Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Saturday Stories. #25-05 Exploring.
Greetings and Happy March to everyone! Time seems to be flying by, and that is okay as it means that winter is soon coming to an end. I am looking forward to spring and not just for the warmer weather but also for the new life that begins to show that time of the year. Actually, meteorologically speaking, today is the first day of spring, although for us, spring arrives when those temperatures go above freezing and stay there each day.
That is when the birds begin to really come back from the south and their spring songs fill the air once again. And seeing those tiny green leaves appear on the trees and shrubs makes the whole landscape come alive. Speaking of spring. It was also the time I used to like getting out and begin exploring the area again.
I would get in my car and start driving down the many country roads looking for old abandoned buildings to explore. It was always a lot of fun. Now, when I say country roads, many of them were more like trails barely visible among the trees. But, a road is a road. If people used to drive on it before, then I can now. At least that was my theory.
And it usually worked fairly well. Anyway, this one time I was driving down a country road and spotted something. So I stopped and backed up. Sure enough, there was the remains of some kind of road. There was no ditch along that section so I could just drive across an open area to the “road”. Okay, it was a trail. At one time anyway.
It did seem like there were two ruts along which some kind of vehicles traveled at one time. I drove among the many bushes and around trees until I came to a clearing with a couple of broken down buildings. I was by myself, which was normal, since no one I knew at the time had this same desire for adventure as me. Another way to put it, “I was crazy, my friends were not”.
That’s the way they said it anyway. I carried a walking stick with me, sideways, just in case I discovered an old, unmarked well. Something that happened on occasion. This time I didn’t have any problems with a well. The old house was fallen apart so badly that I decided not to go inside. However, there was an outside entrance leading to the cellar.
Now we’re getting somewhere, I thought to myself. The stairs seemed sturdy enough and I had a flashlight with me, so, down I went. The floor above was sagging terribly in the center, but I decided not to pay attention to that, it might scare me. The cellar was small, which was quite typical in these old places.
There was a couple wood boxes in one spot, an old table in very well used condition, a couple old metal tubs and some wood shelves which likely held preserves at one time. There were some broken glass jars on the floor, which was just dirt. The walls were made from stone and something that was curious. There was a door on one wall.
I decided to check it out but I couldn’t get it open, even though it didn’t appear to be locked. I’m a curious type, so back to the car to get some tools. Back at the car I noticed that one tire was flat, completely. Hmm, not good. However, I did have a spare tire with me. But, I was missing something important, a jack for lifting the car so I could change the tire.
It’s a handy little item. I remembered that my brother had borrowed it a couple days before. Sigh. This will make things a tiny bit difficult. Anyway, before this gets any longer, I will stop and finish it next time. Have a great weekend everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2025 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. An Odd Rescue Case. Chapter 13. Aurora’s Miracle.
Jennifer had just, somewhat at least, introduced herself to the real FSB Colonel. “I am sure we don’t need to threaten each other,” said the Colonel, “do we?” “I am sorry Colonel,” apologized Jennifer, “sometimes the stress when things go wrong, leads to harsh language.” “I understand,” replied the Colonel, “it happens to all of us, especially in dangerous situations.”
“When Sapphire mentioned I was the leader,” explained Jennifer, “she meant of our team here. Our head leader could not come with us this time due to being too sick.” “I see,” said the Colonel, “those 3 young women must be very important to you since you are willing to risk your lives in this way.” “They are friends of some of our team,” said Sapphire, “so that makes them important to us.”
“Your leader called you Sapphire,” said the Colonel, “a beautiful name, but not the name I remember for that young woman who escaped with her father. So I must have been mistaken.” Sapphire realized what the Colonel was saying, that she was not interested in her, since she is obviously not the same woman. “You look to be very young,” continued the Colonel, “but you are very skilled in your position. I would say your leader must be very proud of you.”
Sapphire didn’t quite know how to answer, she just blushed. “Yes, he certainly is,” said Jennifer, “oh, your new prisoners are now secured.” “Thank you so much,” said the Colonel, then asked if she could make a phone call. Jennifer said it would be okay. “She is telling her people not to come back here,” said Sapphire, “she said everything is fine, but she did ask for one woman to come and join her.”
A young woman came in quickly, but she was not dressed in an FSB uniform and she looked about the same age as Sapphire. “This is my niece, Aurora,” said the Colonel, “she lost her family a couple of years ago, so she came to live with us. She always hoped to get away from here since here she lives in constant fear. She can tell you what happened.
She needs to get out of the country, go somewhere, anywhere, so she can be safe, or she will likely end up in that same penal colony you rescued your friends from, it is one of the worst places. So far I have been able to keep her safe, but for how much longer I do not know. I told her she needs to pray for a miracle to get out of our country. Perhaps you are her miracle?
Really, she has done nothing wrong and she would make a wonderful friend, if given a chance.” Jennifer noticed the tears rolling down the Colonel’s face. “If she would like to come with us,” said Jennifer, “then we would be very happy to take her along. And we will look after her like one of our own.” Jennifer and Sapphire hugged the Colonel and Aurora.
The Colonel then drew a map for our team showing the best way to walk through the forest to the border, which is about 20km away. “I’m sorry that I cannot help you at the border,” said the Colonel, “I will be telling them that you got off here to search for the escaped women.” At that point Sky and Angel walked in the door at the end of the passenger car.
“Friends of yours, no doubt,” said the Colonel smiling, then she frowned, “but how did they get on the train? We are going too fast for anyone to just jump on.” “This is Sky and Angel,” said Sapphire, “perhaps we could say they are the miracle that your niece was praying for.” The Colonel then stopped the train so our team could leave safely, and they were soon back in the forest, walking toward the border with Latvia.
“There will be many soldiers at the border fence,” said Aurora, “it will not be easy to get across without being seen.” “The fence is a minor problem,” said Jennifer, “but staying out of sight so the soldiers don’t see us will be harder. But our friends that joined us on the train will make the job a little easier. We will get it done, one way or another.”
She then smiled to reassure Aurora as Jennifer could see she was anxious looking. “I don’t mind saying,” said Aurora, “that I am very nervous about this part. If I get caught, it will mean that penal colony for me most certainly. And my aunt will never know.” “Don’t worry,” said Jennifer comfortingly, “we won’t let that happen to you, and that’s a promise.
Now, instead of worrying, think about your new home and new friends that lie ahead.” “Hey, look, a cat!” exclaimed Aurora. Jennifer called her over and she came bounding through the dried grass and jumped into Jennifer’s waiting arms. “This is Jewel, my special kitty,” said Jennifer. “She even has her own backpack,” said Aurora, quite surprised.
“Yes, she has food, water, toys and a few other necessities in there,” said Jennifer. “That is so cool,” said Aurora, “may I hold her?” Jewel was soon lying down on top of Aurora’s backpack watching the forest around them for enemies. Now that they were safely away from the train, our team changed out of the FSB uniforms and into regular clothes again.
They pushed on at a fairly fast pace since they wanted to make it to the border before it got dark. “People coming,” said Angel. “They are still quite far away,” Jennifer told Aurora, “Angel has excellent hearing. But whenever she says that, please come close to me and hold my hand. You will have to trust me on this for a while, please.” “Yes, I can do that,” she replied, smiling.
Soon 4 soldiers came walking by and Rock, Bear and Oskar jumped them, quickly subduing them. Then they continued on their journey. Unfortunately Celeste and Valeska were tiring very quickly now and they hadn’t quite covered half the distance. So, while Sapphire kept Aurora busy, a lion appeared and they put the saddle on it for the two girls and they were ready to go.
Aurora was mystified by this sudden appearance of a huge lion, but Jennifer said it was a pet of Sky and Angel. She seemed to be satisfied with that explanation. The rest of the day seemed to go by quickly and soon they heard a lot of noise from soldiers walking back and forth, so they knew the border was just ahead.
“Where are the rescued girls?” whispered Aurora. “They are already across the fence and with our friends who are waiting for us,” whispered Jennifer. “Wow, that was fast,” she replied. “You and Sapphire will be next,” said Jennifer, “are you ready for your miracle?” “I have been ready for a long time,” said Aurora, smiling…
To Be Continued.
©2025 Steve McLeod.
