Chapter 20—The Escape

Jesse and the twins passed the next day in a state of gnawing boredom except when plotting their escape. Jesse had borrowed a world globe from the inn's library and spent his time thinking about his orbital-points theory. He thought the chain would appear somewhere in the earth's atmosphere, but where exactly?

He checked his watch and realized it was time to call Nikki and Chaz on the DSC. This would be their last chance to talk before the full moon.

Jesse picked up the DSC and stared into the red light coming from the window in the unit. The communicator read his retinal frequency pattern and a series of beeps sounded. He entered his activation code.

He first heard Chaz, whose voice had an early morning quality.

"Chaz here."

A second voice sounded. "Jesse, can you can get away tonight?" Nikki was never one for formalities. Yesterday Jesse had reassured them that he and the twins had an escape plan, but she hadn't slept a wink for worrying. The plan wasn't exactly foolproof.

"We'll be there no matter what, with our crystals at the ready. We have to make our appearances at dinner. Then we're sneaking out sometime after eight p.m., after our parents stop by our rooms."

"Have you heard from the witch?" Nikki asked.

"Not yet. We'll go on, with or without her help."

"Let's hope she's still on our side," Nikki said before everyone switched off.

* * *

Jesse and the twins finished dinner and were back in their rooms by 7:30. Jesse settled down on his bed, anticipating the evening's conversation with his dad. So far he had kept quiet about their escapades in the mines, and his dad hadn't pushed, believing Jesse would eventually tire of being grounded and reveal his secret.

He heard a slight tapping on the door and went to open it. Aimée and Zana stood in the hall and Jesse sucked in air. He opened the door wider, gesturing frantically, and the two slipped inside. He closed and locked the door.

"What the heck?" he managed to get out.

Aimée pulled an I told you so smile and said, "I can't stay. Maman will be up here any minute to say goodnight." She unlocked the door and slid out.

Jesse blushed and motioned a red-faced Zana to the desk chair. She was wearing a brown hooded cloak, and her thick red locks peeked out from under the hood. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Maman will come later," Zana said softly. She lowered her hood and sat down. "I'm to lead you to the mine and the hideaway when the time comes."

"The time is close," Jesse said, hearing voices. "Quick, hide." His head swiveled around, searching for a place for Zana to go.

When he turned back she had shifted into a wolfhound, and he watched its paws slide under the bed skirt. The cloak lay in a heap on the floor. Jesse lifted it up as the door opened.

"Going somewhere?" Jonathan asked.

* * *

The twins and Le Nez slipped down the back steps of the inn. Aimée had turned out the porch light, and it was dark except for two blonde heads shining in the moonlight. The girls were dressed in black jeans and black tops and would soon pull on dark caps.

Aimée yanked their equipment sack out from under the porch but didn't open it. They had to wait for Jesse. "Where is he?" She glared up at his window. The light was on and two shadows moved around the room.

"Mon Dieu, son père," Juliette said, pointing.

"Just what we don't need at the last minute, for our uncle to linger with his goodnights," Aimée said. They sat down on the porch steps, and Le Nez joined them, squeezing in between their warm bodies. They sighed and waited. An owl hooted in the distance. Aimée stood up and paced. After what seemed like a long time, the twins heard a noise at the back door, and Juliette and Le Nez turned around to see it open and a red four-legged creature flash across the porch and down the steps.

Juliette uttered a whispering cry: "Zana!" Le Nez let out a squeal and the two dogs nosed each other in greeting.

Jesse slipped out the door and closed it without a sound. He descended the steps and checked his watch for the time—8:20. They had to get Daniel and be in the mine in a half hour. He picked up the sack, threw it over his shoulder, pulled out a flashlight, and trotted around to the driveway. He didn't turn on the flashlight, as he wanted to allow his eyes to adjust. The big round moon was bright and sat high in the sky, providing good light.

"Let's go," he said. "Who knows what other distractions will come along?"

Aimée opened her mouth but Jesse held up his hand. "Later. We'll turn our headlamps on right before the forest. You have your crystals, right?"

"Mais oui," Aimée said, and grabbed Juliette's hand to follow Jesse. The girls kept up with his long strides. The wolfhound remained ahead but not by much. Her yellow neck scarf stood out like a beacon in the dim moonlight.

Once they turned onto the path that led to the forest trail, Jesse slowed down and switched on the flashlight, shining it downward. He kept the wolfhound in his sights with the twins close behind. Le Nez seemed to understand the high stakes of this night.

At the opening of the forest trail, the wolfhound stopped and craned her neck back. The others caught up, and Jesse slid the sack off his shoulder. He pulled out three headlamps and handed the twins theirs. His own crystal was in the breast pocket of his sweater. He had retrieved it from the skylight after dinner—thankfully before his dad showed up.

Aimée flipped on her lamp and looked at Jesse, a hundred questions ready to pour out.

"Dad's suspicious," Jesse said. "He saw Zana's cloak on the floor." The wolfhound whined and Jesse patted its neck. "I told him the cloak was Daniel's and that we had cleaned it for him." Jesse's eyes filled up. He hated lying to his father.

Collecting himself, he said, "Are we ready? Daniel's waiting."

Zana led the way through the dark forest, followed by Jesse, the twins, and Le Nez. Their headlamps threw out tiny balls of light. Thick trees blocked the moonlight except for occasional rays that pierced the dark canopy. The owl called out again, and the wind picked up.

Soon they burst out and trotted along the road to the old mine keeper's station—Daniel's home. As they approached, his shadow got larger, although not by much, as Daniel was small.

"Sacré bleu, where have you been?" he asked, jumping from one foot to the other. "Put your lights out. Grand-père..." He pointed to the stone house. His face lit up when he saw Zana. The wolfhound nudged his arm.

"Long story," Jesse said, tapping his watch. It was 8:45—just a half hour to the full moon. His heart played jumping jacks in his chest. "Let's go find the wooden gate. I'll tell you on the way down the elevator."

The wolfhound sped along the dirt road toward the mine entrance. The moon had gone behind a cloud, so everyone slowed to watch their steps. Once out of sight of the stone house, Jesse raised his arm, and they flipped on their headlamps. They picked up speed heading toward the yellow figure that seemed to be standing still. Zana must be at the gate, Jesse thought.

Moments later they all joined her. Daniel, who was most familiar with the workings of the secret entrance, got them inside, and the gate clicked shut. They crept alongside the treacherous edge of the deep hole.

"Sacré bleu," Aimée repeated as she slipped. Juliette pulled her back with scolding murmurs about swearing. Jesse felt the hound's body push him back when he got too close to the edge. He hoped no one would fall into the mine.

Finally, they arrived safely at the elevator waiting to take them down inside the hollow. Jesse aimed the flashlight on the elevator floor and Daniel stepped in, followed by the others. The yellowing plastic walls glistened in the moonlight. Jesse tapped his watch—9:00 p.m. They had less than fifteen minutes to get to the tunnel opening where they had found the crystals. Once all were squeezed inside, Daniel pulled on the handle and the elevator bounced once and then bumped its way to the bottom.

"Could this thing possibly be any slower?" Jesse didn't think his heart could take more pounding. He tapped his watch—9:05. Seven minutes to go. "Everyone, get your crystals out now while we can."

The team dug out their stones and had them in hand seconds before the elevator came to an abrupt stop. The hound squirmed, out and everyone followed her as she sped toward the cave opening.