Perplex Vision 2000

"How did you two get into our bodies, Uvigadva? I'm really interested to know all this," asked Diane, now that she was learning the truth she needed to know it all.

"I know. Your medically trained mind is just etching to learn more about this aspect of the events..."

"Itching," Diane corrected Uvigadva with a small smile.

"Whatever. I always had a hard time with your language, Diane. There is one thing you and Geoffrey have to understand and that is that Vaton and I are your friends. We really like you two and we will do everything possible to help you out in whatever area we can. I tell you what. Let us get you back home to safety and then we can talk more about it. We need your help, Diane. Yours and Geoffrey's. We just 'borrowed' your bodies temporarily because Vaton and I are also scientists and this was the best possible way to learn more about the Human race. By 'being' Humans. We are here on your miraculous planet as ambassadors of friendship and goodwill between your civilization and ours. We are your friends, Diane. You've got to believe us."

"I believe you, Uvigadva. After all you guys did for us, there is no doubt in my mind that you are here on a friendly mission."

"We will tell you all about once we all get to safety. Now, let us help your friends here. They must be confused out of their minds with our conversation."

"I bet they are," Diane said as she smiled at Vaton and Peter who watched her silently, not daring to interrupt her mysterious conversation with herself.

"You okay, Diane?" Peter finally asked shyly, reading compassion in Diane's shining eyes.

"I'm better now, Peter. Yes, indeed. I guess we better try to get back home before the terrorists catch up with us again. And about you, Vaton-Geoffrey, save your explanation for later. I just had a nice talk with Uvigadva and she told me a few things about you two. We'll talk about it later."

"Diane. You understand?" Vaton put so much passion in these three simple words that Diane, who was looking at him at the time, blushed to the tip of her ears. She suddenly realizing that she was sharing intimate moments with this stranger standing humbly in front of her, not knowing what to do, not knowing what to say. The thought alone made her look at Vaton differently.

"I understand a small part of it. Most of it is still mystery to me, but I know that the fog will clear out soon. I'm just going to wash some of this blood off my face and try to look a little more presentable. We need to try to get back to the house. Hey, Peter. Which way you think, is the safer way to follow this small trail?" asked Diane as she knelt down near the water and started washing off the blood.

"I'd say this way, Diane," Peter said pointing in the opposite direction from where Cassandra disappeared in the lush vegetation.

"Well, let's go then," Diane said simply as she stood up, looking considerably cleaner, she took off down the trail. Peter and Vaton followed her wordlessly.

They followed the windy trail through the thick marshes for several hours, fighting the overgrown brush the whole way. It didn't seem to be a well-beaten path. It probably was a hunting path, Diane concluded after they found a few shotgun shells on their path.

The sun was fading as dusk approached when they finally came to a more significant crossroad. The path cut across a well-beaten country road, wide enough to drive a four-by-four vehicle on it.

"Now we're getting somewhere," Peter said excitedly, as he looked down at the dirt road to check some fairly fresh tire tracks. "The truck drove that way," he concluded pointing his hand in a westerly direction. "According to the tire pattern imprints in the sand," Peter explained when the two looked at him curiously.

Nearly an hour later two hunters in a four-by-four Blazer finally picked them up.

"It's hunting season, folks. It's not too safe to wonder around the marshes at this time of the year," the old, snow-haired fellow driving the truck explained.

"We just went for a long walk and got lost," Peter fed him a white lie in order to ease any suspicions.

The hunters dropped them off at the closest small community located at the intersection of several country roads.