Special Snow Part 2

CHAPTER 6

After leaving the slope Cliff entered the lodge to find an old fire smoldering in the fireplace with the ugly sign he had noticed that morning still staring down at him. The rest of the huge room seemed deserted and he could hear the echo of his clomping ski boots across the wooden floor as he headed towards the bar.
âHello, anyone home?â Cliff spoke loudly, entering the door, at first not seeing anyone.
âOver here,â came Terryâs voice at a table on the other side of the island like bar finding her, Howard and John, all sitting at a table with beer in front of them. Johnâs disheveled look spoke of too much frustration and beer.
âHello, Iâd like a beer,â Cliff yelled in the direction of the kitchen door.
âNo need to shout,â John mumbled. âThereâs no one here to help you anyway. Just draw off your own like the rest of us.â
Cliff looked at Terry who just shrugged. âHeâs right. As far as I can see we are the only people left here. Everyone else is gone. I saw a whole bunch of people jam on the helicopter including some employees of the place. They were so desperate that one was even hanging on a strut. It looked like those old news clips of the last days of Saigon.â
âSomething has scared everyone away,â Howard concurred.
âNow I saw everyone watching the news this morning which was showing tanks and troops in a town, but I couldnât understand what everyone was saying.â With that Cliff fumbled behind the bar until he found the control for the high mounted TV. The set came alive and was still adjusted to the same station as in the morning, which appeared to be a news channel, with two men discussing something in Spanish.
âNow at home there is a special code you can punch to get closed caption for the hearing impaired. Maybe there is something like that for English. After all, this place is supposed to be for rich Americans,â Cliff said searching the remote to see if there was a special bottom. One labeled âCâ looked good so he hit it and immediately an English caption appeared at the lower corner of the screen.


âLook,â Howard said pointing at the screen. âTheyâre arguing about using troops to prevent civil war.â
The four Americans quietly watched as two men, obviously from different factions, continued their debate. Then the same video as in the morning appeared.
âThe army is running through our town,â the voice on the tape said softly. âLook, theyâve got tanks! Fall back! Weâll have to escape into the mountains!â
Then an explosion.
âThe airport; Theyâve blown up Cuneo Airport!â
(A voice in the background:) âGet out, here they come!â
(The original voice resumed:) âOkay, okay. We are moving operations back into the mountains. You can see why we fight these monsters.â
The video ends when a tank points its turret the general direction and fires. The two men then resume their now heated debate.
âIsnât Cuneo where we got on the helicopter?â Terry asked with John numbly shaking his head yes. âItâs a good thing you didnât get on that plane for you might have ended up in the middle of a civil war.â
âThink about it, little lady. Do you really think that chopper was going back there? Would all those employees be going to that?â John calmly and slowly went on. âNo, they are going someplace else far away using the helicopter as a lifeboat off this sinking ship. Weâll never see that machine again.â
âHow are we going to get down from this place?â Terry asked with obvious worry in her voice.
âLetâs not get excited,â Cliff soothed motioning down with his hands. âWe donât know the extent of the problem yet. Weâre not even sure if everyone else is gone.â
Just then Dorthy and Wayne appeared at the door. âHey, where is everybody,â Wayne asked. âThis whole place seems deserted,â
Everyone looked at Cliff. âOkay, maybe we have been abandoned, but it might only be for a short while.â
âThe TV; look!â Howard pointed.


On the screen people dressed in uniforms forced their way into the studio pushing the commentator and the two guests aside. One, who looked like an officer, pointed at the camera and gave an order. Within seconds the screen went blank.
For a moment there was silence in the bar. Then Cliff mimicked the Apollo movie:
âHouston, we have a problem.â

CHAPTER 7

In the gathering dusk Cliff, Howard and Wayne each hurried in different directions towards the three ski lifts that were still operating, to shut them down in an effort to conserve power. Since the television station was shut down the six of them had taken a more careful look at their situation, and did not like what they saw. Although there was less than hoped for, food was not an immediate problem. With some conservation they had at least three weeks worth, but the problems went downhill from there.
Power was crucial, but the main diesel fuel tank was less than half full. Cliff knew how much construction diesels used and estimated that about one week was all they had.
They now knew they were alone, trapped on a mountain they knew little about; in a country they knew even less. John was able to console the situation by making liberal use of the lodgeâs liquor supply, so by the time everyone again gathered in the bar, which had become the base camp, he was noticeably inebriated.
âI donât know why you are all making such a fuss. Weâre never getting off this rock alive. In fact,â and he pondered a moment, âmaybe we are already dead and this lodge is our purgatory. Yes, maybe weâre in hell for our sins.â
Silence filled the room for several seconds before Cliff broke the spell. âOh come on now, you must be kidding. Weâre on a vacation thatâs gone fowl, nothing more. We may have to work to get out of here, but we are on a very real mountain with a very real set of problems to overcome.â
âAnd how did we get here?â John said with almost a theatrical voice. âI donât mean planes and helicopters and that stuff. I mean why are we here?â
âA contest; we all won a contest,â Dorthy said, but with her voice trailing off at the end as she started to think.
âBut do you ever remember entering a contest with this as the prize? I certainly donât. It took me completely by surprise when I found that letter in the mail. How about you?â



and John turned his head to see only silent eyes. âHector was the only person we ever contacted, and I use the word âpersonâ for lack of a better one. Have you ever really looked at that man? The very first time I met him I though of the Devil himself with that black hair and those evil yellow eyes. I dismissed it as my imagination but now Iâm beginning to wonder. Have we been lead to the gates of hell by Satan himself?â
Suddenly both Terry and Dorthy screamed when, as if on queue, the building began to shake the way it had the night before. Terror filled everyoneâs eyes with only Cliff trying to remain calm.
âWe can and will get off this mountain!â Cliff said loudly above the rumble of the quake. The shaking tapered off with Cliff standing in front of the group. âYes we will. As I said before, we are just on a big pile of rocks that, if we work together, we can get off. Iâm alive, very much alive, and not about to stay stranded up here.â

CHAPTER 8

Cliff entered his room and looked at his watch, surprised that it was not yet 9:00 because he felt exhausted. Skiing most of the day only to find himself battling the growing wave of trouble had drained him mentally and physically. It would feel good to collapse in the huge king sized bed in the other room of his suite.
He threw his ski jacket on one of the two chairs, spaced by a small table that sat by the door. A couch sat against the wall facing a large armoire that had, behind its double doors, a large television along with drawers and shelves. To Cliffâs left was a small kitchen and dining area with a table that might fit four small people. In front of him was the door to his washroom and the bedroom.
He pulled off his sweater and turtle neck shirt leaving just a long underwear top covering his muscular upper body. He was just about to remove this when there was a small knock at the door.
âTerry, hi, whatâs the problem?â
âDoes there have to be a problem for me to visit?â
âWell, I suppose not.â
âGood,â and she stepped in the room. âI like the way you took the reigns and calmed some very excited people down, me included.â
âThank you,â a slight blush crossed Cliffâs rugged face. âYou know, I do have a bottle of wine here. Would you care to join me?â He got two small glasses from one of the cabinets in the kitchen. âNow, let me find my cork screw,â digging through his loose sided suitcase for an all-purpose knife.
âYou actually carry a cork screw. I am impressed.â
âWhich is also a knife, screw driver, and bottle opener. I still remember my Boy Scout motto: be prepared, but if I had known we would be stranded here, I would have brought other things besides a cork screw.â Both laughed.




During casual conversation Terry drank her first glass quickly, and the second not much slower. Cliff noticed that something was bothering her as she quietly stared into her next drink swishing it around in the glass.
âYou okay?â he asked softly.
She snuggled close to him so he could not see her eyes. âI supposed I lied to you when I knocked. I know it is probably just coincidence, but what John was saying bothers me and Iâm a bit scared,â
âAbout getting out?â
âSort of, but it is deeper than that. What he said about Hector being Satan and us being in hell; it scares me.â
âHe was just rambling on after too many drinks.â
âI know, but what if he is right? Doesnât that bother you?â
âIâm not a very religious person,â Cliff started out slowly, âso I do not often ponder the existence of heaven or hell, or what you have to do to get to either place. I have always lived by the so called golden rule; treat others as you would wish them to treat you, so I try to be a nice guy and expect others to be nice in return which, for my life, anyway, has worked. I donât claim to be perfect or anything like that, but I try to be good to my set of standards. What this all boils down to is that, no, Iâm not worried because first, Iâm not convinced there is a hell and, second, even if there is I donât think Iâm going there because Iâve done nothing wrong enough to warrant the visit.â
âI wish I could feel the same way,â Terry began with a tear in her eye. âI was married once to a guy that, for the short time we knew each other before the marriage, seemed to be my dream mate, but was I ever wrong. It turned out he had a terrible temper that would flare up at the slightest provocation, especially after a few drinks. Then he would hit me, punch me, and throw me around. It was terrible. Finally one night he had me on the floor and was choking me before I managed to pick up a small flower vase and break it over his head. That got him off, and I packed and left that night. Filed for divorce the next day but by then, I was four months pregnant. I couldnât stand the thought of bearing his child so I got an abortion, an illegal one since I was past the first trimester.â


By now Terry was crying. âThat was fifteen years ago but Iâve never forgiven myself for that. If there was ever a sin that would take me to hell it was having that baby killed.â
âThat was a long time ago when you were much younger,â Cliff soothed, holding her tight, but in his mind he was surprised to see Hector laughing with his yellow eyes gleaming.

CHAPTER 9

The morning was gray with a thin but growing fog slowly developing from the warming air. While striding across the wooden floored main room Cliff could see that the perfect snow of yesterday had deteriorated to a heavier, less pleasant ski grabber. Not that it made much difference.
The fireplace was cold and the sign with the rules seemed even more out of place now that they could not ski. Cliff thought that if he ran the place that sign would be gone immediately.
John and Howard were already at the bar, but it was only a few minutes before everyone else gathered as they had agreed the previous night.
âOkay, today we need to carefully evaluate our situation,â Cliff started trying to sound as calm as possible. âHow much food do we have? How much fuel for the generators? Where is the grooming machinery kept and could we use or modify one of them to get us down. Is there a radio to call for help? If we have to go by foot, is there any thing we could use to carry our supplies for what might be a long trip down? Finally, what is the best way down?â
âI am going to hike around the area to see a little more of this mountain. Anyone want to help?â
âIâd probably be best for that,â Howard quickly spoke. âI was trained as a ranger in the army and have kept myself in reasonably good shape.â
âGreat. My ski boot bag can be used as a knap sack. Since you have experience, why donât you see what supplies you can find for this trip. We will be gone all day.â
âOn my way,â and Howard left.
âThe rest of you can divide up the tasks I mentioned. Remember, we all need to work together, so stay focused and do not let your imaginations run wild.â Cliff looked at John when he said that.



An hour later Cliff and Howard struggled through the heavy snow having agreed to try to stay at the same altitude and see what the geography looked like. After several hours they stopped and rested on a large, clean rock that jutted out, like a bench, from the base of a formidable cliff. The two men sat quietly resting while eating some nutritious power bars that Howard had found.
âI know heâs a kook, but have you thought about what McLean was saying last night?â Howard cautiously said.
âAbout us being caught in some sort of purgatory by Hector the devil?â Cliff asked, and then answered the question himself. âTerry and I had a little discussion about it later in the evening. Why? A veteran like yourself should not be affected by what John said.â
âI was in from March of 1968 to June â72, and did two terms in Viet Nam. Messy place; nasty war,â
âWars usually are,â Cliff agreed quietly.
âYeah, I guess, but there were no battle lines, no good guys, bad guys, no conquered territory. Shadows in the jungle would shoot at you, kill your buddies, and then disappear. At times it was like fighting an army of ghosts. And you didnât know who the enemy was. Kids would come up to you, usually to get candy or cigarettes, but sometimes to kill you. On one patrol we entered a small village and some kids came up to greet us, only one had a grenade. Blew a friend of mine to bits. Later that day a kid came up to say hello to me and I shot. Damn, he was just coming up to say hello.â
Cliff could see the tears in Howardâs eyes.
âThatâs why what McLean says bothers me. Itâs brought up a portion of my life I donât like, and that doesnât look good for the here after.â
âI donât claim to know what is happening here; maybe itâs just bad luck,â Cliff said after a pause. âBut you are obviously sorry for what happened. As the old saying goes, war is hell, and youâve already been there and returned. Thatâs why you, we all, have to work together to get out. I have no intention of staying at this sorry excuse for a ski resort. Iâm going home and I hope that you, and every one else is coming with me.â



âYouâre probably right,â Howard started and was about to say more when the earth beneath them started to shake, rapidly growing from a small tremor to a full-blown earthquake.
âMove!â Cliff yelled as small rocks and snow started to fall from higher up the cliff. Both jumped forward and retraced their steps at a run before, with only a muffled roar, a small avalanche of snow and rocks buried where they had been sitting.
As the two men caught their breath, Howard just looked over at Cliff and raised his eyebrows.

CHAPTER 10

The light mist of morning had grown to a thick fog by mid afternoon cutting short Cliff and Howardâs exploration making for a difficult hike back towards the resort.
âAccording to the compass we should be getting close,â Cliff said in the growing early twilight. âBut we should be able to see lights, or hear the diesel generator. Sound carries much better in the fog.â
A few minutes later Howard, who was walking parallel to Cliff slightly upgrade, yelled down, âI think weâre getting close.â
Cliff struggled up to see what Howard was pointing to. Soon he too could make out a tall, black shape beyond the trees that was a support column for a chair lift. In the gathering gloom it looked like a dark specter silently standing guard.
âWeâre too low; have to go up some,â Cliff panted. âBut we should have seen or heard something.â
Night had taken over completely by the time the two weary explorers stumbled up to the dark far side of the silent lodge. Only the faint smell of wood smoke indicated there was any life at all in the place. By the time they reached the front door, the dim orange glow of flames could be seen through the large windows.
Once inside Cliff and Howard found the other four huddled around the blazing fireplace with a few candles scattered within the area. The main room seemed even larger than before in the dull pulsating glow of the flames.
âWhat happened to the power?â Howard panted out as they dragged in. Then both saw Wayne holding a bloodstained towel to his head.
âDid you guys feel the earthquake?â Terry asked, and then realized how foolish the question was. âOf course you did, but we got thrown around pretty bad here. The building with the generators partially collapsed knocking out the power. Wayne went

over to see it he could get it started but a loose piece of wood came down and smacked him in the head.â
âDonât worry, just a flesh wound,â Wayne said with a weak smile. âJust get me a few aspirin. Iâm okay but I fear our mountain is not. Pressure must be building to produce a quake like that. I bet it was better than seven on the Richter scale.â
âWell, letâs see now,â John said sarcastically. âWeâre stuck on a mountain that is about explode with no power, meaning no heat, no water, soon no fresh food, and nothing to cook it on anyway. Meanwhile a civil war may be raging around us. I tell you, we are either in hell, or in a waiting room getting prepared for entry.â
âDonât start that again,â Cliff ordered not wanting to complicate their admittedly deteriorating position.
âWhy not? You donât believe me, do you, even if it is right in front of your face. Have you checked out that sign up there with the list of rules? Take a look at it. Thatâs as good as a signature if you ask me.â
Cliff stood back and looked at the out of place sign he had noticed yesterday morning but had not really studied.
Loose clothing          is not permitted on the chair lifts.
         You should          always check up hill before entering a new area.
         See the Ski          Patrol in there are any problems.
         Inebriation on          the slopes is not permitted.
         For lessons see          the ski school.
         Everyone is          expected to ski under control.
         Are you having a          good time yet? If not you are not trying hard enough.
âA pretty normal set of rules. Wording is somewhat awkward, but still ones that you would see at most slopes. So whatâs the problem?â
âAs John has pointed out to us all,â Wayne said skeptically, but Cliff did notice a touch of fear in his eyes, âtake the first letter, or the first letter sound from each set of rules and see what they spell.â
âOkay, L, U, S, no C, I, F, E, hmm, A?â

âNo, itâs R,â John impatiently spouted out. âDo you see what they spell?â
Cliff paused a second before mumbling, âLucifer.â

CHAPTER 11

Five quiet sets of eyes stared at Cliff waiting for his reaction. Despite his own growing fear he knew what he had to do if any of them were going to make it out alive.
âRubbish! Either another coincidence or the workings of Hectorâs demented mind. Have you ever watched the clouds in the sky? Your mind can make them into whatever shapes you want. In my opinion the only thing that sign is good for is kindling,â and before anyone else could react he shoved a chair over, leaped up and yanked the wooden sign down before leaning it against the fireplace and giving it a solid lick. The boards shuttered before splitting in pieces which Cliff gathered up and threw in the blazing fire. Blisters formed on the thickly painted surface making a nasty hiss when they broke. One even made a tired moan as the flames engulfed it.
âLetâs not mope on what we donât have, rather use what we do. Which reminds me, what did you find out when taking inventory?â
Wayne started. âBefore the quake I looked at the grooming equipment. Nothing we can useâ
âSurprising little food,â Dorthy said in a depressed manner. âBut most of it can be carried if we go. You know, canned food, lots of noodles, dried stuff.
âThe resort was going to set up a small store so there are some ski bags that we can use for back packs, and lots of gloves, goggles, warm socks and sweatshirts,â Terry chimed in.
âTomorrow weâll pack,â Cliff stood up looking at each of them. âThen weâll start to plan our trip. Today is Monday; weâll leave on Wednesday. That way we will have left enough time for someone to remember we are up here while we are getting ready.â
âIâm near exhaustion and I know Howard is too. The rest of you had a full day so letâs rest tonight and tackle the problems tomorrow,â Cliff exclaimed while gathering his stuff before grabbing a candle and heading upstairs. He knew it was going to be cold and dark in his room but the thought of the bed and pillows had a call that could not be ignored.

Cliff entered his suite, set the candle on an end table and fell, exhausted, onto the couch to remove his damp boots. He intended to crawl under the covers in the bedroom but, despite his effort, eyes soon drifted shut.
Suddenly his eyes shot open and he looked around the room. How long had he been asleep? In the flickering candlelight he again scanned the room. Did someone whisper his name? Cliff sat perfectly still. A soft buzz could be heard over his breathing, but where was it coming from? A buzz with no electricity? Could it be coming from the armoire in front of him? Cliff got up and reached for the double doors that enclosed the shelves and a television, and started to open them.
âSurprise!â whispered the TV as the doors opened causing Cliff to jump back. There, on the blue screen, was the face of Hector, his white teeth almost glaring in his smile. âBet you didnât expect me here.â The yellow eyes sparkled like a contented cat. âI see you getting to know some of your group a little better than you anticipated. Youâve heard from Howard and sweet Terry, but what about Dorthy? Did you know that she was having an affair with the lady, thatâs right, the lady next door until the husband found out? Killed his wife, then himself. Messy.â
âWhat about Wayne Nelson the old college professor you may ask. Would you believe that he did some drug dealing on the side to help pay for his post-graduate work. And one of his customers died from an over dose.â
Finally is our heavy drinking Irishman, John. He really reads me quite well. Maybe itâs the two teenage girls he killed in a drunken hit-and-run that keeps him in tune with me. Nice, huh.â
Without thinking Cliff talked back to the television. âThen what about me? I havenât done anything that would rank me with the others.â
âYou, sir, are a clerical error. Happens to us all. It just so happens that there is another Cliff Watson that was supposed to be in your place. Nasty man; murdered his girlfriend and both her parents, and got away with it, too. Anyway, I am offering you a passage out. Just like the trip here, no strings attached, but we must go now.â
âAnd the others?â


âNot your worry. The deal is for you and you alone, so letâs get going.â
âYou know what?â Cliff said slowly while his mind raced, âI bet youâre worried that I might be able to lead them our of here. Thatâs it! You want me out of here because youâre afraid I might help them.â
âNo!â The eyes were now fierce, blazing slits, but Cliff thought he saw an instance of fear in them. âNo one can get out of there! Not you or anyone else!â The television was starting to smoke.
âI think we can; I know we can!â Cliff said defiantly. âEspecially since I am not supposed to be here. Remember, a clerical error.â
âNO!â Hector yelled. âNo, you canât do that!â
The television started to shake. Suddenly the picture tube exploded blasting Cliff back onto the couch. The last thing Cliff remembered before he lost consciousness was tiny pieces of glass spraying his face.

CHAPTER 12

A gray dawn came slowly with a steady rain soaking into the snow, a natural sponge. At the edge of the roof of the Nueve Especial lodge the snow had reached the saturation point with a large sodden section braking off and sliding into the air. As it fell a section struck a windowsill on the second floor making a loud splashing sound.
Suddenly Cliff was awake and bounded off the couch while instinctively brushing away the glass pieces he remembered peppering his face. But there was nothing there. The television stared blankly back at Cliff, its tube still intact. On the end table the candle he had brought up was a shapeless, hardened puddle of wax.
Was his confrontation with Hector a dream? It seemed so life like and the doors to the armoire were open, but the television was undamaged.
Cliff fell back onto the couch and put his hands to his head, just realizing the deep headache he had. On top of this every muscle and joint hurt from the long hike the day before, and also form the strange position he had slept in.
Then he noticed a sound above the soft pitter-patter of the rain on the window, a distant, constant, hissing roar. He looked out his window but could only see the soggy ski tracks made what seemed like a lifetime ago.
He bolted out and ran down the hall to the large windows in the end stairwell that looked out in three directions. There his fear was realized for near the top of the mountain he could see a column of hot ashes, gas and steam gushing out of a newly formed vent.
Cliff ran back to his room and, within five minutes, had his boot bag turned back pack loaded with what he thought was necessary before bolting out his door again, running down to the main room.
âWake up call! Wake up call!â he shouted to the five sleeping bodies each on their own couch arranged in a loose semicircle around the still smoldering fireplace. âThe mountain woke up before us and we have to move fast or we will be the morning serving of toast!â

âYouâre kidding, right?â Terry said with a yawn.
âUnfortunately, Iâm not. Do you hear that distant roar? The mountain has opened a vent and the danger of an avalanche from the hot gases melting the snow grows by the minute. A half hour; letâs be ready to leave in a half hour. Dorthy, show me where the food is and we can pack what we need to get out of here.â
Dorthy rose quickly and lead Cliff to some cabinets in the back of the kitchen. While they were alone, Cliff could not forget his nighttime encounter. âDorthy, please donât take this the wrong way, but I am curious about some information I received late last night. Now do not ask me how because you would never believe it, and we really do not have a lot of time.â
Dorthy nodded a confused yes.
âDid you ever have an affair with a neighbor that resulted in some deaths?â
Dorthy had begun to turn away before he even got done with the sentence. âHowâ¦no oneâ¦it was a secret,â she blurted out as tears started to well up in her eyes.
âYou donât have to explain. Youâve already answered my question. Ah, one more thing. Did you ever tell Hector?â
âHim? No way. Why would I tell him of all people?â
Crying, Dorthy started gathering supplies leaving Cliff a moment to contemplate that what John McLean had been saying for the last few days was right. The word âpeopleâ did not fit Hector. But then Cliff smiled for just a second as he remembered the momentary look of fear he saw in Hectorâs eyes last night. And the look he had received from Hector that first night in front of the fireplace. Maybe he, of all people, represented something that Hector was afraid of.

CHAPTER 13

In the growing darkness lightning flashes accentuated the Chicago skyline giving melting residents a chance for relief from the oppressive late July heat. But then there was at least one quite happy with the high temperature since it reminded him so much of home.
Smiling at his latest successes Hector came in off his penthouse balcony, mixed a strong martini, and used a remote to turn on the huge television residing in a dark wood book case that covered an entire wall. Yes, today especially, he wanted to see the news show âHead Lineâ because it was covering the gigantic volcanic eruption down in Chili.
âBob Kaufman here in Cuneo, Chili,â spurted out of the TV, âwhere the worst volcanic eruption in decades blew the top off a mountain, called Llaima, sending avalanches and mudslides roaring down that have killed hundreds, possibly thousands. It will be days, maybe weeks, before the final total is known. The count is even higher than normal because an estimated five hundred government solders were reported to be on the mountain after an undisclosed number of the leftist army known as CENP. It is feared that both armies were completely wiped out.â
âYes, yes!â Hector jubilantly cheered.
âWith this sea of mud and death it is hard to believe that six Americans were just spotted and rescued by a Red Cross helicopter delivering food and medication. For more on this is Jim Levesheski.â
âWHAT!?â Hector jumped up.
âA miracle is what is being said about the survival of this party that had already been stranded over a week ago at a remote new ski resort that was located about two thirds way up the mountain. How they got left up there in the first place is under investigation, but one of them, Cliff Watson, organized their remarkable flight to safety.â
On the television screen tired and dirty people were helped off the helicopter. A reporter put a microphone in front of Terry Butters. âCan you tell us what happened?â

âIt was terrible. Every minute we were afraid of being killed and swept away, but always Cliff would show us what to do to survive. He was amazing. It was like he knew what was going to happen next. There he is now, just getting off the plane. Cliff, over here!â
Cliff stumbled over to Terry who gave him a big hug and kiss.
Hector watched with growing apprehension.
âTell us, Mr. Watson, how did you get these people down. How many people did you start with?â
âSix of us started, and all six finished,â Cliff said in a tired, but proud voice.
âCould you give us more details?â
âLater, please. I need some rest,â Cliff started to move on. Then he stopped, looking straight into the camera. âJust one more thing. When I get back to the states I will be interested in talking to the tour guide who set this trip up.â
The reporter laughed at what he thought was sarcasm, but Hector noticed a strange sparkle in Cliffâs eyes, a brilliance he had only noticed a few times in the passing millenniums, and knew who the message was being directed at.
Hector shut of the screen and started to pack.