"Have the police found them Rutherford?" asked Mr. King, looking up as Rutherford entered the room.

Shaking his head Rutherford quietly responded, "No sir. They have road blocks up but have had no luck."

"Hmm." Was all that Mr. King could muster up as he pursed his lips and glared at the wall above Rutherford's head, making Rutherford feel smaller than he already was.

Mr. King thought, How did this happen? The Board is ... Well, they're not going to be happy. Ha. I'm screwed.

Seeing Mr. King's displeasure Rutherford tried to ease his mind as he continued, "I'm sure they will be found. It would be impossible for them t—"

Mr. King interrupted Rutherford as he rose from his chair, frustration and anxiety rising with him, "Impossible? They've already proven that the impossible is possible. Double the checks and send out helicopters. Find them."

"Ok, sir," Rutherford replied, nodding his head making his hair move slightly.

Rutherford left the room in a rush to give the new orders. Quickly moving down the corridor he looked like a madman with his hair flopping and dark circles under his eyes. Rutherford came to a halt at the end of the hall and burst into the CONTROL room. Slurs were being hurled left and right. People were screaming into phones demanding answers and a man sat crying in the corner.

"Quiet!" Rutherford screamed.

The entire room turned in unison to the loud command. No one dared make a peep. The small man did not look like much, but the group knew not to underestimate him.

Lowering his voice, Rutherford cleared his throat before continuing, "Now, everyone, Mr. King wants to double the road checks and send out the helicopters."

The workers set off to intensify their search, but the escapee was in the wind.

#

Dust began turning up as the vehicles pulled onto a dirt road. Trees swayed in the wind as the group rolled down the road, bumping up and down on the uneven terrain causing the passengers to bounce around as if they were on a rollercoaster. The sky had grown dark and a cool breeze came through cracked windows, giving the passengers some much needed fresh air. The noise of static cut through the silence.

Joanie glanced over to find Sal, messing with the radio dials.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Sal, would you quit messing with that infernal thing."

"Well, someone's a sour puss. You've got to lighten up. You're a sight for sore eyes and we've barely spoken the entire ride." Sal said as he sighed shaking his head.

Joanie scoffed and retorted, "Just because I take my job seriously doesn't make me a 'sour puss'. I'm trying to keep people safe."

Sal squinted as he moved his hand above his brow looking outside the windshield and replied "Wow. Really? We're in the middle of nowhere and you're still worrying. Some things never change. You worry too much."

"Oh, I suppose that is what you thought in Vegas. I worry too much, but guess who was right? Hmm? Who do you think Sal? Me." Joanie replied putting an emphasis on the last word.

Sal shook his head as he responded, "Nothing I say can change what happened. You need to m----"

"Stop!" screamed Norma.

Slamming on the brakes Joanie gritted her teeth, Sal's face froze in shock and Norma braced herself, gripping her seatbelt. Tires squealed as the vehicles came to a halt with only inches to spare, a sign to the right read 'dead end.' The dust from the abrupt stop hit a force field in front of the cars. The force field shimmered a slight pale blue under the light coming from the headlights of the SUV. Joanie exited the SUV and approached the other vehicle.

"Sorry about that guys. I wasn't paying attention." Joanie said as she approached the pickup's driver side window.

"I'd say that's an understatement," Norma yelled from the front car.

Joanie shouted back, "Shut up Norma."

Stupid. Sal is always distracting me. Ugh.

"Lovers' quarrel?" asked June with a smirk.

Ha! What a joke. Me and Sal. Nope. Not again.

"No. Just a misunderstanding," Joanie replied sternly.

"Sure..." June mumbled.

Jo thought, What did she just say?

"So, as I was saying, I'm sorry. I'll call the base to let us in. It might take a few minutes."

June nodded and Joanie got back into her SUV. Fiddling with the walkie, static was all that came through and Joanie began to get frustrated.

Joanie mumbled as she hit the walkie with her hand, "This. Piece. Of crap. Never works."

Sal motioned with his hand, "Here let me see it."

Angry, Joanie shoved the walkie at Sal and said, "Fine. You deal with it."

Sal tinkered with the walkie and after a few seconds, twisting the knobs slowly until a voice cut through the static.

"This is Popeye's how may I take your order?" The voice said.

Handing the walkie to Joanie, Sal gave her a smile and wink.

"Cocky idiot." Mumbled Joanie.

I can't believe he got that stupid thing to work. Just my luck.

Jo pressed the side of the walkie and responded, "Large pizzas, no Jalapenos, no pickle."

"State your name and password."

"Operation Savior is complete. We have three guests. Password, Sam-Alpha-Locus." Joanie responded to the voice.

Sal smiled to himself, She still loves me.

A breeze came up from the ground in front of the cars as a transparent force field lifted into the air stirring the dust off the ground and moving the trees as the shield lifted. Joanie moved forward with Carly following close behind. The vehicles traveled down a short path until reaching a mountain with a large metal door fixed into the side. The group exited their vehicles and approached the entrance. The door looked similar to a bomb shelter door during the Cold War with its hinges rusted and moss was starting to grow. A small slit opened from the top of the door with only a pair of eyes visible.

"Joanie! You're back and you brought a few extra friends." Said the voice enthusiastically.

"Hey Marjorie, could we continue this inside?" Joanie asked rubbing her eyes.

There was a beeping noise as the metal door creaked open. A small-statured woman was standing, bouncing up and down behind the door frame. Almost jumping out of her shoes, Marjorie leapt towards the group with her arms sprawled out. Nearly tackling Sal, Marjorie squealed with delight as she wrapped her arms around Sal.

"Sal! Oh, how I have missed you. I can't believe you're really here." Marjorie said delighted.

"I've missed you too. See Jo, now that's how you welcome someone you've really missed," replied Sal, laughing and wiggling to get free from her death grip.

Jabbing Joanie in the side, Norma whispered, "Jealous Joanie?"

"What? That's her brother and why would I be?" Joanie replied quickly rolling her eyes.

Ha. Me jealous. Silly.

Norma thought to herself, Brother? I didn't know Marj had a brother. That's weird.

Norma leaned over to whisper to June, "Did you know she had a brother?"

June just shook her head.

Norma thought, I wonder why she's never mentioned him. Odd.

Marjorie and Sal walked arm and arm through the doorway with the rest of the group close behind. The grated floor below them was wet and slick causing the group to keep hold of the side railings. The walls of the tunnel were dripping, giving off an earthy smell. The pale, yellow lights flickered above them as they continued. Bright lights filled the end of the tunnel and sounds of laughter began to echo as they came to an open room.

Reaching the end of the tunnel, the group stopped and searched the open room. There were white circular tables scattered around the room. The ceiling was high with large circular lights swinging from steel wires. The white stucco walls had streaks of green and brown forming near the ceiling. A small TV sat in the back corner, flanked by a couch covered in people huddled around watching a movie. The new group scouted out a table in the center of the room with enough seats for them all. Sneaking away as the group went towards the table, Joanie began heading down another hallway. After a few minutes of walking, Joanie stepped into a doorway on the right. Sinking onto the bed Joanie fell asleep quickly. She tossed and turned until someone knocked on the door.

"Joanie? Are you in here?" asked a voice quietly.

Still half asleep Joanie sat up in the bed and grumbled her reply, "Yeah."

#

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