Behind the Stars Read Online Free Page A

like the leader-woman said.
    My throat knotted when I remembered Cleve’s greeting. He knew I was trying to escape. Did they know, too?
    “We’ve got to get out of here,” I whispered. “A fella named Cleve, a drifter from Meridian’s got some ideas. I’m going to talk to him, and you’re going with me.”
    My brother took my hand and led me over to sit with him. I slid the zipper on the front of my heavy coveralls all the way down to let in more air. It was okay because I had on a white tank under it.
    “When a nation turns its back on God, it’s just a matter of time before the end comes,” Braxton said.
    I pressed my lips together. “We don’t have time for fire and brimstone. This is about escape.”
    “How? We have no weapons, and if it’s the end, it doesn’t matter. We just have to wait for the last battle.”
    That made my blood grow hot, and weariness aside, I was ready to fight. “This isn’t God, Braxton, and we can’t let them win.” My brother’s surrender fueled my resistance. “Jackson’s out there. I know he is, and I’m going to find him. Dabb Creek is so hidden, the Army probably won’t get here for a while, so we have to do our part. Fight for our freedom and everything. Like good Americans.”
    “With what?”
    Rubbing my forehead, I pushed my stringy hair behind my ears hard. Anger burned under my skin. First D’Lo was useless and now Braxton was flaking out on me.
    My evangelist-brother’s fiery preaching allowed him to handle snakes and cast out devils, but when it came to fighting real people, he went all “God’s will” on me. Only a total stranger stood ready to help me.
    “What about Daddy?” I reached for his hand, knowing our father was his soft spot. “Wouldn’t God want us to try and save him?”
    He shook his head, brown eyes meeting mine. “I’ve done all I can to help him. First there’s sin, then comes the judgment. All we can do now is pray.”
    He leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes. I watched his lips start to move in a whispered stutter, and I knew he was speaking in tongues.
    My lips tightened, and I nearly cussed. Instead, I looked at the grass in front of me. Braxton and I’d never seen eye to eye when it came to much of anything, life or religion, and I didn’t even try to talk to my drunk daddy. He’d been good for nothing since Mamma died. The only one I’d ever been able to count on was Jackson, and he was MIA.
    I pulled my knees to my chest thinking about Cleve. What good would it do him to betray me? We were all stuck here together no matter what happened. I had to give him a chance. Fear tightened my throat, and I mentally said my own prayer, a prayer to show me the way. I clenched all my muscles as hard as I could, hoping that might push my words to the front of God’s line. I needed an answer, and I needed it fast.
    More than that, I needed Jackson. I needed to know he was alive, waiting for me or better yet, searching for me. I needed to know we’d survive this and have our farm. My life was supposed to get better once I graduated high school. I’d counted every day waiting for it to happen. It was all I had, and I wouldn’t give up on it.
    Tears stung my eyes, but I fought them back. I had to believe. I’d trust Cleve, and we’d work together. We’d get everybody back to where the only thing we had to worry about was beating the Mississippi heat. We’d watch and think and make a plan. And I guessed praying about it couldn’t hurt.

Chapter 3
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    J ackson’s hands covered mine. “Hold it like this, Pip.”
    It was a blazing-hot August day. The air rested on us like a wet rag, and Jackson’s arms braced mine straight as he positioned my grip around the shiny silver pistol. He sneaked it out of his daddy’s truck, and we were by ourselves in the woods past the backfields.
    “It’s too loud, and it’s gonna kick me.” My back pressed against his chest, and my heart beat