Rescued By An Alpha, Complete Set (15 page)

CHAPTER NINE

"You better follow me, or they'll think you are one of the crooks," Jim said to Tom. They made their way back to the edge of the jungle, where Franco was stationed.

"Meet my friend Tom," Jim said to Franco.

"Oh, there you are, you had me worried. Where were you? Tom? Hello, Tom, where did you find him?" Franco looked surprised.

"Tom found me. They ambushed me and scared the hell out of me," Jim said as he shook his head. "I haven't got Tom's story yet, so don't start asking questions. Tom will tell us all about it later." Franco nodded and looked at Tom. "It's good to see you're still alive. You've had everyone worried, but most of all, your best friend here, Jim, who refused to believe you were dead." Tom put his arm around Jim's shoulders. He had forgotten how small and skinny Jim was. The three of them went over to Victor, the commander, to report that they had found Tom. He looked Tom up and down with a bit of a smile. He stuck his hand out to shake.

"Hello, Tom, I'm so happy to meet you. We thought maybe you were dead. And here you are alive and looking well!" Tom shook his hand. "Good to see you all here."

"This is top secret, and we have to keep the media out of it. We have a lot of investigating to do yet, and if anything slips out to the press, it will spoil our chances of nailing the real big boys. So I'm afraid you'll have to lay low for the time being, Tom. You can't contact any of your family and friends until we give you the okay. We'll put you and Jim up in a place where you will be safe," Victor said.

"I can't call my family? I've been looking forward to call them and tell them I'm alive, that's a bit tough."

"Yeah, I know. But it is also for your own protection. There will be a court case. You were kidnapped and we need you to be one of the witnesses."

"But what about my friends, the shifters do you have to involve them too? Can't you just leave them out of it, they had nothing to do with Carlos Fontana. They live deep in the jungle and they are peaceful people."

"We will do all we can to protect them." Victor said.

"We will meet you back in camp as soon as we are finished here. We still have a few loose ends to tie up."

The three of them started to walk towards the camp. Tom, who was used to being on the alert in the jungle, kept his eyes open for any threats. He still had his bow and arrows over his shoulders, he wasn't ready to let go of them yet.

Up ahead he saw some movement in the bushes. He alerted Jim and Franco to take cover while he climbed up a nearby tree to get a better look at the surroundings. He spotted a big cat and called out to them to join him up in the tree. They were quick to respond, and with a bit of effort, they got up next to Tom.

"There is a big cat up ahead, and pretty soon he will be able to smell us. We have to sit tight until it leaves. Can you see him up there in the bushes near the road?"

"Oh yes... fuck, he's a hell of a big cat," Franco whispered.

The cat picked up their scent and slowly wandered up towards them. In a firm and precise movement, Tom knocked an arrow. The beast came closer, excited. His long tail swept the ground, preparing for an attack.

"Come a little closer, cat and you're dead meat," Tom growled.

Tom got his bow up and aimed straight for the cat. Just as it was about to jump, he shot the arrow right in its neck. It fell over and lay there motionless. The three of them sat there silent for a while, looking at the big cat on the ground. It was a beautiful animal, but if Tom hadn't shot him, the cat would have had them for lunch. Jim and Franco were shaken, but grateful.

"That was amazing! How did you learn to do that?" Jim asked in awe.

"Chan, the guy who saved me, taught me how to survive in the jungle," Tom said matter-of-factually. "I think it'll be safe to climb down from the tree now."

"Tom, do you think you could teach me how to shoot with a bow and arrow? I'm impressed with how you handled the cat and the way you climbed the tree with ease," Jim said.

"I learned from the best. Chan had me doing exercises every morning, and in the afternoon he taught me martial arts and fighting with sticks. It was a pretty intense training, but Chan told me it was necessary to learn if I wanted to survive out here in the jungle." Tom felt sorry for the cat, but at the same time, he was proud he had been able to save his friends' lives. They got safe back to camp, and Tom started to gather some wood to make a fire.

"This will help to keep any other animals away," he said. Jim and Franco began to help. In no time, they had a roaring fire going. Franco brought out some cans of baked beans he had in the car.

"Oh, baked beans! It's a long time since I had some of them!" Tom burst out in excitement. The others looked at him, forgetting that he had been living in the jungle for so long. Jim and Franco both laughed, suddenly aware of how ridiculous Tom looked--his long hair and beard, combined with the pelt and bow, made him look like a caveman. They sat around the fire while they waited for the rest of the team to come back. Tom began to fill them in about what had happened to him. They were mesmerized.

"If it wasn't for Chan helping me, I don't know what would have happened to me. It was impossible to get out of the room where I was held prisoner."

"What's the story with those jaguars?" Jim was curious to know more about them.

"I feel very protective of them, and don't want anyone to harm them. They're my friends, and have helped me all along the way. Please don't let this go any further. They're shape shifters. They are half human and half jaguar, and can change into either form, whatever suits the situation. They live in a big den deep in the jungle and live off fish from the river and the wildlife they kill."

"That sounds unreal."

"I was pretty shocked myself when I first saw Chan shift into a jaguar. He chased two wild cats invading his territory up the river, but I got used to it," Tom explained.

"I've heard rumors about people who could change shape before, but I have never come across anyone like it. What an adventure it must have been for you," Franco said.

"Yeah, it's been life changing for me. I've seen how other species can live together in harmony in a complete different lifestyle to ours. But there was always a threat, and many dangers to be aware of. That's why Chan pushed me every day to become more and more fit. It was tough in the beginning because I was so unfit compared to Chan. There was no way he was going to let me get away with not doing my exercises. But I learned. He was a good teacher and always praised me when I improved. It became fun once I got better at it."

"And you just saved our lives, which you may not have been able to do if Chan hadn't pushed you to keep up your training. Knowing you can defend us if another cat should sneak up on us makes me feel safer sitting here with you," Franco added

They heard the truck coming, and the helicopters landing out on the road. The noise from them was enough to scare any wildlife away from the camp. Victor ordered Tom, Jim and Franco to fly back with him in the helicopter to headquarters.

They landed in the yard at SIS headquarters. Some agents, who had already been alerted about their arrival, came running out to meet them. They all went into Victor's office, where they sat down in lounge chairs. His secretary came in to take notes of what was being discussed. Victor started to question Tom. He wanted to know everything that happened to him so he could close in on the people who were responsible for his situation.

"There is a lot to tell. I suppose I should start with the party at Carlos' house. We had finished with the drawings and plans of the mansion. I had mainly been involved with the mini model of the building. Then Carlos invited us all to the party and someone spiked my drink and the next thing I remember, I woke up in a room and look out the window and there is jungle all around me. Somebody had kidnapped me and I was held prisoner." Tom continued to tell what had happen to him and they all sat quiet listening while Tom told them his fascinating story.

"That's quite a story. Can you imagine how the media would love to get hold of it? We'll have to keep a lid on it because it also involves Carlos Fontana and his daughter Eva and we need to close in on all the criminals involved with Carlos Fontana." Victor said. It was a big story to unravel and Carlos Fontana and his daughter Eva were the guilty ones, the major criminals in the whole scheme so far.

"There will be a court case. Would you be willing to testify, Tom?"

"Yes, I would, but not so much for my sake, but to protect others from being harmed," Tom said.

"It's quite an adventure you've had. I can see you have benefited from it in many ways. We'll get you and Jim set up in a safe-house for now. I know it must be tempting for you to get on the phone and tell your family you are alive. But for your own protection, don't. We need to keep it a secret, so please don't try to contact anyone."

CHAPTER TEN

Franco drove Tom and Jim out of town to an isolated country area. A long driveway lead up to a cheerful white house hidden behind trees and bushes. It seemed to be a good hideaway for them. The only neighbor was a small farm nearby.

"Hey boys, I did some food shopping for you. There are some heavy bags in the boot, please carry them into the kitchen," Franco said.

"Food shopping? My pleasure. I can't wait to see what you bought." Tom laughed.

Tom looted the bags, leaving cans and food all over the kitchen bench of the spacious kitchen. "Yum," he said out loud, smacking his lips in anticipation.

It was a neat place and Tom and Jim believed they would be comfortable here for the time being. In the living room, a huge television sat on a cupboard with shelf. If they got sick of watching television, lots of different games filled up the shelves. There were plenty to keep them occupied. Franco, who was familiar with the place, showed them around. There were several bedrooms with comfortable beds. Out the back was a cozy veranda, adorned by overgrown creepers with purple and white flowers. A round table with chairs took up one area of the veranda, and on the other side, a couple of deck chairs to relax in.

"I'll come out here often to check on you. Here is my card with my number and the office number in case you can't get me," Franco said and handed Tom his card. They both thanked Franco for his help before he left. Tom and Jim went back inside the house and headed for the kitchen to sort out the food. They were both hungry. Jim turned out to be a good cook, and Tom was happy to act as the kitchen hand. In no time, Jim cooked a couple of steaks, a fried egg for each of them, and a few fries.

"Oh, this is heaven. I haven't eaten food like this for a long time," Tom rolled his eyes in delight.

"I'm glad you like my cooking, but wait till I get started. I know some real good recipes." Tom and Jim settled into the house. Down at the back of the property was a big shed. After taking a closer look at it, they discovered some exercise equipment inside. Tom was delighted. He missed working out every day.

"Jim, I don't want to frighten you, but we might think we are safe here, but I'm not so sure we are, those criminals working for Carlos will not think twice about killing us. After all we are important witness. I can protect myself, but what about you?

"I would like to help you Jim. I can teach you some of the training I've learned from Chan. What do you think of that?

"I suppose so. There isn't much else for us to do," Jim answered reluctantly.

"Good. We'll start tomorrow. We get up at seven, and after breakfast, we'll go down to the shed to work out for a couple of hours. After a little break, we'll go jogging up to the forest a few miles from here."

"Hey, hey take it easy with me, okay? Remember, I haven't had the training you've had and I'm not as fit as you are. I'll start slowly, and then we'll see how I do." Tom laughed.

"Okay, I promise to be easy on you." And so their workout started. Jim did his best to keep up the exercises Tom gave him. He wasn't doing too badly, Tom thought. The thing he worried most about was if one day someone would find out where they were staying. Jim would be an easy target if he didn't know how to defend himself. One day, when they ended up in the forest after their jog, Tom suggested they find some sticks of wood. He wanted to teach Jim how to fight with staves in case they were attacked.

"Oh yeah, that will be fun," Jim said in a sarcastic tone, but he knew Tom was right. He was only thinking of their safety, so Jim went along with the whole thing.

"I know all this training might seem pointless to you, but I've been in a position where I could not defend myself and I don't want to wish that on you, that is scary." Tom was concerned for Jim

He got his big knife out when they got back to the house with the wood and found a knife for Jim. They both cut and scraped the wood into size so they each had a set of sticks. The training began. Jim got into it and fought back with an energy he never knew he had.

"I must admit it is kind of fun. Thanks Tom, I'm grateful you gave me an extra little push to get on with the exercises. I'm beginning to see how useful and fun it is to be physically fit." Tom and Jim went on like that for some time. Jim doing well with all the physical exercises, Tom taught him. He was pleased with Jim's progress, and had turned out to be a very good jogger. One day when they came out of the forest after their run, they spotted a strange car outside their house. They stopped and decided to run back into the forest to hide. It was dark when they returned to the house and saw the car was no longer there.

"It looks like someone is out to get us. We have to prepare for an attack. I think we should call Franco to find out if any of his men was here," Tom said.

He phoned Franco and told him about the car, but he wasn't aware of anyone going out to them. He promised to come out in the morning. After one of Jim's delicious evening meals, they started to make a plan on how to handle the situation in case of an attack. They decided to sleep down in the shed that night and take turns to be on the look-out for any strange noises. It was early in the morning and still dark. Jim was awake and on the alert when he heard the sound of a motor in the distance and woke up Tom.