Page 20 of Gone (Gray Wolf Security #23)

The woman pulled the two little girls behind her, dragging them with her through sheer willpower. They were exhausted. Wet, tired, cold, and hungry. She carried a small utility knife with her, but nothing else.

They got lost when they were trying to find the trail back to their car. Then the rain started, it got dark, and they got really, really lost.

“Aunt Barb, I’m hungry,” said one of the girls.

“I know, baby, I am too. I’m just trying to find us a place that’s warm and dry.”

It was another thirty minutes before she found the cave up ahead. She prayed there were no bears, mountain lions, or any other creatures inside. She never in a million years thought they’d get lost.

An avid outdoorswoman, she’d hiked these trails many times, although usually in the summer. This early fall storm had come quickly, and she wasn’t prepared. She was angry with herself and worried for her two nieces.

Twins, the girls were only ten but loved the outdoors as well. Her sister and her husband had gone on a business trip to Rome for a few weeks, and she was taking care of the girls. It was pure joy for her. With no children of her own, this time was precious to her.

“Look, girls. We can stay inside this cave and get dry.”

“We can’t get dry without a fire,” said Abigail. “Everything is wet.”

“I know,” said her aunt, nodding. “Listen, I’m going to leave you with a flashlight and some matches. Whatever you can find to light a fire, light it.”

“Where are you going?” asked Adelaide in panic.

“I’ll be really close,” she smiled, hugging them both. “I have to get us some food. We have plenty of water, but we need something to eat. The water for the river is so high, I think I can catch a few fish.”

“You’re the best at that!” said Abigail excitedly.

Barb hugged the girls, squeezing them one last time before she went back into the rain. She was a great fisherwoman. She’d been catching their meals all week and doing a great job of it.

She only prayed her luck would hold out and give her just one more big fish to feed the three of them.

“I’m scared,” whispered Adelaide to her sister.

“I know, me too, but we can’t let Aunt Barb know. Then she’d be scared.” She turned on the flashlight and handed it to her twin. “Let’s see if there are any twigs or branches we can start a fire with.”

“Do you think there are bears in here?”

“No,” she said swiftly. “They would stay away from us.” She knew that her sister was lying, but they had to lie to one another in order to survive.

“Hey, look!” She flashed the light to the back of the cave. “Look at all those funny bags. Those will burn, won’t they?”

“I think so. They’re dry, so they’ve been in here a while. Let’s start with two.”

The girls dragged the heavy canvas bags toward the front of the cave, but not too close so that they would get wet. Using the matches that their Aunt Barb left, they held them close to the bags, using the frayed canvas to start the fire.

“I think a squirrel or something tried to get into these,” said Adelaide. “Why are they locked?”

“I don’t know but look! They’re catching fire and burning a pink color,” she smiled. “That’s cool.”

“That is cool!”

By the time their aunt returned, the fire was blazing with several of the canvas bags burning bright in the cave.

“Wow! You guys did it,” said Barb. “Where did you find those bags?”

“They were back there. I think that’s all there is, but it’s burning good,” smiled Adelaide.

“It is,” laughed her aunt. “Look, I caught two big trout. Let’s have dinner.”

With their bellies full, the girls curled into a ball and fell asleep next to their aunt. The fire was still glowing, filling the small cave with warmth and a soft pink hue. Barb stared at the fire, then reached for a piece of paper. It was the corner of a twenty-dollar bill.

“What on earth?” She stared at it but was too tired to question their good fortune. “Someone must have left their clothing and had some cash in there. Well, whoever you are, thank you.”