Alive and Alone Read Online Free

 They are both capable in the woods, so I’d not worry about that part. Right now is the hardest part, because we have to wait and let Frank and his troops do their jobs.”
    “But, what if they're dead?”
    Carol lowered her eyes to her teacup, and then said, “Cathy, I hope they're both alive and doing well, but if they’re dead, then they’re dead.  There won’t be a thing we can do to change that and you know it.  I think you’re puttin’ the cart before the horse here.  Let’s wait and see what Frank finds as soon as this weather breaks.”
    “I'm so frightened Carol.  I feel so alone.”  Tears gathered in her eyes and then slowly made their way down her cheeks.
    “You ain’t alone Cathy and you’ll never be.  I’m here for you and Frank and his people are committed to findin’ your boys for you.” Carol spoke as she stood and then walked to Cathy’s chair, where she put her hand on the woman’s shoulder as she continued, "And if you feel like cryin’ Cathy, then have at it.  I guess any woman in your shoes right now would shed more than just a few tears.”
    Less than an hour later, as the two women sat in the living room watching television the show was interrupted with a special news broadcast, “The Anchorage office of the FAA announced this afternoon that a small aircraft, piloted by Doctor James Wade of Anchorage, has been missing for more than twelve hours.  Elmendorf Air Force Base has search and rescue crews standing by for a break in the weather, but according to Colonel Frank Wilcox, the squadron commander, all activities are on hold until the weather improves.  Doctor Wade and his son, David Wade, were flying southwest of Anchorage and disappeared off radar screens late yesterday.  We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.  This is Rodney J. Calbreath, reporting.”
    Once again, Cathy broke into tears and Carol moved closer to her friend and gave her a big hug.  It was at that moment Marie opened the front door and walked up the stairs to the living room.
    Marie threw her books onto the floor near a big overstuffed chair, looked at her mother and then asked, “What’s the matter mom?  Has something bad happened?”
    Carol, realizing Cathy was in no shape to explain things to the young girl said, “Marie, you father and David are both missin’.  Their plane went off the radar screens late yesterday afternoon.”
    “Are they ok?”
    “Honey,” Carol was unsure how to answer at first, but then replied, “We don’t know yet.  My husband, Frank, has crews ready to search for them, but the weather is too bad for them to go out right now.”
    “When will we know?  How could they crash, dad was a very good pilot?”
    “Marie, we just don’t know all of that yet.  Frank will find them, but it will take time.”
    The young girl moved to her mother’s side, put her right arm around her neck and pulled her close.  Carol felt her heartbreak as mother and daughter both broke into tears of anguish.   Frank, please, so somethin’ quickly!  It’s the not knowin’ that is the hardest part for these kind people, she thought as she stood and made her way into the kitchen. The least she could do was make dinner, not that they’d eat, but it was something to do.  Beside, Marie and Cathy deserved the time alone to reach to an understanding of what might have happened.
    Dinner was quiet and very little eating was done.  Finally, Cathy threw her fork onto her plate, stood and began to pace the floor.  At that moment, the phone rang.
    “Cathy Wade speaking,” Cathy spoke into the phone quickly.
    “Cathy, this is Frank again. My crews have gone out and started the search.  Now, I also have word from my audio fellows and they tell me Jim did in fact transmit a very weak mayday call just before he went off radar.  We now have a pretty good idea where the plane went down, so all we can to do is pray this weather will hold until we can find the