We were now on the plane but had not yet taken off, Mandar wanted his nurse to check me first to make sure there were no broken bones or other serious problems. While she was doing that, Mandar called another of his team members over. “Take Dawn and let her clean up,” he said, “and get her some clean clothes as well.”

Karen smiled at Dawn and took her to a bedroom at the back of the plane where Dawn could shower. She then brought her some clean clothes to wear. Soon Dawn emerged looking like a different person. “That is much better,” said Mandar, “you are truly a beautiful young woman, and now we can see you.” “I guess I did look quite terrible after all that time,” said Dawn, blushing a bit, “I sure do feel a lot better too.”

“Good,” said Mandar, “now, can you use a gun?” “Yes, I used to be a member of a gun club and learned how to use several different guns,” she said. Mandar then pushed a button and the wall beside Dawn opened revealing different types of guns. “Take your pick, my dear,” he said, “whichever you are most comfortable with. Are you good?” Dawn smiled, “I can hit whatever I shoot at.” “Very good,” said Mandar.

Dawn then picked out a certain handgun. “This is my favorite,” she said, “may I use this one?” “Absolutely, my dear,” said Mandar, “Karen, get her a holster for that gun.” Karen asked her what kind she preferred and brought it out to her. “Steve was certainly fortunate to have you with him,” said Mandar, “the cats told me all about things.” Dawn blushed again.

“Steve needed a friend to help him,” she said, “I was happy to be that friend. Even though I am a worthless dirty pig, like Chloe said.” “Dawn, you are never to say those words again!” he said sternly, “It is not true, not even close to true!” “I am sorry,” she said, “it was just so strange hearing that from her, after we had been good friends for years, and it really hit me hard. Why did she change?”

“Ohio, my dear,” said Mandar, “and money. Money can do strange things to people. But Chloe is not the real Chloe, the cats have told me that too.” Dawn looked puzzled. “That is twice you said the cats told you,” she said, “but only Muffin talks.” Mandar laughed a bit. Meowr.=Me sorry human Dawn, but me talk too, I just was not supposed to talk or enemies might find out. Muffin know how to talk more quiet like.

Then Tandi, Mandar’s cat came over to Dawn as well. Meowsy.=Me can talk too, but not so good like them can. Now Dawn laughed. “When did cats learn how to talk?” she asked, “I seem to have missed something.” Mandar laughed again too. Then Alicia, Mandar’s nurse, came out. “I gave Steve something to help him sleep,” she said, “nothing seriously wrong, but he is covered in bruises and cuts.

He was hit several times in his lower back, where he had been shot before. He still wants to go back to that town though.” “And what do you say about that?” asked Mandar. “I do not think he should,” she said, “but I cannot stop him.” “Well, then we go to that town,” said Mandar. I think we took the long way to get there to give me more time to sleep. Dawn slept the whole time too.

Finally, we were landing at the airport of a larger town an hour away from the town we wanted. Aari and his team had been sent by Nelson to join us there and they landed shortly after we did. Sky was with them, so was Tiia and Snow who came running over to where Muffin, Storm and Tandi were standing with Dawn. She bent down, “Can you two talk as well?”

Meowy.=Yep, me talk even though I still kitten. Meowi.=Yep, me talk too, all us cats talk. There one more too, named Rusty, he with his human, human ghost Kat. “Yes, Muffin was telling me about him,” said Dawn smiling, “and ghost Kat too.” Meowy.=We know about you too ’cause you help human leader Steve. Just then Sky came over and gave Dawn a big hug, and she started crying.

“Thank you so much for looking after Steve,” said Sky, “he would be dead if it was not for you.” Now Dawn was crying a bit too. “I think it was thoughts of you that kept him going,” said Dawn, “not what I did.” “Nice try,” said Sky, “but I know what Muffin told me while flying over here.”

Now everyone got together to plan their attack. Mandar was sure that Ohio would come to town and “discuss” things with the group there, so that would be the best time to move in and take care of them all at the same time. So they decided to wait a while and see what happens. Meantime, Samson and his team will keep the townspeople busy so they cannot go anywhere.

We all stayed in the jets, then we could keep an eye on them, and be more comfortable than at the old hotel in town. The next morning Dawn was up early and looked out a window…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.