I knew I had to get away. I just didn’t know how, or when, or even why. I wasn’t completely sure what I was going to do once I did leave. I just k...ew. And somehow I knew that the pond had the answer. Late at night I would sneak out, but not to get drunk with some friends, not even to meet some illegitimate boyfriend. It was to go sit in the middle of the lake. I didn’t start out like that, of course. At first, I would just stand and stare, thinking about all my unanswered questions, then. Barbara Adams and Dawn Williams brought dates—a couple men they’d recently met and had gone out with a time or two. They seemed friendly but Diana could tell that neither Barbara nor Dawn was at all ‘smitten’ with their date. Lynda was alone, as usual lately…and flirted with Charles every chance she got. They had also invited Charles’ colleagues at the FBI and their families or girlfriends. His boss, Assistant Director Peter Woods and his family were there, as well as Diana’s boss and his wife. "I'm wringing wet," sighed Jon. "I guess we all are. We looked like a bunch of snowmen when we came in that window. Now all the melted snow and the sweat from the hard hike have me soaked to the skin."Jon glanced at their window entrance and realized that light no longer came through it because the entire side of the cabin was completely covered with thick snow. Frannie saw it too and began to weep quietly while the rest simply stared at the fire."You are right, Jon," said Kathy. "We had better. " He harrumphed. "We're going to take advantage of the skills and training you've already acquired. You will be brevetted sergeants, and given command of a platoon of recruits. You'll still wear the same uniform as you are now – the men serving under you will be under no illusions that you're anything but thirteen years of age. You will all work under Brigade Sergeant Major Kowalski and Divisional Sergeant Major Blondell. You will be expected to keep your studies up. But we think you will rise.