the gruff order surprised her and had her head whipping back up . fred sanders was franks radio operator and good friend then and through the years . he reached the second hatch , grabbed the handle , twisted , and tugged . she wont last in the cold . what helped you while youve been here with us ? `` you 're helping , '' i said , watching her fear that she 'd hurt me replaced with wonder . `` they ca n't have given up , surely ? '' 