It had been over two hours since Actor had pulled him out of the car. Casino had been driving and had hit a wet patch of road and skidded, they had eventually ended
up in the ditch with the car on it's side. A stupid accident, it wasn't as if they were even being chased.
Craig swore quietly again as he moved and felt the pain shoot through his leg. He looked at Casino to see if he was faring any better than he was.
`Does the swearing help any ? Asked Actor as he looked at Craig and could not help smiling.
Craig shook his head.
`No but I'll keep trying, How's he doing? He asked as he gestured towards Casino.
Actor turned to look at Casino who was resting against a tree with Goniff hovering round him.
`He's grumbling a lot but that's just to cover up the fact that he feels stupid for crashing the car, the cut isn't too bad but I'm sure he has one hell of a headache
and I'm not sure that Goniff helping is making him feel any better.` said Actor smiling.
`Mothering him huh? Asked Craig.
`Most definitely, and I don't think Casino is appreciating it much, `.
Actor looked at Craig.
`We need to get you both home`, he said seriously.
`I know that Actor`, snapped Craig.
Actor turned to walk away.
`Sorry`, said Craig, `Guess being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere isn't helping my temper any`.
`I know, but we all know you are doing the best you can, and once we find the resistance, things will get easier`, said Actor.
Craig nodded.
`You and I will go into town this evening and see if we can make contact,` he said.
`We will need uniforms`, said Actor. `I'll take Goniff into town now and see what we can find, if you're okay to stay with Casino. But you have to admit you are
in no condition to walk anywhere right now`.
`I'm fine, ` said Craig as he struggled to his feet.
Actor handed him the crutch that Chief had made for him.
`Your ankle is swollen so badly you can't get a boot on, and that cut on your hand needs stitches, and the cuts and bruises on your face do not exactly make you
inconspicuous so you are going to have to concede that you are not fine, now will you please just trust me to handle this? said Actor sternly.
`I do trust you`, said Craig, `I just hate feeling helpless and having to rely on you to do my job`,
`So I've noticed`, said Actor. ` But at the moment it is all we can do, now I'll redress your hand before I go, an infection is the last thing you need right now. `
Craig started to argue but stopped as he saw the look of determination on Actors face.
`That's better`, said Actor.
Craig looked at the cut, it was deep and it hurt like hell every time he moved his hand, but at least it looked clean, Actor was right to try and keep it that way.
`You think she'll ever forgive us? Asked Actor trying to ease the tension.
Craig looked at him and despite everything he couldn't keep the smile from his face.
`She'll be convinced we did it on purpose, just to miss the wedding`, he said.
`Well maybe you should be sure to limp badly, that way she will be more concerned than angry`, said Actor. `There all done`,
Craig looked at the newly bandaged hand.
`Thanks`, he said.
Actor nodded.
`Goniff and I will leave now, we should be back in a couple of hours, try and rest , and keep Casino as quiet as you can`, said Actor.
Craig hobbled over to Casino and sat down.
`How you doing? He asked.
`My head hurts and I'm seeing at least two of everything , and the limey's driving me crazy with his constant chattering , so how the hell do you think I'm doing?
Snapped Casino.
Actor says you'll be fine once we get you home`, said Craig.
`Oh well that makes it all right then doesn't it`, said Casino peevishly.
`Get some rest Casino`, said Craig quietly.
Casino grunted but said nothing.
Craig struggled to stand and would have fallen if he had not been steadied from behind.
`Thanks Chief,` he said without looking.
`Ain't you supposed to be resting that foot? Chief asked
`I'm fine`, he said turning round to face him.
Chief stared at him.
`All right I'm not fine, now help me over there will you? Craig asked as he pointed to a tree.
Chief did as he was asked without saying a word.
`You okay to stay on watch for a while longer? Asked Craig.
`Looks like I don't have any choice, the two of you ain't in any fit state`, Chief said.
Craig had rested his head against the tree and closed his eyes as exhaustion finally hit him.
He never answered Chief or heard him leave .
….
It was over four hours later when Actor and Goniff arrived back and Craig could tell at once that the news was not going to be good.
`Well? He asked.
Actor sat down beside him and offered him a cigarette.
`I've got good news and bad`, he said.
`The bad news is that there is no help available in the town. The Krauts arrived two days ago and arrested anyone they suspected of working for the resistance .
All that could escaped and fled to the hills. I'm afraid we are on our own for the moment.`
`Damn`. Said Craig angrily. `This is turning into a real farce.`
`None of this could have been avoided.` said Actor. `No-one knew that the agent had already been moved , and the fact that the resistance in this area is falling
apart does nothing to help matters.`
`We have to find them` ,said Craig.
Actor looked at him
`Warden may I point out that neither you or Casino are in any fit state to travel, especially if it means climbing all over the country side looking for people that do
not wish to be found`.
`We don't have any other choice, we have to get through to London to arrange another pick up, and unfortunately every contact we had was in that town.
If they are in those hills then that's where we're going`, Craig said .
`Very well, but not until the morning, we cannot chance either you or Casino missing your footing and causing yourselves more injury, and a good night's sleep
will do us all good`, said Actor.
Craig was going to argue, but as he looked at Actor he realized that they all needed rest.
`We'll leave at first light. You said you had good news? He asked.
Actor smiled.
`Well we did manage to find some medical supplies and food, so at least Goniff will be quiet for the night`.
Craig smiled despite the seriousness of the situation.
`Well at least that's something`. He said.
`I'll go and relieve Chief `' he said.
Craig nodded and as he watched Actor start to walk away, he looked across at Casino who was obviously in pain .
`You manage to get anything for Casino's headache? He asked.
`Yes, and I'll see to him now, might just keep him quiet too, although I doubt it`, said Actor
Craig watched him go and wondered if things could really get any worse.
…
`Aw , come on Warden how much further we gotta go? Me feet are killin' me`, grumbled Goniff.
Craig turned and looked at him.
`Well just what do you suggest we do Goniff? He asked sarcastically.
`Well we gotta do something' Casino butted in, `Cos we can't just keep walkin`.
`I'll explain it again gentlemen. We need the resistance to get us out of here, and they are up here somewhere, and until we find them we are stuck here,
now what part of that do you not understand? He snapped.
Goniff looked at him.
`Well me feet still hurt`, he grumbled
Craig turned away shaking his head. The trek up into the hills was taking it's toll on all of them. They had been walking for over a day and a half now and were
running short of food, and it was only Chief's skill that had found the small stream so that they had been able to quench their thirst that morning. His foot was hurting
like hell and the constant walking, or hobbling in his case, was doing nothing to help reduce the swelling and he knew that despite all of Actors efforts that his hand
was infected. At least Casino seemed to be doing better than he was, at least he was back to grousing about anything and everything.
`We'll stop here for a while`, he said.
`Probably a good idea`, said a voice from behind him.
Craig turned and looked at Chief, trying not to look as startled as he felt.
`We got a problem? He asked.
`Got a steep climb ahead`, was the reply.
`Oh now that's just great, just what we need Injun`, snapped Casino..
`Cool it Casino`, Craig snapped back.
Casino sat down with his back against a tree
`Okay, but you want to tell me how you're going to get up there ? Cos you can hardly walk now as it is let alone climb anything`. He asked.
`I'm fine Casino, but you're concern for my welfare is duly noted`' said Craig sarcastically.
Casino smiled at him
`Sure you are baby, that limp ain't getting any better you know, any idiot can see that`,
`Well you'd be the one to notice then wouldn't you? He said turning back towards Chief.
`You see anything? He asked
`If they're out there Warden they're hidden , ain't seen nothing'`, said Chief quietly.
`Damn`, said Craig.
Actor had been sitting quietly on a nearby tree stump , not saying anything.
`Maybe it would be best to head back to the town and see if any of them have returned`. He said.` Alone I could be there and back in a day `,
`Might be a good idea Warden`, said Chief.
If the suggestion had come from any of the others Craig would probably have dismissed it outright.
`You need to rest that foot, and we ain't getting anywhere like this, like looking for a needle in a haystack, at least here I can find us some food, won't be much
but it'll keep us from starving' and we have water, and a day or two ain't gonna make a difference either way`, finished Chief.
Craig looked first at Chief and then at Actor before reluctantly giving in.
`Okay but take Goniff with you`, he said.
`Warden it really would be quicker and easier if I went alone, no offence Goniff,` said Actor
`None taken mate , I'd rather stay 'ere `, said Goniff quickly.
`All right, but Actor , don't take any chances, all right? He said.
Actor nodded and without another word set off back the way they had come.
…
Angel put down the book that she had been trying to read and stood up and headed towards the kitchen. Having got there she decided that another cup of coffee
was the last thing she needed and turned and walked back out and plonked herself back in the armchair she had just vacated. She picked up the phone and was just
about to dial John's number again when she heard the key in the front door.
She put the phone down and stood up, waiting for him to enter the room.
`Hi Honey `, he said as he walked towards her.
`Anything? She asked quickly, not returning his greeting.
`I'm sorry love, but right now no-one knows anything, they just seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth.` he said.
Angel turned and looked out of the window.
`They do say that no news is good news`, he said.
Angel didn't answer him.
`Angel , look at me`, he said.
Angel ignored him lost in her thoughts.
John took her arm and slowly turned her towards him.
She stared at him.
`Where the hell are they ? She asked tearfully.
`I wish I knew love, but we've been in contact with two of the resistance teams in that area and they know nothing, they did at least tell us that they had lost contact
with one of their sections and were sending people to find out what was going on, but right now all I can tell you is that everyone is doing all they can to find them`,
said John quietly.
`Well it's not enough `, snapped Angel as she walked away from him.
`It's all we can do`, John said patiently.` It's not like it's the first time they've been late back now is it?
Angel turned to face him.
`No, and the last time Goniff had been hurt,` she said,
John walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
`Oh John, don't you understand, that's all I can see,` she said, `That there hurt or they've been caught or worse, I'm scared that they won't get home`,
John pulled her tighter to him.
`Honey everyone is doing all they can, I promise you that`, he said.
As she put her head on his shoulder her felt the tears on her face.
He had asked that his return to the States be delayed, but his request had been denied as he knew it would be, but for her sake he had known he had to try.
He had two days, and as he desperately clung to Angel he could only hope that she would understand why they had to leave and that she would still want to
go with him.
…...