Both cattle cars, holding the Fat Camp escapees, came to a screeching halt. Izzy and her group and Panney and his group were simultaneously thrust forward. Thankfully not one child was seriously injured.  Both trucks had miraculously sped away from the slaughterhouse and leaving the drivers in the dust. Izzy had no intention of driving the truck even if she could get it started again. She asked JM to watch over the kids while she checked in with Panney and the other children.

Izzy climbed aboard truck number 2. She saw Panney and Murdok comforting the younger children. "Is everyone alright in here?"

Panney ran over to Izzy and hugged her. "Yes, everyone seems okay. What happened?"

Murdok piped up, "Yeah our truck won't start."

"Good thing," thought Izzy. She couldn't imagine the former wolf-boy had much driving experience.  "I don't think we're meant to go any further. The Author stopped us for a reason."

Panney agreed, "I think you're right but now what?"

Izzy said, "Now we wait."

Izzy went to the front of the truck and spoke to the children. "Listen friends, I don't want anyone to worry. Up until now everything has been mapped out for us. Now we need to wait." Then Izzy remembered her favorite passage of scripture and shared it with the group:

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young man shall utterly fall;
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:30)

Teach us King to wait.

As the children pondered their new grown up truth Nissa toddled over to Izzy tugged on her powder blue sweatpants and blurted, "I hungee!"

Everyone, including Izzy, started laughing. They began laughing so hard they couldn't catch their breath. The laughter rose and fell as one. Finally everyone sighed and settled down.

"I've got an idea!" Izzy spoke cheerfully. "Let's take a nap? I believe the Author will send his good gift?"

Everyone readily agreed. The truck was so full they had to strategically find a way to lay down. Thankfully the magic food had kept anyone from peeing or pooping so the truck floor remained broom swept. Once everyone got comfortable Izzy returned to truck number 1 and shared the passage and the nap idea with her crew. All were in agreement. Soon all of the passengers on both cattle trucks were sleeping peacefully.

It took Izzy a bit more time to settle down. She knew worrying did no good. It couldn't even turn a black hair turn white. However old habits sometimes creep up on you when least expect them.  She hoped Bell and Grandfather were safe. She even thought about the annoyingly charming Leon. She blushed then prayed he and his Nana were ok. After briefly obsessing about her family and the Tunnel Children she gave all of her cares over to the King for she  knew He cared for her.

Izzy fell into a deep sleep.

She dreamt about a large ship with a faceless captain.

---

Leon fussed at Alfred as he drove the get-away-jeep. "You're going the wrong way old man!"
Leon had an ancient map splayed out before him. It partially blocked Alfred's view. "This is not the way to Woodsburgh!"

Alfred shoved the map down and said, "I'm not old! I'm wise!" Then continued following the King's directives.

Leon whined, "But you're going miles out of the way!"

Alfred barked, "Sometimes you have to take the road less traveled!"

Leon didn't understand, "All roads are less traveled these days."

Alfred didn't have time to debate Leon. The Author whispered into his ear, "Left... right... center." Silently Alfred prayed the Author would allow Leon to hear the same directions.

---

Camp Unity's Search and Destroy bus traveled for hours without seeing a soul. Sargeant Bad Breath had both a map and a compass. After seeing Alfred stand on his head in the mess hall he'd been utterly changed. He knew the Author's voice and he was willing to lay down his life for Him. He looked at the tweens and teens on the bus. He had bullied and humiliated most of them. Silently he felt shame. Immediately the invisible King checked his spirit.

You are forgiven. You are a new creation. 

The Sarge understood this in his mind and often felt forgiven in his heart. He pondered, "But I've done so many shameful things."

Walk by faith not by sight.

Everytime the Sarge remembered a past wrong he heard from The Author.

The children of Unity Camp seemed to trust him. Even the teens he'd humiliated the worst were taking his direction and showing him respect. He thought, "It's because they're afraid of me."

The Author checked him again.

It's because they trust the Me in you.

You are such fragile creatures. If SOD and his demons don't bring you down you bring yourselves down by remembering each and every wrong thing you've ever done. Remember I forgive you and don't remember your sins anymore. I've removed them  as far as the East is from the West.

Sarge wished he had time to read through the manuscript in Tommy's duffle bad. For now his mission was clear.

Get these kids to Woodsburgh.

===

Ella moaned as her fever rose. She became delirious and began thrashing about the tiny cabin. In a moment of clarity she felt the chapped hand of the faceless Captain hold her hand. Then he placed yet another cool rag on her forehead.

Ella mumbled, "I don't deserve your kindness."

The faceless captain chuckled to himself.

Ella whispered, "Who are you? Who's driving this boat?"

The faceless captain didn't answer her but stayed by her side until she fell asleep.

Ella woke up sobbing. She heard a loud hissing in her ears. "Please God don't let me go deaf or die until..." She held out her hands for the faceless man but he wasn't there. The small ship began to rock violently.

A storm was coming.

-End of Chapter 41-

Author's note: I am trying my best to update two of my books weekly. Thanks for sticking with me! Please continue to read vote and comment as it helps our stories to grow!
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