by Janice Hanna
The wind began to howl louder and louder, and the girls huddled together. Off in the distance, the skies began to look heavy and gray.
Kate opened her phone and waited for a signal. “Come on.” She shook the phone, frustrated. “Work! Please work!” A few seconds later, she had a faint signal. Kate quickly typed in the name of the lodge.
“Pray, Sydney,” she said. “This has to work.”
“Okay. I’m praying.” Sydney’s eyes were filled with tears, and Kate knew her ankle must really be hurting. Sydney never complained!
A couple of minutes later, just as Kate started to get her hopes up, she lost the signal on her phone. She closed it with a sigh. “What’s the point of having GPS tracking if I can’t get a signal?”
A burst of cold air caught her by surprise, and she began to shake. “Is it getting colder, or am I just imagining it?”
“I–it’s g–getting c–colder. And the snow is really coming down now. See?” Sydney pointed to the skies, then huddled next to Kate, shaking. She closed her eyes. “I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly getting tired.”
“It’s the altitude. And the dark skies.”
Kate looked up. The sky hung heavy over them, a sure sign that a heavy snowfall was on its way.
“W–what are we going to do?” Sydney broke down in tears.
Kate had never seen this side of Sydney before. Usually her friend was the strong one…the brave one.
Now I have to be strong and brave!
“They’re going to find us,” Kate said, doing her best to sound confident. “We’ve got the transmitters on our snow boots, remember? That’s the very best tracking device.”
“Yes, but your Uncle Ollie’s not coming back till two o’clock,” Sydney reminded her. “It will be hours before they even realize we’re missing. No one will know to look for a signal till then, and I’ll be frozen stiff by two o’clock!”
“Don’t say that!” Just the thought of it sent a shiver down Kate’s spine.
“I’m sorry.” Sydney pulled at the scarf around her neck. “I don’t know why I’m so scared.”
“It’s normal when things go wrong. Just keep praying, Sydney.”
“I need to,” her friend said. “My throat is starting to feel funny. And my eyes sting from the ice.”
“Would you be okay for a minute if I went to look for someone to help?” Kate asked. “I’ll come right back, I promise.”
Sydney leaned against the tree and nodded. “Just promise you won’t stay gone long. And leave a trail so you know how to get back to me. I don’t want to get stuck out here alone.”
“Me either. I’ll follow my footprints back.” As soon as Kate spoke the word footprints, she remembered the footprints they’d found behind the creamery. Would they ever figure out who was sabotaging the Hamptons?
This isn’t the time to worry about that!
Kate hated to leave her friend, but she wanted to check something. If she was remembering correctly, there was an old red barn just south of here. She’d seen it yesterday when the skies were clear. If they could just make it to that barn, they could warm up. And maybe she could get better reception there, too. If so, she could call her father or Uncle Ollie on her cell phone. They would come in a hurry!
A few minutes later, Kate found a trail. It wound through tangles of brush and snowcapped trees. She turned to the right and then the left, trying to get her bearings. Lord, help me. Please. A tree branch slapped her in the face, and snow flew everywhere.
“Oh!” The pain shot through her cheek, and she ducked to wedge her way underneath the low snow-covered branches.
A few seconds later, she heard the strangest sound… like something falling and hitting the earth below. Taking a step, she heard a c-ra-ack! The ground underneath her shifted, and she started to tumble forward!
Down, down, down she went…praying all the way!
Along Came a Spider
Kate tumbled down through several layers of snow and ice until she landed with a thud on an icy patch of ground. She rubbed at her backside and cried out in pain. “Oh, help!” Right away, she began to pray. “Lord, get me out of here. Please!”
Pushing her weight backward, she landed on sturdy ground. However, the place where she stood just seconds before collapsed. Down, down, down it went, making a crashing sound below.
She peeked over the edge, realizing she’d almost stepped off the edge of a drop-off. Somehow she had stopped…just in time! Kate’s heart thumped hard against her chest. How close she’d come to falling! Another look convinced her it was a long way to the bottom. I could have died! Something—or Someone—had saved her, just in the nick of time!
And where was the crackling sound coming from? She still heard it off in the distance. Squinting against the blinding snow, she saw something that looked like a frozen waterfall to her right. Pieces of the ice had broken off and fallen into the spot way down below. The frozen water led down to the place where she might have landed, if she’d taken one more step.
Whoa! Talk about a long drop! Thank You, Lord! You saved my life.
Kate scooted backward on her bottom, finally confident enough to try to stand. Only one problem. Her clothes were now damp and so cold. Straightening her legs was tough. And her feet suddenly ached. “Lord, just a few more minutes,” she whispered. “I have to find a safe place.”
Struggling against the strong wind, she kept her balance. Kate tried her cell phone once more. No signal. Determined to succeed, she turned toward the right. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
For whatever reason, she thought about Phillip and her science project. Suddenly—with her life in jeopardy—it seemed so silly to hold a grudge against someone else. Really, the only thing that mattered right now was getting help for Sydney!
After a few treks through the deepening snow, Kate finally caught a glimpse of something red in the distance.
“Oh, good!”
An old, dilapidated barn stood alone against the backdrop of white snow.
It’s a long way away, but I think we can make it.
She used her own footprints to run back to Sydney. Kate found her in tears, seated on the ground next to a tree.
“I’ve found a safer place to wait,” Kate explained. “Do you think you can take a few steps with my help, as long as they’re not downhill?”
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Sydney spoke above the rising winds. “That was our Bible verse a couple of weeks ago in Sunday school.”
“Wow! That’s amazing! I was just quoting that verse!”
With Kate’s help, Sydney rose and leaned against her. Together they took their first step through the mounds of snow.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Sydney said.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Kate echoed.
They continued saying the words until they drew closer, closer, closer to the old red barn. Finally they reached the door.
“It looks really old, Kate,” Sydney said. “I don’t even think that door will open. The hinges are broken.”
“It has to open. It just has to.” Kate reached for the door, praying all the time. After a struggle, she managed to get it open. “There! See!”
“Oh, it’s dark in here.” Sydney took a few hobbling steps inside, and Kate followed her.
“I wish we had a flashlight. It’s kind of creepy.”
“You don’t think there are any…” Sydney’s voice trailed off.
“What?” Kate asked.
“Rats?” Sydney whispered.
Kate shuddered. “Oh, I didn’t think of that. How strange would that be? To find rats here.”
She squinted, her eyes finally getting adjusted to the dark. “Ooo! This place is filled with spiderwebs!”
She found herself caught in one and began to bat at it, pulling it apart. “Gross!”
“This is so creepy!” Sydney said. “I don’t like spiders any more than I do rats. But this place is filled with them. Look!” She pointed as a large spider crawled up the wall. “Remember your Aunt Molly said the creamery had spiders, too? I wonder if they were this big?”
“I don’t know. But, look, Sydney. There are some mounds of hay over there.” Kate pointed, getting more excited by the minute. “If we can get down inside the hay, I think we’ll warm up. Then I’ll try to use my phone again.”
The girls had just settled down into the soft, cushy straw, when Kate thought she saw the door crack open. “W–who is it?” she called out. She began to shake all over!
The door slammed shut, making a clacking noise as the wind caught it and pushed it back and forth.
“Do you think that was a person?” Sydney asked. “Or maybe just the wind?”
“I’m too scared to look!” Kate pinched her eyes shut and sat in fear for a moment. Then, just as quickly, she felt courageous. “I’m tired of being a scaredy-cat! I’m going to look.” She ran over to the door and inched it open. Staring out onto the open expanse of snow, she thought she caught a glimpse of someone.
“Come and help us!” she called out.
The person—who looked like a boy or maybe even a man—disappeared in the distance. He wore a dark jacket and carried a big backpack. But why would he be hanging out at an empty, abandoned barn? And what was in the backpack?
Or was he even real? Kate turned back to Sydney and sighed.
“Who was it?” her friend asked.
“I don’t know.” Kate rubbed at her eyes. “Maybe it was no one! Have you ever heard of a mirage?”
“A mirage?” Sydney yawned. “Like, something you see only in your imagination, but it seems so real you actually think it is real?”
“Right.” Kate shrugged. “First it looked like someone… then it didn’t. Maybe my overactive imagination is working overtime! My mom accuses me of that sometimes.”
With the door still cracked, Kate opened the phone and saw a tiny signal. The GPS tracking system opened, but the signal faded almost immediately. Kate prayed a silent prayer: Lord, I’m scared. And I don’t know what to do. But I know You do. Help us, Lord. Please! I’m starting to imagine things—and they’re not good!
“My ankle hurts even more.” Sydney’s voice sounded weak. “And I’m getting so tired. Feels like it’s nighttime, but it’s barely even noon. Right?”
“Right. But I’m getting sleepy, too,” Kate agreed with a yawn. “Maybe it’s because it’s so dark in here.” She walked back over to the straw and curled up next to Sydney. She wanted to rest, but visions of spiders and spiderwebs kept her awake. What if she dozed off and one of those creepy crawlers crawled into her hair? Or down her arm! Ooo! What a terrible thought!
Minutes later, Kate’s eyes grew heavier, heavier, heavier. Though she tried to fight the sleepiness, before she realized it, her eyes were closing—and she was sound asleep. She dreamed of rats and spiders, all chasing her down a big hill!
Kate couldn’t be sure how much time passed, or if she was dreaming. But at some point, she heard the sound of a man’s voice outside the barn and the sound of a dog barking. It sounded like a distant echo, like something from a dream.
“W–what is that?” She sat up, trying to figure out where she was. She could only make out shadows in the dark barn, but she definitely heard sounds coming from outside. The barking continued, sounding more and more familiar!
“Biscuit!” Was she dreaming? It sounded like her canine companion!
“Is anyone in there?” a man’s booming voice rang out.
Kate jumped up, her eyes still heavy with sleep. “Sydney! They’ve found us.”
Sydney awakened and rubbed her eyes. “W–what? Who’s found us?”
“Sounds like Pop and Uncle Ollie!” Kate tried to stand but could hardly move, she was so cold. Every joint and muscle ached.
“We’re in here!” she called out. “Help us, please!”
“We’re here! We’re here!” Sydney called out, sounding hoarse and tired.
The door to the barn swung wide, and Kate’s father stood there. Uncle Ollie appeared next to him with Biscuit at his side. The dog ran straight for Kate, jumping into the pile of hay and spreading it everywhere.
“Kate!” her father called out, his voice cracking with emotion. “I was so scared!”
“Pop! I’m so glad you’re here! How did you know where to find us? I couldn’t use my phone.”
“Michael came and got us,” Uncle Ollie explained. “He told us you were here.”
“Michael?” Kate and Sydney spoke at the same time.
“How did he know we were here?” Kate asked, more confused than ever.
Uncle Ollie shrugged. “I’m not sure. He just said he saw you girls go into the old red barn on the south side of the pass. He was worried you might be in trouble.”
“We were in trouble, so why didn’t he come inside and talk to us?” Sydney asked. “That doesn’t make any sense! He left us all by ourselves.”
Uncle Ollie shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know that he saved your lives by telling us you were here! We owe him our thanks.”
“Humph.” Sydney crossed her arms and made a face.
Biscuit jumped up and down, licking Kate in the face.
“He’s happy to see you!” Uncle Ollie said with a nod.
“I’m happy to see him, too. I…I wasn’t sure I ever would again.” Kate burst into tears at once, realizing just how scared she’d been.
“How will we get back to the inn?” Sydney asked, looking nervous. “My ankle is injured. And I think it’s really bad this time.” Her tears started up again.
“Oh, we’re on the snowmobiles,” Kate’s father explained. “But if you’re injured, we’d better take you to the emergency room as soon as we get back to town.”
Sydney’s tears started flowing when she heard the words emergency room. “I’m never going to get to ski in the competition now. I can’t believe this!”
“Remember, ‘all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose,’” Uncle Ollie reminded her. “God will use this situation in a good way. Just watch and see.”
“I don’t see how He can, but I’m going to choose to believe that,” Sydney said with a sigh.
Minutes later the girls climbed aboard the snowmobiles. Kate rode behind her father, and Sydney rode behind Uncle Ollie. As they made their way up one hill and down another, Kate thought about everything that had happened that day. Sydney’s ankle. Almost falling down into a frozen creek. Finding refuge in a barn. Michael.
Hmm. Thinking of Michael raised so many questions. He hadn’t been a mirage after all. But why didn’t he stop to talk to them? Why did he run off, even if it was to get help?
Something about that boy just seems wrong.
As soon as they arrived at the inn, Kate’s mother and Aunt Molly ran out to greet them. The girls were showered with kisses, then Kate’s mom called Sydney’s mother on the phone to tell her what had happened.
She gave them permission to take Sydney to the emergency room, and the girls and Mrs. Oliver piled into the car. As soon as they got inside the car, Kate finally felt free to cry. Oh, what a day it had been! Her tears flowed—partly in relief for being safe and partly because of the things she had faced earlier in the day.
Just then, her cell phone beeped. Now I get a signal! She glanced down, noticing a text message had come in from Elizabeth. Strangely, it was a scripture verse, the same one she and Sydney had been quoting all day.
Kate almost cried as she read the words: “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS WHO STRENGTHENS ME.”
Somehow she knew this was more than a coincidence.
Curds and Whey
Later that evening, after returning from the emergency room, Kate and Sydney enjoyed a quiet evening with the family. Thankfully, Sydney’s ankle wasn’t broken, though the d
octor said it was a bad sprain. After putting a splint on it, he warned Sydney to stay off of it for at least two weeks and to keep it elevated. She didn’t care for that idea very much.
“That’s my whole Christmas break!” she had argued. Still, she had no choice. Under Aunt Molly’s watchful eye, Sydney kept it elevated for the rest of the day and kept ice packs on it. Every time she started to put it down, Aunt Molly would tell her she was going to call her mama. Then Sydney would put it back up again and groan.
As they ate their dinner, Kate kept thinking about the skiing competition. What a shame! Three hundred dollars lost! Sydney wouldn’t get to go on her mission trip now, after all. But what could be done about it? And with Sydney’s ankle in such bad shape, would they ever figure out what was going on at the creamery? Surely Kate’s parents wouldn’t let her go alone to snoop, not after what happened today!
After a wonderful meal, everyone relaxed around the fireplace and told stories. Kate told everything that had happened to them on the ski course, right down to the point where she almost fell into the frozen creek. Her mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, I should have gone with you! I can’t believe I let you go without an adult. Can you ever forgive me for letting you go alone?”
Kate rushed to her mom’s side and leaned against her. “There’s nothing to forgive, Mom! We wanted to go by ourselves, remember? But I forgive you, anyway…if it makes you feel better! I’ve learned to forgive quickly and not to hold a grudge!” She gave her mom a squeeze. “Not that I could ever hold a grudge against you—even if you did do something wrong, which you didn’t!”
“Thank you, sweetie,” her mother said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “That makes me feel better.”
“Forgiving quickly is always a good plan,” her father said. “Remember that time I had to forgive the man who claimed he invented one of my robots?”
“Oh, that’s right,” Kate said. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“And remember the time that woman backed out of her parking space and hit my car?” Kate’s mom said. “She wasn’t very nice about it, and neither was the insurance company—but I had to forgive.”
