Huddled in the corner of the locked room Cody was beginning to wonder if he would ever be rescued. He had restricted himself to looking at his watch every four hours, or what he estimated was four hours, so he didn't run the battery down by using the light too much. He remembered his excitement when Josh had given him the watch for his last birthday; he had used the light all the time and the battery had gone flat within two weeks. Josh had used all his savings to buy the watch that he knew Cody had been coveting for weeks. The tears started again as he thought about his brother. Josh was a great older brother, he was everything that Cody wasn't; clever, disciplined, good looking and fashionable but he still had time for his younger brother.

If he had timed it correctly it was now Friday evening. Earlier he could hear a constant buzz as the school was filled with noisy teenagers and the boiler was switched on providing hot water. Now it was silent, the school shutting down for the weekend. He couldn't bear to think about the weekend ahead, when the school would be empty and no amount of shouting would bring help. At least when the school was occupied he had hope.


Marella quizzed Marie, wanting to know where in the school Cody was being held. Marie talked; she wanted to tell her everything but for now all Marella wanted was the location.

As soon as she had the information she rushed to Airwolf. She ran past the security guards and through the departure gate, waving her Firm ID at anyone who tried to block her way. The key was clutched in her left hand.

Archangel had declared an emergency and the airport security staff had cooperated by clearing a runway so Airwolf could land safely. Hawke saw Marella running towards them and climbed out of the cockpit, calling to Dominic to start her up. She was out of breath and struggled to speak.

"Key," she handed him the key, "school basement. Locked door. Two days no food or water. Hurry Hawke."

Hawke jogged back to Airwolf and as soon as they were in the air he called for turbos.

Landing on the school sports field, Hawke rushed towards the school building with Dominic close behind. As they got to the main entrance a car pulled into the car park and a man in his fifties climbed out. He was dressed smartly and looked angry.

"What's this all about? I got called away from a charity function that I'm supposed to make a speech at."

"No time to explain, just open up and take us to the basement," Hawke took an instant dislike to the man and wasn't in the mood to be civil.

"Your boss must be pretty important to be ordering me about. I really must insist on an explanation," he demanded haughtily.

Hawke grabbed at the keys out of the man's hand and unlocked the door himself.

"Well! I'll have to report you to your boss. This is my school."

"He's not my boss," Hawke pushed open the double doors while the older man pushed past him to disable the alarm, "and if this is your school, how do you manage to let a kid be locked up for two days and not notice? Now show us where the basement is or do I have to force you at gunpoint?"

The man backed down instantly as Hawke and Dominic both pulled out their guns, and he pointed down the corridor.

They ran through the deserted corridors, the principal only talking now to gave directions. Finally in the basement Hawke asked where the locked door was.

"At the end, just keep walking."

When Hawke reached the room he crouched down, his mouth near the keyhole.

"Cody. You in there?" when he received no answer he shouted louder, "CODY."

"Hello? Hawke?" Hawke and Dominic both breathed a sigh of relief; he was alive.

"Cody, could the door be booby trapped?"

"What?"

"The door. Did the men do anything to the door after they locked you in?"

"I don't think so," Cody called back, "I think they left straight away. I haven't heard anyone since they left. Hawke, get me out of here, please."

"OK. Stand back just in case."

Cody moved to the back of the room and shouted back, "OK."

Hawke placed the key in the lock and turned it slowly. He heard the lock click and he pushed down on the handle. The door swung open to reveal Cody cowering in the corner, his arms covering his head.

Hawke motioned Dominic forward, remembering what Josh had said about Cody being scared of him. Dom helped him to his feet, "You OK kid?" he asked gently.

Cody nodded and let Dominic help him out of the room.

Hawke patted him on the shoulder, "You're safe now," he said as Cody burst into tears.