The wind howled and shrieked, knocking the cloud cars every which way; the drivers were having a tough time trying to steer and watch where Hugs was leading them. Every cloud car was packed to the brim with whatever the Care Bears could salvage in a short time befor they fled and several injured lay unconscious in the backseats.
Hugs knew that his family was depending on him to lead them to this safe place he said he knew about. He and Tugs had been there several times and knew where the place was by heart, but there’d usually been signs and landmarks to point the way; in this pitch blackness, he could barely even see his paw in front of his face. Taking a deep breath and hoping he was going the right way, Hugs took the rainbow wheeler and slowly led them all into the deepening night.
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“Does he even know where we’re going?” yelled Grumpy Bear. His cloud car shook and bucked wildly as he fought to keep it from spiraling out of control.
“I hope so!” said Funshine Bear.
They’d been heading due east for the past 3 hours and it looked like Hugs had no idea where to go. They were all wet and hungry and exhausted. Even Cheer Bear was losing some of her cheer.
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“Hugs, aren’t we there yet?” asked Tenderheart over the radio.
Tugs picked up the handset and replied that they only had a few more miles to go.
Hugs was beginning to worry. Tugs had been saying the same thing for some time now and they were no where close to their secret hiding place. He didn’t even know where it really was! It was too dark to see and no landmarks to follow and he was scared!
Tugs patted him comfortingly on the arm. “It’s ok Hugs. We believe in you.”
Yeah, but I don’t believe in myself. “Tugs, it shouldn’t be taking this long to get there. What if it’s gone? What if it’s been destroyed, like Care A Lot has? What if we never get there? What if…”
“Hugs! Don’t think like that! Remember what She said? That no matter what happened, She would always be there. No storm could ever destroy Her. So don’t doubt that She isn’t out there.” Tugs gave him a quick hug. “ok?”
“Ok,” grumbled Hugs. Feeling a little better, but still insecure, Hugs drove on.
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The dangerous drive seemed to go on forever. Not once did Hugs veer from his northern course. It didn’t even look like he new where they were going; the Care Bears were getting depressed and angry. Hugs had promised them a safe haven and now it looked like he wasn’t about to come through. They didn’t even know where they were and they couldn’t go back to Care A Lot! Buffeted by wind and rain, Share Bear veered close as he could to Tenderheart’s cloud car and yelled across, “We’re lost! Hugs and Tugs don’t know where they’re going and we can’t turn back! Do something!”
“We have to trust them! They said they knew where a safe place was and I believe them! Give them a chance!” Tenderheart yelled back. In jagged arcs that leaped across the sky in a deadly display of beauty, lightening flashed, threatening to incinerate everyone. Tenderheart had to do something fast, or they’d all be fried and no more care bear family. As he was about to rush forward and take over, a ball of bright light suddenly appeared. It reminded him of Saint Elmo’s fire.
“Hugs, Hugs! Look! She sent us a beacon! She’s going to lead us in!” Tugs crowed gleefully and hugged Hugs. She was practically screaming in his ear. “We’re saved! We’re saved! Praises to Her!” The orb bounced and circled around them before steadying in front of the rainbow wheeler and leading them out of the storm.
Hugs sighed in relief. “Call Tenderheart and the others and have them follow that orb. We’re safe now.”
“Tenderheart, come in Tenderheart! I’ve got good news!”
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The glowing orb lead them from the storm into a calm darkness. It was very mysterious; almost no light except for the dull glow of the rainbow wheelers and the orb. Just about everything was on it’s last leg, the cloud cars had lost their smiles and were barely puffing along; the Care Bears were wet and hungry and tired of traveling. “We’re doomed,” gloomed Grumpy Bear.
“Where are we?” asked Surprise Bear. He’d never seen anyplace that was so dark and still—so empty of everything. He shuddered at the unnaturalness of it all.
Do not fear, Care Bears. You are among friends, tinkled gentle voices. Here, you will be sheltered from the storm and have a chance to get back on your feet. Gasps of surprise and wary glances about the dark area didn’t show who had spoken to them.
“Tenderheart, where are we?” whispered Proud Heart Cat. She was leery of bodiless voices and her tail was all puffed out.
“I don’t know, but I wish we had some light,” answered Tenderheart.
Like a wish suddenly granted, there was a glow. Tenderheart whipped around to look at Wish Bear, who shook her head. This wasn’t her doing. The streak of soft light seemed to come from nowhere and slowly lit up a rock formation across a placid lake. The rocks were the only colors they could see, a soft tan and muted gold; everything else was dark, black. Even the sky was empty of any color. Please, if you will follow the light, you will find a place to land and to rest. Do not be hesitant in any requests, said the soft voices again, with that the glowing orb split apart in a beautiful display and disappeared.
“Well, it appears that we’re welcome here,” said True Heart Bear. She had a bandage around her head and an arm in a sling. She’d had some of the wall collapse on her, but had managed to pull herself out, but not without a few bruises. “So let’s go check out the place.”
Well, it was better than no place at all. Tenderheart pulled up next to Hugs and Tugs’ rainbow wheeler, “Ok you two. This is still your party, so take us in. We’ve got injured care bears to take care of and we need to see if we can salvage any of the vehicles.”
Hugs nodded. “Don’t worry Tenderheart. We promised a safe place and we are here.”
End Part 3
