Chapter 7

Kim couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, images of her family flashed before her eyes and she would begin to cry. Helen didn't seem to be faring any better. The young girl was very restless. They had now been in the cell for around 2 months. That made it four months since Kim as kidnapped. They had both lost lots of weight and their skin had become hollowed out. The man who Helen had called Dad, only revealed that his name was Peter. He refused to let them out or have any contact with anybody other than himself and each other. Kim's hair had lost it's shine and she felt so weak that she no longer fought back against her captor.
The morning brought a new surprise for the two girls. Peter brought a portable radio into their cell, and turned it on. 'After four months of searching.' The radio announcer said. 'It has been confirmed that International Rescue are no closer to locating their missing team member. Rumours have sparked up that the member has been killed and that International Rescue are close to giving up the search. In other news, the hunt for missing teenager, Helen Johnson, has officially been called off after eleven months. However her mother says they will never give up until she has been found. Police have increasing fears for her safety, and although the search has officially been called off, volunteer groups will continue to scour the country for her.'
Helen looked up at Peter, 'How could you?' She demanded. 'I bet you've just left Mum behind all on her own.'
'She wasn't good enough for me anyway.' Peter replied.
Kim had to catch Helen's arm to stop her going for him. 'Where are we anyway?' She asked.
'Somewhere no-one will ever find you.' He replied, before leaving the cell.

As soon has his footsteps had faded away Jamie jumped to her feet. He had left the radio behind. She picked it up and opened the back. Helen looked on in interest. 'What are you doing?' She asked. 'It's only a radio.'
'Yes.' Kim replied. 'But if you know what you can do, then you can adjust it so you can send messages as well as receive them. This radio could be our ticket out of here.' Jamie sat back down on the floor and began to fiddle with the radio, unplugging wires and replacing them elsewhere. It took her several hours, but finally she heard a crackle over the radio. She leaned back and sighed in relief. 'Ready?' She asked Helen, who nodded.

John heard the radio broadcast and shook his head, how could people even think that? They would never give up on Kim, not while there was still hope. He was about to radio the Island, when the emergency radio crackled into life. 'Calling International Rescue.' The voice sounded familiar.
He sighed and opened the link. 'International Rescue, how can we assist?'
He heard what sounded like a choking sound on the other end of the radio.

Kim let out a cry of relief when her younger brother answered the call. Tears began to flow down her cheeks, and she pulled Helen into her side. 'John? John it's me.'
'Striker? Is that really you? Are you ok? Where are you?'
'John, please calm down, I...' She trailed off when Peter entered the cell.
'Striker? Striker please answer me.' John said desperately.
'Well, well, well.' Peter said. He took the radio from Kim. 'You won't be getting her back.' He said, before disconnecting the wires, leaving the radio dead. 'Nice try, but I did think of that, now it seems you will have to be moved once more.' He waved his hand and two burly men entered the cell. 'Take them to base 4.' He ordered and they lumbered over and each picked up one of the girls.

John slumped back in his seat. He ran a hand through his hair. He had been so close. Why hadn't he started tracing the call as soon as he found out it was Kim? He felt so stupid.

Kim and Helen were thrown into another cell. They had been knocked out for the duration of the journey. The cell was light and airy, but it was still a prison. There was no way out. 'I'm sorry Helen, I though I could get us out of there.'
'It's not your fault Kim, I want to go home too.' Kim leaned back. 'Can you sing something to me again?'
'If you really want me too. What do you want me to sing?'
'Can you sing "I'll Try" by Jonatha Brooke?'
'Ok.' Kim replied and she began to sing. 'I am not a child now. I can take care of myself.'
She finished the song, and Helen rested her head on the older girl's shoulder, 'Thank you Kim' She said.
'No problem.'

Jeff Tracy was annoyed, John had been so close to finding Kim, he didn't blame his son. He couldn't. They needed to rely on each other right now. He wanted to know who the man had been, who took the radio away from Kim. John and played the call back to him, and he thought the voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint it. He had sent the man's voice sample off to a close friend who would analyse it and see if he could find out who it belonged to.