Once he was fully dressed, and this included a pair of socks and a pair of sneakers, Slade – without thinking much about it – dumped Cassie's dad's old clothes in a convenient wicker hamper. Slade stretched, feeling much more comfortable in these clothes than he had ever felt in the ones Cassie lent him.

He heard something in the room then, and without a second of hesitation, Slade dove behind the shelf in the middle of the closet. The blue box was lying near his feet, so Slade quickly snatched it up. Seconds later, someone opened the closet door.

"Is someone in there?"

The voice was overtly gruff, but Slade caught hints of wariness and exhaustion that another person might not have. Slade considered rushing him, knocking the man over and diving out the window, but that would only be risking a fight. The most important thing now was to get out of this place with the blue box. Fighting would only compromise that objective, and would also give the person standing in the door a target to follow.

Tobias! I need some help in here!

Telepathy, like thought-speak, could be directed at one or more people. Slade was using a tight-beamed transmission, so that he could contact Tobias without possibly alerting the other person. There was something about him, Slade could sense it. He wasn't a Teknoman, Slade would have known that in an instant, but he wasn't just a normal human like Jake or Cassie had seemed to be, either.

But what was he then?

What's wrong, Slade?

I'm trapped. There's some guy standing in the doorway, and if I move, he'll see me. I have the blue box, by the way.

Well, good work on that at least. I can see him, but only just. You're in the closet?

Yeah. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I'm not so sure. Slade grinned sheepishly, even though he knew Tobias couldn't see him.

I think I can help. It's a good thing you left the door open. I'll be right there.

Thanks.

Now, all Slade could do was wait. Wait to see if Tobias would get here before the other guy decided to come into the closet looking for intruders.

"I won't hurt you," the guy went on. "I just want to know who you are."

How can I be sure of that? Slade wanted to ask, but he figured it would be best if he let Tobias handle him. Who knew what that guy might do if he knew Slade had been swiping things that had probably belonged to him? Slade didn't want to find out. Slade heard the beating of wings, and the shrieking of a bird-of-prey.

I was wondering when you'd come, Slade said, relieved.

It took me a while to get here. It's not as easy flying inside as out, no wind.

Well, you still have great timing.

Thanks.

The flapping was starting to slow down now, and Slade couldn't hear Tobias' distinct cries. He wondered if something had gone wrong. Great, just great. I call for help, and then end up getting someone I barely know captured by a potential enemy. Slade wondered if he should try to help.

"Well," he heard the man say. "What's a handsome hawk like you doing in my house?"

Well, he doesn't sound like an enemy. Still, best to be on guard, Slade thought. Slade still didn't know what this man's motives were.

I think he's going to leave now, Slade. I'll tell you when he does. Then, get out while you can. I don't think he's going to hurt me.

Right. Thanks, Tobias.

No problem. Okay, we're out the door now. Go!

Not wasting time with words, Slade moved quickly to the closet door. Keeping most of his body hidden, Slade looked around the room with his one visible eye. It was, as Tobias had said, all clear. Slade dashed out of the closet, opened the window and slithered out through the opening. Grabbing on to the windowsill, Slade dropped to the ground.

Slade ran for the cover of the woods.

I have it!

Good work, Slade! Cassie said.

Slade smiled. Holding the blue box close to his chest, Slade finally reaches the spot where Jake and Cassie have been waiting for him.

"What do we do now?" Slade asks.

We have to wait for Tobias to get back. We'd be better off doing this at the barn. Less chance of being interrupted, and I don't want to run the risk of losing the box again.

"That sounds reasonable." Slade nodded, crossing his arms and leaning his back against a tree.

I hope Tobias is all right, Cassie sighed.

Yeah, so do I, Slade thought silently. He hoped the hawk wasn't in any serious danger because of him.

Did someone call me?

Tobias! Good to see you again, hawk-boy.

Did you have any trouble getting out? Cassie asked, concerned.

No. None at all. The man who let me out was actually a nice guy. He just took me to the door and let me fly away. He said not to fly into any more houses, but I think he was just making a joke.