Chapter 9

"Hey," Vicki called out as she was shoved to the ground, "What's going on?" She received no answer, "Joe?"

"Yeah," he asked, "I wish I could tell you, but I don't know either." He tried to stand, but hands still held him back.

"Shhh," someone nearby said and Vicki turned to see who it was, but she was forced down again. She glanced over at Joe and winked. He got the message and silently mouthed up to three.

When he reached three, both he and Vicki scrambled out of the hands that were keeping them down. Then the two prepared for an attack.

"Hold it," a voice called out and they both stopped, "Let us explain." Vicki and Joe looked shocked as Frank and C. J. stepped out.

"What," Vicki exclaimed, "What were you guys thinking back there?"

"We followed you," C. J. explained, "and then we saw some figures making their way over here. We did the only thing we could think of. Sorry guys." C. J. laughed.

"You have to admit though," Frank said, "It was interesting to see them taken off guard. I thought you guys were ready for danger."

"We are," Joe said, "Just not the danger you gave us. It that danger had been real, we would have been ready. Right Vicki?"

"Right," Vicki agreed, "I mean, we could have handled the real stuff. It's not like we weren't prepared."

"Are you prepared for this then," a new voice said, and the four turned around, "Guess not." A man was standing there, two other guys behind him. All were carrying guns, "Come with me."

"Ready for anything," C. J. whispered to Vicki, "Are you sure?" Vicki sighed.

"I guess I should have been more careful," Vicki whispered back, "It's not my fault we got caught. At least not all my fault."

"Wait," Frank said suddenly, "Where's Callie? Have they gotten her too?"

"I don't see her," Joe replied, "She must have gotten away in time."

They quieted down as they neared the building again. Then the four were led to a small room and bound hand and foot. The men didn't even attempt to use gags; no one would be able to hear them. Finally, the door was slammed shut.

Callie waited until the men were out of sight before stepping out of the bushes. She had managed to get away when she saw them coming and hid. Callie hadn't taken the time to tell her friends though. She was too far away to help.

She walked to a window nearby and looked inside. Voices were suddenly heard and two men entered the room. Callie stepped to one side of the window outside.

"What does the Boss want the kids for," one asked, "Did he say?"

"Something about revenge I think," replied the other, "Or it might have been that they know too much. Either way, we need to get going. Get the stuff and let's see the Boss about the plan."

"Coming," the first answered and picked something off the ground. Then they both left. Callie climbed in the window then and jumped into the room. She checked the hallway before stepping into it and looked around.

The only way to go was to the left so she headed in that direction. From far off she could hear the sound of a door slamming shut. Then a man started heading in her direction. She ducked back into a gap and waited while he passed her. Then she continued down the hallway.

"How are we going to get out this," C. J. asked, "Does anyone have any plans?"

"I do," Vicki replied, "I managed to keep my wrists as far apart as possible without them noticing. Let's see if I can get them loose. If I can't, maybe I'll be able to reach my pocketknife."

"All right," Joe exclaimed, looking at Frank, "See Frank. Aren't you glad she's around right now?" "Okay," Frank admitted, "She's been very helpful so far. Now can we get out of here?"

"Hold on," Vicki replied, "This is trickier than it seems. I might have to try my pocketknife instead."

"Can you get out of them," C. J. asked Vicki, who replied negative, "Try to get your pocketknife."

"Just a minute," Vicki answered, and reached down with her tied hands down to her pockets. She felt where her pocketknife was and was able to grab it, "I got it!"

"Great," Joe said, "Now you have to get the blade out and it's not too easy either."

Vicki switched the knife to her right hand and worked her left beside it. Feeling along the edge, she found the notch that opened it and managed to pull it out.

"You were saying," she asked, "That seemed pretty easy to me. Now all I have to do is saw through the ropes. C. J. come over here."

"Why," C. J. asked, moving over to Vicki, "Can't you undo yourself?"

"Not too well," Vicki told her, "The blade is facing the wrong direction and I don't want to drop it. I'll undo you first."

The two girls sat back to back and Vicki began sawing the knife back and forth against C. J's ropes. Gradually, the threads began to unravel slowly, but at least they were making progress. Suddenly, C. J. pulled and the ropes snapped. C. J. untied her own legs and turned to Vicki, picking up the knife.

It took a little more work, but Vicki was finally free. The two now turned towards the two brothers. Vicki was working on Joe when a noise alerted her.

The almost silent squeaking of a door caught her attention. Both Vicki and C. J. stopped to look up as it slowly opened.

The girls walked silently to the door and stood on either side. They looked at each other and silently counted to three.