Well, two weeks have passed now with Carolyn and Patrick still working on finding a cure for the drug Carolyn made and used on us. So far they does not seem to be any progress whatsoever. Still, finding things that don’t work is still progress in a way. Patrick is not discouraged by the slow process they must employ, he says it is better to take it slow and make sure things are done right and everything is recorded properly.

Carolyn gets discouraged at times, but it doesn’t last as she once again dives into her work which seems to give her new enthusiasm. One morning at breakfast Carolyn noticed that Alizea was not very happy. “What is wrong Alizea?” she asked. “Please don’t take this wrong,” she began, “I know you are working hard to find a cure for this drug, but it is so hard to see my best friends as drug addicts. They have never touched drugs before and hated when we had to get involved in selling or even transporting that stuff.

We have been best friends since we were kids. We have always helped each other whenever we had a problem, and right now I feel so useless because I can’t do anything to help.” “Actually,” said Carolyn, “I was talking with Annelie to see if there were any on the team that were good at problem solving, and your name was mentioned. So, if you would like to join in and help us, now is a good time.” “Yes, I love to solve problems,” she replied, “I will help whatever way I can!”

“Great!” she answered, “Then there is also Ginnifer and Cynthia too.” Both of them said they would help as well, so now there are 5 of them working on a cure. “Has anyone seen Cassie?” asked Hope as she arrived, late, for breakfast. “She went to sit on the porch with the cats,” said Cheryl, “she was looking real sad, and nervous too, but she would not say what was wrong, only that she was waiting to talk with Mr. B about something. She also said that she did not want to eat anything.”

“Guess I better check on her,” said Galyna, and she went outside. She sat beside Cassie, then called Snow over. She picked her up and set Snow on her lap. “So Cassie, what is the problem?” asked Galyna, “And I want a straight answer please, after all, I cannot help if I do not know what is going on.” “I know,” she said, “but with all that is happening right now, I just did not want to bother anyone. I mean, Steve and the others are a lot more important than my little problem.”

“I would say it is not a little problem since it is affecting you so much,” said Galyna in her usual kind way, “and in this team everyone is important, not just the leaders or others with problems. Now, perhaps you can tell me what it is, okay?” So, Cassie explained she had a good friend back in America that had gotten herself in trouble. She is terribly in debt and she realizes it is her own fault and she is trying to work out a payment schedule with the man she borrowed the money from, who was a friend of her brother.

But he has a different idea on how she can pay off the debt, by working for him. Galyna knew what that meant right away. Cassie wants to ask Baldwin for some time off so she can go and help her friend. “What can you do by yourself?” asked Galyna. “I don’t know,” she said, “but she is my friend, I have to try and help her, somehow.” “And that man will have both of you girls working for him,” said Galyna, “why did you not mention this to us?”

“I already said why,” said Cassie, “this is just a personal problem, the other is a team problem. I just did not want to bother anyone.” Just then Baldwin and the guys pulled up, just in time for their breakfast. “Mr. B,” said Galyna, “sit here with Cassie, she needs to talk with you about something important.” “But I have not had breakfast yet,” he said. “I will bring out your coffee and a couple extra donuts,” she said, then added firmly, “now sit down and listen to her.”

Cassie told him what was happening and Galyna returned with coffee and donuts for both of them, then she sat down. “And how do you plan to help your friend?” asked Baldwin. “I’m not sure,” she said, “but I thought that once I was with Sunrise, maybe we could come up with a plan.” “Sunrise?” asked Baldwin. “Yep, that’s her name,” said Cassie, “she was born just as the sun was rising, so her mom named her Sunrise.” “What team are you with Cassie?” he asked. “The Wildcats,” she replied.

“Perfect!” he said, “Then with the Wildcats you shall go!” He called Kat outside and they talked things over. Soon the Wildcats were on a jet heading to North Carolina. They had Snow, Rascal and Midnight with them too. Meanwhile, after they left. “Matt, get your Knight Riders ready and follow after the Wildcats,” said Baldwin, “I want you close by, just in case there is trouble.” So Matt and his team left shortly after the Wildcats. They had Tiger and Tracker with them.

Having 4 of the cats drugged right now really does hurt the team. But I’m sure they will do just fine with the cats they have with them. Apparently Sunrise lives in a small town in a large old house that was originally owned by her great grandparents and was handed down in the family and now Sunrise owns it. However, it does not have much value since the house is so old and needs a lot of work. Plus the town were she lives is not exactly a booming place, so house prices are very low anyway.

Her house would have to be sold as a fixer upper type place, so it would not bring in much money, certainly not enough to pay her debt, though it would help a bit. She hates to sell it though since it has been in the family for so long. Sunrise met them at the airport, in a rather old car, not big enough for all the Wildcats! However, Baldwin had vans waiting for the Wildcats and soon they were following Sunrise back to her house.

As they pulled into the driveway and saw the old house, Kat knew there was a problem right away, but she said nothing. Meeow.=Someone in house, up top. Kat was looking after Midnight since her Rusty was one of the drugged cats. “Are you sure Midnight?” she asked. “Meeow.=Yep, me see in window. “Is anyone else here with you Sunrise?” asked Kat. “Nope, just me,” she said, “I thought about bringing in roommates, but that can be a real headache, even if you know the people.”

“Yes, that is very true,” said Kat. There were lots of bedrooms, but the girls were spread out on each of the three floors, which they did not mind. The house was filled with old furniture and everything was immaculate. There was not much food, however, so Sunrise, Cassie and a couple other girls went grocery shopping right away. That gave Kat and the remaining girls, and cats, a chance to look around the house, which Sunrise had said they were welcome to do…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.