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For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Aari and the remaining Black Wolves are going to try and keep an eye on Wendy Wilder while Kat and her Wildcats are coming to look for us. Even though 5 of the Wolves are back at the chateau and Rock is with Kat, that still leaves 20 of the Black Wolves. Carine also stayed behind with the Wolves, just in case a ghost is necessary for some spying, or protection for Aari. Kristina is with Kat. They are hoping to fly in to us with a helicopter if possible, but they are not sure if they can get one to fly that far from the nearest airport.
“That Mr. Flynn must have used a helicopter,” said Rock, “we just need to have one big enough to haul the water, and us, to them.” “If we can get enough of them,” said Kat, “then we can carry them out with us.” “One would do it,” he said, “we would just need to make several trips.” “Yes, but that might not be quick enough Rock,” she said, “it’s been a long time without water in that hot desert.”
Meanwhile, back to us cave dwellers. It is night once again and cool, which is nice. If we don’t get water tomorrow we will be in trouble. That little we had helped a bit, but it was nowhere near enough in this heat, and it is showing on all of us. I am very weak and lie down most of the time. I can barely see now, my head pains constantly and it’s getting hard to talk. That part is affecting others too. Right now we are all outside enjoying the cool night air.
The cats are excited, seems like Storm has found another lizard for them to enjoy. Misty knows not to go and see what the excitement is all about now. “Storm is good hunter,” said Steffie. “Yes, he used to live in the desert,” said Jennifer, “so he knows how to find food.” “And water too!” exclaimed Steffie. Poor Misty groaned when Steffie said that, so Friskie told her not to talk about lizards anymore. We all stayed awake throughout the night and early morning and by mid morning we were all sleeping again. Sky and Kitty were once again looking for water while Jennifer, Angel and Friskie were on guard duty.
Jennifer was outside sitting on a rock, looking around, hoping to see Kat arriving, but so far there was nothing. Then Steffie came outside to see Jennifer. “Hey Steffie, you shouldn’t be outside,” said Jennifer, “now go back inside the cave.” “But daddy real sick,” she said. So Jennifer came back inside with Steffie right away. I was unable to talk now and I couldn’t see a thing, but I could feel Jennifer’s cool hands touching my hot face. Jennifer communicated with Sky and Kitty to come back right away, then she said Sky’s name and both her and Kitty were right beside her.
“Tell Angel to come inside and you two take our place guarding,” said Jennifer. Soon Angel was there beside me too. I was unable to communicate with Jennifer, but I received her messages and squeezed her hand to let her know. “Your hands nice and cold Auntie Jennifer,” said Steffie, “too bad you not able to make ice cubes.” Jennifer just smiled at her. If only she could make ice cubes, but if she could do that then she could make water too. “Angel, give Steve a little strength, but not too much,” said Jennifer, “I’m going to talk with Misty.” She went over and put a bubble around her and Misty so no one else could hear them.
“Misty, wake up!” said Jennifer. “Misty is sleeping, call back later,” said Misty without opening her eyes. “Misty, I need your help, Steve is dying!” exclaimed Jennifer. Misty’s eyes were wide open now and she sat up right away and looked over at me. “No, look at me,” said Jennifer and she turned Misty’s head. “How can I help?” asked Misty, “I’m not a doctor.” “I need some hydrogen,” said Jennifer, “do you know where I can find some?” Misty’s eyes got big again. “That could kill him!” Misty yelled, then she looked around, “Oh good, no one woke up.”
“I have a bubble around us so no one can hear us,” said Jennifer, “if I can find some hydrogen then I might be able to make some water.” “Um, it’s not that easy Jennifer,” said Misty, “you can’t just put hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules into a bowl and mix them up to get water.” “I figured that, but one thing at a time,” she said. Then Misty showed her something, a canister of hydrogen gas. “I used it to inflate the air mattress,” she said, “I didn’t read what was in it until afterward. Kind of dangerous this stuff, but it worked.
Jennifer just looked at Misty and shook her head. Then she took the air mattress and went outside. “This ground is hard,” said Misty to herself as she tried to sleep again. “How do you plan on doing this?” asked Angel. Jennifer had brought Angel outside with her and sent Friskie inside to stay with me. All the ghosts can make themselves cold, so that’s what Friskie did and she then laid down next to me. “How come Steve is worse off then the others?” asked Angel. “Steffie told me that Steve gave most of his water to her,” said Jennifer, “he told her that men don’t need as much water as little girls. Stupid daddy.”
“He just wants to make sure that Steffie survives,” said Angel, “she is the most vulnerable.” “I know,” said Jennifer sighing, “but he could have told me what he was doing. Not that I could have helped him anyway I guess.” “Um, how do you plan on making water from this?” asked Angel. “Just watch,” said Jennifer as Kitty came along with the empty water bottles. Soon the bottles were full of fresh water. “We better not tell Misty how we got that water,” said Kitty, “she has a weak stomach.” “Good thinking,” said Jennifer. Once back inside the cave Jennifer called out, “Fresh water has arrived everyone!”
That certainly woke everyone in a hurry, though some of the girls were too weak to do more than sit up. “Don’t drink too much, just small sips,” said Kitty as she handed out water to everyone. Unfortunately not everyone listened to her and poor Misty was once again running outside and around behind the cave. “Amazing how much energy she has,” said Milena, “I couldn’t even walk outside right now.” In a few minutes Sky came inside, dragging Misty with her. “She was too weak for the return trip,” said Sky sighing…
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
Mandar had gone along with Hannah and the others, he was looking forward to doing his part. He is a natural for dealing with people like Koffman. Mandar walked in first, with his usual two women bodyguards. He always uses women for his bodyguards. I asked him why one time. He just said, “because I want to.” Good answer. Misty and Cristy used to be his bodyguards at one time. Those two are amazing fighters and super fast, plus accurate, with a gun.
As Mandar walked past the doormen, he told them to tell Mr. Koffman that Mandar was here and wished to talk with him briefly. The nightclub has been renovated with a much larger gambling room, or really, rooms, but one main one which is about 3 times larger than before. The dining area is also much larger and Mandar sat down at a nice, large table in the corner, along with Hannah, Astrid, Monika, Mac, John and Oskar. Oskar stood behind Hannah and Mandar’s two girls stood behind him.
The table had a reserved sign on it and the waiter mentioned that to Mandar. Oskar then took the sign and put it on the next table. “There, no sign now,” said Oskar. Just then Koffman showed up with two men. “Ah, Mr. Koffman,” said Mandar, “please join us my good man, we have some talking to do. I am sure you will be interested.” So, Koffman sat next to Mandar and his two men stood close by. “We are not here to hurt you, my man,” said Mandar, “just looking for some information, and I’m sure you can help us in that area.”
“Time is money Mandar,” he said, “so is information.” “I think you should be willing to help us out,” said Hannah, “after all, you do owe us one, or perhaps more.” “What information do you want?” he asked, “And why did Steve not come himself? I imagine he is the one that really wants the information.” “Wrong, my good man, it is I that would like the information,” said Mandar, “I am quite sure you have heard of a man named Mr. Flynn, I would like to find him. And soon, if possible.”
Koffman chuckled a bit. “I think even you are out of your league with this one Mandar,” said Koffman, “I would suggest you don’t get involved with Mr. Flynn, or you will likely end up dead.” “Everyone dies at some point, my man, everyone.” said Mandar. “Even you Mr. Koffman,” added Hannah, “you appear to be afraid of Mr. Flynn, but we are not.” “You should be afraid of Mr. Flynn,” said Koffman, “everyone is that has any sense. If I give you information, then I will be on Mr. Flynn’s hit list, and I don’t want that.”
“My good man,” said Mandar, “Steve has let you live many times now. He could have put you in prison numerous times. It seems to me that you should be willing to help him out now or perhaps you will end up on someone else’s hit list. Where can we find Mr. Flynn?” “What’s in it for me?” asked Koffman. “Well, for one thing,” said Hannah, “we can keep you out of prison. And, if you tell us where to find Mr. Flynn, you won’t have to worry about him finding you because he will be dead.”
“You sound quite confidant,” said Koffman, “Mandar and the Investigators are working together on this one, that part is interesting. I would like to know why Steve is not here though. Also, have you ever seen Mr. Flynn?” Hannah took out a picture of him and handed it to Koffman. He then whispered something to one of his men who then left. “This is the man Mr. Flynn wants everyone to see,” said Koffman, “and I am thinking that Steve has been kidnapped, or perhaps killed, by Mr. Flynn.”
“You are correct on the first,” said Mandar, “and possibly even the second.” Koffman’s man returned just then and handed a photo to him. Koffman then handed the photo to Mandar. “That is Mr. Flynn,” said Koffman, “a clever way to keep her identity a secret.” Mandar handed the photo to Hannah. “She’s a very beautiful woman,” said Hannah, “now, once again, where do we find her.” “I think you’re both crazy going after her,” he said, “she is death to anyone who tries going after her. But, you can find her in Florida, that’s where she lives and has her main office.”
He then told them exactly where to find her at different times of the day. “Did you hear it Kat?” asked Hannah. “Yes, thank you Mr. Koffman,” said Kat, “if we don’t stop Mr. Flynn, we will warn you and try to help you. Does she have a name?” “Wendy Wilder, Miss Kat,” he said, “watch her carefully, she enjoys hurting and killing.” “Wendy Wilder is about to feel the wrath of the Kat, Mr. Koffman,” she said. Koffman invited the others to stay for dinner, which they did.
Meanwhile, “If we stop to fight with Mr. Flynn,” said Rock, “then we might be too late to save Steve and the others.” “Yes, I realize that,” said Kat, “so we will leave the Black Wolves to watch Wendy in case she decides to fly away and we will go help the others if they are still alive.” “Please don’t say it like that Kat,” said Rock, “we must find them alive.” Soon they were back in the air flying to, wherever…
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 