"I still think it's time we get out of here," Claudia said. "Tell your friend..."

     "But the bees..."

     "I think they're all dead, not just the ones in here."

     "I'm sorry, Claudia. I realize that, once again, I'm doing the exact opposite of what you want, but I'm not leaving Whisper until I absolutely have to."

     "Yeah, well, you know what, Skip? That's precisely where we're at. We absolutely have to leave right now."

     "She saved my ass, Claudia."

     "You think I haven't been saving your ass all day?"

     "Who are you talking to?" Whisper asked. "Who's Claudia?'

     "I've got a computer in my pocket," Skip said. "We talk."

     "Wow!" Whisper's eyes widened with wonder. "Can I talk to her?"

     "That's a good question. I have no idea whether you can or not." He asked Claudia, "Can she talk to you?"

     Claudia replied, "Whatever you want. Just get us out of this death trap."

     Whisper stiffened. It was like she'd been suddenly overcome by a seizure that caused her to stand absolutely rigid. Then,   

     Now, it was her turn to say, "We need to get out of here." Whisper went for a stairway that led to the main floor.

     Skip followed behind, but, as he did, he sputtered, "Are you going to...Is there something..."

     "We don't want any part of what's about to happen here," Whisper whispered. 

CONTINUE