The police helicopter let down a ladder for us, since there was no place to land. They did come down as low as possible for us though, which was nice. Up we started with the cats on my backpack. Then I saw a man with a rifle over by that tree where we ate our lunch. He was shooting at us! I took out that gun and shot back, got him. But the helicopter was going down! Surprisingly none of us were really hurt though the helicopter was certainly torn apart. The pilot had been shot but was still able to walk. The military helicopter started over but one of the private helicopters that Baldwin hired reached us first. The side door opened, a ladder was tossed out, then a man started shooting at the pilot and co-pilot. I shot back and the man fell out the door.

The military helicopter saw what was happening and shot at this helicopter and down it went, bursting into flames when it hit the ground. What is this? Are we in a war? This is absolutely insane! Ohh, my head again! The military helicopter came over us and lowered a stretcher for the pilot. After they lowered a ladder for the rest of us. Once in that big helicopter I sat down and closed my eyes. This can’t really be happening. They said we have to pick up a survivor from the first helicopter. It was a woman. Down went the stretcher again and they brought her up, then off we went. Muffin went over to look. It was Lena! Lena opened her eyes when she felt Muffin jump up and smiled slightly, managing to pet Muffin a bit.

Meow,meow.=Must phone Calanthe, tell her what happen. Do quick. I asked about using a phone. There was one man that could speak English and he handed me his phone. Muffin gave me the phone number and said to tell Calanthe not to mention her brother’s name. I looked. Guess she’s right. “Hello, is that Calanthe?”, I ask quietly. “Steve!”, she yelled, “you’re okay!” “I don’t know about being okay, but the cats and I are alive anyway,” I said, then I added, “don’t mention your brother’s name right now, I’ll explain later.” “Okay,” she said, “have you heard anything about the other helicopter crash?” “There is one survivor,” I said, “a woman named Lena.” “Oh Steve, I’m so sorry about Linnea!”, she said crying.

“I don’t remember anyone, or anything,” I said, “but I feel bad she died trying to find me.” Then I told her what hospital they were taking us to. Calanthe told Baldwin and since he had a company in that city he ordered four of his best men to meet us at the airport and take us to the hospital. It was a medical company he owned and they had their own ambulance. Baldwin also ordered a room for both Lena and I to be in, so we could be guarded more easily. It wasn’t long and we were in that hospital, Lena was being attended to and I was just sitting in our room waiting. Baldwin and Calanthe were on their way here. Sitting there with my head in my hands…I was still nowhere. My head pained.

Finally they took me out to examine me. Baldwin and Calanthe got to the hospital and came directly to our room. Mr. Cat was sitting outside the door with the 2 guards which were Baldwin’s men. Meow!=Before go in, we need to talk. Calanthe picked him up. Meow.=Human Baldwin not go in room, not even mention name, makes human Steve go crazy and he say he going to kill human Baldwin. Doctor say something inside human Steve’s brain, maybe it make human Steve do strange things, maybe stop memory from working. You must talk with doctor. But Calanthe could come into the room so she did until the doctor came along.

Then she and Baldwin went with the doctor to his office. He told them about the probe and said he couldn’t remove it, there are only a few doctors in the world that would be qualified to do the procedure. But he wasn’t too hopeful it would be successful, he said it could permanently destroy my memory…or worse. He gave Baldwin a list of surgeons to check with and he got things moving right away. Today. I have no life before today. Yet I did. And everything that happened. It can’t be real, I must be dreaming. And yet, I’m not. The first 3 surgeons said no after looking at the report from this doctor. The fourth was in Japan, he wanted to look at me himself before making a decision. Some hope perhaps? Or will I permanently stay…nowhere?

To Be Continued.

©2021 Steve McLeod.