"They were off again. Walking, running, walking through the still forest. They could use some rain to cover their tracks about now, Jewel thought to h...rself, but the sky stayed stubbornly clear. A few times they scared up wild animals, fleeter relatives of the pack beasts, and once a native carnivore that looked like a cross between a cat and a sixlegged bear. It snarled a warning at them but reluctantly got out of their way, much to Amy's relief. The next time they stopped to rest, Jewel swung. I'd never heard half as much sexual discussion as I heard in that kitchen before someone placed a stack of hot-cakes in front of me.Robin couldn't leave well enough alone. "If you get as drunk tonight as you were last night, I'd be surprised if that was the only hole that was sore. As a matter of face I wouldn't be surprised if it was at least twice as sore," she said, with a nod toward me.We had honey for the hot-cakes, kind of an odd combo to me, but I was ravenous and it hit the spot. "What. "Oh, shit. Don't do it until we get to State or we'll be walking," Ronnie said. "Assuming you're still breathing of course. Vicki will be pissed." I know. I'll wait until we're back, but I've got to do it today. Sorry if this messes stuff up with Brittany," I said."That's okay. It was getting kind of old anyway," Ronnie replied. Janice sat down between us on the sofa."I'll drive you boys to school if it would help," she said."Thanks Janice, but I might as well get it over with. What's the best. As the insides of my eyes went dark they carried me away; I heard noises I recognised — those of a training army, and the more substantial sounds of torture — I was at the Wilijies's army camp. I could hear the rattling of metal, the clangs of steel against steel, and words of encouragement, words of discipline.I was put down, and released from all the bondage, except the blindfold. Then a door slammed shut behind me. I released a shaky breath, and tried to make out where I was. I felt wood.