Chapter 24

“This forest is truly beautiful!” Tasha told Joe.

Joe parked the car under thick green trees. “This should keep the car out of sight from the air.” He pointed at a path that cut up through the thick woods. “Our cabin is about two miles to the east.”

They got out of the car. Joe walked to the trunk. He opened it and smiled. He pulled out a backpack. “Good thing is, Dad is always prepared. He keeps emergency rations in here. This should cover us until we figure out what the next move is.” Joe slipped his arms through the backpack. “Now we walk.”

Joe took Tasha’s hand, and they started walking.

“Joe, I’m sorry for getting you into this mess,” Tasha said. “I just wanted to visit you, be a normal girl for a day or two, and then go back. Maybe it’s not too late? Maybe I can just surrender and go back?”

Joe stopped walking. “Is that what you truly w