Will of Man - Part Two by William Scanlan Read Free Book Online

militia spread out and headed towards the ROAMERS in small groups. Some stayed back and dug in ready to be the final line of defense. Some of the children began crying as gunfire drowned out their cries of desperation.
     
    Many parents grabbed their children and tears filled their eyes – my mom’s included. It didn’t seem possible that only a few hours before I had been at home working in our garden. I was no longer excited about the ROAMERS. I realized that they meant nothing more than death and destruction.
     
    Dad and Mom grabbed Tanner and I and began to run away from the fighting. The militia continued fighting the ROAMERS, defying them. I wondered how many were going to die. Neither my mom or dad said anything; they were just running pulling us with them.
     
    We ran down a side street toward the old train station. Owosso still had an operating railway they used to transport people, mail, supplies, etc. Luckily they had vintage steam engines in storage.
     
    Before the LAST DAY, they brought them out every year for a festival they called Rail Days. Families would come and tour the trains and some trains even gave rides. My dad took me when I was in my train phase as a younger kid. It was a good memory.
     
    We ran into a crowd and were sorting our way through when a large man grabbed my dad and said, “Women and children only!” My dad cocked back and was ready pop the man in the face when the man grabbed Dad’s clenched fist and repeated, “Women and children only. We don’t have enough room for the men. Women and children only.”
     
    My dad looked over his shoulder and noticed the steam engines and boxcars. Owosso was evacuating women and children via the trains. My dad’s faced gleamed with excitement as he grabbed the man by the shoulders thanking him. The man gave my dad a confused look and proceeded to direct people into the boxcars.
     
    “You have to go Ashley.” Dad said as he grabbed Mom by the shoulders. “It’s our only chance.” He looked desperately into my Mom’s eyes looking for understanding. My mom began to tremble and tears filled her eyes. “What about you? We should stay together.” She said.  Dad replied, “They don’t have enough room for the men. Women and children only.”
     
    Mom let go of Tanner’s hand and wrapped her arms around Dad. “We’re a family. We’ll find a way out of this. We can keep going together. We’ll head north. Don’t leave us – please.” Tears were now pouring from Mom. Her voice tremble and she could barely stand. I wanted to yell at Dad too. I was so scared for him, because I knew what it meant if we got on that train. It meant Dad was being left behind.
     
    Dad said in a soft yet stern voice, “We don’t have time Ashley. The boxcars are almost full. You have to get the kids on that train. This is their only chance to get away. They won’t make it otherwise.”
     
    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Shells from the ROAMERS began to go off. Everyone fell to the ground covering their heads. Dirt flew and fire consumed the air around us.
     
    With a loud clunk the train began to move.
     
    WHOOOOO! WHOOOO! The train whistle blew. Dad picked Tanner up and Mom grabbed me. Dad yelled, “Go now! I’ll find you! Go to our meeting place! I promise I will find you!” Mom picked up Tanner and told me to run.
     
    WHOOOO! WHOOOO! The three of us ran along the side of the moving train. Someone grabbed me and pulled me up into a boxcar. I reached out behind me to grab Mom’s hand. She stumbled with Tanner in her arms and fell to the ground.
     
    WHOOOO! WHOOOO! I went to jump out of the boxcar but someone grabbed me by the neck collar pulling me back as the boxcar door slammed shut in front of me. I screamed and fought my way out of the persons grasp.
     
    I frantically attempted to open the door but it was no use. I was stuck in that boxcar – separated from my family. I didn’t even get the chance to say good-bye. I laid down in shock and stared up at