I started praying.
With only a little over four miles to go, the car sputtered and began to slow.
“Shit!” Marc slammed his hand against the steering wheel as he turned it, maneuvering the car to the side of the road just as it rolled to a stop.
We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by dense forest and mountains. At least an hour had gone by since we’dseen another car, which was understandable. With the pandemic still sweeping the country, not many people were traveling. Especially not out of the country.
“We’ll have to go on foot.” Marc shifted, pulled off his jacket, and held it out. “Put this on, so you don’t get cold.”
“What about you?” I asked, refusing to take it.
“I’ll be fine as long as I know you’re comfortable,” he assured me.
I didn’t bother reminding him that at seven months pregnant, there was no way I was going to be comfortable walking four miles through the wilderness and cold. I took the jacket anyway. He wouldn’t give in, and we had no time to argue.
Marc gave a satisfied nod and shoved his door open.
I followed his lead, climbing out so I could wiggle into the jacket. The sleeves were too long, and my stomach made it impossible to zip the thing up, but it was thick and warm, and I was grateful for it because the air was even cooler than I’d expected. I tried – and failed – not to think about Marc. He was going to be cold.
He and I met at the front of the car, where we paused to take a look around. A puff of steam rose from his mouth with every breath he let out, and already his cheeks were pink. Hopefully, once we got going, the exertion would help keep him warm.
“We should walk in the forest but keep the street in our line of sight,” he said, glancing at the woods. “That way we’re concealed but we don’t get lost.”
“I agree,” I said, even though just the idea of trekking through the woods exhausted me and there was no way to conceal the car. If – no, when – they came upon it, they would know we were in the area. I hoped we were over the border before that happened.
Marc held my gaze as he said, “We’re going to make it, Ara. I promise I’m going to get you there.”
“I believe you.”
I held out my hand, which he took, and together we headed for the forest.
I’d never been a very active person, but a few years ago, Trevor convinced me to go to the gym with him. Since neither ofus were runners, we’d walked side by side on treadmills, talking to pass the time. Which was how I knew I could do three miles in an hour. Of course, that had been before I was pregnant, so it would take me a little more time now. Still, I thought we might be able to make it in two hours. Maybe less. I hoped so, anyway.
The terrain was treacherous, with pine needles and dead leaves concealing sticks and other debris that constantly threatened to trip me up, and branches that scratched at my arms and legs. On top of that, it was cold, and after less than ten minutes of walking, an icy rain began to fall. It pinged against the trees above us and our heads, soaking us in seconds and making my entire body turn into one giant goose bump. Thankfully, I had the coat and was able to pull up the hood, but Marc had nothing to protect him from the deluge, and his shirt was drenched in no time. It clung to his back and chest, and goose flesh was visible on every inch of exposed skin.
“Take a turn with the coat,” I begged as we walked. “Please.”
“I’m fine.” He gave my hand an encouraging squeeze. “And we’re almost there.”
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed but I prayed he was right.
As planned, we kept close to the tree line and were able to see the road through the foliage. The first time a black truck with darkly tinted windows drove by, heading toward the border, I didn’t think much of it. We hadn’t seen a lot of other vehicles since leaving Estes Park, but we’d seen a few, and it wasn’t unreasonable to think someone else might be traveling today. When the same truck drove by a second time, though, this time heading in the opposite direction, I knew we were in trouble.
“They’re looking for us,” I said, waving to the truck, which was driving slower than it had been the first time.
“They found the car, but they don’t know how long ago we ditched it,” Marc replied. “We’ll be okay if we stick to the trees, though.”
“That’s assuming they don’t search for us on foot.”
He shot me a worried look but said nothing.
We continued, trudging through the forest. My legs were sore,and I was exhausted from lack of sleep, and my round body made every step awkward. Plus, I was cold and had to pee. Despite all that, I was determined. We were so close. Just a little farther. If I could push myself, we’d make it to Canada where we’d be safe. Then I could rest.
The truck was driving slower when it passed a third time.
“They must suspect we haven’t crossed yet,” I said.
Marc gritted his teeth. “They probably talked to the guards at the border station. Shit. We’ll have to stay in the trees until after we cross the border. It’s the only way to make sure that asshole doesn’t see us.”
