I have little idea of what to expect, now that I am free of the army and their scientists. Being unfamiliar with that archaic mode of transport, I could not even guess at the distance covered, only that the journey started in mid-afternoon and ended in darkness. It's hard running in all this slush and mud. At the foot of the slope I come to another metalled road. I choose to run on its firm surface, trading cover for distance.
H eadlights again.
Coming towards me. I plunge into the hedge, gasp in pain as its pointed twigs and thorns rake my face. The car goes past. In the distance, I can hear voices, petrochemical engines spluttering into poisonous life. I force my way through the hedge.