It was getting too dark to see. Cody found an overhang on the canyon wall and made the decision to stop for the night. When he was younger, his father had taught him some basic survival skills, so he knew how to make a fire, but he decided it was far too risky.
Using his wire lockpick, Cody stabbed some of the red fruit on a large cactus and gave part of it to Toni. Earlier, when they’d been by the water, he had picked some cattails and other roots. He took them out of his shirt and gave her some. “I know it’s not the best …”
Toni took it all gratefully. “After that runny oatmeal at the prison camp, I bet it tastes just fine.”
They ate in silence, barely able to see each other’s face. Cody wiped his hands on his pants. “How big is the base?”
“Big enough. Listen, it might be better if I don’t give you any details until we’re sure there’s no danger of the CCR catching up with us.”
Cody was angry. He knew she was right but all this was incredible news to him and he wanted to know more. “Couldn’t you at least tell me how our side is doing?”
Toni chose her words carefully. “Let’s just say we have gained some powerful allies. I was on my way back to the base with some information that could change everything. Now, can we talk about something else?”
“Like what?”
“Like you. How old are you?”
“Almost fifteen.”
“You have any family?”
“Nope. The CCR took care of that. How about you?”
“I was married once. To another pilot. He was killed last year when they bombed Jennings Air Base in Nevada.”
They lapsed into silence again. Cody thought about how young she looked to already be a widow. He yawned and leaned back. “I guess we better try and get some sleep. We’ll have to start at first light.”
“Tomorrow we’re going to have to leave the canyon. It’s starting to head in the wrong direction.”
Cody sat up. “I don’t want to be a pest or anything, but would it be a big deal for you to tell me which direction we should be going?”
“East toward the mountains … Cody?”
“Yeah?”
“If anything happens to me I want you to find a Colonel Wyman. Tell him … proceed with Dark Angel.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you. We’re going to get through.”
Toni slid down and tried to get comfortable on the cold rock ledge. “I hope you’re right.”