Chapter Thirty Four

Annie

I couldn't contact Johnny by phone and I wasn't happy that Atiqtalaaq hadn't questioned Samuel closely enough. While Johnny would have ensured he got all the details and would have spoken to Chief Swan and the children Atiqtalaaq just took Samuel's word for everything. There were no alarm bells ringing when Samuel's excuse for bringing the man here had seemed weak or when he explained the elders had not sanctioned the pack's actions. I tried ringing the reservation myself but the phone lines were down which also made me uneasy.

Finally I decided to question Chief Swan myself but when I went back to my cabin I found one of Atiqtalaaq's brothers on duty at the cellar door and when I approached he stood barring my way.

"I'm sorry Annie but no one is allowed to visit the prisoner."

"Who told you that? This is my home, are you telling me that I may not go into my own cellar?"

He looked slightly uncomfortable but didn't move,

"Those were my orders."

"Given to you by whom?"

"Atiqtalaaq."

"Is he afraid of what the prisoner might say?"

"I don't know the reason only that I was given strict instructions to allow no one in."

"Even me?"

"Yes ma'am, even you."

I went through to my kitchen to make coffee and took one through to my "guest" when he refused to leave his post. I was more intrigued and unsettled than ever and prayed Johnny would be back soon. When he had made Atiqtalaaq his second in command I has voiced my doubts but Johnny followed tradition and when his close friend and previous second died in an accident Atiqtalaaq was next in line as the eldest son of the family. As a child he had been impetuous, reckless at times but while under Johnny's guidance he had settled. Unfortunately any lessons he had learned seemed to be forgotten once he was left in charge. Well, if I couldn't speak to Chief Swan I would have to speak to the children but it was getting late, they would be in bed and I didn't want to disturb the little girl who was only now recovering from a chill. First thing in the morning I would go to Rachel's and find out what Atiqtalaaq was so concerned I might discover.

Caden

I had heard Rachel talking to one of the men, the leader of whatever they were and he wanted to move us tomorrow even though Charity still wasn't fully recovered. I heard the Florida swamps mentioned and began to worry mom and dad might never find us if we were taken there. I had to act tonight although persuading Charity to go with me and keep very quiet wasn't going to be easy. She had been grizzling for her mommy and daddy all day and cried herself to sleep. I was worried about keeping her warm too but at least it had stopped snowing at last. I had managed to sneak a look at a map of the Denali National Park so I knew where we were and I knew where Eleazar and Carmen lived. Luckily it wasn't that far across country although we would need some form of transport.

While I was playing outside I had explored the transport building where the snowmobiles and four wheel drive vehicles were stored. The keys hung on a board in the office which didn't have a lock, they didn't expect anyone to steal transport as it was used by everyone anyway. The outer door was locked but the lock was old and didn't work properly. I checked it while hiding from Quil who had gotten used to me disappearing as I hid from him. It was built away from the village itself so I'd had to be careful but no one seemed to think I would make a run for it, not leaving my little cousin behind. If Uncle Charlie could drive one of the vehicles we could get away and if we got a good enough head start we might just make it to the Denali's for help.

When Charity went to bed I acted tired too yawning and rubbing my eyes and said I'd go too. I knew that once Rachel had tucked us in she didn't bother to check again unless Charity cried out but we wouldn't try to make a run for it until later, once it was good and dark and while a lot of the village would be in the cinema that showed movies twice a week, tonight being one of those. With luck the soundtrack would drown out the sound of the vehicle and give us a good head start. After a long impatient wait I finally woke Charity at nine putting a hand over her mouth to stop her calling out and whispered in her ear that we were going to find mommy and daddy but she had to be like a little mouse. When I moved my hand she opened her mouth but I shook my head putting a finger to her lips and she nodded getting out of bed and with my help dressed.

I pushed up the window silent as I could and she crept over grasping Daisy in her hand. I picked her up and sat her on the sill then slid out myself and pulled her down into the snow drift below. I held her hand and looked around but there was no one in sight so we began to run, our footsteps hushed by the snow underfoot. Once we reached the comparative safety of Annie's cabin I whispered to Charity to keep very still and quiet while I got Uncle Charlie. I could see she was excited at the thought of seeing him but she crouched down hugging Daisy to her chest and nodded.

I could hear someone inside but it wasn't Annie, the noises were from someone much heavier so there was a guard watching Uncle Charlie. I had thought there might be so I crept to the opening and called his name. When I heard his voice whisper my name I told him what I planned on doing and he agreed to distract the guard and make him unlock the door. I would surprise him and while he was looking at me Uncle Charlie would knock him out. Going back to the side door I opened it as soon as I heard a noise from below, Uncle Charlie was making noises like he was choking and as I watched the guard unlocked the door and peered cautiously in. Running quietly until I was behind him I tapped him on the back and he whirled around his eyes opening wide when he saw me.

Charlie

I was stunned when I heard Caden's voice and when he told me of his plan I couldn't help but be impressed. It was our only hope so I agreed and giving him time to get in position I began to make choking noises and thrash about which brought the guard to the top of the steps where I had made my way undetected under the shield of my noises. He looked huge and I doubted I could overpower him but then he turned as if something had distracted him and I threw myself on him wrapping my arm around his neck cutting off his breath and overbalancing him. We crashed down the steps but as I was expecting it I was able to save myself from serious injury but the guard hit his head on the bottom step, hard enough to stun him and I finished the job with the torch he had been carrying. I had no idea how long he would be unconscious but we needed to move fast so I grabbed the blankets, locked the cellar door and followed Caden out the door picking up Charity as Caden warned her to be quiet before she could cry out my name. She threw her arms around my neck and began to cry and I could see how scared she was. Caden beckoned me to follow him so wrapping a blanket around Charity I held her close and we ran towards a large building outside the settlement.

It was deserted and Caden wiggled the handle until we heard a loud click, then he pushed it open and we squeezed inside shutting the door behind us.

"The keys are all hanging up but we need the quietest vehicle Uncle Charlie."

I nodded and put Charity down to look around at the dark shapes parked here. I needed something that would take all three of us but the larger vehicles were too slow and noisy. Looking around I found an old two up snowmobile which would carry Charity and I if Caden could manage one on his own.

"I tried one of these yesterday Uncle Charlie, Quil let me and I can ride one if you can take Charity."

I didn't like the idea, it was dangerous but then staying here meant the children might never see their parents again so what choice did I have?

"Are you sure Caden? You're awful little to be driving one of these even if you are clever. Maybe we should take a Snow Trac, we can stay together then."

He shook his head but I made the decision as the adult, we would stick together come what may and I grabbed the keys from the board,

"Come on Charity, we're going for a ride in the snow."

The good thing about this was it was enclosed and therefore much warmer for both children.