Chapter 6

Present – Ben – In the woods

I relent on destroying Stacy's mobile phone because frankly I wasn't up for the damn fight. Besides I just might slip into her pack later and take it, that is if I can find it in that damn pack of hers. But we have bigger issues right now.

From the noise and the smell I know exactly what we're dealing with now. I reach down, stroke Bo's neck and say, "It's fine big boy, we'll take a different route."

I look at Stacy and order, "We need to move slowly and quietly down this side trail."

She questions, "Ben what the hell is it now."

I reiterate, "Stacy, I said we need to be quiet. I will tell you later."

We ride for another thirty and Stacy complains...

Present – Stacy – In the woods

"Ben I really can't ride anymore in my condition. Besides it's starting to get dark."

Ben surprises me when he says, "Then we will walk the horses but we need to keep moving."

I worry and question, "Do you think the news team is after us?"

Ben surprises and worries me even more when he tells me why we have to keep moving...

Present – Samantha – At the bunker

Yeah I just get my husband all flirted up and the sentry shouts a warning, "There's something moving in the woods." I scramble to my feet, help Frank into his wheelchair and I question, "What is that terrible smell?"

The sentry flips on his light and says, "Sorry for the false alarm, it's nothing just some pigs."

I shout, "Pigs, those aren't pigs they're feral hogs and are dangerous as hell."

We all flip on our lights and begin to fire...

Present – Ben – In the woods

I inform Stacy, "We almost ran into a pack of feral hogs."

She answers, "Feral hogs? Like wild pigs? Are they dangerous?"

I reply, "No, not wild pigs, they are feral hogs and get big as hell - some weigh three or four hundred pounds and have razor sharp tusks. And you never know with them, normally they will run from humans but sometimes, or if they are injured, they have been known to attack and kill people."

She questions, "Were they in the zoo too?"

I chuckle under my breath and answer, "No they were domestic hogs at one time that escaped and went wild. They are a real problem in Texas and some other southern and south western states. In fact we were damn lucky the night we slept on the ground because they could have snuck up and attacked us."

Stacy replies...

Present – Stacy – In the woods

"Ben I think I feel better and would like to ride."

Ben says, "Well that's not going to happen."

I respond, "Why the hell not?"

He laughs and says, "You're the horse girl tell me."

I ignore the girl comment, look at Patches and then Bo and realize why: They are both tired. I'm upset at myself for being so distracted I didn't notice. I answer, "You're right the horses are tired and need a rest. So are we staying here for the night?"

Ben states, "No I'm looking for a couple of friendly trees because we're sleeping in the trees tonight."

I can't imagine how uncomfortable sleeping in a tree will be so I question, "Because of the wild hogs?"

Ben replies, "Hell yes, I figure I'd rather fight one tiger than a whole pack of feral hogs."

I worry, "Will the horses be okay?"

Ben says, "They should be fine from the hogs. However I will stand watch during the first part of the night so hopefully they can get some sleep."

I decide to be helpful and offer, "I will stand watch the second part of the night."

I can barely see Ben as he looks at me and answers, "If you do that it would help, but no sleeping. Look there are a couple good trees ahead."

We head toward the trees...

Present – Ben – In the woods

Yeah these trees are going to be perfect. I stop Bo by one tree and direct Stacy, "You and Patches take that tree."

She walks patches to the tree and asks, "I'm hungry would you like me to make some dinner?"

I reply, "We're not cooking anything tonight because of the feral hogs. Once we get the horses taken care of there's some jerky we can eat. Now let me get Bo's saddle bags hoisted into the trees, then you can take care of his saddle and groom him while I do the same with Patches saddle bags."

I take off Bo's saddle bags and it seems like he heaves a sigh of relief so I apologize, "Sorry Bo, but without Knacker you and Patches are forced to carry more."

He nods his head and nickers and I scratch his neck. I pull all the gear we need tonight and then some out of the saddle bags, throw a rope around a branch, tie it to the loops of the saddle bags, hoist them into the trees and tie off the rope high on the tree.

Now that I'm done, I head over to Patches...

Present – Stacy – In the woods

I've been praising Patches, she's been a real workhorse today, not something that she was used to and she's held up well. Ben comes over and says, "Yeah she's been a good horse today."

I begin to head towards Bo and Ben nicely reminds me, "Don't forget to take your rifle with you."

I reply, "Thanks Ben I'm tired and almost forgot it."

He has the saddle bags off Patches and says, "Yeah I could tell, that's why I didn't lay into you."

I think to myself 'wow Ben does have a heart and can show compassion'. I get to Bo and I'm surprised because he's breathing deeply and is already asleep, I gently take off his saddle and whisper to Ben, "Will the pigs get the saddles?"

Ben says, "Not with one of us standing watch they won't."

I lightly groom Bo and decide I'll let him sleep and check his hoofs in the morning.