Summary:

Sally has just been telling the story of how she escaped from Akie by pretending to be unconscious. While no one is paying attention to her, she heads to the trapdoor Bruce had discovered outside. She slides down it into the second level where the kids are kept in a sort of pseudo playground. There she meets two boys, Kith and Jason who she enlists to help her rescue the others. Just after they send the cat Sage through the duct work to get a key, they are caught by the evil businessman, Mike Holly.

Now, Sally continues her story:


Mike Holly stood with his hands on his hips staring as we headed for the cafeteria line. He watched us get a food tray and head for a table.

"Is he going to watch us eat?" I asked.

"Looks like it," Kith said. "I don't think he completely bought our story. Don't worry, though, follow me."

We walked over to a table and plopped down by several large boys who were almost finished. We glanced back to find Mike Holly still watching, but not as intently. I figured he must have been used to people following his orders.

"Take a few bites," Kith said.

"No, I think it's drugged."

"It is, but it's not strong. A few bites won't hurt you, and it'll get Mike Holly's attention off us. Jason and I do it all the time."

"Not me, I'm picky about what goes in my stomach."

"Fine, act like you're eating, then."

Remembering an old trick, I picked up the fork and shoved food in my mouth. I looked over and saw Mike nodding. I smiled my best fake smile, waited until he turned his head, and then spit it out in my napkin. Jason giggled beside me and did the same. Before long, Mike turned his back and headed for the trap door leading to the basement.

"Okay, he's gone," I said. "What do we do with these trays?"

"Watch this," Kith said, elbowing the large boy beside him.

"Cool it, punk, or I'm going to take your breakfast from you."

"Oh no, not again."

"Anyone want mine?" I asked when the boy snatched Kith's tray.

One of the other boys looked at me and I passed the tray to him.

"Let's go," Kith said.

We stood up casually, so as not to draw attention from any of the serving personnel, and then made our way to the vent. To our relief, we saw a gray paw snaking in and out from beneath one corner of the grating, and one of the screws sitting on the floor beneath.

"Good girl," I said, helping Kith unscrew the others by hand.

Once freed, she hopped out and dropped a leather bound key on the floor by my feet. As usual, Sage had come through with grace.

"Now what?" Kith asked.

"Now I take the key and go save my friends, so they can help us storm the basement."

"And how do you plan to get to them?"

"I guess up those stairs. Mike Holly is below us."

"True, but he isn't the only person you need to fear. There are many slaves around this place."

"Okay, so what's your suggestion, then?"

"Go out the same way you entered."

"Up the food chute? It's very slippery."

"I know, but if you take your shoes off, and brace yourself just right, you can shimmy up it."

"Sounds like you've done it before."

"I have a few times, but Jason wasn't strong enough to come with me. I thought I would get out and lower a rope for him, but I was afraid of what they would do if we got caught, so I slid back to the floor. I guess that makes me a coward."

"It makes you one lone boy in a sea of enemies who had no choice but to stay. I think you've done great. But you're not alone now, and neither am I. I have friends upstairs who can help us."

"I hope they're strong."

"Ever heard of the Daredevil Girls from Bunker Hill?"

"Who hasn't?"

"Well, you're looking at the youngest member, and there are four more upstairs."

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"I'm telling the truth, and that's one reason I need to get to them."

"Do you think they'll help us get out, too?" Jason asked. "I want to go home."

"We all do, sweetie," I said. "Help me get out of here, and I'll go get them. You have my promise you won't get left."

"We'll help on one condition," Kith said. "You'll have to take us with you to go find them."

I looked back and forth between the fragile boys, and wondered if they would be more hindrance than help. I looked at Sage, a simple cat, and then thought of myself, the tiniest member of the Daredevil Girls. Who was I to judge capability?

"Let's do it," I said.

"Thank you," Kith said, and we headed back for the chute.

"Okay," I said once we had arrived. "I have a plan. Kith, you come with me. Once we get out, we'll see an amusement park at the top. Get into all of the booths you can, and find anything you think can be use as a weapon. Drop what you find down the chute. Jason, you hide the stuff so the other kids don't get hold of it. When we come back down again with reinforcements, we can use whatever we find. Sage, you stay with Jason. You might be needed to take another trip back into the air duct if we don't return."

"I can do that," Kith said in agreement.

Jason simply nodded, and Sage mewed her consent.