"Why does this always happen to us," Joe asked Frank quietly, "It always does."

"I know," Frank said, "It’s really not fair is it? I could tell that you were just starting to like her too."

"How would you know," Joe asked, not meeting his brother’s eyes, "It’s not like we were too close or anything."

"Come on," Frank said, "You two would have been perfect for each other. She was so much like you, it was unreal."

"I never really gave them a chance," Callie said, "I just put them aside and never said anything to them. Maybe they were nice after all."

"Get real," Joe said, "You haven’t liked any of my girl friends since Iola. They seemed like all the others."

"I’m sorry," Callie said, for probably the first time to Joe, "I really am."

Meanwhile, Vicki and C. J. had ducked behind a group of trees. Right after the shooting had begun, the men who had held them before left go of their hold. With the confusion, they had managed to get away. Now the two girls were staying out of sight.

They looked out from their hiding spot to see only the flying bullets. Vicki and C. J. didn’t even know which side was which. All they could see were black blurs, flying through the air on both sides. The girls looked at one another, "What are we going to do now," Vicki asked, "We just can’t run out there."

"We need a plan," C. J. replied, "A way to get out here without drawing any attention to us. Have any ideas?"

Vicki looked at her friend as if she had gone crazy, "Are you okay," she asked, "I’m not the one with all the plans. Why are you asking me?"

"You’re right," C. J. said, "Why am I asking you this?" Vicki managed to smile, despite the situation, "All right, here’s how it is. I figure that the Gray Man is around here somewhere. If we find him, maybe we’ll have a chance to help the others."

"Got it," Vicki agreed, "I have one question though. How are we going to find the Gray Man in all this?"

"I don’t know," C. J. replied, "but we have to try and find him. Otherwise, who knows what could happen? Come on." Vicki followed behind C. J. even though it felt strange not being in front. They moved cautiously, trying not to make a sound, although the gunfire drowned out all other noises.

Up ahead, several figures could be seen against the gun smoke. Vicki and C. J. could only hope these men were on their side. As they got closer, the girls recognized a figure directly behind them. It was the Gray Man. When he saw the girls, the Gray Man almost stopped short in surprise, but managed not to do so.

Vicki didn’t look too happy to see him. She knew that they needed his help, but he hadn’t been there the first time, "Where were you," Vicki demanded, "Was it part of your genius plan to let us get captured… again?!"

"Calm down," C. J. told Vicki, "It won’t get us anywhere if you get angry at him. We want him to help us. I’m sure he didn’t mean to leave us out there. Did you?" This last question was directed at the Gray Man.

"It was necessary," the Gray Man said, "It gave us a good chance to get everyone out here." Vicki held back her anger and managed to only glare at him silently. He didn’t seem fazed by it, not that Vicki thought he would.

"So you willingly left us out there," Vicki asked, "Did you know who you were leaving us with?"

"Sure did," the Gray Man said, "That one man inside, that was your uncle. No one else knows who he is, but he’s pretending to work with these men."

"Well, now we need to get back over there," C. J. calmly explained, "I’m sure there are still men in the building. Vicki and I can handle them."

"No," the Gray Man said, "You two are going to stay here until this is over." The girls walked to where he motioned before he brought his own gun back up. Then quietly, Vicki and C. J. began to form a plan.

After they were sure no one was watching them, Vicki stood up silently and walked away. C. J. followed a few moments later, her eyes watching the Gray Man. He never turned to look at them. The two sneaked off and headed in the direction of the shack. No one else was in sight.