Page 60 of Burning Escape

“I’m no one’s answer to prayer. I brought trouble. Right to your doorstep.”

“What are you talking about?” Hannah’s eyes narrowed.

“Look, Orion and I aren’t married. We’re smokejumpers. Wildland firefighters. But one of our teammates has a friend. She was caught by this militia. We were helping rescue her and her brother when the militia shot down our airplane. Orion and I were separated from our team when we parachuted out and were injured running away from these guys. When Amos assumed we were married, we thought it was for the best that we stay together. Especially with the way Jeremiah would stare. But it looks like the militia found us again. So, I guess I’m trying to say I’m sorry.”

“Why is the militia being here your fault?” Mara looked confused.

Wasn’t it obvious? She attracted the worst of humanity.

“Seems to me these men are bent on destruction one way or another. That isn’t your fault. As for pretending to be married, I can’t say I condone lying, but under the circumstances with Jeremiah, I understand. Mara told us what happened when you left. And we haven’t seen Jeremiah since.” Hannah’s eyes softened. “Amos and I wanted this community to be a safe place, and it wasn’t for you. And for that, I’m the one that is sorry. Still…God works in mysterious ways. Little Josiah is thriving. You’re here just in time to help us fight this fire. That’s not a coincidence. I’d say you are exactly the answer to prayer we needed.”

“If you don’t want to marry Orion, do you think he’d marry me?” Gabby tugged on her arm, all the children that should’ve been hiding trailing behind her.

Tori chuckled. “We’re not married, but…he might be the answer to the prayer I didn’t even know to pray. And?—”

Two ATVs sped into the middle of the commune, tearing up the grass.

“Get back!” Tori shooed the women away from the door. “Take the children into the back room—better yet, the basement.” Most of the women did as she asked, except Hannah and Mara. They stayed by Tori at the doorway of the chapel.

“You’re not alone, Victoria. We do this together.” Hannah walked through the door.

They stood on the steps of the chapel, ready to face the four men. Maybe Tori could lure them away.

Suddenly a shout, and Amos and the other men from the fire line ran onto the open lawn. But the militia took aim with rifles and pistols.

“No!” Tori leaped off the steps and stood between the two groups of men, facing the militia. “Don’t hurt these people. They’ve done nothing to you.”

One of the men, probably the leader from the way the others watched him, got off his ATV. He was bald, a dirty green bandanna tied around his neck. “The fact that you’re here says otherwise. If they’ve been harboring Tristan Winters?—”

“Tristan? Jamie’s brother? He isn’t here. He never was.”

“Like I’m going to take your word for it.” The bald man held his rifle and walked up to her.

“You should. She tells the truth.” Amos came and stood next to Tori. “We have no quarrel with you. Leave us now, before that changes.”

An evil grin crept onto the militia leader’s face. “You don’t wanna cross me, old man.”

Tori wasn’t sure how it started, but a brawl broke out as the Refuge men surged the four militiamen, wrestling away guns and knocking each other to the ground. Tori jumped out of the way while Abraham tackled one of the men. She spun to check on the women. Thick arms grabbed her from behind.

She thrashed and kicked, but the man was strong, his grip unbreakable. He dragged her away behind the structure. She opened her mouth to shout. A gloved hand clamped down, cutting off her scream.

“Not so fast. This time you won’t get away.” The voice in her ear was familiar. But from where?

She could hardly hear with the blood rushing to her head. A gag was stuffed into her mouth, choking her. A sharp prick in her neck, and she felt a burning liquid forced under her skin. Her body went weak.

No! She threw her head back, butting her assailant.

He roared. But he didn’t stop.

He merely picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She grabbed a tree branch as he moved away from the commune into the woods, but it slipped right through her hands. Her eyes barely stayed open. Whatever he’d shot into her was taking effect fast.

Another sound registered.

Water. He was taking her to the river.

Help me, Lord.

Help me out of this danger.

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