Seeking Safety Read Free Page A

with
excitement and when she answers he says,
    "Mom, are you packed yet? We are the official
owners of the Rock Springs Ranch as of this morning and I'm on my
way to Wyoming!"
    "Barrett, why are you in such a hurry?"
laughs Barry's Mom, Virginia. "I can't just drop everything and
leave right now. I have a job you know." Virginia is so pleased to
hear the happiness in her son's voice. It has been a very long time
since she has heard his happy laughter and she has been very
worried. In fact, this is the first time she has heard excited
happiness in his voice since before he retired from the
Marines.
    "Nonsense, Mom, just pack your clothes and
come. Anything else you need I'll get for you out here. You don't
ever have to work again so quit your job today. I'll have my plane
waiting for you at the airport. I want you to come live with me at
the ranch!" Barry says determinedly.
    "Oh Barrett, you're so impetuous sometimes!
You don't want an old bag of bones like me underfoot. I'll come out
in a few weeks for a visit." Virginia offers soberly.
    "Mom, you are not listening to me. I want you
to live with me at the ranch. I will not take no for an answer."
Barry repeats patiently. "Do you want me to come to Georgia and get
you? I will you know."
    "No, don't do that! I don't want to have to
fight all those reporters that show up every time you do. You know
how I hate that," a note of panic in her voice. "All right, if
you're sure, I'll pack my suitcases and get the boxes ready. I'll
fly out in a few days, all right?"
    "Now that is what I wanted to hear! Let me
know the day and I'll send the jet for you. I'll have the house all
warmed up and a fire in the big stone fireplace. I'll make sure a
car to drive you to the ranch is waiting at the airport in Cody. I
can't wait to see you Mom. I love you!" Barry says happily.
    ******
    I am scared to death. My heart is pounding
with fear, my hands are shaking, and sweat is trickling down my
back even though six inches of snow covers the ground outside the
little cabin. I have to get my nine year old son, Eric out of this
compound and to safety and I have to do it tonight. I don't want
him to end up being the same type of cruel, unfeeling man as his
father. Please God, give me the strength, the
courage, and the wisdom to escape this place and Darren
Calloway.
    I stoke the fire with as much wood as I dare
put in the wood burning stove. Then I gently shake Eric's shoulder
and warn him to be quiet as we tip toe to the door, quietly open it
enough to slide through, and then silently close it behind us.
Eric's father, Darren Calloway, the leader of this militia group,
is passed out on the bed a few feet away and we certainly don't
want him to wake up and catch us.
    Not too long ago he came back to the cabin
falling down drunk and raving mad. He beat me with his fists and
then beat Eric with a belt across his back for trying to stop him
from hitting me. Eric's back is a bloody mess. I feel sure I have
broken ribs from Darren's tirade but that doesn't matter. All that
matters is getting Eric away from the maniac to safety.
    Once we are safely out of the cabin that has
been my home for the past ten years, I breathe a sigh of relief. I
managed to steal the keys to one of the cars kept just outside the
compound for use when some of the men have to go into town for
supplies. I just have to manage to get to it before we are caught.
I stole all of the cash out of Darren's billfold and stuffed all of
the bread and non-perishable food I could into a pillow case. As we
hurry toward the edge of the compound keeping to the deep shadows I
pray again for our safety. Please God, keep us
safe!
    When we reach the fence around the compound,
I pull the wire cutters I stole from Darren's tool box out of my
coat pocket and cut a hole in the wire just big enough for us to
slip through. Once we get to the other side I push the wire back
together and we quietly climb into the car. Please God, let it start!
    I release the