Once we secured the bald man in a cell, I faced the former captives. Natty leaned in and said, “We gotta get out of here.”

Bailey Mae said, “As long as we take everyone with us.”

Natty looked surprised and said, “We can’t be responsible for all of these men.”

Even in her weakened state, Bailey Mae was resolute. “They’re my friends. Hassan helped me and kept talking to me. I’m not leaving without them.”

Not only did I not want to argue, but she made sense. If something went wrong and the people in the cabin took control again, these poor men wouldn’t have a chance. My only concern was the weather and their weakened condition. I considered the hike back and decided the downward slope to the cabin would help them.

Bailey Mae just gave me a look and I knew that, no matter what, we were bringing these men with us.

I said in a loud voice, “All right, everyone. We have to hike down the hill and it’s cold outside. Find whatever you can to wrap yourself up in. Does anyone feel like they can’t make it?” I scanned the little crowd and realized there was no way anyone would speak up. They would make it down the hill if their legs were broken.

Natty and I carried Bailey Mae from the bunker and headed back to the cabin, leading the slow-moving group of former captives. I wanted to make the trip as quickly as possible because the men weren’t dressed for the weather, but not so fast that they couldn’t keep up.

Bailey Mae felt like a feather in my arms but somehow found the strength to hold me around the neck as if she were a rodeo rider. When we reached the cabin, I could tell by Bailey Mae’s reaction she knew all three of the people we had tied up. Depending on what she told me, there was a chance I was going to kill one or more of them.

The men crowded into the living room and most of them immediately sat down, exhausted from the hike down from the bunker. They clearly recognized all three of our captives.

Bailey Mae sat next to me at the kitchen counter as I fumbled with my phone to call 911. I told the operator we needed police and fire rescue and that we had multiple injuries. I figured that would get them moving fast. Explaining our exact location was a little more difficult. She wasn’t sure who I was, but after I told them to check with Timmy Jones, the dispatcher didn’t ask any more questions. I wasn’t about to try to explain who my fifteen new friends were. I still didn’t know.