Jack eased the door open and slipped inside, followed by Kelly and Sally. The room was lit by a battery-powered single bulb that cast a dim light throughout the 15-by-15-foot cavern. The high ceiling was rock and at least 12 foot high. Several cots were in the room. Only four of them were occupied. Jack stepped back and let Sally and Kelly move over to the bundled forms on the cots. They woke each one separately. None appeared to be debilitated but their responses were slow. Kelly told Jack they were all under drugs, probably to keep them manageable. They were still dressed in whatever they wore when taken. Only one woman was wearing suitable hiking shoes. Kelly and Sally walked them around and in ten minutes of activity they could see them begin to focus. One of them hugged Kelly and said, “Who are you? Please don’t punish me anymore.”

“We’re here to take you home. You must be quiet. We have to sneak out of here and we have a long walk to freedom.”

The woman said, “My name is Carole Hopkins. I was a graduate student at Colorado University. I’ve tried to avoid the drugs. I think they put it in the desserts. The others will come along soon. Keep them moving.”

Sally came over and said, “The boss said five minutes. Let’s get some of the lightweight tennis shoes we brought on them and move out. Carole, can we count on them being quiet?”

“The girl in the green track suit is tough. She’ll be okay and can help. The other two are basket cases and will be problems. Their names are Barbara and Allison. They spend most of their time crying. The girl in green is named Beth and she is up to anything. But who are you people?”

“Who we are is not important,” Jack interrupted. “Getting out of here now is. Do you know if a guard comes by here during the night?”

“No one comes in here after the night’s meal but the big man who abuses the girls. Also, I have heard noises outside late at night.”

“That settles it. We’re out of here now.”

Carole helped put the shoes on the women who needed them. Sally picked up the cast offs and put them in her pack. Jack said, “Take them out and get on the trail to the cabin. No lights the first hour. Shadow will guide you once he understands where you’re going. Be rough and tough if you have to keep them moving and quietly. Gags and tied hands are okay. If they make noise or hold you back, you could all die. Make them understand. Let them eat and drink on the trail. Now go!”

Jack helped them outside and part way up the ridge. He sent Shadow with them. Back at the cave he cleaned up the tracks leading out and locked both doors. Then he moved 30 feet up the ridge, selected a good ambush site, and merged into the foliage. He heard a few sounds of the journey up the ridge. Then quiet. Kelly and Sally needed at least a five-hour start before they would be out of danger.