They started once more, weaving in and out of the rocks. They made their way around a thin ledge, stumbling a few times. Newkirk, Carter and Lebeau slowly worked their way up, until they finally reached their goal. Newkirk put Carter down with his coat and made him comfortable once more, then Lebeau and Newkirk both lay down to rest. "Now how do we get there?" Lebeau said once he had his breath back. He pointed across to the ledge opposite them with the exit. Hints of sunlight were now shining through. "See that root up there?" Newkirk pointed to the root hanging between them and freedom.

"Oui"

"Well I figured we could swing across on that."

"Are you kidding! Lebeau shouted. "We'd never make it. And besides, what about Andrè? He couldn't possibly swing across with his injured arm. He can barely stand up!"

Newkirk sighed. "I guess you're right. You have any ideas?"

Lebeau thought for a moment. "Non." He finally gave up.

"Well then, I guess we'll have to stick to my plan. Andrew can just 'ang on me back like he did before." Newkirk stated.

"Carter is in no condition for that! He doesn't have enough strength to hold on to you." Lebeau objected.

"I can…" Carter breathed.

"You sure mate?" Newkirk said uncertainly.

"Yeah…sure." Carter uttered. He opened his eyes and reached a hand out to Newkirk. Newkirk knelt before his friend. Carter struggled to get on Newkirk's back but finally managed with Newkirk's help. Newkirk got up. "Your gonna 'ave to 'ang on real tight now. Think can 'andle that?' Newkirk asked. Carter nodded into Newkirk's shoulder. "Alright then, 'ere goes nothing." Newkirk backed up a few steps, then ran and jumped. He clung to the root while it swung back and forth violently. Lebeau watched in horror. Carter shrieked as he began slipping. "Carter I said 'ang on!" Newkirk yelled. Carter moaned as he tried to get a tighter grip by using his injured arm. Newkirk let go of the root with his left arm to grab a hold of Carter. Once Carter was safe from slipping, Newkirk let go of the root and landed safely on the other side with a thud. Newkirk got up and after asking Carter if he was alright, faced Lebeau and said, "See, that wasn't so bad. Your turn." Lebeau shook his head rapidly back and forth, still in shock.

"C'mon Louie, just pretend that you're swinging into a lake. It's a piece of cake," Newkirk grinned. Lebeau looked down. He often wondered how he'd die, but dieing from a fall had never crossed his mind.

"C'mon Lebeau! What are you waiting for?"

"I Louis Lebeau, being of sound mind and-"

"Knock that off Louie. You're gonna make it. Now jump!" Newkirk ordered. Lebeau gulped. He figured he'd have plenty of time to say his last will and testament on the way down.

"Jump!" Newkirk said once more. Lebeau backed up, took a deep breath, ran to the edge and jumped. He grabbed the root and in one swift move, swung over to the other side. "Ouch!" Newkirk exclaimed as Lebeau crashed into him.

"Sorry Pierre." He apologized. Lebeau looked up to the ground outside. "It's still about eight feet up."

"Yup. That's why I 'ave this." Newkirk said as he took off the rope he had around his shoulder and through it up over his head and to the ground above them. Then Newkirk turned to find Carter leaning against some rocks, unconscious. "Poor kid. He's done in." Newkirk sympathized.

"I hope he's alright." Lebeau concerned. Newkirk heaved Carter onto his now weakened shoulders and grabbed the rope. "See you at the top!" Newkirk smiled to Lebeau. Once they were safely to the ground above, Newkirk put Carter under a tree. "I'll be right back, little mate." He patted Carter's knee tenderly and went back to help Lebeau. "Okay. You ready Louie?" Newkirk asked.

"Yeah." Lebeau sighed as he reluctantly grabbed the rope. Just then, Newkirk heard a twig snap from behind him and turned around. In the distance he saw a tough-looking Gestapo soldier creeping through the woods with his gun ready to fire at any moment. "Hold it! We have company." Newkirk whispered to Lebeau. Lebeau let go of the rope and backed up. "Catch!" Newkirk ordered.

"What?" Lebeau said, confused. He watched the rope fall past him to the ground below. "Oh." Lebeau comprehended. Newkirk ducked behind a log as the soldier. The man pulled the trigger on his gun as he heard a noise. It was at that moment that Newkirk regretted leaving his own gun in the tunnel. Just when the soldier reached Newkirk's log a German voice called him. The soldier replied in German and then hurried off. When he left, Newkirk got up slowly. "Louie?" He called.

"Yeah?" Lebeau responded.

"Louie?" Newkirk tried again, not hearing him the first time.

"WHAT?!" Lebeau yelled.

"You okay?" Newkirk said.

"Yeah." Lebeau grumbled. "But I missed the rope."

"What!" Newkirk moaned. "Where is it?"

"Thirty feet down." Lebeau sighed.

"Aw man." Newkirk puffed. "Can you reach me?" He reached his arm down to Lebeau.

"No, it's too far." Lebeau said after trying.

"You're gonna 'ave to climb." Newkirk stated.

"Aw." Lebeau groaned. "Alright. Here I come." He grabbed on the rock before him and slowly eased himself up.

"That's it. Come on." Newkirk encouraged. "There's a foot hole right by your left foot." Lebeau put his foot where told and pushed himself up the rest of the way with Newkirk's help.

"Where is the soldier?" Lebeau said after his short rest.

"'E left after another bloke called him." Newkirk declared.

"Good." Lebeau said. They both got up and headed towards Carter. They found him groaning. "It hurts!" Carter shouted when they came near. He opened his eyes and looked around. "Are we out?" Carter asked.

"Oui, and it's too bad you missed all the fun." Lebeau said sarcastically.


Almost done.