The next morning Kate gave me something a bit stronger, with a needle. It did help more and that was good. I think my whole leg was swollen now. Kat looked at it and frowned. “You should not be walking on that leg,” she said, “we will have to carry you.” Catalina made a stretcher and the girls carried me from that point on.

By midday we came to that stream and the girls filled up our water bottles. Then we left the area quickly since it was more open in that location. We wanted to stay under the trees. Once we were safely hidden again we stopped for a rest and some food.

We were traveling faster now that the girls were carrying me, but it was a bigger strain on them so I made out a schedule for rest stops so they do not wear themselves out too much. It was a very hot day and did not cool off much that night. I woke up to Muffin licking my cheek. Meow,meow.=Time to wake up, we go now. Kat helped me get outside.

It was just beginning to get light. “It is cooler this time of day, so better for walking,” said Catalina, “then we rest in the hottest part of the day.” “Sounds like a good plan,” I said. Kat gave me another shot of that painkiller, then she looked at my leg. “We need to cut your jeans, they are way too tight,” she said. So Catalina got out her knife and cut the leg off my jeans.

“That feels better already,” I said, “the pressure is gone.” “Yes, that should help a lot,” said Catalina. Kate had gone around looking earlier and found a small pond where she got some more water for us. We walked, stopping briefly twice to rest, then we came to a thickly treed area where we spent the afternoon. But around 3 pm, meow,meow!=Chop chop come!

We made sure we were well hidden and the helicopter just kept flying straight past us. “They may not have been looking for us,” I said, “but we will stay hidden for a while anyway.” A little while later I saw Kat talking with the cats, then Muffin came to me and Storm went running back the way we had come. “Worried Kat?” I asked. “I just do not like taking chances,” she said. “Good way to think,” I agreed. Catalina was sleeping peacefully under a large pine tree.

About half an hour later Storm came running back. Meowr!=Human soldier men come after us. There is 6 of them, carry big guns. “How is our ammunition Kat?” I asked. “We have enough for this group anyway,” she said, “then we can take their weapons and ammunition.” “Better wake Catalina so we can be ready for our guests,” I said.

We did not have to wait very long, those men were moving quickly, following our trail. Then Kat stepped out in front of the men and they stopped, quite surprised. She showed them she had no gun, and then Catalina came out too, also showing she had no gun. The soldiers were quite surprised and a bit puzzled too. One of them could speak English and began to talk with Kat.

She started towards him, but he told her to stop or he would shoot. “You cannot shoot a ghost,” she said nicely, and kept walking towards him. He then tried to shoot, but nothing happened. Then another tried to shoot, but again, nothing happened. “I told you, you cannot shoot a ghost,” she said again. Then she pointed her finger at a man and said, “now, you die.” And he fell to the ground.

Then she did the same to another man and he fell to the ground. While they were in shock, Kat and Catalina attacked and so did the cats. It was quick and all 6 men were dead. The girls dragged their bodies under the trees so they would not be seen. Then they took their guns and water, plus food they had and came back to me. “No trouble?” I asked.

“Nothing we could not handle,” said Kat, “and the cats took down four of the men.” “I still would like to know why no one can shoot you Kate,” said Catalina, “and no ghost stuff.” “I keep trying, but no one believes me,” said Kat, “maybe ask Steve.” “Thanks Kat,” I said. “And why do you keep calling her Kat when her name is Kate?” asked Catalina.

“Well, I think it is time to continue our hike,” I said, “and I will tell you a little story about Kat and Kate.” Meow,meow.=Oh, me like stories. Meowr.=Yep, me too. “I am looking forward to this also,” said Kat. “It better be a true story,” said Catalina, “or your head might fall onto the ground, accidentally, sort of.” “Would you really do that Cat?” I asked.

“Sigh, no, I would not,” she replied. We made good time on this next part of the hike, then we turned off our trail and went to higher ground for the night. It was still well treed, but there was a breeze up on that ridge which felt refreshing. Half way through the night while Muffin was on guard duty, she suddenly sat up, ears pointing in one direction. She touched Storm and he was up instantly. Then she touched Kat, who likewise woke up quickly…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.