Page 88 of Into the Mist

“As do we,” agreed Stella. “So the truth is we’re in charge. Mercury and I make the decisions for the group, though we listen to what everyone has to say. If that’s not okay with you, then we should part ways now. We’ll be sure you’re safe, though, and we’ll leave you with enough food to get to Madras.”

“I joined the Air Force out of high school—before I went to Journeyman school. I’m comfortable with the chain of command,” said Ford.

“Which means?” Mercury asked.

“It means you outrank me, so I’ll do what I’m told to do.” He flashed his charming smile. “My truth is that it’d be my personal nightmare to be in charge and responsible for all of your lives. I’m perfectly happy to turn over command to you.”

“Deal.” Stella offered him her hand.

“Deal.” He shook it. “Hey, I should cross that little bridge downstream and get my backpack. All of my supplies are in it.” He stood and immediately his swarthy complexion blanched to the color of curdled milk. His hand went to his forehead as he swayed.

“Nope, nope, nope!” Gemma turned from where she was disinfecting her needle, grabbed his arm and guided him back to the tailgate, where he sat heavily and gulped air as sweat suddenly beaded his forehead. “You aren’t walking anywhere. I also don’t want yousleeping for at least a few hours. I’m pretty sure you have a concussion.”

“I’ll get your backpack,” Mercury said.

“Are you one hundred percent sure you don’t feel broken at all?” Gemma asked her.

“Do you?” Mercury said.

“Nope.”

“Me either.” Mercury looked at Stella. “Do I need to hurry?”

“Definitely,” said Stella. “While you’re getting the backpack, the rest of us will load up. Ford needs to be in the cab so he can tell me which way to go.”

“Stella?” Ford called after her. Stella turned to look at him, and he added, “I don’t suppose you have any wire cutters? It’d definitely make getting this truck cross-country easier.”

Mercury answered. “Oh yeah, we do! They’re in that black bag behind the bench seat.”

“I’ll get them out,” said Stella.

“We’re sleepy,” said Georgie around a giant yawn. “Imani, would you stay in the back with us?”

“Of course, baby,” said Imani, brushing back the girl’s hair before she smiled at Stella. “I’ll get the kids loaded.”

“And I’ll be back in a sec,” said Mercury as she started jogging along the road heading downstream to the wooden bridge about half a football field away. She glanced down at the rocky river side, relieved the green fog hadn’t spread that far.Well, here’s hoping that backpack isn’t as heavy as it looks.

CHAPTER

27

THE WOODEN BRIDGEwas one of those old plank things—and several of the planks were either missing or rotted and splintered. Hoof prints in the dirt and droppings on the bridge showed that goats had been using it. There was no railing—nothing except some crappy-looking horizontal pieces of wood nailed to what looked like not much more than salvaged two-by-fours. She hugged the left side of the little footbridge, tiptoed quickly across it, and refused to look down at the murky, angry water swirling not far below.

Once over the bridge, Mercury jogged upstream several yards until she found Oxford’s hastily discarded backpack. It was arealbackpack, not like the schoolgirl ones she and Stella and the rest of their group had crammed into the bed of the truck. This one was a long rectangle that was obviously filled with serious camping supplies. It was in good condition but was also well used—and completely full.

Mercury sighed and picked it up by one of its wide straps—and then wanted to laugh. It wasn’t even close to as heavy as it looked! She slipped her arms through the straps, looked across the river, downstream to where Stella was standing by the rear of the truck, staring at her. She grinned and waved at her friend, who made more of a shooing gesture than a wave in return.

“Coming!” Mercury shouted between cupped hands before she jogged back to the bridge.

At the footbridge Mercury remembered to stick to the side, now on her right, that had been semi-stable on her way over. Not anticipating any problems because her newly acquired weight just didn’tadd that much, she walked out onto the bridge and began to retrace her path.

Mercury’s stomach growled, and she was wondering what besides sandwiches Stella had packed for them, when a board gave way under her left foot, falling into the raging water just inches beneath. Struggling to regain her balance, Mercury staggered into the center of the bridge.

With a deafeningcrack, the planks beneath both of her feet broke and dropped into the river, with Mercury following close behind. The backpack caught on a plank behind her, halting her fall, but that plank was thoroughly rotten and it gave way quickly so that she continued to plummet downward. As her legs went under the water, Mercury frantically grasped at the bridge planks in front of her. She managed to grip a splintered piece of wood and held on while the current sucked at her body like it was the throat of a ravenous giant.

She could hear Stella shouting and knew her friends must be running to save her, but the board she clutched moaned beneath her weight.

It wouldn’t hold her long.