Sunbeams caressed her cheek, drawing a lazy sigh as she woke from the best sleep in a few days. Lazily she pulled her watch toward her focusing on the time.

"Damn," she muttered, "overslept. Need to get going."

Kelsie grabbed something to eat and folded everything away. Sliding behind the wheel, she noticed a piece of paper against the windshield.

"What is that?" she wondered aloud, retrieving the paper.

You are being watched. Take the back route over the hill

Could she trust whoever this was?

What if they were right?

Who was watching her? Reversing, she took the road up the hill. On the crest, she looked down into a sea of mobile homes.

Kelsie was startled as a knock came on her window. A woman waved at her with a tight smile, looking around cautiously. Lowering the window a little, Kelsie waited.

"You the one that came in last night?"

"Yes, why?"

"There are people with badges looking for you," she said, "you cannot go out either exit; they're waiting for you."

"How do you know this?"

"You think any one of us live here because we want to," she said, "this is a safe haven for those who need to hide."

"Is there another way out?" Kelsie asked, looking around.

"Yes, but you need to do it with us," the woman said, "don't go back to your lot either; they would have arranged something for you. Park down the hill on the left, use this code for the lot and stay out of sight."

"I've got to get out of here," Kelsie said, sucking in air, fighting the rising anxiety, "I need to get to a place to ... do something."

"Don't we all," the woman said, "be ready at dusk. Fides et veritas."

"Dusk," Kelsie nodded, "what was the last bit?"

"Latin," the woman said, "loyalty and truth."

"Oh, okay," Kelsie nodded, frowning, "didn't know that."

"You should," the woman said, "dusk falls at six tonight."

"Okay," Kelsie nodded, "where do I go?"

"We'll fetch you," she said, walking off toward a nearby mobile home.

"Breath, breath, you can do this," Kelsie said, following the woman's directions, "loyalty and truth ... is that a motto or something?"

The day seemed to drag. Kelsie checked the map and double-checked the map; there was no third route out of this area.

Who were these people?

How did they know she was being watched?

She tried to occupy herself with unpacking and repacking the cupboards, taking inventory of her supplies; eventually, she needed a little fresh air.

Carefully opening the door, she stepped out into the sunshine; it felt like stepping into the unknown and unexpected. Fear strangled the oxygen intake while her fight or flight instinct bounced around under her skin, making her edgy and nervous. Breathing in deeply, she tried to control her thoughts and keep her mind focused.

"Hello, Kelsie," the mellow male voice made her jump, "nice to see you again."

"Hello," Kelsie took in the man sitting on a lawn chair outside his mobile home, "how do you know my name?"

"Oh, you haven't seen me for many years," he said, smiling, "you wouldn't remember me, but I could never forget those beautiful green eyes."

"Right," Kelsie nodded, "so you're living here?"

"Oh yes," he nodded, "most of us do. There is safety in numbers."

"So I hear," she said, "how old was I when you last saw me?"

"Oh that was some years now," he murmured, "it was at a party your parents held, you may have been ten or so. I remember a large ice goose in the hallway, and the entire place had to be kept at a chilly temperature so it wouldn't melt."

"That was just before I had to go and live with Aunt Connie," Kelsie murmured, "I never saw my parents again."

"You had an Aunt Connie?" he frowned.

"I don't know if she was related, and I don't know her last name, but her full name was Conradina."

The man nodded, "Oh, her."

"You know her," Kelsie asked, surprised.

"Yes," he nodded, "it's a pity you ended up with her."

"Why?"

"You would have been better off with your parents," he sighed, "but at least you're alive and grown-up."

"I was told my parents died," Kelsie whispered, "are they still alive?"

"I don't know," the man said, "we were in a gunfight last time I saw them. They walked away from that but haven't seen them since."

"A few years ago ... a gunfight?" Kelsie felt like she had been punched in her gut.

"Oh, look at the time," he said, folding his lawn chair, "time to pack up for the dusk run."

"Dusk ...oh, right," Kelsie said, "where do I go?"

"You'll see," he said, "or you can follow me."

"Right," she whispered as he disappeared inside, "time to get ready."

Running on auto, she packed away her home, pulled her flask of coffee and box of snacks into the front seat with her and sat. Stunned.

"Focus, Kelsie, you're about to run for your life again and hopefully get to Jezebel's House," she sighed, "you've got to do this."

Breathing in deeply, Kelsie straightened her shoulders, waving at the woman who had stopped her early in the day.

"Are you ready?" the woman asked.

"I am," Kelsie said, "who do I follow?"

"You can follow me, and Jason will bring up the rear," the woman said, "let's move out."

Kelsie followed the mobile home in front of her; they seemed to be driving in circles before turning right and moving in a different direction. Kelsie watched the fuel indicator; she would need to find a stop to fill up before moving off again.

"Where are we going?" Kelsie murmured, "straight to a mountainside. Sure cause that is always a way out."

Waiting for the front mobile home to turn, Kelsie began to panic when they kept going. The convoy kept moving, and Kelsie's panic grew. What was that? Something was moving up ahead.

Suddenly they were in a tunnel, an extensive, high tunnel.

"This cannot be real," Kelsie shook her head, "it's like one of those movies with all the gadgets in, but it's really not real ... and I'm inside a mountain driving through a tunnel."

The front mobile home pulled over to the side of the tunnel, and Kelsie followed as well. Getting out of the vehicle, she looked around in wonder. The hard-packed sand made a perfect surface for a road. It was wide enough to be a highway, and a filling station was just up ahead.

"Is this real?" Kelsie asked.

"Yes, it is," the woman said, "my name is Jackie."

"Jackie and Jason," Kelsie said absently, "wait, I know those names."

"You should," Jackie smiled, "we were at your parent's home all the time."

Nodding, Kelsie looked around again, "What is this place?"

"It's our way in and out of the place we park our homes," Jason said, "if any other entrance is used by those arriving, we know they're in trouble."

"You think I'm in trouble?" Kelsie frowned.

"Were you asked for any identification at the gate?" Jackie asked.

"No," Kelsie said, "I thought that was just how it was out here."

"No, it isn't," Jason said, "you'll be tracked with the ID wherever you go."

"Your spot takes anyone in?" Kelsie asked.

"Yes," they said in unison.

"That is great to know," Kelsie murmured, "would you mind if I filled up here before going through?"

"You need to stay here the night," Jason said, "tomorrow, we'll take you through the rest of the way."

"Oh, that is very generous," Kelsie smiled, "but I need to get to Jezebel's House in the next few days."

"Sure, hun," Jackie smiled, "tonight, you're going to rest up here. We never travel this part of the country during the day."

Frustration laced through Kelsie, the delay making everything she was trying to achieve more time-sensitive.

"No, you don't understand," she said, pacing away and returning. "I have information that could save lives, many lives. I'm being tracked by the company I worked for; if they kill me before I can get this information out to the right people, the damage will be ..." she swallowed. "Well ... let's say that the casualties and deaths will be in their millions."

"A little exaggeration won't get this done any quicker," Jason said, "fill up your vehicle and rest here tonight. We'll leave at first light."

Kelsie wanted to hit something. Where was a punching bag when you needed it? Moving her vehicle into position and filling the tank, she thought of her next move. Somehow she needed to get to the cabin and send out the message.

"She needs to understand we're protecting her," voices drifted to her. "This cannot be done alone; besides, her parents would hold us accountable if she falls into their hands again."

"I know," another voice said, "we have her back, but I don't think she remembers anything."

"It's a chance we need to take," a female voice whispered, "Connie cannot get her to believe those lies; the truth has to come out."

"She's been with Connie?"

"Yes, we don't know how much damage has been done," the female whispered.

"Why does she need to keep moving?"

"She is hunted by the company that employed her," the female said again.

"They employed her," the words told Kelsie of the concern and danger, "she found something they are about to do and didn't obey orders."

"It would appear so," the female said, "something triggered her, and she didn't stay to finish their mission."

"Do you think she knows of her skill set?"

"No, everything so far is instinct," the whisper made Kelsie glance their way, "I wonder if the training is kicking in."

"We know that doesn't happen. Protection detail and monitor everything."

Kelsie finished filling her car as the group of people dispersed. A pounding heart rose to her constricted throat, and nausea rolled in her clenched stomach. Leaning against the vehicle and breathing deeply, she decided on a course of action. No more depending on others to get the job done and no more delays. She needed to leave. Tonight. She would find a way to do so.

"Jason," she called, rounding her vehicle, "where do I park?"

"I'll show you," he said, getting into the passenger's side, "follow the road until the red x on the wall."

Kelsie followed his directions taking in everything around her; she felt as though she was able to absorb tiny details, he glanced at her before saying, "You're safe for tonight. No one will find you here."

"Everyone keeps telling me this," she nodded, "why is that?"

"We want you to relax, even if it's just for tonight," Jason said, "you need your rest to continue. We want to give you that."

Kelsie acknowledged the words, but something deep within knew an agenda was in play. Everywhere she went, there seemed to be an agenda. She would follow the plan laid out for tonight until she had a chance to make her move.

Lying in the darkness, Kelsie looked at her watch; the luminous hands showed midnight. There was still movement and voices, not as many as before, probably the night's watch. Easing out of bed, she dressed and left her room. The natural stone passageways led her to the general area. Glancing around, she took in the kitchen, eating area, lounging area and a small room on end. Someone had left the door open. She could make out a map of this hideout on the wall. The space was empty. Quickly she mentally marked the areas she needed to know. Turning to leave, her gaze skated over a photo on the adjacent wall of herself, Jackie, Jason ... and her parents. Along with another man and a young boy. You could see they were related.

"What are you doing in here?" Jackie hissed, "you're going to get yourself killed."

"What is this place? Don't tell me it's a hideout," Kelsie said, "these are my parents, and from what I can make out, everyone seems to think they are alive."

"They are," Jackie said, "well we hope they are. They have been missing as long as you have," she glanced over her shoulder, "what are you doing out of your room?"

"I'm not staying here," Kelsie said, "I thank you for getting me to this point, but you and Jason are not going to jeopardise any more of your lifestyle for me." Kelsie blinked, as a memory of those exact words floated through her mind, "You know where my parents are?"

"We did," Jackie whispered.

Nodding, Kelsie left the room, moving toward the parking area of the mountain compound. Suddenly an alarm blared, the deafening noise bringing sudden activity from many directions. Ducking behind some boxes, Kelsie watched as bodies flew everywhere, shouting commands and orders.

"Status," a tall man in head to toe black barked.

"Incoming," someone answered him, "they are using a homing beacon from within our walls."

"Where are the newcomers?"

"Everyone is accounted for except one," another answer flew into the humming activity. "someone named Kelsie Conrad."

"Find her," the bellow scattered idle bystanders.

Stealthy moving between the boxes, Kelsie evaded searchers. Leaning up against a wooden trunk, she waited for a group of three to move past her. Peeking around the corner, she gasped quietly at the sight of the gear dripping from the security team. How did these people get that gear?

She was in more danger here than anyone knew. She ducked to another set of crates as another security team came through a doorway sweeping the area in a formation. Closing her eyes, she tried to get control of her breathing and a pounding heart in her throat and ears. The language used was military, and those phrases ... shallow panting started ... she had to fight for control. Shaking her head and clearing her thoughts, she rose carefully, checking where the team was; quickly, she moved toward the doorway, keeping to the shadows. The passageway was clear to make her way to the vehicle area.

Reaching for her keys, she froze at the clearing of a throat, "I wouldn't take your vehicle."

Turning, she met Jason's steady gaze, "Why not?"

"They made it a homing beacon," he said, "you were right. You're not safe until you get that information out."

"What is this place?"

"Something you'd be wise to forget," he said, his alert eyes tracking a slight sound, "move. There is another way out that is not well known."

He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the opposite side of the area. A cry arose as they ran across the sand, making for an unseen doorway as bullets peppered the floor around them and the walls they dashed past.

"Keep going," Jason called, "don't stop."

Kelsie ran as hard as she could, praying that the bullets would miss them both, following Jason down a narrow passageway to a hole at the end. He suddenly feigned left, grabbing her arm as she came into the open. Pulling her onto a ledge above a sheer drop into a wide river below.

Panting hard, Kelsie hugged the wall of the mountain.

"Is this the other side?"

"More or less," Jason panted, "we need to get lower and use the river."

"You cannot come with me," Kelsie said, "what about Jackie?"

"Jackie will be fine," Jason said, "everyone has to choose to stand for their beliefs and what is right."

"What does that mean?" Kelsie sighed, "this is getting very complicated. All I wanted to do was get to Jezebel's House and do what is right."

"You need to be alive to do that," Jason said, "now move. We're going downwards."