The tunnel was filled with dust and I was almost completely buried in rock and dirt.  Let’s get out of here, the place is falling down, we could hear them yelling!  Soon all was quiet.  But we had a big problem, we were trapped.  The tunnel had collapsed ahead of us too, so there was nowhere to go.  Jenny began trying to dig me out and finally was able to get at my backpack.  There’s a small shovel inside, I said.  She got it out quickly and began digging in more earnest now.  I was hopelessly pinned by the rocks and lying on my stomach, so I really could do nothing to help.  Finally Jenny stopped.  I’m having trouble breathing, she said.  It was true.  Our small space was quickly running out of oxygen.  Muffin, I said, see if you can dig a small hole into the cellar.  I no sooner had said it and she was digging feverishly.

Soon she had a hole big enough for her to crawl through and she disappeared into the cellar.  It wasn’t long and some air was coming in through that hole.  Jenny starting digging again to make that hole larger.  After a bit the hole was big enough for us to crawl through.  We’ll have to move these rocks or you’ll never get out she said.  She actually seemed a bit angry when she said that.  That could be a problem, it could cause the rest of this tunnel to collapse, I said.  Guess we don’t have a choice, we’ll have to take that chance, she replied.  Then we heard one of the windows breaking upstairs.  Did they come back?  Then we felt a rush of nice fresh air and Muffin came running back.  Meow, meow!=I take stone, use slingshot to break window!  Lots of air now!  Good girl Muffin, that was good thinking, I told her.

I just can’t dig like this anymore, cried Jenny, if I could stand up it wouldn’t be so hard!  We’re getting close, I said, we just need to move this rock a little.  Not too much though, it’s holding all the other rocks in place.  Jenny starting to push the rock and more dirt fell. She screamed and went out of there so fast, all the way upstairs.  Meow, meow.=Don’t worry, I stay with you and help push rock.  Okay Muffin, lie down next to my leg and push against the rock with your hind legs while I push too.  Meow!=Okay, let’s do it!  I don’t think her pushing did much, but who knows, maybe it did help a bit.  Muffin was happy helping out anyway.  The rock moved enough that I could roll over onto my side, but my one foot was still stuck.

At least now I had better leverage so I could push against those rocks as well as lift one of them.  I finally was able to get my foot free and pull myself completely out of there.  Okay, let’s get out of here Muffin!  She went out first and I quickly followed.  My left leg was very sore after that ordeal, it’s going to make it hard to walk now.  Once in the cellar we both stop and listen.  Everything was quiet, too quiet.  Meow, meow.=Something not right, I can tell.  I knew those men would be coming back, but I didn’t think they would be back until morning when it’s daylight.  I still had my gun and Muffin was ready with her slingshot.  I went up first and Muffin followed quietly behind me, then she hid off to the side while I looked around the room with the flashlight.  Nothing.  We went through the house but no sign of Jenny.  Could she have gone outside?

I was about to go out when Muffin meowed.  She had found a note on a small table.  Jenny had been kidnapped!  They want me to hand over the black case to them when they come back in the morning.  Meow, meow.=I not trust Jenny anymore, she one of bad guys.  I agree with you Muffin, those men were just waiting out here to pick her up.  Jenny left when she knew I would be able to get out.  It was all planned.  Muffin, we need to do some planning too.  Meow!=Right!

To be continued.

Steve and Muffin.

©2020 Steve McLeod.