Cobb Mt Mystery: Konocti Caves Part 8

At nightfall Jimmy was waiting, hiding in the moon shadow with another loaded backpack when the dually crept by. As soon as the tail lights were out of sight Jimmy and Hero headed down the side of the road to a deer trail he had found that morning which cut his trek in half; and unloaded the backpack with the other food and returned up the mountain. The boy knew that the men must be aware of the cabin and he wanted to get the supplies out in case they thought of looking for him there. Besides he would need it where he was heading. Jimmy was able to make two trips a night and one in the early morning until finally most of the food and water had been relocated next to the highway.

Jimmy loaded up the last load, leaving enough food and water for when he returned; looking around he made sure he had not left any signs that would identify him as the intruder. He made a mental promise that someday he would repay the owner of the cabin, and then pulled out the notepad and checked off the second item off the list; 'Gather and move supplies'.

Jimmy and Hero made their way to the end of the little road and waited for the dually. As it crept by he felt a little pang of loneliness. Even though, except for watching the pickup going by in the dark, he had not seen his brothers for about a week; he had gained some comfort knowing they were near by each night.

"I'm leaving them now, but it won't be for long," he whispered sadly. Hero looked at him with knowing eyes, and leaned against his leg. Jimmy reached down and patted his head. "Good Boy. I'm so glad we found each other. Come on, time to go."

This time Jimmy didn't stop to unload his backpack, but kept going with a definite destination in mind. Under the cover of darkness he walked up Highway Fifty-Three until he came to Old Highway Fifty-Three and quickly crossed over and followed it until he came to Olympic. Although it would have been faster to stay on the highway, there would also be more of a chance of being noticed. The boy and dog walked a little ways on Olympic before they starting zigzagging their way through the neighborhood to safety. Jimmy listened to the local news each day on the little transistor radio, and so far there had been no mention of him being missing- still he didn't want to be picked up by the police. He would for certain be returned to Melbourne.

Finally he was on the lane leading to Mrs. Capra's house. Little Jimmy's heart ached and he had to stop himself from running to her door. Instead he walked out to the end of her pier where a large covered motor boat hung from a lift. Below swaying in the water an old row boat was tied, where he and Ron had left it.

Mrs. Capra could no longer row, but she had let Ron take the boy out in the dingy several times and the deputy taught Jimmy water safety and how to row. He could hear Ron's serious voice warning him, "While the lake can be serenely mirror-like, don't be fooled. Never let your guard down. At any moment, winds can be funneled into a 'venturi effect' between Mount Konocti and Kono Tayee. That often causes huge gust of wind to whip up white caps on the lake's surface. You've seen those waves. .h.i.tting the sh.o.r.es, right? Well you don't want to be on the lake in conditions like that! So always watch for signs. Sometimes it can look like large ripples on the distant water-and if you see anything like that it's time to head back toward your launch spot or hug the sh.o.r.e."

The boy sighed sadly, he had loved exploring the sh.o.r.es and circling the islands with Ron; while mapping out the lake in his head.

Bringing him self back to the present, Jimmy emptied his backpack into the row boat and turning, he unceremoniously headed back to where he'd stashed the supplies along Highway Fifty-Three. He spent the rest of that night and the next moving the supplies to the dingy, making several trips a night. It was much easier and faster since there were no mountains to hike up, still Jimmy was confined to night and early morning to avoid the heat and of course Melbourne and his henchman.

Although he had to be very careful not to be seen by the neighbors for fear of being recognized he couldn't resist coming to this safe haven; Jimmy slept during the day in Mrs. Capra's garage, which was not attached to the house. The sense of security he felt there moved him to tears on more than one occasion.

From the garage window he had watched a woman help a very old and frail woman in a wheelchair to her car and was shocked to realize that it was Mrs. Capra.

When the woman drove off with Mrs. Capra, Jimmy sunk to the floor of the garage with tears streaming down his cheeks. Even though saddened to see her in a wheel chair and so frail, Jimmy was happy and relieved to see her.

"She's alive," he whispered to Hero. "Melbourne didn't throw her down the cave." He tied Hero inside the garage, and retrieved the key where he knew Mrs. Capra hid it and slipped inside the house that had been the only place that had ever felt like home.

Little Jimmy walked quietly through the rooms and saw that the down stairs den had been made into a bedroom. Mrs. Capra had obviously been moved from the upstairs master bedroom. Jimmy went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He had never seen it so empty. No pots of stew or left over pasta. He peeked in the pantry and tears sprang to his eyes as he saw the shelves that were lined with snacks and lunch supplies which were purchased for him so long ago. Jimmy reached for a package of trail mix. "I love you, Mrs. Capra." He said quietly. He had never said those words to her. He wished he had.

Reluctantly the boy went upstairs. Taking a deep breath he turned the door k.n.o.b and peeked into the master bedroom which he guessed was being used by the nurse who just left with Mrs. Capra. He quickly closed the door and walked down the hall to his room, and opened the door slowly.

It was just as he had left it. Everything was the same. He went over and curled up on the bed and rocked himself back and forth wishing he could stay forever.

But he knew he couldn't. Jimmy knew that where ever the woman took Mrs. Capra they would return soon. And he saw for himself just how sick she still was. Any hopes of returning to Mrs. Capra's loving care was dashed.

Jimmy stood up and straightened the bed cover and walked to the closet. He pulled down a box that he had left behind when he had quickly packed to leave, while Ms Jones stood impatiently at the door. He remembered thinking as he left the box of his 'valuables', that as long as they were there, the room would be his.

Sadly Jimmy gathered the few dollars and couple handfuls of loose coins stuffing his pockets full. Then pulling open a drawer he stood looking at a watch laying in the bottom of it. He picked it up and fingered it. The watch had been given to him by Ron.

Jimmy frowned as he remembered removing the watch and tossing it into the drawer when Ron cancelled their outing. He contemplated throwing it back but had second thoughts thinking of the many times recently that he wished he had a watch while trying to keep track of the comings and goings of the pickup. Yes indeed- a watch would be a valuable tool to have while rescuing his brothers from the cave.

Jimmy retrieved an old backpack from the floor of his closet and rubbed the faded initials that he had printed on it with permanent marker.

"J.M.," Jimmy said out loud as if he couldn't remember what it stood for. Shaking his head, as if trying to come out of a dream the boy stuffed the backpack with clothes and a few other useful possessions; grabbing his rolled up sleeping bag Jimmy left his room, closing the door behind him.

Back in the garage he hugged and rocked the whining Hero, telling him he was sorry for leaving him that short while; and a.s.sured him that he would never leave him for long- and that if they were ever separated, no matter what he would always return. Soon they both were asleep.

Jimmy awoke with a start to the sound of a vehicle coming up the driveway. He peeked out the window to watch the nurse help Mrs. Capra out of the car and into the wheelchair then roll her to the front door. Once again Jimmy had to resist the urge to run to her. He was able to restrain himself from doing that; but he had no control over the tears that ran down his face.

Nightfall came and Jimmy started moving the things he had gathered from the house to the little row boat under the shield of darkness; but returned to the garage for one more night sleeping close to Mrs. Capra. But this time it was motivated by a need to be close- to take care of her.

At dawn's early light, Little Jimmy untied the dingy and shoved it away from the pier. He was certain no one would notice it was missing, and given the circ.u.mstances he knew Mrs. Capra wouldn't mind him borrowing it.

Hero whined, and Jimmy patted his head and said, "Don't worry, Matie, You'll find your water legs soon enough." He sighed again remembering how much fun Ron was; making everything a game. Even while teaching him water safety he taught him to talk like a pirate.

Little Jimmy started rowing quietly heading out to the open water. Sitting on top of his backpack trying to appear taller; he hoped if anyone spotted him he would pa.s.s for a fisherman or at least a teen.

The early morning air was exhilarating and a fine mist rose up off the lake making everything look dreamy.

"Maybe this is just a dream," thought Jimmy momentarily, "Maybe I'll wake up in the attic with my brothers. And for an instant he wished it were so. He looked towards Walker Ridge and it seemed so far away. Jimmy stopped rowing and reached for his walkman which he had just retrieved from his room, and was happy to not have to worry about someone hearing the radio as he put the headphones over his ears and turned the channel to the local station. That's when he heard the news. He was missing.

"The owner of a respected foster home, William Melbourne has reported that his eleven year old foster child, Jimmy Muldoon was discovered missing from his bed earlier this morning. Mr. Melbourne reports that the boy had been depressed over his former foster mother, Jane Capra, who had a heart attack earlier this year making it necessary for the Melbourne's to take the boy into their foster home. An unnamed teacher reports that Jimmy had been a disciplinary problem at the Cobb Elementary School where he's attended since early spring and another teacher there reports that he had recently tried to run away."

Jimmy sat stunned. It wasn't so much the shock of hearing the news- he was expecting something like that; but more of hearing his age. His birthday had pa.s.sed by and even he had forgotten. He was eleven.

Jimmy sat up taller and changed his direction from Mt. Konocti and started rowing quickly towards the nearest island; which turned out to be a good thing.

Jimmy glided into the tules and tied up the boat. He waded ash.o.r.e calling Hero to follow him. The boy and his dog explored the island. It was pretty small and a bit too close to sh.o.r.e for Jimmy's liking, "I think we would be spotted here, I think we should sleep in the boat and find another island after dark, Hero," Jimmy said to his faithful companion.

Resisting the temptation to listen to the radio, Jimmy told himself that he needed to save the batteries. So he pa.s.sed the time by reading a geology book to Hero, that he had picked up from his room earlier.

It felt good. It was the first book he had read since he was taken from Mrs. Capra's home.

Towards the evening Jimmy turned on the news again and heard the latest on his disappearance, "Foul play has been ruled out and since it's been reported that the boy has been obsessed with Konocti, a search party is being formed to cover the mountain..." Turning off the radio and removing the earphones Jimmy whispered, "I'm happy we had not made it to Konocti yet." He whistled lowly, "Close call! One more day, and we'd been up there," he said to Hero.

Jimmy decided that even though this island was small, they would stay put until he came up with another plan. Jimmy spread out a green tarp that he had retrieved from Mrs. Capra's garage and unloaded the supplies; and then folded the tarp over to cover them. Picking up rocks he secured the tarp and waited for night fall. He didn't relish the thought of sleeping on the island alone.

Hero picked up on Jimmy's nervousness and nuzzled his nose between the boy's arm and ribs shoving his face through. Laughing Jimmy said, "I know, Hero. I won't be alone. You'll be here with me," and felt a little better. As night set in Jimmy was happy to have the mosquito lotion supplied by Mrs. Capra's medicine cabinets. He was certain no one would miss it since Mrs. Capra had the bathroom downstairs and the nurse was using the master bath. He had also retrieved some much needed soap and had enjoyed his first bath for over two weeks; even though it was in the lake surrounded by tules.

Hiding on his island and listening to brief daily reports of the search for him, Jimmy began to feel like Tom Sawyer. He dubbed his hideout Sawyer Island and at times called Hero 'Huck' as they splashed and played happily in the tules.

It wasn't all play for Jimmy. He knew that soon Hero would have to prove himself obedient and trustful if they were to stay together. The thought of losing his trustful companion was more than the small boy could bear; so incorporated into the games Hero learned to be quiet and to stay. No matter how long or how far Jimmy got. It wasn't long before both dog and boy were bored. Since hearing that the search for him had scaled down; and he was a.s.sumed dead; Jimmy began thinking of a new plan. His time on Sawyer Island got him thinking about Weekend Island.

Ron had pointed it out to him on a boat outing one day, telling Jimmy that he and Kat had spent part of their honeymoon there and that there were cabins and a large picnic area. There was a wedding going on and he and Ron quit paddling for a moment to watch as beautiful ladies in blue dresses descended from a rock stairway cut into the side of the hill, followed by a gorgeous bride in a flowing white wedding gown.

Jimmy knew that Sawyer Island was much too small, and too close to sh.o.r.e, to hide a half dozen little boys. But Weekend Island was larger and had shelter as well. It was rented out occasionally but he figured he and the boys could stay out of sight and even move to other islands temporarily if necessary.

That night after listening to the news report Jimmy turned to his faithful companion and said, "We've got to rescue them, Hero. It's time!" Hero whined as if understanding the danger they were about to face.

Jimmy packed the supplies and tarp into the boat and readied himself to move to Weekend Island the next morning. Although he was excited to get a close up examination of the windmill on the island, he was tense as he shoved the boat out into open water in the dim moonlight. He couldn't wait for day break, he needed the cover of darkness. The chance of meeting a fishing boat was real and if he was spotted his chance of finding his brothers would be gone. And he just had to rescue them.

After hours of rowing and avoiding getting too close to anch.o.r.ed boats out on the lake, Jimmy headed his boat into the tules at Weekend Island, just as the sun was starting to lighten the sky. Although the island had a nice dock on the south side, Jimmy chose the more difficult task of shoving the boat aground through the tules on the opposite side of the island. He felt safer hiding the boat there. Quietly he waded ash.o.r.e struggling to pull the boat until he was certain it would not drift off. He whispered to Hero, "Come on Boy, let's make sure there's no one here." And the fearful boy and his dog, quietly explored the island. First checking the dock for boats and finding none, they peaked through windows in the smaller cottage and then stealthily climbed the rock stairs to the larger one. Then they descended a second stairway that dropped down into the picnic area. Finally convinced they were alone and needing a release from being cooped up in the boat and on Sawyer Island where they had to stay hidden in the tules; the boy and dog ran around the large island- boy laughing and whooping and dog barking joyously. Finally Little Jimmy said, "Well I'm ready for breakfast, how about you?" In response Hero wagged his tail and barked. And the two of them headed to the boat to unload their supplies and eat. As much as Jimmy would have loved to break into the cabins he knew it would be wrong. "I know!" he said to Hero, "I want to sleep inside, out of the mosquitoes too, but this is not a hunting cabin, and we are in no real danger here. It would be wrong." Hero responded with an understanding bark. "Come to think of it," Jimmy said, "even though the island is empty now, that could change quickly and so we better find a place away from the cabins, picnic grounds and dock to make a camp. After searching out a spot, he spread the tarp out and moved the supplies from the boat. Afterwards he looked at Hero and laughed, "Well there's nothing preventing us from enjoying our breakfast at a real table for a change and loading his backpack he headed for the picnic grounds with Hero happily following. As the two were enjoying their meal Jimmy turned on the portable radio that he'd brought along thinking a little music would be nice.

Instead what he heard was anything but pleasant!

"The Melbourne foster home- which has been in the news the past two weeks after a foster child ran away- has received another blow. All five of the remaining boys have vanished!" the morning news caster said, before the voice of William Melbourne reached out over the airwaves causing Little Jimmy to dive into the nearby tules.

The terrified boy lay motionless as he listened to Melbourne describe how he found the boys missing; and his request for volunteers to help search for them. When Jimmy was finally able to move, he reached for the radio and turned it off. He was still shaking.

"What happened? Did my brothers find the vent hole and escape?" Jimmy wondered. In view of the timid nature of the young foster boys he doubted that to be the case. "Did Melbourne do something to them out of fear of them talking?" As unpleasant as that was, Jimmy was more inclined to believe it to be more plausible than their escaping. He even doubted Timmy being brave enough to venture out of Melbourne's iron grasp- let alone all of them.

Looking sorrowfully at Hero he said, "I'm sorry Boy, but we've got to go back up to the ridge." Hero whined sensing the terror in the child's voice.

Aware that he was taking a chance of being seen, Jimmy's worry for his brothers made him throw caution to the wind; and he rowed the boat towards the south sh.o.r.e- pa.s.sing the safe haven of Sawyer's Island. Knowing no other safe dock he headed for Mrs. Capra's. Listening to his packman he learned that the theory was that the boys headed for Mt. Konocti in search of their lost foster brother.

"What a crock!" Jimmy said angrily causing Hero to give him a worried look, "Something Melbourne came up with I bet!" he said as he picked up the pace. As he approached the sh.o.r.e, Jimmy searched for any movement and was relieved to find the sh.o.r.e quiet. He pulled slowly up to the dock thankful for the lessons Ron had given him in rowing, boat safety and dock approach. As he tied off the boat, he felt an aching in his heart for the man he had once hoped would adopt him. Jimmy brushed the thought out of his mind.

"You've got to stay focused," Jimmy said to himself, and to Hero he said, "Shh, Be quiet." And then with out lingering Jimmy and his faithful dog walked briskly away from Mrs. Capra's house and made their way through the neighborhood and finally to Old Highway Fifty-Three, ignoring a woman in a car that slowed momentarily looking at the boy and dog.

"My hair has grown so long, and it's so dirty it hardly looks red- I don't think even Ron would recognize me," Jimmy rea.s.sured himself, and again chastised himself for thinking of Ron.

Finally Little Jimmy and Hero left Highway Fifty-Three, and started cautiously up the dreaded road, following it to the gate, and while crawling through the rails, Jimmy noticed fresh truck tire tracks.

"They are still coming up here," he whispered although unnecessary, as there was no one to hear but Hero. After covering up his footprints he called, "Come on, Hero!" and quickly headed up the steep hill along the side of the road, carefully stepping on rocks and gra.s.sy patches while Hero circled around him joyously. Half way up Jimmy headed though a meadow following the deer trail that he had used during his many trips up and down carrying supplies, and made his way towards the cabin.

As he approached the cabin the hair on his neck rose as the fear of Melbourne waiting inside for him crossed his mind, however, after sneaking to the window and peaking inside he was certain no one had been there since he left it.

"If my brothers escaped, I'm sure Melbourne would have looked here," he muttered. Heading to the back of the cabin Jimmy helped Hero in through the window and crawled in behind him following the routine they had perfected. After quickly loading the rest of the supplies into his backpack and lowering it out through the window, Jimmy helped his dog out. Then the boy climbed out of the cabin for the last time; and pulling on his backpack without a word, he set out to wait for the pickup. He didn't have to look at his watch to know that it was time for the boys to be delivered to the cave.

The young boy and his faithful dog waited beside the road for the dually pickup but it never came. The fear for his brothers surfaced again and Jimmy stashed his backpack and with flashlight in one hand and water bottle in the other he headed up to the dreaded cave in the dim moon light. This time he stayed clear of the road incase he had to dash for cover. That never happened.

Terrified, as Jimmy approached the cave he scampered over the rock formation to circle around from behind. Looking down cautiously from behind a rock he was surprised to see the road had been freshly graded, making it drivable all the way up to the mouth of the cave. But he saw something even more startling. Something that caused him to feel sick to his stomach.

The dually pickup truck was already there and parked near the cave. Between it and the mouth of the cave was a camping trailer. The pit of Jimmy's stomach ached for the first time since he escaped the cave, as he noted that the windows of the trailer were covered with bars.

Jimmy backed up carefully and climbed down the rocks making his way in the darkness until he was hiding behind the live oak tree. The same one he had spent his first night of freedom hiding in. His mind was spinning and he heard Melbourne's booming baritone voice yelling his name, with each heart beat.

Jimmy wanted to run. Feeling powerless and afraid, he buried his face in his arm against the tree, "I'm just a kid," he thought, "what am I doing here?" Looking around as if to run, the faces of his five foster brothers flashed before of him.

"Okay- get a grip!" Jimmy scolded himself. "Melbourne must have moved the kids up in the trailer and then left The Henchman to guard them while he reported them missing," he reasoned, trying to make sense of the situation. "He was probably afraid the kids would succ.u.mb to all the questions about me." Instead of giving him courage, and hope for his brothers- the thought filled Jimmy with sickening guilt.

"We've got to get them out of there! They're counting on us," he whispered to Hero who wagged his tail and jumped on him. Afraid he would bark, Jimmy added sternly, "Quiet!" The dog obeyed.

Breathing deeply Jimmy mustered up courage and went over his plan in his mind. "They are in the cave by now," he thought, as he crept back to the vent. Moving the branch and rolling the boulder from the opening Jimmy, ordered Hero to lie down and stuck the flashlight in his belt. Then patting Hero on the head, he whispered firmly "Quiet! Stay!" before climbing down the dark abyss of the vent, feet first.

Jimmy crawled along the floor following the map in his head that he memorized the night of his escape. He had crawled this route every night in his head while hiding in the cabin and then on the islands.

Not knowing if The Henchman was inside the cave guarding the boys, he dared not turn on the light. Finally he stood up and was able to walk. Keeping his hand on the side of the cave as he walked, at the correct amount of steps he came to what he knew was the Y. He had been right so far, and yet he froze.

"What if I take the wrong way?" he thought, panic pushing out reason. He couldn't move. He forced himself to breath. Breathing deeply, he finally calmed himself and went back in his mind to a previous night. He was safe on Sawyer Island and only in his mind was he climbing down the vent, then crawling through the tunnel then he stood up and walked taking one turn then another as the wall of the cave wound around to the Y. Then in his mind he turned to the left confidently.

Jimmy returned to the present and took the left turn towards where he hoped to find his brothers.

But they were not there. He listened. Nothing. There was no one in the cave. Jimmy took a couple steps back; but stumbled and fell back against the wall of the cave. With his hands over his temples and tears rolling down his cheeks, he fought off the terror and anger that was boiling up in him trying to break loose.

"Did I wait too long? Am I too late? Had Melbourne really thrown my brothers into the abyss as he so often threatened to do?"

Jimmy's mind was filled with one scenario after another, none of which he would allow to completely play out in his mind. An overwhelming anger overcame the fear of Melbourne and The Henchman. It was urging Jimmy to run out the mouth of the cave and confront The Henchman. To demand to know what they had done with his brothers. Jimmy struggled to control the anger and finally, common sense won out. It would do no one any good for Jimmy to be captured by the wicked duo. Nothing good could possible come out of that. But now what? Jimmy didn't have a plan B. He didn't know what to do. Once again he was over come by fear and sadness and his knees buckled causing him to slide down the wall.

Jimmy hid his face in his arms and wept silently for what seemed like hours. Finally he drifted off to sleep.

Jimmy awoke with a jerk. "Hero!" He didn't know if he had called out loud to his dog, or just in his dream. He stood up and started making his way back toward the vent. He had been so overcome with sadness that he had forgotten his dog. He had to get to Hero before someone spotted him. He was unsure how long Hero would wait for him, Back on the Island the longest he made him wait was an hour. Keeping his hand on the wall he wound the corner and briefly shone his light on his watch. It was still a few hours till day break. Suddenly he froze. Someone was coming. Panicking he was unable to move. Was it Melbourne? No. Melbourne never came into the cave. It must be The Henchman! Did he find Hero? Then an unbelievable hope caused his heart to soar! "My brothers- is it my brothers?" That last thought gave him courage. After a few moments he started creeping back towards the mouth of the cave. He turned one corner and as he turned the second corner he saw flashes of light and he knew he was approaching them. He heard m.u.f.fled grunts and an occasional low murmur as he got closer. Soon he was close enough to recognize the low voices. Carefully he approached hoping the boys were alone. Jimmy worried that perhaps since his own disappearance, Melbourne may have ordered The Henchman to stay in the cave with them. That was something he had not thought of while making his plan.

Finally he was close enough that in the light of their flashlights he could make them out. He counted five thin little figures one taller than the rest. The boys were all there- and they seemed to be alone.

Jimmy was filled with enormous relief to see his brothers but he resisted the urge to run to them. First he had to make sure The Henchman was not hiding in the shadows near by.

He also didn't want to send the boys running and terrified thinking they'd seen his ghost. Jimmy couldn't help chuckle at the thought. He looked forward to sharing the joke with his brothers later on the island. That thought lifted his spirits and bolstered his courage.

He edged closer and when he was able to, he grab one of the boys and pull him to the ground holding his hand tightly over his mouth. "Shh! Marty, it's me Jimmy!" he whispered to the scared little boy. "I'm alive. I found a way out of the cave and ran away, and now I'm going to help you all escape," he whispered again in the boy's ear. When Jimmy was certain that the boy had finally calmed down, he let go of his mouth and took his face in both his hands and asked, "Marty, are the men in the cave?" The boy shook his head. "Good! Now, go get Timmy," he said quietly but firmly. "But be quiet, don't upset the others." He watched as the boy rushed to Timmy and pulled him towards Jimmy. The others followed not wanting to be left alone.

"Shhhh!!! It's me, Jimmy! I found a way out of the cave!" Jimmy repeated hugging first one then the other until all the boys were hugging each other.

They had lost all hope of seeing Jimmy or their freedom again.

Turning on his flashlight "It's time to get out of here! Keep your ropes on and slowly follow me one at a time." At the Y Jimmy handed Timmy his flashlight and undid the boys' ropes, gathered up some slack and told them to give him their hardhats stay there and shine the flashlight for him. And just as he did before he walked then crawled to the edge of the hole and threw the ropes and hats down into the black abyss. He laid a note that he had written earlier beside the hole and back tracked. When he returned he could tell by the terror on their faces that the boys knew what was down that tunnel. They had each seen the hole before. The men must have taken them there to scare them into silence.

"You don't have to be afraid. They won't get a chance to throw any of us down any cave hole- ever! The only thing in that hole is our work hats!" Jimmy a.s.sured the scared boys. He was glad to see trust replace the fear on the dirty little faces.

"Follow me," he said trying to keep the excitement mixed with fear in check, he led the boys to the vent. Turning off his light he told the others to turn theirs off as well. The crescent moonlight was not as bright as the full moonlight he escaped in but it gave a soft welcoming beam of light down the shaft.

Jimmy went up first to make sure Hero didn't bark, and then one by one the others climbed up the shaft, and unceremoniously Jimmy pulled them out to freedom; then quickly rolled the boulder back over the vent hole, and covered it with the branch. Silently, Jimmy grabbed a second branch and brushed their foot prints and led the boys to the gra.s.sy area, brushing as they went. Looking around quickly, he headed down the ridge with Hero running beside them staying clear of the road most of the way. As they got to the side road Jimmy found his back pack and pulled out five peanut b.u.t.ter and gram cracker sandwiches that he had made for the boys earlier in the cabin, not knowing if they would ever eat them. After few bites he pa.s.sed a water bottle around and the boys drank thirstily.

Finally for the first time since they left the cave, Jimmy smiled. The boys looked at him in wonder. They were all speechless except for Timmy. "How?" was all he was able to say.

"Later," Jimmy said. "We'll have plenty of time to talk soon, but right now we have to get off this ridge before they miss you."

"Only The Henchman is up there," Timmy said.

"We haven't seen Melbourne since they moved us to the trailer," Joey added.

In stead of being relieved this news concerned Jimmy. Not only did they have to worry about The Henchman descending upon them from the cave but also had to watch out for Melbourne coming from below. He had to switch the escape route. He kept the boys clear of the road, and as much as he would have loved to take them to the cabin to rest as he had been able to, he knew he couldn't chance it. The crescent moon was beginning to dip towards the horizon as the boys made it to the gate. They climbed through on the gra.s.sy side, and finally reached the gravel road but again Jimmy kept the boys clear of the road to avoid leaving any possible foot prints.

Jimmy kept pa.s.sing out treats and water as he kept the boys moving; only allowing two minute breaks when the exhausted young boys could no longer walk.

Jimmy was as relentless as a drill instructor. He couldn't rest until they had crossed Highway Fifty-Three and were well hidden inside the orchard. A group of boys this size would surely get attention so Jimmy hurried the boys along, heading through the orchards and fields along Highway Fifty-Three. Knowing if they didn't get to Mrs. Capra's before daylight they would have to split up for safety, he pressed the exhausted boys to keep going. He broke out candy bars for energy and, because the first aid book taken from the cabin said that chocolate gave a sense of well being, he also ate one.

"We're almost there he said," as they approached the neighborhood. This time, knowing they were racing the clock, Jimmy didn't take the boys on the zigzag route he had taken the other times.

Finally they were on Mrs. Capra's driveway. The sun was coming up and Jimmy was afraid to head out on the lake. Six kids and a dog would surely be noticed. Besides he welcomed the chance to spend another night in the garage close to his foster mother. Going around behind the garage he opened the unlocked door and for the first time since leaving the cave the boys were able to really rest. Actually, it was the first time in months.

They fell to the floor of the garage in total exhaustion and the two younger ones started to cry. Jimmy knew the feeling. He had felt the same way when he escaped. He knew the boys needed to howl just as he did back on that rock on the ridge. But he could afford them no such luxury. Someone would surely hear them. He put his hands over their mouths and said firmly, "Hush! Jon and Joey. You have to stay strong just awhile longer. It's almost all over. Soon you can make all the noise you need to, but for now you have to stay strong and quiet."

The boys looked at their rescuer and obeyed. Jimmy spread out some lawn chair pads for beds and the boys curled up next to each other; with Hero keeping watch they slept. A car engine in the drive next to the garage woke the boys up with a start.

Jimmy crept to the window and peeking out he was relieved to see the nurse driving away with Mrs. Capra.

"It's okay, nothing to worry about," he a.s.sured the scared boys. "Hey!" he grinned widely, "How does it feel to be free?" The boys eyes widened as if realizing for the first time their captivity was over. Stealing glances at each other the boys broke out into laughter.

"We're free!" The laughing boys jumped up and down hugging each other with Jimmy laughing the loudest and hugging the hardest. The boys finally fell on the chair pads in a heap, giggling uncontrollably until Jimmy finally sat up, "Whose hungry?" he asked. "Me!" the boys cried in unison.