A woman got out of the car and the large dog attacked. But she was ready and shot the dog 3 times. It fell to the ground immediately, dead. Then the woman got on her knees and looked down under the car. Little Snow was so scared, but she hissed as loud as she could. ”Is that you Snow?” said the woman, “It is me, Dawn, come on out.” 

Snow tried to pull herself out, but she had no strength left in her. ”Let me back up,” said Aari, “keep an eye on Snow.” ”Keep your head down Snow,” said Dawn softly. Aari backed up slowly and Dawn gently picked up Snow. Poor little Snow, her pure white fur was covered in blood from where that beast had torn her skin. 

Meowy.=Have message. Snow could barely speak. ”Hey little one,” said Dawn, “not now, just lay still until we get you back home.” Meowy.=No, important, human Steve, others, escape, now lost on mountain side, chased, help fast. Then she put her little head down and closed her eyes. Kera, Amber and Catalina were also along, and since Snow was Catalina’s cat she held her while Aari drove. 

They turned around and raced back to the clinic. While on the way Aari relayed the message to Annelie and said he had left Dawn, Kera and Amber behind to start looking for us. Baldwin told Matt to get more of the girls together and go help. Mandar’s Team 4 was also at the house and they too went along to help in the search. 

They decided not to send a helicopter since it was night and it would just help Lauren’s men find us more easily. Back to us on the mountain. ”Feeling a bit better now?” I asked Aasta. ”Yes, a bit,” she said, “by the way, I am sorry Kat, I should not have said anything. I apologize to you again too Steve. Guess I am not doing so well on this trip. Daddy is sure going to be disappointed in his little girl when he finds out.” 

“I told you once before,” I began, “you are not a little girl, you are a woman. And all I have seen is a woman who has put her life on the line for her leader, that is why you are hurt and I am not. Plus, you and Kat nearly carried me over rough terrain for several km. I think your dad will be proud of you.” ”What about me yelling at you?” she asked, “And complaining about you and Kat just now, which is none of my business.” 

“Well, we were on our relaxation period before,” I said, “so no marks can come against you, that is our rules. And no one else heard you except me, so it doesn’t count. Kat and I should hide when we kiss, especially when there is only one other girl present.” ”Yes, I agree with that,” said Kat, “so we will not do that anymore.” 

“Oh no, you can’t stop, that would not be right,” said Aasta, “I will turn around next time.” We were busy walking while talking, trying to keep ahead of anyone pursuing us. Though I am sure they could walk faster than us anyway. Then I slipped on a loose rock, twisting around and landing on top of Aasta. ”Thank you for breaking my fall,” I said, trying to smile. 

“You are hurt,” she said. Kat came over to help me off of Aasta. That twisting sure did finish my back though. I was unable to stand on my own, even sitting was not easy. The girls tried carrying me again, but each step was excruciatingly painful. We decided to stop for a while again. Aasta sat against a tree and I sat against her, which made the pain bearable. 

After a few minutes Muffin and Rusty began to growl, both looking in different directions. We were surrounded. Soon a voice came out of the darkness telling us to surrender. ”Well boss?” asked Kat. ”You keep going,” I said, “Aasta and I will surrender. Take the cats too, they do not want you.” ”Strange thing,” said Kat, “something seems to be wrong with my hearing tonight.” 

She then called out that we will surrender, that two of us were injured and we would toss our guns away from us. They shone bright lights at us and we tossed our guns away. Then they came over to us. ”Take those two,” said one man, “beat him if there is a problem.” Then a voice came out of the darkness. ”The last man who said he was going to hurt my Steve is now dead,” said the woman, “now it is your turn!” 

That gave Kat what she needed, surprise! The fight began and soon others joined the fight. Hmm, I must ask Kat how she did that. Aasta put me gently against the tree and sat in front of me holding her knife, ready to use if necessary. But, the other girls Dawn, Kera, Amber and Kat, cleaned up our enemies and we were soon on our way down the mountainside to the road below. 

I was surprised how high we had gone up that mountain. Before we got to the bottom we met up with the other team that had been sent out to help us. Matt and Mac took over carrying me the rest of the way to the van. Dawn told us that Snow had delivered the message which made Muffin so proud, until she told us the rest of the story. Poor Muffin had to be carried from that point…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.