Peej ~ 442 words
Branches, heavy with water, slashed his hands leaving behind
large, angry welts. Lighting crashed. Was that a scream covered
by the sound? A gunshot? Murray? Or just his own overflowing
imagination peaking from the stress.
Almost in answer a black form brushed against his leg. He
could barely see him but he recognized the feel, the touch f his
the wet fur.
"Murray" he breathed a sigh of relief.
Lighting lit up sky once again. He was almost to the
meadow...Almost to the river. Almost home.
"Stay close," he commanded the dog.
Jessie clambered over the side of the ravine and pressed
his back against the hard stone wall. The rain fell in sheets in
front of him, but on the ledge, it was more splashing and spray
that bathed his face. He slapped his hand against his thigh and
in seconds Murray was there beside him.
They eased their way along the ledge heading north. All
long the way Jessie ran his hand against the wall until he felt
cold steel beneath is hand. He pulled his penlight from his
jacket and read the imbedded plate..
"Almost home Buddy, he said while ruffling the dogs fur,
"Warm baths and hot food
In four tenths of a mile they came to a cave...the entrance
covered in vines and completing hiding it from sight. Jessie
breathed a sigh if relief. Several tunnels branched off the main
cave. He chose the second from the right. There were spiders,
vines, and a higher then usual creek running down its center.
They walked in the water so as to leave no scent.
The cave grew smaller and smaller until it dead ended into a
wall. Murray barked once and the stone wall said silently into a
opening revealing a metal door with an handprint/eyeprint imaging
device. And, although he could neither see nor hear it, he knew
he was being body scanned.
The door swung open and a melodious female voice said, "Good
evening Doctor Jay. It has been a long time. The time is 442
pm. I have started a fresh pot of coffee. Shall I start your
bath water.
"In about five minutes. What are the readings?"
"There are ten people in the forest who are aimlessly
wandering around. One did manage to shoot another of his
comrades. They are sending a helicopter now."
Jessie smiled.
"If there is a change be sure to know immediately."
"Of course Doctor"
As Jessie and Murray left the room the lights were darkened,
Darkened except for the electronic glow of several million
dollars of electronic equipment.