Gage and Sophie left the communications van and headed in different directions, stopping at each of the tents to briefly explain the situation and assign tasks to the soldiers.

Within five minutes, the men were pulling stakes out of the ground and rolling the saturated canvases and camouflage netting into sloppy bundles they hefted onto the two and a half-ton trucks. The men discarded their rain gear when it proved no match for the drenching rains. Their efforts were further hampered by the ankle-deep mud they stood in. The soldiers worked as a team with minimal words being exchanged. Boxes, tables, cots and training equipment were thrown into the backs of the nearest vehicles, until everything that had come to the field with them had been loaded. Striking camp took less than thirty minutes.

When the trailers were hitched to their trucks, the soldiers were called into formation for a final headcount to make sure they didn’t leave anyone behind. The atmosphere was charged with lightning, and tension was mirrored in every face. The count was accomplished quickly, and all the soldiers climbed into vehicles or the covered backs of trucks scattered around the camp.

Gage boarded the lead vehicle to navigate the convoy out of the training area through the back roads. Sophie climbed into the passenger seat of the last army pickup truck to bring up the rear of the convoy, and make sure they didn’t lose a vehicle. A pale Private Johnson would act as her driver for this adventure.

The trucks pulled out of the training area one by one, forming a long line disappearing into the steady rain. The roads were nothing more than rutted, sloppy soup, which only worsened with each vehicle digging deeper into the muddy track.

Sophie was in constant fear of bogging down or sliding off into a ditch. If drivers followed too closely, they wouldn’t be able to react in time to stop, if the vehicle in front had to halt suddenly. If they stayed too far back, they ran the risk of losing the convoy, due to poor visibility caused by the torrential rains.

“Lieutenant Keaton, this is Captain Jenkins, over.”

Sophie could barely make out his voice over the roar of the rain beating on the roof of the pickup, but she grabbed the radio’s microphone and held the key down. “Captain Jenkins, this is Lieutenant Keaton, over.”

“How are you holding up back there?”

“So far so good, Captain. Don’t worry about the caboose. You just worry about getting this train out of here, over.”

“We’re working on that. Hang in there, out.”

Just the sound of his voice helped to calm her nerves. It didn’t seem to have the same effect on Private Johnson. His hands gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His young face was creased with fear and worry.

Sophie grew more concerned with each passing mile. Due to the conditions, the convoy moved too slowly to get to the highway before the sun set behind thick clouds. She didn’t like the idea of driving in this mess after dark. Visibility was already bad enough without compounding it with the dark.

Private Johnson jammed his foot on the brakes, causing Sophie to jerk forward, then sideways, as they skidded in the mud. Because they had been keeping far enough back, they were able to stop before they ran into the cargo truck in front of them.

Sophie stepped out of the vehicle into the soft mud and walked along the line of vehicles to see what the holdup was. She passed six vehicles before she found the problem. A HUMMV had gotten stuck and was in the process of trying to get out. All four wheels were buried up to the axles.

One of the HUMMVs ahead of the buried vehicle had stopped on solid ground and turned around. A soldier leapt from inside and began unleashing the winch on the front of the vehicle. Eight more soldiers appeared from the surrounding transports and lined up behind the stuck HUMMV to push while the winch reeled it out of the mud hole. A small cheer went up when the wheels of the vehicle found traction and began to move the vehicle slowly forward. The soldiers quickly crawled back into their vehicles, and the convoy resumed along its course.

Sophie made her way back to her truck and climbed in, glad to get out of the constant rain. As soon as she was safely inside with the door closed behind her, Private Johnson put the truck in drive and moved to catch up to the line of the disappearing convoy, avoiding the mud pit.

“Captain Jenkins has been on the radio. He wants to know what’s going on.”

Sophie reached for the mike. “Captain Jenkins, this is Lieutenant Keaton, over.”

“Sophie. Where the hell have you been?”

Smiling behind the mike, Sophie glanced beneath her lashes at the private to gauge his reaction to the captain’s informality. She was glad Gage was worried. It was nice that someone worried about her.

“Captain Jenkins,” Sophie emphasized his rank, “we had a vehicle bogged down in the mud, and it took a few minutes to get it out and on its way. We’re moving again, but you need to slow down enough for the whole convoy to tighten up.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant Keaton. Let me know if anything else happens—as soon as it does. We need to make better time, or we won’t get out of here before midnight.”

“Roger, out.”

Leaning forward in her seat, she strained to see the truck in front of her, determined not to lose their lifeline out of this hell. The tension was so thick, she could feel herself breaking out in a light sweat.

After twenty minutes of accordion-like slowing and speeding up movements, the convoy came to another halt.

“Lieutenant Keaton, this is Captain Jenkins, over.”

“Captain Jenkins, this is Lieutenant Keaton, over.”

“We reached a low water crossing with about two feet of water moving through it fairly swiftly. I’m going to take my vehicle across first to test the swiftness of the water. If all goes well, we need to get everyone across as quickly as possible. The threat of flash floods has me worried. When it comes your turn, if you don’t feel comfortable about the depth and current, don’t try to cross—call me. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. You be careful going across, Gage. Let me know as soon as you’re on the other side. And Captain...?”

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

“Good luck,” she said quietly, wanting to say so much more.

“Roger, out.”

Sophie peered out the window of the truck, trying unsuccessfully to see his truck from her position at the back of the convoy. Her breath caught in her throat, and she waited for what seemed an eternity before the radio sprang into life.

“Lieutenant Keaton, this is Captain Jenkins, we made it just fine. I’m going to pull off to the side so I can watch as all the rest of the troops come across. I’ll be waiting for your truck, over.”

“Thank God,” Sophie whispered softly, then as an afterthought, she keyed the mike and responded, “Roger, out.”

Sophie and Private Johnson’s vehicle moved up slowly, one vehicle length at a time, as the rest of the convoy navigated the low-water crossing over the swollen creek. Darkness had settled around them, shrinking the breadth of their world to just what could be discerned in the glow of their headlights.

As they approached the crossing, Sophie could finally make out the obstacle they would soon be fording. She was shocked at how much water was flowing across what was normally a dry ravine. Instead of a creek, what she saw looked more like a river about twenty yards wide.

They watched as a HUMMV navigated itself across the expanse. The water rose to the bottom of the door, and the vehicle swayed a little as it reached the deepest point. When it moved closer to the other side of the crossing, its wheels again gained solid purchase, and the vehicle was safely across.

Sophie remembered to breathe.

As the next vehicle started across, Sophie was shocked by how much higher the water came up on this vehicle as compared to the last. This creek was on the rise, and there were two more vehicles left to go before her turn. Fortunately, one was another HUMMV, which are specially equipped to handle submersion over the hood of the engine. The two-and-a-half-ton cargo truck immediately in front of her was high enough off the ground, and heavy enough, it would handle it just fine—if they hurried.

She was more concerned about the pickup truck she and Private Johnson rode in. If the water got much higher, they could run into some real trouble.

Sophie watched the large cargo truck lumber through the water, hydroplaning slightly in the middle, but it made it across leaving just her vehicle to complete the convoy.

Captain Jenkins voice came over the radio. “Lieutenant Keaton, are you two going to be all right? If you plan on coming over, it’s now or never.”

Glancing over at Private Johnson, she was shocked at how pale he was.

“Feel up to driving over a little puddle, Private Johnson?”

They rolled their windows up tightly, and with a solemn nod to her, Private Johnson put the truck in gear and eased toward the edge of the water.

She gave a last brief transmission to let the captain know they were coming. “We’re on our way, Captain Jenkins. See you on the other side.”

As the truck moved into the swollen creek, Sophie could feel the tug of the current, pulling them slightly to the side. With a feeling of fascination, she looked down toward her feet and could hear, rather than see, the water seeping through the doors. The wheels spun in the muddy bottom of the creek bed, but found small moments of traction to continue to propel it forward. Their progress was painfully slow.

Sophie nervously glanced out the side of her window, looking up the creek shrouded in darkness. When they were mid-way through a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the sky.

Sophie screamed.

A dark three-foot high wall of water was bearing down on them. Covering her head with her arms, she braced for the impact. The truck lurched and bucked as the water slammed into the side of the truck, nearly overturning it with the force of the first wave. The truck tires were lifted from the deep mud of the creek bed, and Sophie felt the vehicle bob to the surface then slowly begin to turn until it was pointed nose-first downstream. It floated along at the speed of the current.

Sophie reached out to grab the dashboard and the armrest on the door to keep her body from being tossed around like a rag doll. With a resounding thump, the truck slammed against a solid object, just below the surface of the water and all motion abruptly stopped.

Sophie peered out the window to gauge the depth of the water. It was just below the window of the truck.

“Johnson, we’ve got to get out, now!”

When he made no effort to move, she looked over at him. He was staring straight ahead, hands gripping the wheel. He shook so hard, his teeth rattled.

Sophie could see a dark trickle of blood above his temple. He must have been injured during their rough ride of the few yards they’d been swept down the creek. Knowing the urgency of their predicament, she couldn’t make allowances for his injury. They had to act, now. “Did you hear me, Johnson? We have to get out.”

“I can’t move,” he said.

Sophie realized the private was quickly going into shock. Sliding over on the seat close to him, she grabbed his collar and pulled his face close to hers.

“You can and will move, soldier!” she shouted.

Reaching across him she hastily cranked the handle on the window until the glass was all the way down.

“Now, get out, or I’ll push you out!”

Responding to the command in her voice, Private Johnson pulled himself through the window and climbed up onto the roof of the truck.

Sophie slithered through the opening and turned to pull herself up onto the roof. Together, she and Private Johnson crouched to maintain balance as they looked across the creek to the other side where the convoy waited.

Already, a HUMMV had swung around and was headed downstream along the side of the creek. A spotlight sliced through the rain and darkness searching for the missing truck.

Sophie stood straighter as the light swung toward them and caught them in its beam. She waved frantically, hoping they would see. The beam passed over her, but came jerkily back to fasten on the two clinging to the top of the sinking vehicle. The HUMMV made a ninety-degree turn then aimed the bright beams of both headlights in their direction. Other vehicles pulled up close beside the first, focusing their headlights to illuminate the stranded vehicle’s position in the darkness.

Sophie and Private Johnson clung to the truck roof as soldiers lined up along the creek about twenty yards away from her. They didn’t seem to be doing anything. What were they waiting on? She didn’t know how long the truck would hold its position, and the water was still rising. It had already gone half way up the window of the upstream side of the truck. At the rate the creek was rising, they’d have only a few minutes before the entire truck was submerged.

Suddenly, she could see a tall figure move down the bank of the creek to wade a few feet into the swiftly flowing current. By the distinct way he walked, she could tell it was Gage. He had something in his hand, but from where she stood, she couldn’t make it out what it was. Swinging his arm out in a wide arc, he sent the something flying, and she realized it was the end of a rope.

Leaning out as far as she safely could, she grasped at the air, trying desperately to snag the end of the rope. It fell into the water about four feet in front of her and was carried away downstream.

Gage reeled in the rope, coiling it carefully for the next throw. This time it had to work. Sophie had no other options. Gage’s arm went out in another wide arc, and he tossed the bulk of the coil of rope out as far as he could, letting the weight carry it out. Watching closely, she tried to anticipate where it would land. It came flying over the top of the truck, and she lunged to catch it, slipping on the wet roof of the truck as her hand closed around the rope.

She’d caught it. But, she couldn’t stop the momentum of her fall and was headed over the edge of the roof. As the water rushed up to claim her, she felt a hand snag her under her arm and jerk her back to safety. She and Private Johnson sat in a heap on the roof of the truck and collected their wits. Then, turning to the private, Sophie held out the rope.

“Thanks, Private Johnson. Now, tie this rope around your waist, you’re going first.”

“No, ma’am,” he said, shaking his head.

“This is not the time nor the place to disobey a direct order, Private Johnson. You will go first. Besides, you’re injured and need a doctor to look at you.”

“No, ma’am,” he said, stubbornly. “I’m not going until you’re safely across.”

As if impatient with the argument going on above, the obstacle that had halted their journey down the creek, shifted slightly, causing the truck to begin turning in a slow circle.

“You’ve got to go, now. Don’t argue, or we’ll both drown,” she insisted. “Now hurry, so they can throw the rope back out for me.”

Sophie was already tying the end of the rope around his waist in a sturdy square knot, testing to make sure the knot wouldn’t slip. She placed the rest of the rope in his hand and looked into his face. “Now, hurry.”

Without another word, Private Johnson stepped off the truck into the creek and was immediately pulled downstream, bobbing up and down in the current.

Sophie crouched as the truck shifted again and rose then fell with the current. She watched the private until he was close enough to shore for the men to rush in and pull him out of the water. They quickly untied the rope around his waist, and Gage coiled it again, getting ready to throw it to her.

Still crouching to hang on to the edge of the truck roof, Sophie held tight to the lip around the side window. She noticed the water was only inches from the roof, and the submerged object the truck rested against appeared to loosen from the creek bed. She didn’t know how she could let go without falling off.

Gage tossed the rope high into the air, and it sailed to within two feet of her perch. When she let go of the side of the truck to grab it, the truck suddenly lurched and swung wide of the obstacle, inching out closer to the heavy current in the middle.

Sophie grabbed the lip of the window again and held on for dear life. She could see Gage out of the corner of her eye, frantically coiling the rope again, and then standing poised to throw. She watched as the rope fell short once more.

With a sudden and overwhelming sense of calm, she knew she wasn’t going to make it. She felt the truck beneath her shift again, and ease into the strong current, pulling her further away from rescue. All action around her slowed. The roar of the water receded. Her mind became detached as a humming settled in her ears, and she felt as if she were rising above her body to witness her death from above. So, this was it? As her life hung in the balance, she realized she had only one regret. She wished she’d told Gage that she loved him.

---

Helpless, Gage watched as the truck Sophie was holding on to moved out into the stream, again. She was about to be swept away, and there was nothing he could do to save her.

“Like hell there isn’t!” he said

Moving into action, he tied the rope around his waist and handed the other end to Sergeant Schott. Desperation fueled his actions. He turned and sprinted upstream several yards, before plunging into the raging river that should have only been a dry wash.

The water came up to his thighs before his feet were swept out from under him, and he was tossed upon the current moving swiftly downstream. Debris on the surface collided with him, and he prayed he wouldn’t be injured before he reached her. Kicking his feet, he began to swim across the current in the direction of the truck, traveling at a slower pace down the creek. Just as he reached the rear of the cab, the truck tipped up, and Sophie slipped from the roof into the murky water inches from his outstretched hands.

Gage didn’t stop to think, he moved into action, pushing around the truck and searching the dark water for Sophie. He couldn’t see much in the darkness, but suddenly a head bobbed up a few feet away from him, before it was pulled under again in the raging current.

Aiming for the spot, he cleaved the water with strong strokes, determined to reach her or die trying. He began to feel around with his hands and feet as the current carried him along. His foot struck something soft, but solid.

Diving under the water, he grabbed the object and pulled it to the surface. He had her. He had Sophie. Holding her from behind, he looped his arm over her shoulder and caught her across the chest under the armpit, to raise her head above the surface of the water. He kicked hard to raise them a little out of the water, and then he waved and yelled as loud as he could.

As Gage felt the tug of the rope around his middle, he held on for the ride, struggling to hold both their heads above water as they were pulled slowly toward the shore.

Gage twisted his head over his shoulder and watched as they drew closer to the soldiers reeling them in. There were over twenty men lined up, pulling in unison, bringing them closer to safety with every backwards step.

When he felt solid ground rise up under his legs in the shallows along the side of the raging creek, Gage stood and gathered Sophie’s limp body into his arms, carrying her up the banks. When they were clear of the creek, he laid her on the ground and quickly checked for a pulse and breathing.

Nothing.

Patting her cheek gently he called to her.

“Sophie, honey, wake up.”

No response.

Rolling her onto her stomach, he placed his hands in the middle of her back and pushed upward sharply. He repeated this until Sophie coughed up water and sputtered, and then tried to roll over. Turning her in his arms, she looked up and focused her eyes on his face. “Gage?”

“Oh, Sophie. Didn’t I tell you never to scare me like that again?”

“I’m sorry about the truck, Gage,” she said weakly.

“Never mind about the truck. All that matters is you’re safe, and I love you.”

Leaning over, he covered her lips in a gentle kiss.

---

Watching the tender scene, Private Johnson raised his hands and began to clap, and soon the entire company of soldiers was clapping. That was the last sound Sophie heard as darkness claimed her.