Chapter 15
The next morning, she was packing the bag she’d found in her car along with the bookbag from the storage room.
With Meredith’s blessing, she had taken enough food and two water purifiers from their stock supply.
It wasn’t a favor Sarah would soon forget.
Once her parents were safe and settled, she promised Meredith she’d be back to check in on her.
She was going to meet Adam after the sun went down around eight at the front gate.
Others had left during the day, and they’d been able to watch them for miles on the flat terrain.
She wanted the cover of darkness as they moved.
By day, they could find shelter along the coast. Avoiding the cities wasn’t her only reason for taking the coast to Maine.
They could take shelter at dozens of restaurants, bars, and boat houses that would now be abandoned.
Word had quickly spread through the compound about Adam and Sarah’s pending departure.
Later that morning, Meredith announced the departure of the pair, along with three more inmates and Alan.
With each new person who left the prison compound, Sarah knew Meredith was torn.
On the one hand, fewer mouths to feed would make the supplies go further, but it also meant fewer hands working to prepare themselves.
Taking care of thirty convicts in cells was no small task on its own.
Throwing in the fact that they had no power and Sarah was forced to wonder how long it would be before executions were the only humane option.
Once again, she was thankful the decision didn’t rest on her shoulders.
The day passed without incident until Sarah found herself waiting at the front gate for her travel partner.
Alan emerged and smiled at her with his backpack ready for the trek ahead.
He was heading ten miles south to his home and wife.
Sarah wished she could go with him, but she had her own family to worry about.
It was bittersweet not knowing if they would ever see each other again.
Sarah tried to keep her spirits hopeful that they would find each other again when the world went back to normal.
She just didn’t know if that day would ever come.
Was it possible the world that surrounded them was a new reality?
“Are you all set to make the trip up north?” Alan asked.
“I think so, but I have no idea what I’m going to run into along the way. God only knows what the world is like out there, and if movies are any indication of how the world reacts to these situations, we’re in for some rough days.”
“Yeah, but I’m hoping movies are just what they are—visual stories.”
Sarah chuckled. “Well, I’m with you on that thought, but I’m not optimistic about it.”
“Sadly, neither am I. I have to ask if you think taking Adam with you is a good idea. I know he’s been found innocent, but what do you really know about the man?”
“He was wrongfully convicted. The corrupt system put him here to either cover up for someone else or to cover their own mistakes. Either way, he deserves to have a chance out there.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean he’s a good guy,” Alan replied. "That just means he didn’t do what they said he did. You only know him from in here, and you know how people can just pretend to be something they’re not, so it looks good for their parole.”
“I understand your position, Alan. He’s worth taking a chance on, and I’ve researched his case a lot. His interviews and his attitude in here—even with being wrongfully convicted, he was a model inmate.”
“Well, I’ve never been one to question your intentions, and I’m not going to start now. I just want to make sure that you’re making the right choice. I worry about you, Sarah. If I didn’t ask if you were sure, Becky would have my ass in a sling.”
Sarah chuckled. “She’s probably going to anyway.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Still, I trust my instincts. They’ve never steered me wrong before.”
“I trust your instincts, too.”
Alan pulled her into his arms and gave her a loving bear hug.
When he pulled away, he unlocked the gate before handing her his keys.
It broke her heart to watch him go as she locked the gate behind him.
He gave one final wave to her and Meredith as she approached.
Seeing her friend disappear down the road was difficult, but she knew it was coming.
The next part was going to be just as difficult.
The compound and the friendships she’d made over the years wouldn’t be easy to forget.
Nor did she want to, they had become her second family, but her first one needed her more.
Everything would be okay as long as Meredith was running things.
She refused to believe the country wouldn’t quickly rebound from what was happening.
The middle-aged woman smiled at her with tears glistening in her eyes.
If she’d been hoping for a quick and emotionless goodbye, Sarah was going to be disappointed.
Meredith had been a surrogate mother to her while her own was hundreds of miles away.
“I can’t believe you’re really going. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” Meredith said.
“John is a great man; he’s going to help you run things, and he’s got a great rapport with the inmates,” Sarah said.
“He’s not you, and you’re taking the only innocent man here with you, don’t think that one slipped by me.”
Sarah blushed and quickly looked away from the captain.
Sarah didn’t know what to say to the woman when she didn’t know what was going on herself with Adam.
All she knew was that he’d be an asset to her on the road.
Once she got to Maine, it would be his decision if he wanted to stay or not.
She shook her head and turned her attention back to Meredith, who was still waiting on an answer from her.
There was no one coming to save her from the awkward conversation now.
“I know you’re worried, but you should know we’re only friends,” Sarah said. “There’s nothing going on between the two of us.”
Meredith chuckled. “I didn’t ask.” Meredith chuckled.
“I’ve really gotten to know him over the years after studying his case and keeping track of it. He’s a good egg, and I only want him to have the opportunity to prove it.”
“Well, I, for one, have never questioned your judgment. I just want you to make sure you’re safe out there.”
“I promise I’m going to be as safe as I can. As soon as I get up to my parents’ place, I’ll find a way to send word back to you that I made it safe,” Sarah said. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Honestly, I have no other place to be, and these guys need my help. Plus, I have to be the one to keep the public safe. Just because these men haven’t done anything hardcore doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve to be here.”
“I know if there is anyone who can do that, it’s going to be you, but I’m still going to worry about you.”
“I’ll be fine. This has been my life for a long time. I never saw myself doing anything else.”
“Well, you take care of yourself, Meredith. Look after your men and yourself.”
“I planned on it. You just make sure you’re safe, too. I think it’s going to be rough out there.”
“It will be, but I’ll manage.”
“I know you will,” Meredith said. “Thank you, Sarah. You’ve been an immense help to me and this place.”
“You’re welcome. I promise I’ll be fine.”
When Meredith pulled Sarah into her arms, she had no idea how to hold back the tears.
It was only when she saw Adam approaching that she managed to pull herself out of the heartbreak.
She had no idea if she would ever see her friend again, but she was excited to get on the road.
Wiping away the tears, she smiled once more at her friend as Adam stopped next to the pair.
In the same manner Alan had done moments before, Sarah unlocked the gate before handing her key over to Meredith.
“Take good care of her,” Meredith said.
Adam gave her a nod, a silent promise that he would as they set off down the road.
Her heart pounded in the silence that fell around them.
Sarah was happy they were finally on the road and heading for her parents’ homestead, but the looming dread had returned.
The sooner she got to Maine, the better she would feel.
They needed her more now than ever. She quickened her pace. They had a long road ahead of them.