Friskie had just gone up, though not quite as high this time, to hopefully see if help was coming. Also she hoped to communicate with Kat again. “Well, did you see anything?” asked Sky. “Did you communicate with Kat as well?” asked Kitty. “No to you Sky,” she answered, “and yes to you Kitty.” “Um, you don’t seem to be too happy though,” said Sky, “what’s the problem?” “They had hired a large helicopter to come and get us,” Friskie began, “but they started having some problems with it so they had to turn around and go back.

However, they have secured a large military helicopter and they will be heading out soon with that. It’s not as fast as the other one though, so they might not arrive until close to sunset. She wanted me to communicate with her again in about 3 hours, to make sure they find us okay.” “No problem, we can do that,” said Sky smiling. Kitty was also smiling. “Uh, how come you’re not smiling Friskie?” asked Kitty. “I’m just worried about Steve and Misty,” she said, “they are both in rough shape. Will they even live long enough to be rescued?”

“Hey, don’t talk like that!” exclaimed Sky, “We are all going to survive and be rescued.” “Yes, we have to stay positive for the others,” said Kitty. “I was so worried that Steffie would die out here since she is so young and too energetic,” said Friskie, “then Steve gives his water ration to her so she will live and now he might die. I mean, just look at him in the cave, he looks like he’s dead already.” Friskie then began to cry. “Steve loves Steffie like she was his real daughter,” said Sky, “so it was natural for him to do that.” “But…you don’t understand,” Friskie said through tears.

Sky and Kitty looked at each other, then sat down on each side of Friskie with their arms around her. Just then Jennifer came out and Sky told her the news that their rescue has been delayed for a while. “Don’t worry Friskie,” said Jennifer, “we all came out here alive and we will all leave here alive.” It was another incredibly hot day but fortunately it stayed nice and cool here in our bubble in the cave. The cave was cool enough at the beginning, but it seemed to get warmer as the days wore on. This is day 5 for us now and we only had very limited water for the first two days.

It was meant as an emergency supply for 5 people in a normal setting, not in a hot desert. And there are 11 of us, plus the ghosts. Fortunately our ghosts don’t need water, or food, to survive, but the rest of us do. We have water now, but we are in such a state that we can only drink very small amounts at a time. Misty and I are having trouble drinking any amount. Steffie seems to be doing the best right now, but I gave her my ration of water at the beginning to hopefully make sure she would live.

Jennifer came back into the cave and told everyone that Kat and her team were on their way, but they had been delayed a bit getting a large enough helicopter to get us out of here. However, they should be arriving by midnight, or perhaps a little earlier. She wanted to say it that way to give them lots of time to get here without everyone wondering why they hadn’t arrived yet. Now if they get here early, everyone will be very happy.

Meanwhile, back with the Black Wolves. “Well, I would think you could at least keep me in a hotel, even a cheap one,” said Wendy, “rather than this old tin shed. After all, I am rather important.” “This is much better than what you deserve Miss Wilder,” said Aari casually, “at least you’re not in a hot desert dying of thirst. Here it is nice and cool and you have plenty of food and water.” “One slice of bread and a glass of warm water,” she complained, “my people left Steve and his friends with plenty of good food.”

“Yes, very salty food,” said Carine, “to make them even more thirsty in that hot and dry desert. As far as I’m concerned we are giving you more than you deserve.” “And where is my bed?” asked Wendy, “We did provide them with air mattresses.” “And we will do the same for you Miss Wilder,” said Aari. Yves came along at that point and dropped an air mattress in front of Wendy. “How am I supposed to inflate this thing?” she growled. “You blow into that spot right there,” said Carine and then she laughed. “Okay, look, how much money do you want for my release?” she asked, “After all, everyone has a price, right?”

“Wrong, Miss Wilder,” said Aari, “I don’t need the money and I already told you why we are here. You made a big mistake and you better hope that my brother-in-law is still alive.” Aari then went out of the building leaving Carine to guard Wendy. After a few minutes Carine spoke to Wendy. “How much money are you willing to pay for your freedom?” asked Carine. “Name your price,” she said. “Well, you have to remember that there will be four other guards watching you tonight besides me,” said Carine, “so they will need money too. I figure a woman like you must be able to pay about $2,000,000.”

“I will need a phone to call my people,” she said, “and I will need to know where to bring it.” Carine gave her a phone to use and told her where they are to bring the money. Wendy spoke quietly, but Carine has good hearing and had no trouble figuring out what she was planning. However, Carine didn’t give them the right location, she sent them to a different place where the rest of the Wolves were waiting. Only Carine and Bear were here guarding Wendy, though Wendy didn’t know it.

Soon there was the sound of vehicles outside and Carine went to look and came back inside with a case filled with money. “Your people came through quite nicely Wendy,” said Carine laughing. The look on Wendy’s face was priceless. Although Wendy had told her men to bring the money, she had also told them, in code, to bring enough men to overpower the guards once they handed the money to Carine. But things didn’t quite work out for Wendy the way she had planned…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.