Twice Held Hostage

By Donna Brown

Gold! Rock City, a small isolated town located near timberline, has a gold mine. Crystolians from the planet Argos need gold. Recent college graduate, Derek Lang, is fired by his gold-lusting boss, Captain De Prive, who then schemes how he can take over Rock City's mine. Derek, angry with De Prive and also bitter because God did not save his wife's life, returns to Rock City. When he learns his town has decided to loan gold to aliens, he shows hostility toward Laird, the Crystolian leader, and his son, Raynor, who commands the spaceships that brought their miners. Raynor earns his trust and friendship while they prospect to locate a site for an Argos mine. A trip to Argos restores Derek's faith in God. During his three years there, De Prive, along with his corrupt friends, amass enough money to pull off De Prive's scheme. Their loan paid, Crystolians, who touch down to visit, find strangers mining, and the townspeople gone, including Derek, his wife, Angelina, and their son, Robin. Where are they? From the author of Lives Intertwined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781642993257

Donna Brown

Donna Brown began her twenty- six-year career in law enforcement when women were still relatively new to the profession. Like most new police officers, Donna began her career working the streets answering calls for service. She then started training new recruits and turned that passion into teaching department wide, at the academy, and to community groups. When she was promoted to sergeant, she remained on the streets and continued training new recruits. Career progression moved Donna to the Criminal Investigation Division where she spent fifteen years, ten years supervising the Homicide Unit. Donna received the Tallahassee Police Department'saward for bravery and the inaugural Commander and Chief's Award for Excellence, which at that time was the department's award for Officer of the Year. She was also recognized for her part with the Tallahassee Police Department's team that responded to South Florida days after Hurricane Andrew devastated that area. Donna knows that there is so much more behind the badge that people don't realize or understand. She had spent much of her career speaking to citizen groups in hope of educating and broadening minds about law enforcement. She grew up in Titusville, Florida, when the space industry was flourishing. Return trips are not as frequent as she'd like, but it's a place that she will always consider home. After graduating from Astronaut High School, she moved to Tallahassee, Florida, obtaining her bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in 1979. She's a proud Seminole! Donna is married, and together, they enjoy spending time with their four-legged fur babies, friends, and family, as well as playing golf.

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Twice Held Hostage

Donna J. Brown

Copyright © 2018 by Donna J. Brown

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Rainbows shimmering on my wall

Like God’s rainbows in the sky,

Show me how much He cares for me

Though my days go slowly by.

Prologue

July 4

While the summer breeze rustled aspen leaves, and cotton-candy clouds drifted through a baby-blue sky, Derek Lang’s heart danced with joy. He stopped at the foot of the steep mountain path and pulled Lynn into a tight embrace, careful not to press against their son to be born in three months. I love you. No man could be happier than I am. His lips caressed hers with a lingering kiss before they crossed a sea of wavering grass to their favorite picnic spot. Derek slipped out of his jacket and spread it across a smooth boulder. Sit, my queen.

Lynn laughed. What am I queen of?

Rock City and Castle Rock Mountain is our home. I, your king, will prepare our banquet. With slow, precise movements, he opened the backpack, freed a sandwich from its ziplock bag, and presented it palms up to Lynn, as if bestowing a treasure.

She giggled. Are you sure you’re not the court jester? Will our son become a clown?

I want him to be as happy as I am.

Two hours later, Derek, carrying Lynn’s lifeless body, staggered to his parents’ house and collapsed on the porch, gasping one word, Rockslide.

At her funeral, he only heard Pastor Olsen recite Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Dry-eyed, Derek mentally shook his fist heavenward, his heart screaming, Why should I love You? You’ve taken all I hold dear."

Chapter 1

Derek, come home.

Derek Lang sat upright in bed and ran his fingers through his dark curly hair in disbelief. It can’t be, he said under his breath. The words thundered again, insistent, compelling—Derek, come home.

Despite the hot summer night, Derek shivered. He gazed out the window at the predawn world of the Tyler University campus with its tall stately buildings bathed by man-made lights. Even the moon’s brilliance couldn’t compete with them. No, the rumblings hadn’t been thunder, not on a clear night. The words echoed in his mind. The drone of a truck on the freeway repeated them.

Stunned, Derek sank back against his pillow and stared at the ceiling. All his life he’d heard the townspeople of Rock City talk about the voices. Most had experienced them and claimed God summoned them home when they were needed. Derek considered the stories some kind of mass delusion. Now he wasn’t sure. He had heard a real voice. But God’s voice? Derek clenched his hands. God couldn’t care less where I live. If He cared two cents about me, He wouldn’t have let Lynn die in that rockslide.

Three years ago, almost to the day, his wife had died in his arms, his pleas for God to save her unheeded. Despite his bitterness, he couldn’t ignore the strange summons. I might as well return to Rock City and work in the gold mine since I no longer have a job.

While attending the university, Derek worked as a night watchman for the Tyler Electronics Corporation. After graduation, he secured a daytime position as a security guard, only to be fired a few weeks later. He had been hired while his new boss, De Prive, was away. Dislike charged the air the moment they met.

His interview with Captain De Prive, as the ex-army officer insisted on being addressed, was an interrogation. The man was intimidating and inquisitive. Derek regretted giving the information De Prive wormed out of him about Rock City and the gold mine. He shivered and pulled the bedsheet tighter. I should have never said the word gold.

When morning came, Derek phoned his parents. Dad, I’ll be coming home soon. I got fired. My boss ordered me to let someone into the classified area who didn’t have clearance. I refused and reported him. He was in the wrong, but I’m the one who got canned.

Derek expected to hear philosophical words about looking on the bright side. Instead, his father asked in a strained voice, Can you come home today?

Dad, is something wrong?

No. A pause followed the all-too-quick reply. We . . . we just miss you.

His father’s denial belied the urgent undertone of his words. Though puzzled, Derek didn’t press. I can’t pick up my paycheck until tomorrow. And . . . I can’t bear to be home Independence Day. I’ll leave early Saturday and be there in time for lunch.

Derek frowned as he hung up. Why did Dad sound so tense? Maybe I’m just reading more into this than I should. If something was wrong, he would have said so. This whole business with De Prive has left me jumpy. At least, there’s one consolation to being fired. After tomorrow, I’ll never see him again.

Inside Captain De Prive’s office, Derek stood tall, his shoulders squared, taking full advantage of his six feet to tower above the shorter man.

De Prive shut the door. Sit down. I’ll be with you in a minute. He gave Derek no more than a cursory glance before returning to his desk.

Knowing he was the innocent party didn’t make it easier for Derek to appear composed. He studied De Prive’s bent head and envisioned horns underneath the sleek black hair. Derek wondered if he were the only one who could see the man was in league with the devil.

The captain kept him waiting a full ten minutes before putting down his pen. He leaned back in his swivel chair, his gray eyes surveying Derek as if he were vermin. What are your plans now? De Prive asked with a sneer. Hightail it home?

Despite the implication, Derek said, I’m neither a liar nor a coward.

No, just a fool, a fool for not obeying my orders, an even bigger fool for reporting me. Did you really believe management would take your word over mine?

If they can’t tell truth from lies, that’s their problem. I did my job.

De Prive snorted. And for what? If you don’t bend rules, you won’t get anywhere. Now I suppose you’ll run home . . . back to your own snug world and spend the rest of your days in a dreary mine.

Derek picked at a speck of lint on his jeans and flicked it off.

And what are you going to do with all your gold? Bury it? De Prive looked thoughtful. That wouldn’t be a bad idea. Gold is bound to skyrocket again. He leaned forward, giving an air of confidentiality. A placating smile played on his lips. Despite your foolishness, I hold no grudge. I’d like to invest in your town’s gold mine.

How naive does he think I am? We don’t need investors.

The man’s eyes narrowed. Don’t need or don’t want?

Derek shrugged. Amounts to the same thing.

A man with gold and the right connections could go far.

And you have the connections? Derek spat the words as he stood. I don’t need connections like that.

De Prive scrambled to his feet, his words as cold as his eyes. Someday you’ll regret your decision.

Derek met the captain’s fierce gaze. Well, I guess that’s my problem. Now if you’ll kindly give me my paycheck, I’ll bug out of here.

De Prive yanked a drawer open and shoved an envelope across his desk.

Derek picked it up, squared his shoulders, and left. Feeling as if he had rid himself of a snake, he dismissed the whole episode.

De Prive returned to his swivel chair, leaned back, and stared at the closed door. Derek Lang, you are a fool. You have no future in Rock City. You went to college for naught. Your mining engineering degree is worthless. I checked out your pious little town that will never change. Do they really believe isolation is God’s will? He clasped his hands behind his head and propped his feet on the desk. Derek Lang, your people are naive and foolish for ignoring technology that would keep them in touch with the world. Rock City is ripe for the taking. I will somehow grab enough gold to live like a king. All I have to do is find a way to take over your town or empty it long enough to fill my pockets. When the opportunity comes, I will be ready.

A pink-tinged dawn spread its fingers across the sky as Derek put the last box in his Jeep and gave the university campus a final look. Reluctant to leave, he stood there, trying to absorb the peacefulness of the ivy-covered buildings that had been his haven for three years. The minute he turned his back, apprehension filled him, but he had to return home and face reminders of Lynn.

He glanced at his digital watch—5:08. Even at this early hour, the day promised to be a scorcher. Derek looked forward to pine-scented mountain air. He breathed deeply in anticipation. Heavy industrial smoke made him cough. Well, Hepsibah, he whispered to the old Jeep Cherokee, patting her as if she were a faithful horse, I guess we’d better go. We’ve got over two hundred miles to cover.

As he drove, he thought about Rock City. Everything would be the same. Progress came slowly. He didn’t think his mining engineering degree would bring one iota of change. If it weren’t for the young people attending Tyler University, life in Rock City would probably be as it was a hundred years ago. Maybe someday the town will join the twenty-first century.

Derek disliked living in Tyler, where bright lights hid the stars and blaring noises blotted out nature’s friendlier sounds, but he adjusted. He also became accustomed to using cumbersome money with its various coins and bills. To him, gold weighed on a balance scale made more sense, especially now when currency held little value. The people of Rock City used gold as their medium of exchange among themselves and in Clay City.

The Clay City merchants, who eagerly accepted the nuggets, would then sell them to tourists at a jacked-up price to keep or for the fun of weighing them in a balance to pay for purchases and amusements. On weekends, people could tour a replica of the Rock City mine. The city offered every tourist attraction imaginable, including an outdoor amphitheater, gold panning, and rock climbing. When snow fell, Clay City catered to winter sport enthusiasts. Tourists who knew Rock City existed looked upon the small town as a peculiar religious community not worth braving the treacherous road to see.

Although not Amish, the people of Rock City revered God. At the university, Derek had defended his Judeo-Christian views, even though he was at enmity with God. On campus, he’d stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. His roommate had tolerated him, but told him outright, You better adopt the New Age religion. Before long, Christianity won’t be tolerated, and troublemakers will be imprisoned.

Signs of the time pointed to a one-world government and a cashless society. Derek had studied biblical prophecy. He saw God’s blueprint of the last days beginning to unroll. He might question God’s love but not His control over the universe. What lies ahead for Rock City? What lies ahead for me?

Derek, so absorbed in thought, hardly noticed the freeway’s gradual climb from one thousand to six thousand feet. Each mile brought a distant mountain range clearer into view until individual peaks stood out. Rock City lay at an elevation close to ten thousand feet.

He turned off the freeway. Twenty minutes later, he arrived in Clay City and stopped at the Cozy Café for a quick cup of coffee before driving the last rigorous miles home. This café was his favorite. Antiques hanging from the rafters and walls were reminders of life in days gone by.

The minute he entered, Floyd, the owner, smiled and rushed over. His plump hand pumped Derek’s. Where have you been hiding? I haven’t seen you . . .

Since I went back to college after Lynn died.

We all felt sorry for you. Your wife’s death must have been a tremendous blow. What are your plans now?

Derek shrugged. Mining. What else?

Floyd’s brown eyes sparkled. Good. We’ll see you more often. He handed Derek a menu. Choose what you want. It’s on the house.

Thanks, I appreciate that. I’m expected for lunch, so I’d better not eat much. But your deep-dish apple pie would taste terrific with a cup of coffee.

No sooner said than done.

When the owner returned, he set the steaming pie and coffee in front of Derek. You missed the big Independence Day celebration. In fact, I don’t recall seeing anyone from Rock City. Did they decide to have their own fireworks display this year? Last week from my house, I saw a spectacular display of lights. He chuckled as a grin spread across his face. Either Rock City was having their own show or UFOs landed there.

If they did, Dad forgot to mention that when I talked to him. Derek shook his head in amusement. On the way home, maybe I’d better keep my eyes open for little green men.

Floyd laughed with him and walked toward the kitchen.

Derek ate the pie, relishing each morsel of the warm, cinnamon-spiced dessert. Whipped cream on top enhanced its flavor, tantalizing his taste buds and tempting him to have another piece. Precious memories drifted back. On their honeymoon, he and Lynn had come here often.

Her soft voice floated in from the past. You’re going to have another piece? Are you the one hedging for time now?

Loneliness swept over him, making the delicacy in his mouth turn sour. Even the background music conspired to deepen his emptiness, playing an old song—The Way We Were. Memories, Derek thought bitterly. Why didn’t I take a job in Tyler that summer instead of going home? If I had, Lynn might still be alive. Why, God? I prayed so hard for You to save her. Why did You let her die?

He unclenched his hands and shoved the chair back, trying to jar the painful memory loose and push it out of his mind. Forcing a smile, he mouthed a word of thanks to Floyd and hastened out the door.

For a while, he stood by his Jeep and gazed at the mountains. Between here and Rock City lay sixty miles of hairpin turns and drop-off cliffs, sixty miles of breathtaking beauty—tall pines, quaking aspens, waterfalls, and hidden lakes. The road followed the course of the Condor River, snaking alongside for ten miles and then rising until the river became only a black ribbon.

The county maintained the first thirty-three miles of paved road that ended at a large campground. Few people ventured beyond this point. Although Rock City repaired the upper road, filling in cracks and potholes, the ascent over the next twenty-seven miles became steeper around each blinding curve. Town residents stockpiled supplies to last all winter and avoided the road. They relied on the helicopter in Clay City to deliver mail, necessities, and provide emergency transportation.

Rock City’s isolation kept families and the community tightly knit. The people, fiercely independent, were nevertheless friendly and fun-loving.

Well, Hepsibah, Derek whispered, we’d better get home.

The Jeep hugged the road, and Derek made good time over the first stretch. When the surface changed, Hepsibah climbed the steep grade in stride. You may be getting old, but you still have what it takes. In the distance, he watched his own beloved crags emerge and loom closer with every bend in the road. Rock City lay nestled at the base of Castle Rock Mountain, which looked like an impregnable fortress.

Past sightings of these peaks had inspired awe in him. Today he felt a painful emptiness. He and Lynn were born in Rock City. Every stone would serve as her memorial, every creek a reminder of her sparkling blue eyes and bubbling enthusiasm.

Remembrances of past happiness clung to buildings, streets, and sidewalks. And one mountain path would haunt his memories forever with the sheer terror of her cry when the rockslide had occurred. Derek shuddered and forced his thoughts elsewhere.

He breathed deeply, the cool mountain air invigorating him. He stopped his Jeep and watched a fleet of clouds. Their wind-driven formation, propelled slowly northward, kept to its chartered course through the azure sky.

Derek drew in a breath and slowly let it out. What wind is driving me?

He started the Jeep. An old battered sign pointed the way—Rock City, five miles; population one thousand. That was twenty years ago. I bet we have half that many now.

As Hepsibah climbed the last hill, Derek felt the air charged with electricity as if an imminent electrical storm would descend from the blue sky. His sixth sense sent a warning signal up his spine. Someone is watching me. His hair bristled at the nape of his neck. This is crazy! It’s broad daylight, and I’m near home. But crazy or not, he felt spooked.

Rock City’s clapboard buildings and wooden sidewalks had been replaced with brick and cement after the town burned in 1953. Few trees had been removed to accommodate buildings and streets. The forest pushed in from all sides, obscuring the town from view. Few homes could be seen, only trails leaving the main road marked their presence.

With the mine closed for the weekend, the town would bustle with people. Tonight at the Saturday social, music and laughter would enliven Community Hall. Tomorrow would be a day of quiet rest, worship, and family togetherness.

Derek relaxed, comforted to know some things didn’t change. As long as gold existed in the mountains, Rock City would survive.

When he reached the edge of town and saw Main Street almost empty, a sudden chill gripped him. Only a few children played under the watchful eyes of their mothers who waved when they recognized him, but their faces held no joyous welcome. Derek scanned the town as he drove through. He saw no men, no vehicles parked in front of Community Hall or the church.

Alarmed, he drove faster. A half-mile out of town, he turned on a side road leading to his home. When he rounded the last curve, a two-story, peeled-log house came into view. Derek eased the Jeep to a stop in front of the porch and climbed out.

The screen door flew open with a bang. It jolted him, not the sound so much but the sight of his mother rushing down the steps, her face drained of color.

She ran into his outstretched arms. Derek! Thank God you’re home. She cried and broke into sobs.

Derek had always considered her a tower of strength. He held her close. Mom, what’s wrong? I didn’t see any men in town. Where are they?

At the mine.

Her trembling sparked his fears. Was there a cave-in?

She shook her head.

Then what happened?

Men . . . strange men . . . they . . . She shuddered.

Derek brushed a fallen strand from her forehead. Easy. I’m here. Just take your time and tell me what happened.

It took her a few minutes to regain her composure. Men from outer space landed. Aliens, Derek! They’ve taken over the town. The men are at the mine, working to bring gold out for them.

Derek stood speechless. He remembered the café owner’s comment and the laughter they shared. To joke about beings from outer space was one thing. To accept their reality was quite another, but he couldn’t overlook the absence of men in town, the matter of the voice compelling him home, plus his father’s strange urging and the eerie feeling of being watched.

Are all the men held hostage at the mine?

She nodded, looking calmer. Only during the day. At night, an alien comes home with them. A man called Raynor has eaten and slept here for the past week.

Derek clenched his hands as a picture formed in his mind. These men could be terrorists, but more likely, they were survivalists getting in a little terror practice along with their war games. Rock City’s isolation would make it a perfect target for such maneuvers. And why not grab some easy gold and a few free meals?

Has anyone phoned for help?

We can’t. They’re controlling the switchboard. They let your father talk to you because they wanted you here.

No one’s tried to go to Clay City?

We were warned not to leave.

Probably by threatening to kill the men. Have they hurt anyone?

Not really.

What do you mean?

Your father said Mr. Peters’s son tried to jump the man at their house and contact with the alien’s hands shocked him unconscious.

Derek stared at her. Dad must have said they used one of those stun guns. The picture became clearer, but he needed to see for himself.

Mom, I don’t want you to worry. Leave everything to me. Don’t tell anyone I’ve been here. Not even Dad. I’m going to do some scouting, then go for help.

No, Derek! They’ll stop you.

He gave her a reassuring hug. I told you not to worry.

The thought of Rock City being held hostage made Derek’s anger rise with every twist and turn of the road back to town. Well, whoever these men were, their game wouldn’t last long. He would see to that.

No one tried to stop him as he sped down Main Street and into the forest. He took a seldom-used back road that led to the bluff overlooking the mine. Halfway up, two unarmed men stepped out from behind the trees and stood in his path. The fierceness of their expressions left no doubt in his mind they intended to stop him. How? Bare hands?

He swerved the Jeep to the right and gunned the engine. Hepsibah responded with a lurch then stopped dead in her tracks, her spinning wheels going nowhere. Derek, lifted from the seat and almost thrown out, sat in shock, breathing hard, his heart pounding.

Glaring at the approaching men, he climbed out and faced them, his body tense, his adrenaline flowing.

The strangers, dressed in gray fatigues, were shorter and older than he, probably in their forties. The thought of two against one didn’t bother him, but his sixth sense told him to beware.

Each step they took toward him seemed deliberate, drawn out, designed to unnerve him.

Their eyes exuded confidence.

He began to lose his. No weapons nagged at the back of his brain.

Derek’s hands opened and closed and then clenched. He lunged.

Contact with their hands jolted him backward as if volts of electricity had shot through him. Staggering under the impact, he managed to keep his balance. He stared in disbelief. That’s impossible! He lunged again. This time, the jolting charge sent a fiery pain coursing through his body, leaving him weak, trembling, powerless to move.

One of the men reached for his forehead.

Derek felt little more than a sting.

Chapter 2

Derek opened his eyes, feeling numb and vaguely aware he was home lying on his bed. What a nightmare. Suddenly, fear gripped him. He couldn’t move. The fiery pain had been real.

A scuffling sound drew his attention to the doorway. A tall, blond young man stood watching him. Despite the military appearance his blue-gray uniform gave, he leaned casually against the doorframe, studying Derek.

When he approached, Derek’s fear turned to anger. He fought to rise, but his muscles wouldn’t respond.

The towering figure gazed down, his piercing blue eyes searching Derek’s. Do you intend to keep on fighting?

Who are you? Derek demanded, exerting every effort to get up and face this invader, man to man.

Quit fighting, and I’ll release you.

Quit? Never!

The stranger looked unperturbed. Drained of strength, Derek collapsed physically but not mentally. Who are you?

Can one talk to an enraged man?

Philosophical wisdom from a terrorist? Derek retorted.

When you’re willing to listen, we’ll talk.

Derek knew he had no choice. I’ll listen.

Then close your eyes before I release you from your bonds.

Derek stared at the slim finger hovering above his forehead and then shifted his gaze, his eyes locking on the stranger’s. He tensed as their minds seemed to join but held his gaze steady.

I’ll ask once more. Close your eyes.

Derek glared in defiance and braced himself for the worst when the man scowled. The touch of his finger made Derek’s forehead tingle. The sensation traveled to the back of his head, down his neck, and flowed through every part of him, easing the vise-like bonds. Derek flexed his fingers to get more feeling into them. Overwhelmed and shaken, he could only ask, Who are you?

My name is Raynor. I come from the planet Argos. Our planet lies outside the range of your telescopes, but it only takes our spaceships two weeks by your calendar to get here.

If you are from another planet and your people are that advanced, why do you need our gold?

On Argos, gold is the only medium of exchange. In our region, Crystolia, a strange sickness striking our miners has forced us to close the mines.

Now you resort to thievery. Our town’s existence depends on our gold!

Your anger is justified, but do not judge too harshly until you know all the facts. Let it suffice to say we’ll take no more than we need. And we’ll replenish the gold later. With that, he turned and left.

Weak and emotionally drained, Derek rose on shaky legs. He intended to go downstairs but wondered if he’d make it. He leaned against the wall until he felt steadier.

From the head of the stairs, he looked into the empty living room. Sliding his hand over the polished oak banister, he descended, hesitant between each step, expecting to see the alien any minute. One foot froze midair when the third from the bottom step creaked. His mother rushed through the kitchen doorway and into the living room. Are you all right?

None the worse for wear, he grumbled. Where is he?

He said you’d be down soon and left.

Just like that?

She shrugged. Said there was no need for him to stay.

But someone’s probably watching. He looked at the old grandfather clock. I’ve been out two hours?

She nodded. Come into the kitchen and sit down. I’ll get you something to eat.

Derek propped his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his hands. Everything seemed fuzzy.

His mother touched his shoulder. Are you really all right? He said you would be. But when they carried you in . . . Her green eyes misted.

He laid his hand over hers. I’m fine. Just tired.

She hugged him. Oh, it’s good to have you home. I’ve missed you. Why did you stay away so long?

He felt she was trying to bring some normalcy to this strange situation, but her casual conversation irked him. Later, he said. Right now, I want to know how they managed to capture the whole town.

We were all in Community Hall celebrating Pastor Olsen’s birthday. They walked in, said they needed our help, then told us who they were and not to be afraid. Everyone thought it was a practical joke. Before anyone took them seriously, we went to sleep and woke up unable to move.

We’ve got to find some way to stop them.

Why? she asked, setting a sandwich in front of him.

He stared at her. Why? Are you suggesting we do nothing?

The Council made that decision.

Then they’re fools!

Derek! How dare you say that?

We can’t sit around and twiddle our thumbs!

Her eyes widened. Please, son, don’t do anything. Listen to your father when he returns.

Derek glared at his sandwich. When he first came home, she seemed ready to fall apart. Now, she acted as if there was nothing to fear. She was more worried about what he might do. And who was there to stop him? They hadn’t left anyone on guard. Or had they? His throat went dry and tight. Unable to finish his sandwich, he rose. Think I’ll drive up to the mine.

His mother