Samantha (Corrections Officer)

I remember glancing at my buddy, and he gave me this look that said, this is bad, really bad. There was no question we were witnessing something illegal.

I remember glancing at my buddy, and he gave me this look that said, this is bad, really bad. There was no question we were witnessing something illegal.

if these folks realized we'd seen too much they could easily decide we weren't leaving to talk about it we were stuck on a narrow dirt lane with a cliff on one side and a wall of trees on the other in the middle of nowhere without a shred of cell signal to call for help the vehicles moved at a snail's pace each passing close enough that i could see the lumps of wood stuffed into back seats tied to roof racks and piled in truck beds

if these folks realized we'd seen too much they could easily decide we weren't leaving to talk about it we were stuck on a narrow dirt lane with a cliff on one side and a wall of trees on the other in the middle of nowhere without a shred of cell signal to call for help the vehicles moved at a snail's pace each passing close enough that i could see the lumps of wood stuffed into back seats tied to roof racks and piled in truck beds

Some drivers stared right at me through their windows. Others acted like we didn't exist. Even the kids in one beat-up minivan peeked out from behind the stack of planks, eyes wide. Nobody said a single word. It was like we'd stumbled into some secret operation that demanded absolute silence. My friend shifted in his seat, his sidearm now unholstered and resting near his leg.

Some drivers stared right at me through their windows. Others acted like we didn't exist. Even the kids in one beat-up minivan peeked out from behind the stack of planks, eyes wide. Nobody said a single word. It was like we'd stumbled into some secret operation that demanded absolute silence. My friend shifted in his seat, his sidearm now unholstered and resting near his leg.

I took the hint and eased my own weapon out of its case, keeping it low. In my head, I was preparing for the worst. If someone jumped out or decided to raise a rifle, we'd have to fight or make a break for it. Either option was terrifying. We had no backup, and there were way more of them than us.

I took the hint and eased my own weapon out of its case, keeping it low. In my head, I was preparing for the worst. If someone jumped out or decided to raise a rifle, we'd have to fight or make a break for it. Either option was terrifying. We had no backup, and there were way more of them than us.

When the final car in the convoy crawled past, leaving behind a haze of dust, the original pickup still blocked our path. Their engine hummed, but they stayed put for a long moment. I swallowed hard, wondering if they were about to raise their guns, or ram our bumper, or who knows what else. My buddy's knuckles went white around his grip.

When the final car in the convoy crawled past, leaving behind a haze of dust, the original pickup still blocked our path. Their engine hummed, but they stayed put for a long moment. I swallowed hard, wondering if they were about to raise their guns, or ram our bumper, or who knows what else. My buddy's knuckles went white around his grip.

Then, as if they'd finally decided we weren't worth the trouble, the driver punched the gas. Their truck lurched forward, practically grazing my front end, and rumbled around the bend without so much as a glance back. The dust settled and the road fell silent again, like we'd just witnessed a ghost town passing through. I released a shaky breath, still clutching my pistol.

Then, as if they'd finally decided we weren't worth the trouble, the driver punched the gas. Their truck lurched forward, practically grazing my front end, and rumbled around the bend without so much as a glance back. The dust settled and the road fell silent again, like we'd just witnessed a ghost town passing through. I released a shaky breath, still clutching my pistol.

My friend told me to wait a second before moving, just to be sure they weren't lying in wait. We both scanned the tree line. No sign of movement. Nothing but the lingering smell of diesel. We had no intention of sticking around for round two. Guns still in hand, we turned the truck around as carefully as we could on that narrow lane.

My friend told me to wait a second before moving, just to be sure they weren't lying in wait. We both scanned the tree line. No sign of movement. Nothing but the lingering smell of diesel. We had no intention of sticking around for round two. Guns still in hand, we turned the truck around as carefully as we could on that narrow lane.

I didn't bother with the scenic route or any more off-road exploring. We just wanted to put as much distance as possible between us and that convoy. Even after we'd hit the main highway, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn't until we saw the first sign of actual civilization that I let go of the tension in my shoulders.

I didn't bother with the scenic route or any more off-road exploring. We just wanted to put as much distance as possible between us and that convoy. Even after we'd hit the main highway, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn't until we saw the first sign of actual civilization that I let go of the tension in my shoulders.

Right then and there, I knew I'd be finding a proper shooting range back home, somewhere with reliable phone reception and staff around. I realized that out in these remote places, when things take a turn, there's no safety net. You're on your own.

Right then and there, I knew I'd be finding a proper shooting range back home, somewhere with reliable phone reception and staff around. I realized that out in these remote places, when things take a turn, there's no safety net. You're on your own.

I spent half the day driving over abandoned logging roads, the roads where gravel occasionally pings against the underside of your car, and you never see another soul. I kept waiting for some old radio tower to pop up or an RV pulled off to the side, but nothing appeared. Just miles and miles of silence. Usually that's what I like. The isolation. The freedom.

I spent half the day driving over abandoned logging roads, the roads where gravel occasionally pings against the underside of your car, and you never see another soul. I kept waiting for some old radio tower to pop up or an RV pulled off to the side, but nothing appeared. Just miles and miles of silence. Usually that's what I like. The isolation. The freedom.