans wherever they find them. We’re heading to Kingsville. If Jerry, Ullma, and Abdul are alive, they’ll meet us in Kingsville.”
    Jamal looked at the jungle edge. Kingsville! Last year he had gone with his parents to visit this African-American town.A small piece of the United States hacked out of the jungle by retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Daniel Thomaston. Even his father had called the man “General.” Everyone did, and he remembered his father lightly slapping the back of Jamal’s head, after shaking the man’s hand when this Thomaston walked by, and whispering for Jamal to stand. Everyone in the community center had stood and waited as the “general,” who had led so many African-Americans back to their roots in Liberia, entered. Jamal had even shaken the general’s hand, and the general had asked him his name, what grade he was in, and what he wanted to be when he grew up, before moving off to talk with others. He wondered if the general would remember him. Uncle Nathan was right. General Thomaston would kick these rebels’ asses from here to kingdom come.
    A group of men, shouting, came running down the road toward them.
    “Nathan! Can’t hold them. More showing up by the minute.”
    A whistling sound, increasing in intensity, drew everyone’s attention. Heads spun upward, searching the night sky, and then the sound headed downward. A nearby house exploded as the mortar shell hit. The concussion knocked Jamal off his feet. It wasn’t as bad as when Kafla tackled him minutes ago. Flames shot out of the roof of the house as pieces of it spun crazily in all directions.
    “We’ve got to go,” Nathan said.
    Jamal stopped and watched his uncle march a few more steps before turning to face him. “I’ve got to go back and see if I can find Daddy and Momma,” Jamal said.
    Nathan walked back and took Jamal by both shoulders. “Son, if you do, then you’ll just get lost. If your parents are alive, they’ll find you at Kingsville. If they don’t, then I’ll come back with you and we’ll find them. But right now, we’ve got to get out if we want to live.”
    Jamal stared up at Uncle Nathan, their eyes meeting. A couple of seconds passed before Jamal nodded. Nathan let him go.
    Nathan motioned the men running toward them toward the houses at the rear, shouting, “Get everyone in the cars!” Jamal ran behind him. Uncle Nathan moved at a half trot, touchingpeople on the shoulders as they ran past, urging others to pick up the pace. The two of them headed toward the back of the farthermost house. Kafla, carrying Selma, ran to their left.
    “I want my SUV in front and the pickup truck bringing up the rear with the men on it. We’ve got to get the hell out of here, now!”
    Nathan glanced down at his nephew. “Go! Go with Kafla here,” he said, pointing toward the house at the end of the cul de sac.
    Kafla put Selma down. “Follow me!” Kafla ordered, and took off running.
    Jamal grabbed her hand and the two ran, trying to keep up with the young man who seemed intent on leaving them behind. Around the side of