5-8 A Long Way to Go

I remember a time before the Great Quake. I found the love of my life and I married her. But that wasn't the greatest day of my life. The greatest day. Was when I found her three months after the Great quake. I thought we could take our family and live quietly in the woods. But we couldn't stand by and watch people become refugees, and refugees become slaves chosen by the resistance. My wife became the lone survivor, the savior of the refugees. I stand by her side, fighting for all. Of God's people. This is life on the changing Earth. Where's my coffee? Oh? Teaching? What are you doing up the story? What are you doing asking me about my business? And who's teaching you to speak like that? I'm sure you scared me. They're not usually up the store. Yeah, but it's going to be good day today. Pavier and Scott are arriving today. Do any to have dinner or any four of them? No, they're coming late, Alliott. Mister Lee's can I know what doors? Is that? What are you doing spending all your time over there? She's teaching me to read better. I'm moving up to new book today? Is that Okay, what. Are you talking about? Reading or breakfast? They're both fine. Learn all you can. One day may be running this place. Really, Maybe get your plate and eat with me. Mm hmmm. Do you want more? No? Get me a big glass of water. Don't make it your business. Yes, you're true? Sit up? How do you respond? Yes? TJ? Get on your knees, yes, t J. Hands in front, yes, TJ. Here, thank you? TJ. Mmmmmmmmm go use the bathroom. Yes, TJ. TJ. Please don't tie me back to the floor. I can't do it anymore. You know what I want to hear. Oh, you are one stubborn bitch Erica. Why don't you just saying it and end all this? Would it really end all this? T J? You're thinking again, I've heard all the offer for have it your way. This is entirely your way. I don't have anything to do with it. You have everything to do with it. Really, how many times have you done this before? Everyone has a choice, honor me or live in pain. You're the man, TJ. How about another week with no food? We'll see what you have to say then, whatever, it's your choice. I'm headed out. But you, sir, what's your story? Kid ship. It broke my Noserick James showing what it means to be a black shirt. M M, hey, nice to meet you, guy, Carlson, DJ, come on, I'll show you where the food is lead on. A fuck. Life. I used to know. The face is lost to ash, the endless fade and glow. That was someone Jensen with dreams at home. Excited. Car shot standing in the fight mine. If I eat with you, no one else is sitting there. It's crazy. You're already a black shirt. I've never seen you around here before. I'm new. Well, then let me tell you how it goes. We train all day only black shirts get to go out, though the schedule kind of varies, but we do hand. Hand combat firearms training. And each of us gets to choose a weapon of our choice. I chose askimistics. My mom taught me to fight with them. Sounds like one mean mom. What did you say about her? I'm sorry, DJ, I just meant she sounded like a cool mom to grew up with. I uh, I never knew my mom. Sometimes they're overrated. But you just said, anyway, what weapon are you gonna choose? I already fight with growing knives. But TJ wants me to train with a whim. Oh dang, TJ's training you for something special? Must what brings you by to not? You're training all day. I'm bored, trying to make the day go by faster. Left the girly for the day because your boys are coming. Huh something like that. How's the training going? I think it's going to take another week. Like I said, one badass chick, maybe it's time to start thinking about some forget me not No, I'm going to break her even if you do. The kid said you waited nine years, and you said you were concerned. You never have control with the drug. You could be sure that's true. Okay, Chuck, tell doctor Bones, I need a mix just for her, something to take her memories and pain away, but something no one else has. I want to be the only one with a supply, so only I will have control of her. Speaking to the woman, TJ, what's up with putting her kid in with the fighter. Don't let him know that you know who his mother is. I want him to have a chance to make a new start, a new life with a new name. I don't know, GJ. I don't know. If he dances to my tune. He could be a viable asset. And what if he finds out his family's still alive. He has a tracker he can lead us to him. Still a viable asset. Okay, GJ, we'll put. Him to the test. Have you heard anything on Vince and Bennett's whereabouts yet? No? Nothing. They can't just disappear. Scott and Javier should be here any minute. We'll get this job done. This woman, anything to do with her is always a process. After the Supreme General has done with his wedding, he'll have no more use for her. And will still be taking care of her. But she'll be taking care of me. You know, I'm getting it on that. I don't know, chug. I think we should lock her away in a hole where she won't ever cause problems. Javi hair hold on, Migoo, How good to see you. It's been too long. Hey TJ, what's up? Brother? Heard you got a problem? Eh? Get your asses in here, have a drink. We can talk about our problems tomorrow. Now. That sounds like a plan. Ermano, I brought my tequila. Man, No one likes to drink that shit. Where's your inserg? Sorry? TJ, it's going to take me a minute to break that habit. Well, you better do it fast. It's hard enough to keep Urie in check with the woman who killed him and her son. Here chuck, mister Lee, sir, it's great to see you to come, of course, sir. I can't believe you finally got her. TJ. Safer. The refugees mine can't wait to meet her. She's learning manners now, she'll be ready to go in a couple of days. Oh, you didn't break her yet. We get to do it only the best. For my brothers. You're too good to it. TJ. Full scars, whisper about the more as we used to be. Fistful of fury, wild and free. But the change in nurse calls shopping dar. Blaze turn brothers to represent his endless shade from the ash. Choked chants to the fraction. See we track on salad, a calling decrease by snap like thunder, flesh toning the gale, no mercy, and the last just the muck and the way where the whips are, the waist slang cracking, the sky lashes, riding. High, fleeing them, drying. No one's getting away, no hole deep enough. We call off through the chaos, call their bluff bad. It sounds alive and this broken down. Game ruthless has the quick in earth. We stake our claim here the last sack, go fire the storm, I night. The horns are back and we're claiming the night. Coachj Ash, you're here with Nervous Apes. We teach a six week online over zoom breathing and Meditation course is called Breathing and Meditation Fundamentals. The goal is to learn a variety of techniques for nervous system regulation and ultimately to live optimally as a human being. You can find us at nervous apes dot com. You can also find our podcast at the Nervous Apes podcast on Spotify and YouTube. Nikeleton, Garet, Graham and Hall get a pair of night vision goggles. Set up a parameter. You met up with the food bat. I never tell a handsome man no shooting Patuti. Come on, Daniel, let's work on our forms. It will give us a chance to stretch. You want coming down, my buddy? You guys go ahead. What do you need done, sir? Nothing? You're a slave Go sit down. With Oh yes, lay boy. Are you supposed to be setting up a perimeter. I am going do not get all ruffled. We're a little closer events. I know we crossed into Kansas today. Well what was Kansas? I just can't wait to get her back. We're gonna need one hell of a plan. I've been thinking on that. Mister Dixon says he had a man you mirror on the inside. We need to find him. He'll have the intel in the city that we need. Put your cuffs and hoods on. Someone's coming. Hey, what's y'all doing out here? It was after curfew and we needed to get off the highway. Well, I can't blame you, but there's a handler's campground just up the road in town. Wish I would have known you were coming through though. I was looking for a younger boy, but you know, came on with this one. At least he's in his early twenties. Say hello to landowners. Hello, sir, I would have brought that young fellow you got there instead. Any chance you want to trade, No. We are taking them to the wedding ceremony. It is supposed to be the best prize of the year. Yeah, I figured, if you know, y'all would be in some deep doo doo. If the Secret Police find you out here. They could seize y'all. You know they've been. Searching the Southwest heavily lately. Even the Black Shirts are out looking for someone. Thank you for the heads up, less. Trouble, for coming in late and then getting busted out there, I mean, thank you for your help, sir. Y'all have a nice night. Back it up. What are we going to do? Sir? Get off the road as soon as possible. There's a spot up here here. I see it. Drop into the trees and we'll hide it. Who's gonna talk to Johnny? I will go. He doesn't know you, and you're a giant. I think stars should go. My star she has training in covert ops. Right, He's not wrong. You want to get a star? No change can't hold what the har. From barbwi scar in the fields that leave the ground shakes hungry stores out there? Okay, go away, press onside. Fuel in flame? Sir. We got a hit, all right? What do we got? Boom? A farmer out on the one sixty six in your Coffeeville. It made it into Kansas. No confirmation on that, sir, but the truck does match the description. Who the hell are you calling, sir, DJ Have you ever gone by? Sir? He was an We still have some bad habits to bring. My brother was working on that. Who cares what TJ's federal lackey calls him? Focus your freaking morns hate. There's no reason for that. Yeah, you've never been more than a lackey yourself, Scott, all of you shut the hell up. I want two crews, one approach from the east, one from the west. All of you idiots better know how to answer me. Yes, sir, better Scott, you're going east, Javier, you're going west. Bowman hit their team's assemble. Do it now? Diazz and Adams teems, sir? Are they in town? Yes, sir, do it done? Sir. We won't about me, mister Lee, You're staying here. You are what I love, beating the streets. We have what they want. You run the defense. If you question me again, you'll spend all day on a back. Yes, sir, well the hell y'all doing. The day's still young and you're burning daylight. Javier, Scott, do not underestimate these fighters. They're all skilled, and I've already lost too many good men. You forget who you're talking to TJ. It might as well be you going out there. You want them eliminated. Only if you have to. If you can bring them home, they would make some great pawns. You spend all your time playing armano. I would love to break them. Then we'll make it happen. What the hell you three doing standing out of here having a pow wow? Git your asses moving, TJ, go check on your girl. Yes, sir, we rolled out young blood, hide and our veins chase and goes through the quicks and the chains. Now the ground splits wide, storm page on chick, But we ain't the time to break order. If leather uncles. Tastes of fear in the air, living screams everywhere where, the limbs of the way slam, cracking the sky. She's running hi, flaying them, drying. No one's getting away. A hole deep enough off to the KOs call them bad sounds alive and the broken down game rule that says a quing in of this thing, I'll claiming the last and Golfield. Storming that the hearts. Are back and we're claim in the night. Oh shit, take a me, DJ, Good morning, DJ, Good morning, sir. I just came from the med clinic. Seems three boys all fell this morning. They just happened to occupy the same room as you. Do. You know what happened? Yes, sir. They attacked me and I defended myself. Is that what happened? Guy? Yes, sir, you're not gonna make any friends breaking noses and breath. They don't have to like me, sir, but they do have to respect me. Y'all done their dj I can be, sir, and let's go. Guy, make sure you get your class on time. Yes, sir, the voice commands. My future pulls me to his sign, hands me strength the weapon, use a growling pride. First, Let's see how you do in the pit. I have to know what I'm working with. Okay, what yes, sir? That sounds fine. You got some fresh blood there, sir, I sure do. I've never seen it before. I see a black shirt. How are you asking stupid questions? Don't you worry about it? Yes, sir, it looks like you're up kid. This kid is not bad, sir. He can hold his own. Send in another black shirt. Yes, sir, Simmons, you're up. Jess, So. You shot chickens like ps. Its the ground? Game this shit. Okay, get him out of there. Hey, kid, you're done. The name is DJ. Here, welcome back anytime you want to make some credits. DJ, not this one, commander, not ever. Yes, sir, don't you ever enter that pit except when I tell you to do so. Do you understand me, boy. Yes, sir, You're not being trained for a pit. Yes, sir. I knew TJ sent a fighter when I first saw you. You've been training your whole life, haven't your son? Yes, sir? My mom taught me well, I bet she did. But that life is over now. This is your world. Now. Do you understand me? Yes, sir. TJ wants you to learn that WHIPI gag. This is his whip ring. But there's no one else here, sir. No other fighters have the honor of fighting with one, but Hi. Because he believes in you, do not let him down. Yes, sir, I'll be bad practice, Yes, sir. We'll use ston memory. Lessens from the past, roots that held me study, but. They could and last. Now I'm shaped by. Forts and cruel command. The weight of strength feels heavy, yet it fits my hand. Every strike I lamb feeds a hungry flame. A part of me is sorry, free from guilt or shame, but teep with again. A whisper mourns the boy I used to. Be torn between and dark twist one will. Free? How we do? Good? Sir? Take sure off? All right? Just checking? Honey? What sir? Those whips can bite. If you weren't practicing, you wouldn't have stripes on your back. Hey, do bite, sir? Come on? Walk with me, yes, sir, tonight you don't eat? Did I do something sir? No? Then why because I said so? Yes, sir? Good boy. I'll see you in the morning. Thank you, sir. I know right, it was so cool. Hey man, I just want to let you know that I'm sorry about it earlier. I shouldn't have stepped telling you all like that. That was too much. Don't let it happen again. It won't, Sorry man. A warside my spirit, a fracture in my bide, vehicles on my hide against the. Strength five fight? Do I face the WAF I lost? Or embrace this shopping edge? Am I still the dreamer? Or shadow on the lach? The choices? Like complained? It cuts me to the bone to stand in my forever on to find. My way. Back home? Is that coffee is fueling disaster relief in America? Our coffee is roasted to order and ship to your front door. You cannot get it any pressure. Visit Disastercoffee dot com and caffeinate with a purpose. That's Disastercoffee dot Com. Any progress with Erika. She still won't say it. But Genie and I have a new plan. Is that right? Genie? Why don't you get our house guests dinner ready? What is that is that? Megots? She's endured a lot. I had to go big, like yes, Sue. If she eats that, you know that woman, he's under your control. We'll see dinner time. Oh maybe she'd tell me what I want to hear and earn some real food your choice. I was freaking nasty. Oh no, they're climbing over the edge. Get away. Come on, come on, DJ, you should take her out to play for a little while. She's fine. You've left her in there for two weeks. Chane to the floor. It's no fun at all. There's plenty of time. You'll just leave her in there because the Supreme General won't let you have her. It's easier that way, right, You're enough, Come on, DJ, I want to play with her. She's not ready. Oh gross, gross? Wasn't that you were dinner? What what are you going to do? Girlie m. Oh man? The magots are rolled over me. What did I tell you? Don't get nearer, especially with her hands and feet are unbound. Your brother made the same mistake. That's why she takes care of her. You're freaking war here, Get. Over here, girtyle. You better would yourself be You're real guilty girl? Are you sure she hasn't been. Eating two weeks and counting? There? Your pain in the ass, girty. See. She's always a chore. That's why she's better off in her box. What are you going to do with Jeremy already sold him this morning? Take her? You know how much I wish I could? What come on, Gerty? She is so quiet, dj I thought you were teaching her manners. We're still working on it, aren't we, girly y. See? She just knows who she belongs to. You better answer my brother like he's me talking to you. Did you hear him? Dog? Spare the face, urie. She still has to appear at the wedding. I moved him into the squad. You already the more team. Should make his move that much more interesting. You can't trust him? Can I let her hang for a while? Maybe she'll think twice about any slick moves next time. As far as DJ's concerned, I've got a test for him. He won't pass. I'll bet you two nights with Tina that he'll pass. I don't know, you know, Nina's my favorite. What do I get you? If? I mean after the Supreme General's wedding, he'll be done with Erica in every way. When that happens, I'll give you two nights with her. Oh, I'll take that bit any day. Do me a favor? What DJ eldo? I want Christy to come clean Erica's room? Taking an interest in the work crew. Girl, Just go get her, okay, DJ Damn? That must be the farmer's house. They must keep the refugees out of that shit. Johnny, what the hi? Johnny Damn Star, You're gonna give me a heart attack? Did you accomplish what you wanted to? I saw my dad. We couldn't talk about anything real, but he gave me some information in morse code. What did he say? There's an inside guy named JAMR. He can help me get out of here. You've got to get to him. They have a bracelet. I can wear a mask in. My tracker, Johnny, my mom is taken no way. You didn't come from me in dex You came for her, We. Came for all of you. Where's Dexter? A black shirt took him. I don't know where. You have to get to your mirror. He'll have the information and you'll need those bracelets. No one is going anywhere unless they want to lose their hand. Thanks, Johnny, I gotta go. The lights turned on in. The house, Starry. He already reported you guys. He memorized the plate number on your truck. I love you, Johnny. Be careful. They have the system locked in tight out. The landowners are under constant pressure from the secret police, and the refugees that work for the force use any excuse to take their lands for the federal government. Thanks for the intel, but I gotta go. Keep your head down and we'll be back. You better be bye. Star saw the light fade from a lost zone. Carry the way through the dust and feel what I and reached down out in the endless night. Kill me close, show me homes for a slide. The parentide. Steady and. Through the. Kill this hone. Are you worried about how dangerous the world has become in these days of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or even a future collapse. You need to be medically prepared to keep your family safe. I'm Joe Walton, m D. Of stored out Doom and bloom dot net, where you'll find an entire line of uniquely designed medical kits and supplies for when help is not on the way for every from individual first aid gets to the ultimate family medical bag. Go to store dot doom and bloom dot net today. You'll be glad you did. Genie, I got TJ is expecting to send him in. Genie, go to your room, Genie. Dr Bones talked for you to stop buying. It's my pleasure, TJ. I have to tell you you really piqued my interest with this request. Is that her. Let me introduce Miss Erica Moore. Don't touch me. She's not very. Maybe not, but I've never found one this determined. Help in your mouth, brathing for your nose is not allowed. There we go. She's very dehydrated, TJ. And Malta nurished too. I'm going to break her first first for what I can't break. It'll make my job more challenging, but not impossible, No, not impossible. When do you want to ready by tomorrow afternoon? Done? Time to get to work. Thanks doc, that's Erica Moore, Keep moving. What was doctor Boone's doing here? I needed him to come by and check her out. He's going to mix up a special cocktail just for her. It was weird to see him out of his dungeon at the Supreme General's That guy even greeps me out. A cocktail. I guess he never won't have a fruity umbrella can't break. Yeah, but he makes some good stuff. We couldn't keep half of these refugees in line without it, and the Supreme General only once docile women. If doctor Bones can make it happen, then so be it. The farmer reported us he got the license plate number. He talked to Johnny. Yeah, I found him. He's okay and he's not going anywhere. Why we could just kill the farmer and get giant. We know where he is. They gave him a tracker. Oh no, we can remove ours. Why can't we take out his? The new trackers can't be removed without losing your hand. They connect to your artery. Oh like how mine had the kill switch? Yeah, like that. Johnny says that Yamr has a bracelet that could block the signal. They can do that. Give a human a problem, and a human will think their way around it. And then we definitely need to find this ya Mirr. Where Johnny say he was? His dad told him Jamr was in Topeka. You got to see his dad. He did good. Good for him. But we are going to need to ditch the truck now. Oh crap, that's gonna slow us down. That's just still another vehicle. We'd be no better off. The landowners are turning in everyone to put themselves in the good graces of the Supreme General so they can keep their land. Good point we could trade, dude. No, the Feds will find the truck and then the landowner would give them the new plate to look for it. We'll buy us some time, though we don't we keep the truck hidden in the fourth It will take them time to find it. If they can. Find it at all. We have to go on foot. We pretty much have through at this point. Anyway, we all knew it might come down to this, at least this way we. Are buying ourselves as much time as possible. You guys are right. We could travel at night and we'd be able to avoid the town's patrols easier on foot. Sounds like a plan. What's up, buddy, can't shake this feeling? Erica is not doing well. We've always been connected. Like how you knew she's alive after the great quake. Exactly, but now. Having a hard time feeling. Here, Let's see it. Prayer for her, Lord, please protect our friend Eric, have protect her and guard our steps so we can bring her home safely. I pray for protect me Erica Moore. She is not ready for the ball Holly yet. Okay, then let's load the packs and hide the truck. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can get to her. Starr, you want to help me get the food preps sorted for individual packs. Sure, Let's bring to cuffs and shackles with it's just in case. We shouldn't need them anymore. They might come in handy if we get stopped by a patrol. Along the way on foot. We'll have a much quarter time selling our story. But I agree with Hall, you should take them just in case. We only have six sects at night vision goggles forever scouting or on perimeter patrol. Should use them. Person, it's hard from the ball. What's your thing for, Jose? It's like a truck Gillie suit. I like that. The tarp will keep her clean. But now it just looks like a forest cluster. Masterfully done, dear, Oh, that is. High praise from the invincible soldier. Don't I wish my guys? We should get moving. You're going to be okay on that work. I can keep up. We need to check it at the beginning and the end of each day. Last thing we neede is infection setting man, trust me. Sounds good. We remember the why, the poll of the lost, sparking the voidn't no storm? You got maps. I'm on it, sir. I'll keep us off the roads, but making good time. It feels so. Good to stretch my legs after riding that truck for song. Oh, that it does. Maybe I can put some muscle bash on. I don't think you're gonna feel that way. By the time the sun comes. Out, shadows on the horizon fade and google beave. They then let the old stories persever its eternal in the Quaiz School or Trium chrisper Saw. You've torn. The Human trafficking is not fiction. It's a reality in every country. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children explains that every thirty seconds, a child is trafficked in the United States. If you see something, say something. Dial eight eight eight three seven three seven eight eight eight, or visit Human Traffickinghotline dot org for more contact information. You may be helping to save a life. Where do you think they are? If they're already best the border, they needs girls. Problem Gray, the commander of the secret police, whoever they're looking for, is coming. In, not going out? The hell it is? It's my problem. That job should have been done. Why is it he watching me? He always watches me? Why not now? Maybe one of them is alive? A ton of close my eyes. It feels like gonna fall in time, falling time? Why why won't they go? Pictures of you in my head, the way you lift broke my heart. Where were you? I was right here? No, you were somewhere else with someone else. I was here? Were you dreaming of your family? I'm your world? Now you'll stay with me even in your thoughts. You can't control my mind. The hell I can't. Let's me and you talk about your future here. Everyone in my complex earns their right to be here and has a useful role. Then there's you. You're just a pain in my ass. I can't even take to my bedroom. You owe every bit of your existence to my kindness. I am your god and you will worship me as such. Okay, J tell me what I want to hear. Excuse me, sir, I'm all done. No, you're not go into my bedroom. We'll finish this later. Ow. Oh I was you pray? Oh I won't you? I crayed the servander, the fire concealed. So close to the. Edge, but you full away. This er fowers. Oh God, oh God, help listen to him. Girlie, sure you will be that girl with him, and when he's done it will be miter. Please make it stop, you listen. You already back off. Go take it out on that girl. I walk like turn with this girl. You're enough? Yes, DG. Where were we workship? You like a god? TJ. That's right. Things have to be earned. You want your hands back like some food, some water. Oh see, there you go, getting all hasty one step at a time. Damn baby. Nope, nope, you're staying right here with me. Eat crap, DJ, see that's not going to earn you anything. In fact, that's going to earn you minus points. I'm so sorry. I never supprive dead roll. I told you, I freaking told you. You should have listened to me. Then it's like you should listen to me now. Okay, TJ stand up. Those initials, our back, say DJ. TJ would never masculate that the window with the orange sky one window. We have a long way to go before you can go out there again. There's no sun drink. This a long way to go. I could crush you, bend every bone, but it's your soul I need on the throne, the final submission, the one I can't take. It's tearing me open. For heaven, unbroken, unchanged, Oh won't you break? Thank you for listening to the Changing Earth audio drama based on the Changing Earth novel series by Sarah F. Hathaway. Grab your copy on Amazon or get signed editions at Changing Earth series dot com. This content is copyrighted. For details on performers, sound effects, and music credits, visit Changing Earth series dot com, where you can subscribe to support the series and keep the adventure alive. Check out the Changing Earthstore for exclusive gear. Love the show, like, subscribe and drop a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Rumble, or your favorite platform. Stay prepared and stay tuned for the next episode of The Changing Earth audio drama