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			  RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH

 		         by Jeanette Larsson (c) 1999

				CHAPTER FIVE


-Not at all, Garrett responded. Just work with me on this one, and 
I guarantee you'll be free of your every problem.
-You better not take this too far, Sydney said warningly.
-Trust me.
-Right, she mumbled while they joined the others.
-Is there something wrong? Mila asked concerned as Sydney and Garrett 
came up to her and Billy. 
-No, not at all, Garrett said calmly. He smiled at her and she smiled 
back, Sydney watching squeamishly.

-I haven't really thanked you for saving my life yet, have I? Sandy 
asked Saja.
-Don't worry about it.
-No, I owe you. If there's anything I can do for you, anything at 
all, just let me know.
-Sing to me. Sandy let out a small laugh, and directed a huge smile 
Saja's way.
-Sure, what would you like to hear?
-I wasn't talking about tonight, I was referring to you maybe singing 
to me for a consecutive length of time.
-What does that mean?
-That I'd like to see even more of you when we get back.
-If we get back, you mean.
-No, when.

-They're gone, one of Barek's men said to the other as they reached 
the camp. A muffled noise came from one of the bushes. One of the men 
approached it and there discovered the two masked men gagged and tied 
up. He exclaimed something in their language, which sounded much like 
swearing. 
-What happened here? How could they escape?
One of the masked men, now having taken off his mask and revealing his 
bald head, tried to explain himself.
-People came from behind, surprised me.
-Where did they go?
-I don't know. It was dark.
-We'll take over from here. You two have proven unqualified for this 
matter. The man spoke perfect English, without as much as a trace of an 
accent. He had blonde hair and was athleticallybuilt. 
-We came for the map, but now we have a second mission. 
-What's that? His dark-haired companion asked. 
-The boss told me that if we had the chance, we should get the dark-
haired girl as well.
-So what should we do?
-Follow them, until we get that chance...

-Callie! Hey, wait up! Please... Jimmy called out to her, and she slowed 
down. 
-What? She said, slightly annoyed. 
-Don't you think you're going to fast? Callie looked over her shoulder, 
the others were farbehind her and Jimmy. 
-We have to cover enough ground tonight to get as far away from those men 
as possible.
-It's almost morning, we've been walking all night, I think we're all 
pretty tired, he said in a pleading voice.
-Fine, we'll stop for a while! She sat down on a stone, as if in protest.
-Hey, you guys! Take a break! Jimmy shouted out to the others, who almost 
immediately sat down on the ground.
-Jimmy! Keep it quiet, all right? We have no idea where those people are! 
Callie said in a low voice.
-What's wrong? And don't tell me it's nothing, 'cause I know you, Walker 
Woman. You don't get like this for nothing.
-Well, that just proves how little you know me! Nothing's the matter, 
I just don't want to be around you!
-Fine, if that's how you feel. You won't hear from me again. Jimmy turned 
away from her, and walked over to the others. Callie put her hands to her 
head, and started crying silently. After a while, Sydney came over to her 
and sat down beside her.
-Callie, are you crying? She asked concerned.
-No, of course not. She looked up at her friend, and tried to make it look 
like she got something in her eye. Sydney didn't buy it.
-Look, you helped me out when I was feeling worse than ever, and I just 
wanna do the same for you, if you'll let me...
-Thanks for the offering, but I'm fine, really, it's just been a lot going 
on lately.
-I'm not used to seeing you this way, that's all. You're always the strong 
one.
-Well, I can't take it anymore! Everyone thinks I've got everything under 
control, but that's impossible, I can't tell people what to do all the time.
-Sure you can, I do it myself. Of course, lately it seems like my powers 
are weakening, I can't even get Nancy to leave me alone. 
I can't even get Nancy to leave me alone. 
Callie looked up at her curiously.
-What do you mean by that? Her brow furrowed. Has Nancy been up to some of 
her old tricks again?
Without a trace of any expression on her face, Sydney just turned away 
from Callie's gaze.
-Well, you know Nancy.
Callie scooted over a bit closer to Sydney.
-Why? What's she doing to you now? I noticed you seemed a bit relunctant to 
let her aboard, so did everyone, but you allowed her. Now, what's up?
Sydney tried shrugging off Callie's questions.
-It's nothing. Besides, don't you have your own problems that you need 
help with? 
That's why I came over here. Not to discuss this.
-It'll help me keep my mind off things. Callie shrugged. So what's the 
problem with Nancy?
-She found out the truth about me and Sandy.
Callie gasped. -She did? How?
Sydney shrugged. -I wish I knew.
Callie placed her arm around Sydney's shoulder. -It'll be ok. At least she's 
everybody's problem. Maybe we can leave her when we get out of this island. 
The two girls giggled.
-But seriously, Callie continued. She'll go away. She's your only problem.
-Yeah right. Sydney muttered to herself. Unfortunately, Callie heard her.
-What do you mean? You mean there's more? What else problem do you have 
besides Nancy? Callie asked her.
-Oh, just that Billy's fallen for me, and as an attempt to get rid of him, 
me and Garrett thought up a plan. See, he was supposed to pretend to like Mila, 
so that Billy would pay her some more attention, only, I think Garrett's 
enjoying his part a little too much...
-Hey, if he's gonna fall for her again, then you'll know he wasn't worth 
having.
-I know, it's just that we've fought so hard for this, I thought we belonged 
together.
-Hey, girls! What do you say, shall we hit the road? Garrett said in a 
cheerful voice, with Mila at his side. Sydney looked away, and Callie said: 
Sure, it's about time, and got up. Sydney slowly stood up as well.
-Great! Let's go find that treasure! Callie looked at him incredulously.

Later that day...
-Does anyone know where we are heading? Mila asked, tired from the long walk.
-Yes, where *are* we heading? Sydney looked at Garrett, now having gotten back 
at least some of her nerve.
-I thought I told you, we're going after that treasure.
-You mean the one those awful men were looking for? Glory asked. Garrett, I 
don't like the sound of this.
-Don't worry, sis. Once we find that treasure, we'll have something to 
negotiate with. If those guys came here looking for the treasure, that means 
they know a way off this island. I'm thinking a little trade would be in order.
-No, wait. Callie interjected. You really think they'll let us leave? she 
said, critically. That's not the way these people function.
-How would you know? Nancy asked.
-I've been around, ok?
-I still say we go with Garrett's plan, Mila said.
-You would, Sydney said under her breath.
-Did you say something, Sydney? Mila asked innocently.
-No, nothing.
-So, what's it gonna be, people? Garrett looked around at his friends.
No one said anything.
-Ok, I'll put it this way. Who wants to go and do something about this 
situation, instead of just sitting around, waiting for something to come get 
us? He raised his hand. All in favor?
Callie kept her arms crossed. Mila raised her right hand, so did Owen, 
following his goddess' lead. Neil did so as well, but J.T, not wanting to side 
with Garrett, kept his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Sydney had her hands 
on her hips. Nancy raised her hand, after a while, so did Glory. J.T looked 
at her questioningly. 
-He's my brother, I have to trust him.
Sandy also raised her hand.
-Whatever the stars have planned for us, it shall come no matter what we 
decide, Saja mumbled. But when he saw Sandy's raised hand, he added: So 
we might as well make time pass until that moment, and he raised his as 
well.
-Well, it looks like I win.
-Don't think of it as a victory, Callie said coldly. Think of it as the 
biggest 
mistake of your life.
-Now, Callie, I wouldn't have pinned you as a bad looser. 
-Hey, Garrett, knock it off, Jimmy came to her defense.
-Let's go, Garrett said commanding.
Mila instantly followed, and after a while, so did the rest of the gang. 
Sydney, Callie and Jimmy came last. 
-I'll just leave you two, Sydney said, excusing herself. And work things 
out now, you hear? She whispered in Callie's ear and hurried off to catch 
up with Glory.
No one said anything for a long while. Jimmy was the first to break the 
silence.
-Hey, Walker Woman, I know something's bothering you, why don't you tell 
me about it?
-What makes you say that?
-The way you looked back there, when you told Garrett he's made a big mistake. 
What did you mean by that, anyway?
-I just... Remember back in Swans Crossing? When Barek kidnapped me? 
-Of course, how could I forget?
-Well, back at that cave, when that man grabbed me... I felt it again, the 
terror. I don't know why, but something tells me that these guys are for real, 
and they could seriously hurt us. And for once, I have no clue on what to do. 
I wish my dad was here, to give me advice. 

Swans Crossing, the Rutledge mansion.
-Your mail, madam. 
-Oh, thank you, Ralph. Just put it on the coffee-table, if you would.
-Certainly, madam. And where would that be? 
-Excuse me? The Mayor turned around, and realized that her request had been 
very unclear. You could hardly see a bookcase in the mess, let alone a 
coffee-table. Oh, I'm sorry Ralph. Just put it anywhere.
-Yes, madam. Ralph turned to leave, but stopped himself. Madam?
-Yes, Ralph.
-I don't mean to disturb you, but was not miss Rutledge supposed to be at 
home by now.
-Yes, they're coming this afternoon. Would you be a dear and pick Sydney up 
at the docks? I do not want my daughter to spend any more time than necessary 
with that Booth-boy.
-Far be it from me to criticize your decisions, madam, but did you not accept 
young master Booth?
-Yes, you're so right, Ralph. But I've had this weekend to reflect upon my 
words.
-I see, madam. And what time should I be at the docks?
-Well, Sydney said they would be back around four, so I suppose that is what 
we have to go after.

-We should have been home by now, Glory said, more to herself than to Sydney, 
walking beside her.
-I know, mother will probably be worried sick about me.
-I wonder what everyone back home will say when they find out we're missing... 
Jimmy said.
-I just hope that dad takes the sub out to look for us, Callie said. 
-But how would he find us? Sydney complained. We're in the middle of nowhere, 
on some island that might not even be on the map!
-It wasn't on the map, was it? Glory wondered. 
-What is this place? Sydney said in a desperate tone of voice.
-Calm down, Sydney. There's nothing we can do about it, let's just make the 
best of the situation.
-That's easy for you to say! You've grown up in places like this, you've been 
around. I don't know anything about wildlife, and quite frankly, it scares me 
to death!
-Sydney? Garrett called out to her. When she didn't respond, he stopped and came 
towards her. I thought I heard you, what are you getting so upset about all of 
the sudden?
-Nothing! Just leave me alone! She hurried past him and left him standing there 
like a fool, not understanding her reaction.

-Sydney? Callie followed closely behind her. Will you please stop? She touched 
her arm and Sydney turned around to face her friend.
-What? she said angrily.
-What's going on? The way you just snapped back there. A moment ago you were 
comforting me, remember?
-I... I don't know, all of the sudden, something came over me. It was as if 
I couldn't control myself any longer. I don't know what I was saying...
-Listen, I felt it too. None of us are reacting as we normally do, there's 
something strange going on here... and I'm gonna find out what it is. Now, take 
a deep breath, relax, and we'll join the others, ok?
-Alright, she agreed. The turned around and went back to the place where the 
others were standing, waiting for them.
-It's okay, Callie said in a steady voice. Let's keep on walking...

Meanwhile, in a worn-down hut in the middle of a swamp somewhere.
-Spirits, lead the young souls to me, look into their hearts and let them be 
changed, the old woman chanted. The herbs lying in front of her started glowing 
and suddenly turned to flames. Her eyes glowed brightly red in the light from 
the fire.


                               To be continued...


I'd like to thank Sansan for all her help with this chapter, she even wrote 
the most part of the dialogue between Callie and Sydney. Also, thank you for 
reading my story, and for all the comments I get. I know I haven't been real 
good at sending in my chapters on a regular basis. A special thank you to Miss 
Swan for being so patient and for all the help with my storylines.

***If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., email Jeanette 
at jan.larsson@d.lrf.se