18

Outside the USAF base, Staci and Ailsa waited for the others to catch up.

The gates hung open and lopsided.

Staci sighed. “Doesn’t look hopeful, does it, Ailsa?”

“Not really. More derelict than I thought it might be.”

Jim came over. “Lou’s coming, under protest. Don’t make an issue out of it. I’ve already put my foot in it enough for now.”

The others nodded as Lou caught them up.

“Nice place,” Lou said, not bothering to hide the sarcasm.

The base was run down. Jim and the girls went through the gates and up to the main building. Several hangers were dotted around the complex, all with broken roofs. Weeds sprouted up through the paving and the flagpole was noticeably empty. The windows of the main building were covered in dirt.

Ailsa rubbed at one and peered in. “No one home,” she said.

“Really? You don’t say,” Jim said pushing at the door. It didn’t budge.

“Try the handle,” Staci said. She pushed it down and the door opened. “Works every time.”

She led the way inside the main building. A layer of dust covered the reception desk. Jim ran his finger across it and said, “Remind me to have words with the cleaners.”

Lou looked up from the floor plan she’d found. “Radio room is on the third floor. Reckon the lift works?”

Jim grinned. “If not, I’ll carry you.”

They made their way to the stairs and Lou slowly and painfully hopped up them.

On the third floor they found the radio room. It was empty. A couple of dust covered tables and a few sheets of paper were all it contained. Jim sighed. He hadn’t expected to find a radio, but he had allowed himself to hope.

Lou limped to the window. She rubbed at it and peered through at the runway. She glanced over her shoulder. “They’d never land on that anyway. It’s more holes than runway.”

Jim, Staci and Ailsa explored the base a bit more. They were all disappointed at not finding a radio. That is all except Lou. She was pleased. Now she could stay with Deefer. She missed him so much nothing else mattered. She followed the others slowly through the empty rooms, their footsteps echoing.

She felt dreadful and it wasn’t just grief. She was hot and dizzy. All she wanted to do was go to bed and stay there. Once the others had been picked up, she’d go and sit by Deefer’s grave and wait for the end to come. It wouldn’t be long, she knew that.

Staci wandered into a side room. “Jim, what’s this?” she called.

Jim pushed the door open wider. “What’s what?” he asked.

“This,” she said pointing to the desk.

“Staci, you gem.” Jim yelled and hugged her. “It’s a cipher. Morse code. We can use it to call for help. My Morse is a little rusty, but I know enough to spell out where we are. Any suggestions?”

He sat down at the desk and they worked out a short message. Jim flexed his fingers and said, “Here goes nothing.” He tapped out the message. “SOS Agrihan Air Base. Need help. Please respond.” He added their names and a request for information about his parents. They sat there for half an hour, waiting for a response.

“Nothing,” Lou said. “No one uses Morse code anymore.”

“So why do it?” Staci yelled. “Why’d you get our hopes up, Jim?”

“Stop it.” Ailsa said, putting a hand on Jim’s shoulder. “Shouting at each other isn’t going to help and it was worth a shot. It’ll be dark soon. I suggest we stay here tonight at least. Try again in the morning.”

A flash of lightning split the sky and rain splattered against the window. “Good idea,” said Jim. “At least we’ll be in the dry. There should be a mess and barracks here somewhere.”

“Somewhere on this level will do for now. I can’t do those stairs again,” Lou said.

Ailsa divided the remaining food into eight portions and gave them one portion each.

“Thanks for nothing,” Staci muttered.

“Have mine,” Lou told her. “I’m not hungry.”

Jim shot her an angry look. “You haven’t eaten all day, Lou.”

“I don’t feel very well. If I eat I’ll be sick and that will be a waste of what little food we have. I’m going to find somewhere to sleep.” Lightning flashed again, illuminating her pale face. Thunder echoed in response.

Jim glanced at Ailsa, trying to indicate he didn’t want Lou left alone.

She seemed to know what he meant as she nodded almost imperceptibly. “I’ll come with you. If we find a big enough room, the four of us can camp together.”

The two of them left the room. Staci looked at Jim. “Sorry, bro.”

Jim put his arms around her. “It’s OK, kiddo. I’d got my hopes up too. We’ll try sending again tomorrow. Someone will hear us.”

Ailsa came back. “We found something,” she said. “A bunk room with four bunks and blankets. It’ll mean Jim sharing with us, but I think we can cope for a few nights. What about you Stace? Jim doesn’t get a say in the matter.”

“I see,” Jim said. “Like that is it?”

Thunder resounded through the empty building, making Staci jump. “Please, Jim. I need you tonight. So does Lou. Although she won’t admit it.”

Jim sighed. “You really want me to share with a bunch of women?”

Staci rolled her eyes. “You’ve done it for weeks. The only difference is we’re inside and not outside.”

“True. Sure, we can all bunk together. Is Lou all right, Ailsa?”

“Very quiet, which is only to be expected. She’s already lying down and will be sleeping before long.”

“I’m going to bed. Ailsa, where’s Lou?” Staci asked.

“Third door on the right Stace. We’ll be right behind you.”

Staci ran down the corridor as the rain thudded against the window.

Jim looked at Ailsa. “I’m worried about Lou. You didn’t see her up at the graveside. When she looked at me her eyes were empty. She scared me, Ailsa. There was nothing there. It was as if we’d buried her along with Deefer. I’m afraid she of what she might do.”

“She’s grieving. She’ll be OK. Just give her some time.”

“OK.”

Ailsa hugged him. “We won’t leave her alone. That way she can’t do anything.”

Jim held her gaze. “And I want the mytona out of her bag. Just to be on the safe side.”

She frowned. “Do you really think she’d do that?”

“I’m praying she won’t, but there is something going on with her. More than just grief for Deefer. I just don’t know what.”