It didn't take particularly long before our entire scouting party had completed final preparations and departed from Galloway Township, driving off into the deepening dusk in two vehicles—our car taking point position ahead of Martin's car following approximately thirty feet behind.
Rachel sat in the driver's seat, her hands resting lightly on the steering wheel with the kind of relaxed competence that came from years of driving experience. I occupied the passenger seat beside her, positioned where I could maintain clear sightlines in multiple directions and communicate easily with both the driver and the passengers in back. Sydney and Christopher had claimed the rear seats, their equipment and weapons stowed carefully around them in the limited cargo space.
