Chapter 9 - CROSSING STATE LINES
The old Ford truck bounced violently as they crossed the rusted iron bridge spanning the Ohio River into West Virginia.
A state trooper cruiser sat parked near the toll plaza, its red and blue light bar spinning slowly in the fog.
Ethan slowed the truck down to the legal limit, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.
Marcus pulled his baseball cap low over his forehead, resting his hand casually near a Glock pistol in his holster.
"Keep your eyes straight ahead, Lily, and pretend you're sleeping," Marcus whispered softly to the little girl.
Lily closed her eyes tightly, burying her face into Ethan's olive green shirt draped over her shoulders.
The state trooper stepped out from behind his cruiser, shining a blinding high-intensity flashlight through the driver's window.
"License and registration, folks. Where are you headed this late?" the trooper asked, eyeing Ethan suspiciously.
Ethan handed over his valid Ohio driver's license with a calm, practiced smile.
"Visiting our sick mother in Parkersburg, officer. Took the back roads to avoid the interstate construction," Ethan lied smoothly.
The trooper shined his light into the back seat, glancing briefly at the canvas duffel bag before nodding slowly.
May you like
"Alright, keep your lights on high beam through the fog, have a safe night," the trooper instructed, stepping back.
Ethan exhaled a long, shaky breath, pressing down on the accelerator as they disappeared into the mountain mists.
