《Sins of the Father》


 Run!

    She dashed through the woods her two braids on her head flinging like wheat on a windy day, her throat sore with the cold, she pulled herself together¡­and ran. The pounding of her heart was almost as loud as the stomping of her feet, she jumped over a dead fallen tree creaking as she passed it. The feet of her adversary were close behind her, she turned forward and slipped on a puddle from rain the night before, it was almost six at night, but to Jade is felt like ages since her last peaceful time that abruptly stopped at eight in the morning, she faded back to those few hours before. The birds chirping, her mother petting her hair as she sat on the couch with her¡­she went back to reality as she rolled down the muddy hill. She lay there, her hot breath showing with the cloud as she breathed out on the cold July day, it was the strangest weather and saddest day she had ever faced. The trees were either dead or dying or the leaves were orange and red¡­she felt as she was dying, she reached out to her knife that had fallen in the little stream as she had fallen. But, suddenly, two rough and warm hands grabbed her arms and roughly pulled her up shaking her in anger, the owner of the hands said: ¡°Where are you going, girl?¡± She turned her head to look at the tree her father helped her climb weeks before. He jerked it back: ¡°Where? You can¡¯t hide! We must go.¡± He let her left arm go and stood her back on the ground, she looked at his muscular arms and legs, a scar running down his right cheek like the anger in his eyes. She acted like she was tired, which she was, but she had not given up, she kicked him in the knee, he sprawled¡­and she ran. He got up with a slight limp, and easily caught her right as her foot crossed the stream! He dragged her away. She cut the dirt with her long fingernails to make him stop, the mud rolled into her nails instead, he lifted her body like she was a little stick onto his right shoulder, her head bounced lightly on his back, but she was not done¡­this was not over.


    She nodded off, still on his back minutes later¡­but, as she felt the soft blanket of sleep wrap around he threw her on the ground, she propped herself up with her hands and her chin almost touching her knees¡­what was his game? ¡°Look Jade, you are going to answer what I ask, and you are going to do it quickly.¡±


    ¡°Why would I want to answer anything you ask?¡± She lowered her eyebrows in anger she could not comprehend.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Because¡± he pulled out the same dagger she had had on her waist only a few minutes before, she went to her side in surprise¡­he had known she had it. ¡°Like I said, you don¡¯t know what I am capable of¡­and you are mine, I can do whatever I want.¡±


    She slowly backed up, a devilish smile played on his lips. ¡°Oh dear, help me¡­¡± She thought to herself.


    ¡°Now, where is your father?¡± He put the dagger to her chin forcing her head up slowly. A trickle of blood ran down her neck as he pushed it in ever so slightly, just enough¡­tears burned in her eyes, and one fell, she screamed at herself in the inside-he knew she was weak, she was a fool. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± she whispered as blood reached her chest.


    ¡°Louder!¡± He yelled, he just wanted control¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± She practically screamed. He let her fall to the ground as he wiped the dagger on his shirt, but the blood was still on it¡­she could see it, he couldn¡¯t, but she could. She also knew that he knew he had her in his grasp¡­he was her lord.


    ¡°And your mother?¡± He got back on his haunches looming over her like a cat licking his lips at a fish.


    She stuttered¡­what if he knew she knew even if she said she didn¡¯t? ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? You don¡¯t know?! Yes, you do, you liar!¡±


    He knew.


    ¡°She¡­she¡­made¡­¡± She could not think; her mind went blank to the wooden barn floor after she had cleaned it out.


    ¡°I am only going to ask one more time: where did she go?¡±


    ¡°Heritage!¡± She yelled, though she very much knew she had gone the opposite direction.


    ¡°Why did you not go with her?¡±


    She came up with a story as quickly as possible. ¡°She wanted you to hear the clatter of the¡­wagon! And you would follow her thinking I was in the back¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, smart woman. But, I outsmarted her, she will come as quick as those horses can turn around, and we will get her¡­but, right now I am busy with you.¡±


    They walked side by side his hand making a mark above her elbow, she saw a tent over the tall grass and she saw the tools that were obviously left in a rush, this perfectly made tent with an unfolded blanket and wrinkled pillow¡­there was a tall wooden post dusty as the wind roared past it just yesterday. He pushed her down and tied her hands behind her back, tears once again burned in her eyes, life was dim, and her eyes slowly closed as she nodded off to sleep hoping it was all a dream.

 Chapter 2: My Hope Drained

    Jade woke up to the clattering of a cast iron pan and sipping of hot coffee¡­the man had his back turned toward her, this was her chance¡­the bacon was sizzling, his back facing her, the steam rising¡­he would not know. Surprisingly, the ropes were very loose, and she rose to her feet slowly, pain shot up like lightning through her leg which was slightly asleep¡­she grabbed her dagger quietly and ran as fast as she could, not stopping¡­just running! It was working, he could not catch her! Then¡­she woke up.


    ¡°Blast!¡± Jade muttered to herself, the ropes were extremely tight, and her captor was sharpening her dagger¡­but, the pain was shooting up her leg¡­ ¡°not that part of the dream I wanted to be true.¡± Jade screamed in her head.


    ¡°What are you thinking¡­going to run? Don¡¯t. It won¡¯t be of use to you.¡±


    ¡°That is always what they say.¡±


    He nodded his head slowly. She stared him down meeting his gaze, that was unexpected for him. He flung the dagger to her, she jumped, the dagger an inch from her ear¡­he laughed.


    ¡°I was not going to hurt you, just letting you know¡± he grabbed her chin, ¡°I have amazing aim.¡± She shook, and she turned her feet inward¡­ (something she did when she was terrified). He kicked her feet. ¡°No point in showing fear¡­I know it¡¯s there.¡± She grimaced, and he turned, then he turned again, paused, and then went to the stake and untied her, she immediately went to her feet and did not even get her a full run before he reached out his arm and grabbed her, she jerked back her feet straining for the floor¡­but he was six feet one when she was five feet four and he lifted her up to his height. He went to about two feet above the ground and then let go and the dust rose as she slapped against the ground, she winced¡­it had hurt. He shoved his grimy hands toward her holding a small plate of food. One piece of bacon, half a piece of toast¡­that was it.


    ¡°Mine?¡± Jade skeptically asked.


    ¡°I am not wanting you to die.¡± He shook his head as he drank more coffee.


    She stopped herself from eating, then quietly asked: ¡°What do you want with me?¡± She bit her lip as soon as her small sentence was over¡­was that a mistake?


    ¡°Your father owes us, your mother is unaware, you are unaware, but he knows plenty¡­and this is his punishment for running away. Now, do you know where he is?¡± He spun the dagger in his hands.


    She gulped, that was not at all creepy. ¡°He left us a little while ago¡­¡±


    ¡°Probably when he got the threat, super loyal right?¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°No, not really.¡±


    ¡°Hush, I do not wish to speak with you anymore. Get up!¡± He kicked her side as she got up holding her side yet again biting her lip and slightly swaying as her side seemed to be falling apart.


    He grabbed her hands behind her back and sat in his tent with his big and black binoculars. A few minutes of silence later a rider appeared over the hill and the man came to meet him, he must have been a partner. They both had matching tattoos on their wrist, a crooked ¡°S¡± with a knife stuck in it. It was a strange tattoo, and did not mean anything to her. It donned on her that this would be one of the best chances she had had to escape. The dagger was by the tent, her foot could barely reach it, but it did! She pulled it to herself one eye on it and the other on the rider and his partner. She pushed it past her eagerly grabbing it with her hands, she slowly cut into the rope¡­and her skin on accident, of course. She got up from her sitting position looping the rope in the daggers hilt hole and ran for her life. Her laced up boots with her tattered dress and warm material did not seem sufficient for the chilly weather, and it was July, in their place where they lived even in July it was cold in the morning, and then would get hot later¡­it was about seven probably, according to the sun. They were having strange weather. She kept running until she hit another stream at the bottom of a grassland valley, she hopped over a fence thinking about how neighbors must be close¡­ (for even in the modern-day farms they were miles apart). But, to her dismay she had entered the southern way meaning their house was closer to the north¡­and their ranch was huge, she had a long way to go. Suddenly she heard distant yelling, on the top of the hill she had been on moments before there were her captor and his friend¡­on two horses! ¡°What?? Where did they get two horses? I only saw one!¡± She ran as fast as her feet would carry her not caring about the mud spraying on her dress just running. The two horses majestically jumped over the fence like it was a small log she had jumped over in the first chase¡­they were catching up. The rider who she did not know, a rather tall and thick man with evil green eyes and obvious riding skills grabbed her, barely missing her on the road to both capture and freedom. They were closing in on her, soon they would both be able to grab her¡­it was over! The one she knew, the man that had taken her to the campsite moved back, his horse went wild¡­something had spooked him, this was her chance, but just as she turned the other man grabbed at her head but he slipped from his grasp and hit her head on a rock beneath her feet, if she had been three steps more she would have died, but no, it was only a small rock and she ¡°grazed¡± it. Her head throbbed, for she was still awake, and the man with black leather gloves put her on his horse¡­she nearly slipped off not having control of her body at all, her head hurt so much¡­everything seemed circular to her, she shook her head in frustration¡­what was going on? Jade faded in and out from hearing. The man got on the horse his hand on her back so that she would not nearly slip off again. The other rider replied:


    ¡°We need to get her to the next site, where there are more men, she is not giving up.¡±


    At that, they started riding to which way she knew not, she raised her head and the men, (she saw by the shadow), got something out of the horses saddlebags closed something and then put it to her face, she struggled not wanting what he was giving her, he pushed her back to his chest and she shook her head back and forth still dazed, he put a cloth to her mouth and she almost immediately fell asleep, no struggle could withstand it.

 Chapter 3: The Challenge

    Jade was now on another horse tied to the horses¡¯ neck. (They had stolen their horses from somewhere and the horse she was on was her horse from her farm).


    ¡°How old is she?¡± I might give this man a name, the one that had the horse first was Daxton.


    ¡°She is thirteen years old.¡± This man was the man that was in the first scene, his name was Garvin.


    ¡°She is tough for so young.¡±


    ¡°She is, drives me crazy. All we need to do is get her to tell us what we want to know¡­then we will have the money.¡± He diabolically laughed.


    ¡°She won¡¯t see what we have planned coming¡­not even close.¡± He smiled.


    It had been at least two hours since Jade last opened her eyes, and it was time to fight again.


    She slowly opened her eyes getting used to the light, the horse she was on was tied to Daxton¡¯s horse, and she was tied to the horse¡­again, no hope. Daxton looked back thinking he heard something his hand on his side where his gun was placed. ¡°I thought I heard someone.¡±


    ¡°Probably a ranch hand¡­or a bird.¡± Daxton looked over at his laughing partner: ¡°A ranch hand or a bird? There is a significant difference. The noise was somewhere in-between those two.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Jade smiled to herself her face hovering over the brown saddle¡­she had fooled them. What they did not know, and she had saved for last, she dug for the knife she had in her pocket, she slowly cut the rope, she finished her heart racing and her smile steadily growing, she let the rope go-getting as close as she could to the other horse, so it did not make him jump. Daxton¡¯s horse snorted so she turned back, but she had laid back down hiding the knife up her sleeve, and he did not seem to notice the rope at his horses¡¯ backside.


    Jade went to work again at untying her hands, she slowly did a saw-like motion with the ropes and they plied back and gave up on staying together, she let the ropes fall at her side, they slowly went down the horses¡¯ side onto the ground. She was untied from Daxton and her own horses, there was nothing else behind her, just the road to freedom. She was surprised how easy it was to make a break for freedom¡­all she had to do was make it out, they were just faster and stronger¡­and smarter. ¡°Stop Jade! You are only going to make yourself feel worse with this stuff¡­just go!¡±


    She slowly rose up grabbing the worn-out bridle on her brown and white speckled horse. It was time to go it was time to end the turmoil she had been put through, but she would never forget what she had been put through. Her horse snorted, he was ready to go and so was she¡­he bolted! They weaved through the path. The two jumped over the fence with ease. Everything was wide open, freedom was right on her face¡­she could feel it.


    The wind in her face, her horse neighing as the breeze winded past his ears, the run at full speed made her dress fly and for the first time that day she showed her teeth smiling as her flapped in the wind like leaves on a windy day¡­her joy soon ended when the hooves of the adversaries behind trampled on her dreams like a dog pushing his teeth into a stick¡­it just might be over. She whispered in horse¡¯s ear encouragement. Daxton smiled evilly. His partner whipped his horse into action. Jade seemed to fly with her horse as she looked back eyes dazed with fear. She felt her body slipping from exhaustion, she slid down to the horse¡¯s side, the horse seemed to ¡°notice¡± and jumped a little to get her attention, she reacted and grabbed to the reins tighter. The horse was guiding himself, he weaved through the haystacks and jumped over logs in the dusty path. Her adversaries slowly faded from view and her eyes grew airy and light as they headed towards the setting sun.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°Go, go, keep going!¡± Jade whispered in the speckled ear of her horse.


    After hours of riding into the sun, and the wind raced past Jade¡¯s daring as she ventured into the unknown.


    ¡°I love you.¡± Jade whispered petting the horse¡¯s sweaty main. He neighed in reply.


    ¡°Well, thank you, Rowdy.¡± Jade looked at her horse that her mother had gotten her a year ago, he looked at her and she smiled.


    ¡°What about¡­it Rowdy We can do this, are you ready?¡± Rowdy reared in delight at his new name.


    ¡°Okay, Rowdy. Go to sleep¡­I have to too, we have a long day tomorrow, we have to find mom.¡±


    Jade fell into a troubled sleep after laying down on the cold hard ground.


    The next morning Jade went through the saddlebags.


    ¡°Rowdy, we are going to be just fine. We have food, a blanket, and¡­a map!¡± Her eyes sparkled with childish delight as she pushed her arm to its full extent holding the map in satisfaction. Rowdy just went back to eating after hearing the news.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± Jade huffed at the horse. They rode again with no sign of the devilish men at her heels. Rowdy was a fast and determined horse as was his owner, they paired well together. ¡°We are a good team, Rowdy, a very good team.¡± Jade smiled with the chilly air making her dress flap wildly as her loosely braided hair fell below her shoulders and down to her backside, she touched it remembering her mother¡¯s words: ¡°Tis like golden wheat on a summer¡¯s day.¡±


    ¡°Mother¡­¡± With newfound determination Jade rode on and soon she headed to Caren, a small town with a saloon, dress shops, two places to eat, and horses and people. Jade knew that her mother would head here, a small remote location that no one would find her¡­the only problem was what if they had? Jade pushed those thoughts away and lifted her head as she and Rowdy trotted down the lane. Suddenly guns exploded into the air with young men riding wild horses going through town, the sheriff came out as Rowdy reared and went wild with the other horses, Jade fell off, but the wild boys kept riding all the way to the saloon¡­which they had obviously been to before today.


    ¡°Are you okay, miss?¡± The Sheriff smiled worriedly.


    ¡°Yes, my horse just got a little scared, as I was.¡± Jade smiled accepting his hand to help her up, she dusted off her dress.


    ¡°Well, let me get him for you.¡± The Sheriff Calmed Rowdy with a pat on the head and a sugar cube. ¡°Here you go, miss.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much, is that kind of¡­behavior normal here?¡±


    ¡°No, just young men being¡­well, rowdy and reckless, I am going to pay them a visit.¡± He patted his six-shooter at his right side and bid her a good day.


    Jade walked to Rowdy who waited for her return impatiently, she searched the saddlebags¡­ ¡°Yes! Money, hopefully enough for a new dress so people don¡¯t get suspicious and food!¡± Jade smiled to herself pride playing on her lips.


    She mocked Rowdy trotting to the dress shop. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was wondering if you had anything my size, I had a¡­uh, rough journey, and I need a new one, my mother made me come immediately.¡± Jade forced a laugh.


    ¡°Ah, wise mother¡­I was worried you came alone for a second, then I would have to put you in the hands of the sheriff for safety.¡± The woman smiled gently, Jade studied her, she had a tan dress on with white lace trim, her hair was a chestnut brown and her eyes mischievous and the green sparkled with happiness that she could not contain.


    ¡°Oh, yes! My mother¡­um, she is just looking around town and talking to some old friends while I do this.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that happens a lot in my store.¡± The lady smiled eagerly with the measuring tape in her hands.


    Jade bit her lips a few minutes later as the last dress came in, the lady said: ¡°This is the second one that fits you, and the last one. I know the one was a little bit too fancy¡­but, I think this one goes great with your jade green eyes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am. You flatter me. This is a great dress! I will take it, if it is the right price¡­how much is it?¡±


    ¡°Well, for you¡­I will take a dollar.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I can¡¯t ask of you that, we both know that is way less.¡±


    ¡°You never asked.¡± She held out the dress and nodded to Jade and raised her eyebrows.


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Jade handed her the money and left. She changed in the outhouse behind the store and threw her other dress in the hole not knowing where to throw it. She carefully walked across town in hopes of a new beginning with her mother, how she longed for the touch of her mother.


    She stopped as she went around the corner to her horse Rowdy, she called herself a fool for not tying him properly¡­the men came into town spotting Rowdy. Rowdy turned his ears back and stomped his foot, Jade knew what that meant, and she felt the same way. Trouble had come to town.

 Chapter 4: Quiet Doubt

    ¡°There¡¯s the horse.¡± One said.


    Daxton spit on the ground and rubbed it smoothly on the dirt, he eyes the speckled horse like an enemy flying in from the backside, his partner gave a low grin and unbuckled his six-shooter¡­it was time to find what they were looking for. Jade managed to keep out of sight until the two men came out of the dress shop and then back into space between two stores¡­they saw here straight on.


    ¡°Where are you going, miss?¡± Daxton asked with a chuckle.


    Jade backed up slowly her feet turning inward, she tried to straighten them out, but it was of no use, they knew.


    ¡°Leave me alone.¡± Jade practically screamed inside her head, but it came out in a cool whisper that could soon be denied.


    ¡°Kitten trying to be a tiger.¡± Garvin gave an evil smile that showed his partly brown and yellow teeth, Jade choked in disgust.


    She was back to the wooden fence that kept her in like a rabbit about to be torn about by two rabid wolves. She put her brown boot up against the fence fingering the knife that had given her hope, but the hope was drained from the bucket and the bucket could not find a well.


    Jade ran past both men, if she could just get to the opening and in the dirt road of the sheriff and other men she could find freedom¡­her mother¡­and the truth. ¡°How long does this last?¡± Jade mocked herself for thinking she could make it. Just as two horses rode by and Jade was at the opening a rough hand jerked her back and the two horses came in the alley.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Her heart screamed, freedom, those men were to save her.


    ¡°How is she?¡± The older one asked.


    ¡°What? They work¡­for¡­them.¡± She grasped the dagger thinking of killing herself but thought better of it, ¡°a fool¡¯s move¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, just a little excited.¡± Garvin patted her on the shoulder roughly and grabbed onto it until she fell to the ground under his bitter command once again. She heaved. They grinned. They had won the race.


    ¡°We will take her to the base, where she can be watched carefully.¡± The younger one of the two new riders finally spoke over the other three. She looked at him as he looked at her, he patted his gun and looked at her with his crystal blue eyes, she returned the favor and looked with him in disgust, there was no color it seemed in her eyes¡­just hate. He pushed her hair back on his haunches.


    He leaned in so much the smell of a day¡¯s ride went to Jade¡¯s nose like blood to a mountain lion¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t run anymore, it is no use to you.¡± He whispered in her ear and pulled back, the others waited for her to say something, and she did not fail them.


    ¡°Why would I do anything you say? You have my body in your grasp, but you will never have my heart.¡± She waited.


    ¡°Unless we cut it out.¡± He smiled, and she pulled back in fear, would he do that? No, surely¡­yes, he would.


    ¡°Here is what you are going to do, you are going to get on that horse and ride at my side, if anyone says hello say hello back happily and be on your way, I will do the talking besides that¡­let¡¯s go.¡± The older man of the two new riders suggested.


    ¡°Are you sure it will work, Will?¡± Garvin asked.


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± Will replied.


    ¡°Johnny, get the horses.¡± Daxton commanded.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    They rode out.

 Chapter 5: Enemies Hands

    Jade solemnly followed Will, as instructed.  They rode to the base in silence beside a few words for water and such. The base had logs for walls and many tents inside. It smelled of whiskey, men¡¯s sweat, smoke, and beef. The tents were slouchy as the men were, polls stood straight up though with leather straps at the bottom of each one, blood stained the stakes like they stained Jade¡¯s heart¡­what she wanted for those men was unexplainable. Cast iron pans clattered like Jade¡¯s heart shook. She saw many things that day as the pushed her down and tied the leather strap around her hands and left her to feel the pain by herself. They ate beef and drank whiskey as the flames of the fire rose above their heads into the night. Jade struggled with the strap, but it was strong, and it would not break no matter how hard she tried, will came over to her a few minutes later.


    ¡°You know, your father owes us a lot of money, and your mother and yourself never knew about it¡­why do you think that was?¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°How would I know?¡± Jade replied bitterly as she took in all the overwhelming emotions.


    ¡°I think that he was too scared to tell you the trouble he was in.¡±


    ¡°My father was not a coward!¡± Jade jerked to him but came to the reality she was still tied to the poll.


    ¡°Woah, easy there, Jade. Now, we don¡¯t want issues do we?¡± He looked at her an unwavering evil spread across his face like a cloak of the night.


    ¡°No.¡± Jade put her head down¡­her feet turned inward, and she felt she could throw up¡­she was a pitiable fool¡­just a weakling.


    ¡°Good, Jade, good.¡± Will got up and left to drink and eat more than his share. No one cared about the cold and scared and hungry girl in the back¡­she was just a prisoner. She let a few tears fall down her face and into her dirty sleeve as she looked at the stars hoping for someone¡­something that loved her, but there was nothing to meet her plea.


    ¡°Is there a God? No¡­there can¡¯t be, not with this much pain, I am on my own.¡±


    Jade wrestled with herself, with no one to help her because she did not believe in the one thing that could help her.

 Chapter 6: To Willsborough

    The days dragged by. They had untied her hands when they finally let he eat and just tied her around her waist, they never bothered to change it back, she felt freer compared to the other times when her hands were behind her back. She did not have anything to do besides plan her enemies defeat, hear snippets of their conversation, and tap her fingers on her knees until they ached. She ate jerky which was very hard to eat with the texture and taste, it was grindy and revolting¡­but, she had to live on it because all they needed was for her to survive-nothing extra.


    A few days later it was time to leave.


    ¡°Get up!¡± Daxton untied Jade.


    She slowly got up her body slowly un-numbing and pain shocking into her feet and legs, she felt awful as he grabbed her and pushed her into Rowdy¡¯s side. She had not seen him in a long time and their reunion was not a joyous one. Rowdy was eager to see her though, and ready to ride.


    ¡°Come on, boy.¡± Jade whispered in the horse¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Go!¡± Will whispered.


    ¡°Okay, okay, I am going.¡± Jade sneered at him.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    He jeered at her, this was going to be a long day.


    After an hour of riding they stopped to eat because they had started late that morning.


    ¡°Where are we headed?¡± Johnny asked.


    ¡°To Willsborough, it is four miles from here, it is small but lively.¡± Garvin replied coolly.


    ¡°Ah, I have been there. We had some fun didn¡¯t we Johnny?¡± Daxton smiled at him then Jade.


    ¡°Yeah, ha-ha.¡± Johnny seemed to remember and went into his mind and not the real world.


    Jade shook¡­it was a repulsing thought what they might have done. ¡°You don¡¯t know what they did Jade!¡± She stated in her mind¡­but, she might.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go. We will head to the hotel when we get there and, uh, then we will see your father.


    Jade jerked her head up to Will who had said it, and he cocked his head, he knew he had her interest.


    ¡°Yes, we have him. We caught him a little bit ago.¡± Garvin smirked obviously proud.


    ¡°That does not mean anything, you don¡¯t have mother and I am sure that¡­well, he won¡¯t give in.¡± Jade held her head high secretly trembling.


    ¡°You forget little girl, that your father owes us. The only thing we have done is try and get it in¡­¡± he paused raising his right eyebrow at his buddies, ¡°hum, an unfavorable way.¡± Jade considered his eyes, all she could see was evil and death and hate.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Will said sensing the tension and pulling the rope to Jade freedom tighter.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Daxton stretched and grabbed Jade and pushed her onto the saddle, without any warning Rowdy reared and Jade just held on for dear life as she slightly fell back. Will and Garvin tried to calm him down, but he kicked them instead, Rowdy left them wincing in the dust.

 Chapter 7: Jade Rising

    Rowdy neighed, chains broke, and Jade yelled in delight. Rowdy, Jade had learned had a mind of his own, and there was no stopping him. Jade searched through the dust as they flew through the valley for any camps of towns, they were alone¡­and free. She had never felt so exhilarated as the wind raced past her, and the birds chirped encouragement on her way and Rowdy¡¯s main blew like wild fire. She reached for his orange main and bridle and slowed him down until he came to a walk. She was hungry and thirsty, and she could tell he was too from the sweat and the time it had been since they both had something like it. A streams water could be heard nearby so Rowdy trotted over there and Jade carefully went on the rocks and took a drink. She reached in the saddlebags and with luck she once again found a few supplies¡­but no money.


    ¡°Food will have to be it for now Rowdy, what are we going to do? Go back to the other town? That will look strange¡­and besides momma did not want anyone to know about Dad¡¯s debt¡­though I am sure she would not be mad if I told the sheriff. But¡­there is so little to go on¡­¡± Jade sat on the rock by the water and buried her face in her dress, Rowdy went over and nudged her with his nose. ¡°You are the best horse, Rowdy, I love you boy.¡± He seemed to reply, ¡®I love you too¡¯ but she knew it was impossible or was it impossible for him to feel it? ¡°Well, is it boy?¡± Jade laughed at his confused face. ¡°I am going to take my families honor and make sure it stays safe-no one shall know. Besides, I can handle finding mother and telling her, and I know she will be confident in what to do. Now, for father¡­oh, I love him Rowdy! But, he got us in this mess and left us: he is not to be trusted.¡± Rowdy shook his main. ¡°Humph¡­¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    That is where they slept for the night under the stars as the wind whistled over them and the stream went over the pebbles.

 Chapter 8: A Friend

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that horse¡­¡± Will touched his side.


    ¡°The boss is going to mad-you know that.¡± Garvin hissed.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, we will get him what he wants.¡± Johnny mocked.


    ¡°Guys! Stop complaining, I still don¡¯t know why we did not go after her in the first place¡­¡±


    ¡°You know why!¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°With?¡± Will and Johnny jumped at Garvin.


    ¡°We should have gone.¡± Garvin got out his blade and twisted it in his hands.


    ¡°Daxton, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°You know what I think. We need to go today, and no more complaining about sides or arms, let¡¯s go.¡±


    So, they went.


    They trudged on knowing their goal and they would not stop-for anything.


    Meanwhile, Jade was calmly getting up and saddling Rowdy, which proved harder than she thought, though Rowdy did his best to help her.


    ¡°Ah, this saddle¡­is¡­heavy.¡± Jade wiped her brow and tried again: ¡°See Rowdy, I got it that time.¡± Rowdy just kept eating in reply. They rode with canteens full and spirits high. The sun shined brightly in the sky and it burned Jade¡¯s eyes as she rode on Rowdy. Her head became heavy, but she kept it high. As day became night Jade fell to Rowdy¡¯s neck and slowly drifted away. After another few minutes she fell to the ground and Rowdy nudged her once again, but she would not wake up. Rowdy circled around her, but she was exhausted. A man from a small distance made camp in the woods with a blanket, saddle as a pillow, and a small and strong fire¡­but, he left it with his horse and went to Rowdy and Jade.


    Jade woke up to a man putting a wet cloth on her head, she jumped, and he went backwards in surprise.


    ¡°Woah!¡± He laughed. ¡°You are okay, you fell off your horse from exhaustion-your horse is just over there.¡± He pointed to Rowdy rolling in the grass.


    ¡°Thank¡­you. If you don¡¯t mind, sir, who¡­uh, who are you?¡± Jade shyly asked biting her lip.


    ¡°Ah, I guess I owe you that, ma¡¯am. I am Phillip Dean.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Dean. I am Jade.¡±


    ¡°Well, nice to meet you.¡± He paused and seemed to want to say something.


    ¡°¡­Yes?¡± Jade waited.


    ¡°Uh, well I just wanted to know why a young girl is out riding by herself in the middle of nowhere.¡±


    ¡°Well, I thought I was heading to a town and I seemed to go in the wrong direction.¡± Jade smiled.


    ¡°You are really avoiding the center of the question.¡± He cocked his head.


    ¡°Oh¡­well,¡± with that she spilled everything she spilled everything from the debt to them bringing her to the camp and her escaping. He sat there his legs crossed looking dead into her eyes and then at the fire sometimes, he rubbed his chin at the end of her tale.


    ¡°Jade, you have been through a lot, I am proud that a girl your age can do that thing, though it is very dangerous. These men, where are they?¡±


    ¡°They are following me, who knows where they are.¡±


    ¡°Is that them?¡±


    Jade took a deep breath and looked her heart screamed as she saw the black coats and leather gloves with guns at their sides and their horses galloping.


    ¡°I can tell from your face¡­¡±


    Jade nodded. He thought.


    ¡°Okay, go into those woods and hide there, hopefully you won¡¯t be spotted.¡±


    ¡°And if I am?¡± Jade turned back.


    ¡°We will get to that later.¡±


    She took Rowdy and went into the woods and quietly as she could go as far as she could until she hit the river, Rowdy went down into the river which was much lower than the ground, it was perfect for his height. Jade used his back to step down and carefully took another step down, she stood on the jagged rocks that lined the river just enough, so she could see the men coming and her new friend.


    ¡°Hello, friend.¡± Will leaned on the horn of the saddle.


    ¡°Hello, where are you off to in such a hurry?¡± Her friend managed a laugh.


    Jade sat there concerned for him, he was doing so much for her¡­


    ¡°We are looking for someone. She ran away after my wife and I adopted her, she is obviously scared and we¡­uh, well still training her not to lie¡­who knows what she will say to people.¡±


    Jade rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I understand, I wish I could help,¡± he paused, ¡°but, I can¡¯t. I am going to my grandmother, she is dying, and I want to be there and so does my mother.¡±


    ¡°We will just have to keep looking, I am going to look around in these woods, she is very sneaky.¡±


    Jade grimaced in disgust at all the lies that came out of Will¡¯s mouth so easily.


    ¡°Oh, well, I wouldn¡¯t.¡± He panicked.


    ¡°And why not?¡± Will looked at him suspiciously.


    ¡°It is really rough back there and the horses probably won¡¯t even fit, ha-ha, and there are a lot of snakes, no girl would go back there¡­right?¡±


    ¡°I guess not, be a shame to hurt our horses and our¡­daughter, be so close.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡±


    ¡°I will be going, have an enjoyable day.¡±


    ¡°You too, good luck finding your daughter.¡±


    After they were gone for a few minutes he came and got her.


    ¡°Well, you can ride with me, Jade. I don¡¯t want you to face this alone.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but you have already done so much for me.¡±


    ¡°You have given me something to live for, Jade, you have done so much for me, I can¡¯t even tell you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Jade smiled.


    ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°For¡­well, everything. You did not tell I was here in front of those men, you went and got me in the first place¡­you took care of Rowdy, thank you.¡±


    ¡°You are very welcome, it was my pleasure.¡±


    They paused not knowing what to say and he said:


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Jade laughed.

 Chapter 9: He is Fallen

    A bullet whizzed past the trees and suddenly Phillip fell¡­Jade got on her horse shocked but knowing that an enemy was nearby¡­it was time to go. She looked back at Phillip, her friend, her companion, a man to be trusted had fallen. She rode hard as Daxton, Garvin, Will, and Johnny pursued her.


    ¡°Never going to make it, Jade.¡± She said to herself, but she pushed the thought to the side and rode on. As the yells of her enemy reached her ear, the pounding of hooves, the sweat on her brow dripped down to her neck, the water as she reached the stream splashed onto Rowdy¡¯s hot side and her boots, and she breathed the hardest she ever had before she thought of her mother and her father¡¯s wide open arms in years past when she came back from outside for dinner, Phillip falling to the ground pain written on his face, her grandmother on her deathbed saying she loved her and to take care of herself, and the last day with her mother, what would this end like? Would she ever find her mother? What about the father? Would they go back to her ranch ever? Would she live through the day? Rowdy went up the hills and valleys as Johnny got closer to her slowly, Rowdy was tired of running and his leg was slightly hurt, Jade did not know when it happened but felt bad for him¡­he was trying, he was just not as fast tired and injured. Johnny lassoed Rowdy and pulled, Rowdy fought but it was of no use. Daxton grabbed Jade as she kicked, Rowdy strained for her, but Daxton pulled her onto his horse and put his hand around her waist and the more she struggled the tighter he held¡­it was no use, he had her.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°No matter where you go girl, we will be right behind you.¡± She was beginning to believe it.


    ¡°Daxton,¡± Will called.


    ¡°Yes?¡± He replied.


    ¡°Put her on Rowdy, I am tying him to my horse, I don¡¯t want her to slow you down.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.¡±


    They tied her to Rowdy who was tied to Will¡¯s horse, they rode side by side and every once and awhile she would get a little behind him, but there was no escaping-not this time. Not with being tied to Will, or that many men, or Rowdy being injured, it was not going to happen. She knew it. After what seemed like hours they made it to a small cottage. Jade was too tired to take in what it looked like besides it was a tired old shack that was all oak with windows with thin curtains, she was carried off her horse and they dragged her to a small bed in the very back, she was tied to a post and she soon fell asleep behind the curtain.

 Chapter 10: Hopeless

    She woke up to someone shaking her, it was Johnny.


    ¡°Time to get up, Jade.¡±


    Jade slowly rose and slung her feet to the side of the bed slightly dazed from the day before.


    She walked to the main room on the other side of the curtain. Will pulled a chair out by the table and put his hands on her shoulders and forced her down, Jade looked up at him in anger with a slight twist of fear.


    ¡°This is how we are going to do it. We are going to where your father is being kept, and you will stay there with him, he is going to rob the bank for us-we get our money, he gets blamed if he gets caught, we are still trying to find your mother¡­but, when we do we will make her look just as dirty as him. As for you, you can keep your mouth shut and we won¡¯t say a word¡­or you can die, the one thing I just thought of now is a girl outlaw, a young girl like her parents¡­?¡±


    Her looked at her.


    ¡°But, never forget, you dying is still in the cards.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t¡­I won¡¯t.¡± Jade looked at him just as eerie as he did her.


    The sky was as dim as her life. The grey clouds rolled over the sun as the rain slowly began to come down and then it went to a pour.


    ¡°We have to go.¡± Will said.


    ¡°Now? Right now?¡± Garvin complained.


    ¡°Yes, right now.¡± Will replied.


    They trudged on in the rain slowly but surely, the water turned to a muddy brown color, Jade looked down and frowned at her reflection she took a few smaller tired steps and walked in the same puddle. Daxton slipped every occasionally, as they went down a small slope that had started gathering mud, for he was stretching his legs and letting his horse rest.


    ¡°Mine as well get back on your horse, are your legs getting stretched or the possibility of your neck getting broken more important?¡± Garvin laughed.


    ¡°Yeah, my legs are stretched anyway.¡± Daxton laughed with a slight twist of anger.


    Jade just kept on Rowdy head bowed and eyes half open and half shut¡­life was grim, she was defeated. She dared not run. There was nowhere to go. There was nowhere to hide. There was no one to run to. So many questions. No answers. She had no weapons. She had no hope. She has doleful. Her hope was shaken.


    After more hard riding with no mercy from the weather, they stopped. It was getting dark with the already mysterious grey clouds looming over them in the day.


    ¡°How far to Willsborough?¡± Johnny asked.


    ¡°Another ten miles¡­but, it is just getting too dark, and the horses need rest.¡± Daxton replied his hat still covering his eyes.


    A stick broke. They jumped. Jade looked. Leaves crumbled. Then a man appeared.

 Chapter 11: Friend?

    A man broke out of the trees and pulled out a gun faster than any other man Jade had ever seen, he was about twenty and had very dark eyes, Jade looked him up and down and then to Will to see what was going to happen.


    ¡°Finally, I caught up with you. I need someone¡­you.¡± He pointed at Jade and nodded his head for her to stand up, she obeyed slowly.


    ¡°You should be ashamed-all of you. I want the girl, and I will leave, but first I got some rope-for all of you.¡±


    Jade knew whatever he was, he was not a good guy, this guy¡­was just another enemy.


    After having Jade tie all of them up and fast and tightly as she could inflicting pain on all of them out of pure revenge he grabbed her and they¡­left.


    He forced her onto Rowdy, and he grabbed Rowdy¡¯s reins on his all black horse and they rode. Just after three minutes Jade grabbed out a knife she had gotten after tying Will and cut the reins to Rowdy, she grabbed both sides, the horse reared, and they were off, the man turned his horse around with little hardship and rode after her like thunder in the night sky. She rode hard her face to Rowdy¡¯s main and her hands holding onto the two sides of the bridle, so she could direct him. She looked back at her new captor who was getting a rope ready and whirling above his head, she knew his game, he was trying to lasso her-but, she was not planning on loosing this time. She wants down a slippery slope and gained a few feet between him and her, Rowdy jumped avoiding the stones in his path¡­he reared at a log in the path but kept going. The man slowly gained, but then Rowdy went the fastest he had ever gone. The only way the man could make it now was taking another path that led them to the same river quicker, the only problem was that he knew another path. He got to the river seconds before she did and blocked her path, he said out of breath:


    ¡°You won¡¯t give up! All the time I was following those men you trying to escape made it harder¡­¡± he breathed: ¡°and harder to find you! But, this time I win.¡± He pulled Rowdy with a rope and it wrapped around the horse¡¯s neck, he did not hurt him, just pulled at him, the man got down and tied his horse to a tree, Rowdy shook his head and so did the other horse, they both knew something was going to happen. Jade jumped off Rowdy and began running to the opening of the woods into the valley, the man easily caught up with her grabbing both her arms as she kicked and screamed for someone¡­something to help. He laughed at her eager attempts.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Oh, give up, won¡¯t you?¡± He pushed her down by a tree and tied her, so she would stay.


    ¡°If you let me say one thing, I can tell you why I wanted you.¡± She looked at him and listened.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you, I may seem rough, I just got a little¡­angry, when you were so hard headed, but I understand it, I would have done the same thing.¡± She jerked at the ropes, and gave up and just listened to his boring speech.


    ¡°I was looking for you because I am on your side! I know what those men are like, they did the same thing to my father, looks like both our fathers are just gamblers.¡± He sighed.


    ¡°Where is your father now?¡± Jade asked shyly.


    ¡°He is¡­dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Jade bit her lip.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that to happen to you and your Dad, even if your father messed up. Your mother hired me to find you.¡±


    Jade jerked her head up and the word ¡°mother,¡± she asked:


    ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°She is at Willsborough.¡± Jade gasped and leaned in. ¡°Let me guess, they said they did not know where she was?¡± Jade nodded.


    ¡°They were just leading you on.¡±


    ¡°Really? But¡­mother¡­¡± Jade looked straight into his eyes, but she did not look at him at all.


    ¡°By the way, I am Joan.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± she whispered: ¡°I am obviously Jade.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He smiled.


    ¡°I have a question,¡± he cocked his head, ¡°if she is captured how did¡­you get hired?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­well, she, uh¡­¡± Jade bent her head and then looked up.


    ¡°How?¡± She asked angrily.


    ¡°I¡­well, she hired me before she was captured, sorry, I just did not want to remind you of that first day¡­I know it was hard. You see, I knew her from years ago, and she saw me riding, I knew something was wrong and she gave me a very short story, and I basically rode to find you. I know it is hard to believe, but it is true.¡± He waited for her to respond.


    ¡°No, it makes sense, sounds like something when you are in a rush and everything is going wrong.¡± Jade smiled but inside she knew that he was lying, he was out for her in some way, she did not know what his job was¡­but, he was lying. He was. She knew it.


    He had untied her by that time, they ate then slept and in the morning, they were going to her mother and were going to free her.


    But, Jade had the information now, and Joan, no matter why he tried to get her¡­it did not matter, she was leaving, now.

 Chapter 12: Memories and Dreams

    As she walked she said to herself: ¡°Run, Jade run! Get on your horse, find your mother, free your father and mother, and live together happily with those horrible men with whatever punishment with the law¡­or the thing her mother wanted.¡±


    She rode all night long the stars over her head, the hills and valleys and woods dark and the coyotes howled, and Rowdy snorted in his run.


    ¡°We are going to find mother and father, Rowdy. We are going to do it. I remember when mother first game you to me, she said you would always look after me¡­and you have.¡±


    They kept on riding until Brooke was half asleep remembering her father when she gave him his birthday cake, or when her mother gave her Rowdy, or when they first got the ranch, she turned Rowdy and they went into the opening and went about twenty yards and then she plopped on the damp ground and fell into a deep sleep that she most certainly needed.


    Everything was blurry in the morning as she rubbed her eyes and yawned, she looked at Rowdy who was eating once again, she chuckled. She went into the valley, they were behind another hill, she remembered her families ranch, it had hills like this, they were huge and full of green grass and they went up¡­and down, up¡­and down.Stolen story; please report.


    She climbed the hill careful not to fall backwards, her dress got stuck on a twig, but she pulled it off and she kept climbing. She peaked over the top of the hill but did not see one thing, nothing was in sight, except a few bids of course. But, as she turned away she noticed the birds went to the sky, Rowdy came to her and neighed, but she waved at him to shush as she kept watching¡­something was amiss. She curled her toes in her shoes. She curled her feet. Jade bit her lip¡­ ¡°what can it be??¡± she did not have to wait long.


    Five horse¡¯s ears and men¡¯s hats¡­horse¡¯s heads and men¡¯s hands¡­feet and hooves came into view over the hill, it was Johnny, Daxton, Will, Garvin, and¡­Joan. ¡°That is who he works for!¡± she looked at Rowdy, ¡°they were trying to get information out of me¡­it was all a plan, I knew he had malicious intent.¡±


    She saw them go to the right, they did not go towards her, they hadn¡¯t an idea of where she was or which direction she went.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rowdy, quietly.¡± Rowdy seemed to understand and shyly stepped into the sunbeams.

 Chapter 13: A Fearless Enemy

    As she traveled carefully she thought of yesterday, just when she was captured¡­she thought of that feeling, she was determined to not have it again. She kept going and never looked back towards those patches of woods. She rode until she got to Willsborough, her enemies would go there, or they would have friends there¡­it was going to be dangerous but she had to figure it out. ¡°It is not going to be easy, but we have to figure it out¡­don¡¯t we?¡±  Brooke sighed, nodded her head, and kept riding.


    Willsborough was a small town, just like Brooke was used to. She tied Rowdy in between two stores and pretended to be messing with his main as she thought: ¡°Where would a bunch of outlaws and gamblers hide another man?¡±


    She immediately recognized the saloon hotel as the best option. ¡°Now, how am I going to get up there?¡± she leaned her head back against the stores wall, ¡°They may not know who I am! There have got to be more friends holding father and mother¡­two or three, maybe they won¡¯t recognize me¡­I had not seen the other men, how would they know me?¡± Then she shut her eyes in anger and balled up her fists in frustration, then breathed: ¡°Well, if I did not know the first man how did her catch me? Well¡­I guess that is crystal clear¡­¡± she spoke to Rowdy: ¡°I was the only one in the house besides ma, he had to know it was me. So will they recognize me or not?¡± She shrugged her shoulders at her equally confused horse. Just as she kicked the dirt five men rode up¡­they had known where she would go. ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Brooke said to herself then covered her mouth in response. This was going to be harder than she thought.


    ¡°Go to saloon, make sure they are all¡­safe.¡± Joan laughed raising his dusty eyebrows.


    ¡°I will.¡± Will responded stepping up and swinging the saloon doors open like he owned the place, whatever else he did she could not see from behind Rowdy, it occurred to her that if they looked backwards¡­she would be seen. She moved Rowdy to the farthest corner, then got behind him, he was behind a large pile of lumber, they remained unseen. ¡°The only problem was those people would recognize her and they would capture me and then all would be lost to seeing mother and father¡­unless they put them in the same room-then they could plan, but they would have guards¡­ah!¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Jade thought.


    A man went straight in to the opening that she was in¡­it was Daxton. He saw her and Rowdy and she tried to scream, tried to do anything, but she was too scared and mad at herself to make a noise¡­he knew.


    He grabbed her roughly and whispered in her ear: ¡°Do you want to see your mother and father? Because you will¡­you will.¡± She turned her ear away but he jerked her head back and said: ¡°Now, you are my little sister who was waiting for me to arrive from a trip, after this we are going to the next town where are grandparents are¡­that is what I am going to say, and you just nod your head and hug me, if you don¡¯t there will be consequences.¡±


    There was a tense moment of silence. He gruffly hugged her with his arm across her shoulder and smiled, she copied his fake smile for she was out of hope. They checked in at the saloon, and he gave his best story of their brotherly and sisterly bond, Jade threw up on the inside. Daxton pushed her at the door of room 10, it was in the corner of the dusty upstairs, right below was the saloon itself, perfect place to hide women and men. The door creaked as he opened it, she saw an open window and a bed that looked a lot more comfortable than the ground, a wooden rocking chair, a table with a lamp and the dusty floors beneath her, Daxton shoved her onto the bed. She looked out the window as he came to close it. He pushed her on the other side of the bed once more, she did not like being in front of him but she did not dare turn around. She heard a pour of some liquid and a glass lifting from a table, he handed her a glass with a brown liquid in it. ¡°No thank you.¡± She whispered to him.


    ¡°You will drink it.¡± Daxton shoved the liquid near her nose and mouth.


    ¡°Now¡­¡±


    Jade shook her head. He took the glass to her relief, but what she did not see coming was him grabbing her neck and forcing his fingers into the most sensitive part, Jade was under his command by excruciating pain. He leaned in and said: ¡°Drink.¡± She was tired and thirsty and in great pain, so she did, she did not know what it was either¡­just drank. It tasted strong and had a familiar smell¡­she drank another shot. Then it occurred to her, it was whiskey. ¡°Jade you are such a fool. He is getting you drunk and trying to make you fall asleep¡­oh, but he is grasping my neck harder¡­I can¡¯t deal with that pain.¡±


    After yet another Jade felt as if she could be sick, she had never drunk alcohol and she was feeling tired. Daxton laid her down, she tried not to keep her eyes shut but the bed was so comfortable¡­and she was so tired¡­Jade¡¯s vision grew blurry as she closed her eyes so much that she could only see the blanket she lay on, she heard Daxton open a door then shut it¡­and it went black.

 Chapter 14: Truth Revealed

    She woke up to birds flying past her window and to footsteps coming towards her door, she quickly rubbed her eyes and sat up, then went to the window to pretend she had been up for a long time, she looked at the town, it was beautiful¡­then the door opened.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Joan closed the door.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Jade turned to him anger flashing in her eyes.


    ¡°Sleep well?¡± Joan smirked.


    ¡°Fine, where are they?¡±


    Joan laughed. ¡°They are in room 9.¡± He turned his hand to the door and nodded his head in the direction of it summoning her, she came. He slowly opened the door to ¡®Room 9,¡¯ Jade breathed out slowly as she saw her mother and father, mixed emotions spread over her face, as did theirs. Sadness. Happiness. Confusion. Everyone said absolutely nothing until Johnny said: ¡°Hate to break up the reunion, really do, but we have business. Like how we are going to get him to rob the bank without make much¡­fuss.¡± He looked at Garvin.


    ¡°Okay, so here is the plan.¡± Garvin paused satisfied. ¡°Marko is going to get in the bank through the side door and get the banker to open the safe, we will do this in the early night so no one knows. Also, once we get the heavy cash¡­we are set.¡± Garvin threw his hands up and waited for responses.


    ¡°Sounds good to me, what about the mother?¡± Daxton asked his eyes flashing at her.


    ¡°She will be with the horses on the edge of town.¡± Garvin replied.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°What if they get caught?¡± Johnny asked.


    ¡°Then we will do it ourselves, they will still be out of their hair, and when they get out we will be long gone.¡± Will laughed.


    ¡°Okay¡­what about her?¡± Garvin walked towards her, he was behind her, she tensed¡­the first movement she had made during this conversation.


    ¡°Well, my wife and I always wanted a servant, there we go.¡± Daxton mocked slowly grinning.


    ¡°Makes sense to me.¡±


    They paused satisfied.


    ¡°No! You can¡¯t do this, we won¡¯t do this! We would never rob a bank¡­¡± Jade¡¯s mother stood up hastily, and just as hastily was pushed down on the bed again.


    ¡°Yes, you will. Jade¡¯s life depends on it¡­¡± Will pulled a knife out slowly with stained blood on it, Jade¡¯s eyes grew big, and her mother gave in, her father did too.¡±


    The men left father, mother, and Jade alone. They locked the door. A man, Jade could tell by the shadow, that there was a guard.


    ¡°I am so glad to see you!¡± Jade collapsed in her mother¡¯s arms sqeazing her tightly.


    ¡°Oh, I missed you!¡± Her mother put her head on her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I would do without you¡­I am so sorry I got you into this mess! I was a fool.¡± He looked downcast at his daughter.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, father. I am glad we are back together!¡± Jade hugged them both. She told them about her ¡®adventure¡¯ as they looked at each other and her mother¡¯s eyes crowded with tears, and her father¡¯s eyes grew large and looked at her waiting for more. They were then separated, as Jade was pushed into Room 10 she thought what her mother had told her and her father: ¡®your mother went into the carriage when Daxton caught up with her and tied her to a tree, then with your story that is when he went to get you. I had been captured a while before as you know, and was immediately put here. Joan stayed with me for a long time, then he went to get you¡­and he stayed with me.¡¯ ¡®who is he?¡¯ she had asked. He had leaned in to her and her mother. ¡®he is dark and harsh and mean¡­he is big and drinks whiskey all the time. They call him ¡®boss.¡¯¡¯ She had shuddered at the thought.

 Chapter 15: Plans For The Enemy

    ¡®Boss¡¯ made his appearance one day later.  He was a sight to see, at least to Jade, who studied him intently. He was dark and scary, hit hat so low it barely showed his dark green eyes, they looked at her like a wolf at a wounded prey would. She slowly inched closer to her mother who wrapped her arm around her as she came closer still. Her father looked down at his feet not daring, as Jade did, to look into the man¡¯s eyes, her father was not as brave as she. The enemies surrounded them, they stole Jade¡¯s father''s courage, but they did not steal Jade¡¯s, and they knew it, which is why they came to the next conclusion.


    ¡°What about we make her steal the money from the bank? Her father probably does not even the guts to get it done-and she escaped, I don¡¯t know¡­six or seven times? We should make her do it.¡± Garvin suddenly said.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°No¡­no¡­no¡­¡± Johnny replied.


    ¡°And why not?¡± Will added.


    ¡°Too inexperienced!¡± Daxton mocked.


    ¡°No¡­no, wait, just think about it. We can teach her a few things, but the important thing is that no one expects an innocent little girl, and besides they will take her seriously because when a girl is bad, a girl is bad.¡± O


    ¡°True, true, but, I still don¡¯t know.¡±


    They talked through the night as the wind whistled outside and Jade¡¯s heart wanted to run as her feet used to, she wanted to pet Rowdy and hug her parents as they went home to their ranch as the sun melted down into the night. She missed their rickety old wagon on the hard dirt road too, it was the little things in life that she now remembered.