It was a long night, but I did manage to sleep a little. I got up early to go wake Rock and Benson before the girls got up. As I went through the kitchen I saw that Sigurbjorn was up already, she does enjoy rising early. I motioned to her to follow me outside. Once outside we saw that Rock and Benson were awake and had put away their tent already. I told them to keep their distance but to watch us carefully.

“I have some news Sigurbjorn,” I began, “but it will be hard for you. I want you to know that you are a part of our team, and part of our little family and that will not change.” “Thank you Steve,” she said, “I am certainly grateful for that, I have never had so many friends or such a great family.” Then she gave me a big smile. “As a team member you need to follow orders too,” I said, “so after our talk I want you to talk with Galyna, that is important.”

“Okay,” she said frowning slightly. “We know that your younger sister, Svala, is still alive,” I said, “I was talking with Jake last night and he gave me the details.” “Why, that is great news,” said Sigurbjorn. “No, not really,” I said, “we also know that Svala is Q and that she is the missing director of The Company.” Sigurbjorn stared at me, “are you sure of this?”

“Yes, unfortunately, it is true,” I said, “she found out your parents were involved in The Company and she wanted in. By that time she had already gotten cold and hard.” Sigurbjorn shook her head, “yes, I believe that, she was always a rebellious girl and it got worse in her teens.” Then she put her head down and began crying.

“There is more,” I said, “and you need to know this, in order to enter The Company they gave her a test to show her loyalty, she was to kill you and your parents. But when you went to the hotel she somehow got her best friend to take your place, then she killed them and set the house on fire. She rose quickly in The Company and was made a director just a year ago.” Poor Sigurbjorn, she was crying hard now. I put my arm around her, then she…

“I hope I’m not interrupting too much,” said Kat. “Oh, I am so sorry Kat,” said Sigurbjorn, “honestly, it was just the news and, and…” Kat smiled and hugged her. “That is okay Sigurbjorn, I understand,” she said. Galyna came out of the cabin just then so I called her over. She and Sigurbjorn went over to a fallen tree and sat down to talk. I told Rock and Benson to watch them carefully.

“If anything happens to them,” I said, “you two will be held responsible.” They each brought out their big guns to guard the girls while Kat and I went in the cabin. After telling the rest of the team they all went to the stream to wash up before our hike back. “Do we leave all that gold here Steve?”, asked Kat. “I think it will be safe enough,” I said, “besides, like you pointed out, we cannot carry it back with us.” The girls brought water back for Kat and I to wash.

Nyura, Carine and Angel stayed outside enjoying the fresh morning air, but, suddenly, shots rang out! Nyura fell first, then Angel, but Carine dropped behind a stack of old firewood for protection. Both Rock and Benson began shooting into the trees while Galyna and Sigurbjorn ran and dropped behind the firewood with Carine. The shooting kept on for about half an hour then suddenly stopped and all was quiet again.

“Good thing they stopped,” said Jenny, “we are going through ammunition too fast.” “Yes,” I said, “but they can keep us here as long as they want, until we run out of bullets completely.” “Plus running out of food too,” said Kat. The others made it in the cabin during this quiet period, Rock and Benson bringing in Nyura and Angel. It was too late for Nyura however, but Angel had just been shot in the shoulder.

Meowr.=Maybe we run back, get help. “Thanks Storm,” I said, “but I do not think the others will really care about us.” “Perhaps we shot the whole group that found us,” said Kristina. “That is possible,” said Rock. “Okay cats, this is your time,” I said, “circle around over that way and check for us.” I let them out the back window and off they went. Soon they came running back to the door.

Meow,meow!=Yep, all dead, there 5 of them. “Good,” I said, “they would have called back that we are here so it is time to get going before the rest of them arrive.” We grabbed our stuff and off we went in a hurry.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.