The cats kept looking for a while, then they scouted around the area to make sure there were no bad people coming around. They looked, and listened, hoping to hear the sound of a helicopter from Baldwin coming to pick them up. Muffin sent another distress call, but she didn’t know her receiver wasn’t working, so she wasn’t getting the message back from Calanthe. They spent the day taking turns sleeping and hunting, they knew it was important to do this so they would stay healthy. Soon the day was almost gone. The cats sat looking out over the vast forest before them.

It was soon getting dark and fireflies began to dance through the air by the cats. Muffin and M.C. started chasing after them, jumping in the air and rolling on the ground having lots of fun, laughing and giggling for a whole hour. Finally they stopped and just watched the fireflies. It was dark. No one had come for them today. They went back up to their branch in the big white pine to sleep for the night. But for a while they just sat up there side by side, their tails wrapped around each other, wondering…will they be rescued? Is the distress message getting through or not? What will happen to them if no one comes looking for them? Muffin sent the message again, hoping it was getting through. Hoping. They both felt very much alone again. And they were scared.

Meanwhile, Calanthe couldn’t understand why Muffin kept sending the distress message. Finally it hit her, Muffin’s receiver wasn’t working. “That’s terrible,” said Calanthe, “now they don’t know we’re on the way.” “I hope they stay where they are,” said Jennifer, “it will be harder to find them if they move, and walking through brush could break something and we won’t get a signal to find them.” “That’s not helping me, Jennifer,” said Calanthe. “Oops, sorry,” said Jennifer. “I’m just worried about those cats out there all alone,” said Calanthe, “they’re not used to that.” “I’m sure they have been well trained for any possible situation that might arise,” said Jennifer.

And on they traveled, both wishing they could go even faster. Meanwhile, I open my eyes and look around. Kat is sitting beside me. We are in a rustic log home, but this is just a small room with no window. There is a large metal door on one wall with some ventilation on the bottom of the door. Basically it looks like we are in a jail cell. “Welcome back Steve,” said Kat, “that guy hit you hard.” “Yes, I still feel it,” I replied, “any idea where we are?” “Not at all,” she said, “but we flew for just over 3 hours to get here.” “The poor cats,” I said, “they’re all by themselves in the middle of the forest. It would be a long walk out of there, and even if they made it, how could they communicate with anyone?”

“Yes, that’s bothering me too,” said Kat, “people would just consider them a couple of stray cats.” “Could you see anything along the way?”, I ask her. “No, they had me blindfolded the whole time until we got inside this room,” she said, “so I don’t even know if this is a house or what? But there is more to it than just this room. We came in and walked down a short hallway, then into this room. They did clean up your shoulder nicely. I tried to tell them you need other medication very soon and to please let us go, but they never said a word to me.” “Somehow I don’t think this is the same group that was playing their weird game with us,” I said, “but who it is and why they want us are big questions that hopefully they will answer soon.”

There was a speaker on the wall that I hadn’t noticed when looking around the room. “Welcome Steve and Kat,” said the voice, “you want to know why you are here, my name is Anthony Jr., I’m sure you remember me, and I want you to do something for me.” “And what would that be?”, I ask him. “I want to find that traitor, my sister!,” he said, “and I need you to help with that.” “The police gave her a new identity,” I said, “they don’t just give out that information.” “That’s true,” he said, “but I know you have police connections, so I’m sure you can find her for me. Do that, and you’re both free, say no, and you die right now. All I want is my sister, you were just a hired puppet, I don’t care about you. I will give you 30 minutes to think it over.”

To Be Continued.

©2021 Steve McLeod.