Chapter 4.

To Be A Thief

When I woke this time, I felt no one around. It was a beautiful spring morning. Birds twittered peacefully in the surrounding trees. I sat up, dusting the dirt off myself. Looking around, I saw no one. So, cautiously, I stood.

Did they leave me alone in the woods? was my first thought.

I surveyed the scene once more. Now was my chance. I began making my way through the trees. Breaking through a wall of shrubbery, I heard the river up ahead. I sighed with relief—I could follow the river and find my way back home.

I stepped lightly through the undergrowth, looking back over my shoulder constantly. The trees cleared and a grassy bank was revealed up ahead. I welcomed the cool, light breeze on my skin. Hearing the rush of tiny waterfalls cascading down the rocks, my pace quickened as my excitement grew. I was so glad I had woken when I did.

As I neared the river and looked around, my heart dropped and my stomach flip-flopped nervously. I spotted the younger man—I'd forgotten his name, which was fine by me as I was hoping to forget these people as soon as I was rid of them—who was waist deep in the river. He lifted a handful of water and poured it over his head. He looked to be bathing. Then I saw his clothes laying out on the sunny riverbank. I ducked behind a nearby boulder, hoping he hadn't already seen me, but his back had been turned. Dread filled me as I realized I wasn't alone. So they hadn't just left me out in the woods to die...

Well then what did they want with me? What could an average girl of only seventeen years of age possibly do for them?

I peeked out from behind the rock, watching the man. The beads of water on his tan skin glimmered in the sunlight. My dry mouth urged for a drink, but I knew approaching the river could likely be suicide. His muscles stood out when he raised his arms, and I knew he could probably kill me easily if he tried. Then he turned, and I hid behind the rock again. I heard him move through the water and step on the grass. My breathing became panicked. What would he do if he found that I'd moved? Would he kill me on the spot? Or would he just beat me back to unconsciousness? I couldn't decide which was worse.

As I frantically tried to figure out what to do, I gathered up my courage and peeked over the rock again. To my great relief, he was sitting down, dressed, gazing out at the river with his back to me. Disappointed that I was no closer to my freedom, I quickly but quietly returned to my place in the clearing and lay down again. I closed my eyes when I heard footsteps approaching.

"When are we going to get rid of the girl, Cale?"

"We can't just let her go. She knows too much."

"It's just another person to feed."

"Maybe she can help us."

"Why the hell would she help us?"

"You've seen how scared she is. She'll do anything if we threaten her enough."

"I don't like this. People are bound to realize she's gone."

"That's exactly why we can't go back there. We'll go to Dubia as planned. It'll buy us more time."

"I don't like this..."

"Logan, I don't care if you have a problem with it. What I say goes. We're keeping the girl with us."

"Fine."

"Now wake her up. We've got a job to do."

I felt something push my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open, and I was somewhat relieved to see a kinder face this time. Logan's dark hair hung in his face as he looked down at me. For the first time, I noticed that his eyes were hazel. Then I realized just how much his face had changed without all the dirt caked on it. He looked a lot younger than before, only a few years older than me by the looks of him.

"Come on, get up," he said, his voice impatient.

I stood as he pulled on my arm. My stomach growled as I regained my balance. He pulled an apple out of his pack and handed it to me. I turned away and bit into it hungrily.

"Alright, let's go," Cale said. He pulled his own sack over his shoulder and stalked off through the woods. I waited for Logan to turn and leave, then began following the two of them. I had no idea how far away Dubia was, but the first person I saw I was going to shout for help at.

It didn't take long for my feet to tire. I wondered what would happen if I just refused to move. They wouldn't want to carry me; maybe they would just leave me behind. I could find my own way back, maybe... I gradually began to slow down, slowing my breathing as well as my steps. I looked at the ground, counting my paces. 1... 2... 3...

"Hey!"

I looked up, startled. Cale had turned around and was glaring at me, Logan watching from his side.

"Keep up or I'll hang you from one of these trees."

He was right, threatening did work. I quickly hurried up to him but shot him a dirty look. He didn't seem to notice, just turned around and continued on his way. Logan was looking at me, but I avoided his gaze. He may be quieter than Cale, but that didn't mean I liked him any more because of it. I walked past him without a word. I didn't know what he was feeling, but I was annoyed.

We made it to a dirt road, but kept to the trees. To my disappointment, no one traveled by. We stopped as the sun began to fall beneath the trees.

Logan turned to me. "Are you hungry?"

I just looked at him, unwilling to break my silence.

He stared back. "No?"

I frowned, giving in. "Yes."

He handed me part of a loaf of bread, and I took it without thanking him. I turned around and ate the food piece by piece, savoring each bite. I realized this was the first day I'd actually had an appetite since my father died.

I looked up at Logan when I was done.

"Thirsty?" he asked.

"Yes," I muttered.

I drank some of the water from the canteen he offered me and then fell back into silence.

We arrived at an open grassy area, and my heart lept at the sight of smoke coming from a distant chimney. We began to cross the moonlit field, and I found myself increasing speed as I spotted a house not far away. We had finally reached civilization. I was saved.

I let out a low sigh of relief. Cale told me to keep quiet. We reached a huge wooden barn that was just west of the house. Logan held out his hand to stop me.

"You stay here," he ordered.

I stayed where I was but peered around the corner as Logan and Cale moved around to the front of the barn. The door was locked, but Cale used something to pry it open. Then the two men quietly pulled open the doors and hurried inside. What were they doing?

I crept forward and stopped behind the door. I could hear them moving things around inside, and I peeked around the door to see them saddling a couple of horses. They were planning to steal them!

I gasped a little too loudly. Panic rose within me as Cale turned at the sound.

"You! Get away from there!" he hissed at me. I knew he meant for me to get behind the barn, but safety was only fifty yards away. I shook my head and ran for the house. I heard their low voices ordering me to stop, but I only ran faster. A stitch pierced my side, but I kept running. Not even Cale's anger could slow me down now.

I navigated my way across the moonlit field to the gate in the fence, but it was locked. Forsaking all dignity, I began to climb over it in my dress, but someone grabbed me from behind.

I was so close I could see inside the house through the nearby window. "No—!"

But I was once again hushed as a hand clamped tightly over my mouth. This hand was cleaner and softer than before though—Logan's hand. He pulled me off the fence and began carrying me back to the barn, with me squirming in his arms insistently.

My muffled screams pierced the night as I clawed at the hands that grabbed me. "Do you want me to gag you again?" he hissed.

I shook my head vigorously.

"Then shut up!"

My arms went slack, and I quieted, gasping for breath through my nose. We made it around to the side of the barn and he finally moved his hand. I was silent. It was hopeless. There was no way I was getting out of here unless I thought my escape plans through more.

He lifted me onto a horse and then got on in front of me. "Hold on."

The next thing I knew we were riding across the open field, leaving behind the house—the one chance I had for rescue—and disappearing into the woods.

Tears fell quietly down my face as we rode away on the stolen horses. I didn't say a word. Trying to escape was fruitless. I was not going to be foolish again. I just had to hope that someone would find me.

We finally stopped at a new clearing. I was glad—the bouncing of the galloping horse was making me nauseous. I wondered if we were close to Dubia. I had been taught geography and knew the town of Dubia was located in the northern part of Fenton, but I had never been there before. I suddenly wished I had a better sense of direction.

My father never taught me any of his tracking skills. He told me that hunting and fighting were for men, and that I should learn how to run a good home. But how would that help me when I was in trouble? Such as now? I knew my father had loved me. That's why he never prepared me to defend myself, because he thought he would always be around to protect me. He had never expected me to be kidnapped. He had probably never expected to die so soon either...

Logan dismounted the horse and looped the reins around branch close by. Then he reached up to pull me off. I knocked his arm away and attempted to slide down the other side, but my dress got caught on the bridle, and, for one humiliating second, my slip was shown until I could pull the heavy black fabric back down. I stumbled as I touched solid ground, but quickly regained my balance. I stomped off angrily, not wanting to be bothered, but sat down behind a nearby tree to show them I wasn't going anywhere.

I crossed my arms on top of my knees and waited for my face to dry. I always tended to cry when I got angry. I wondered again why I couldn't be brave like my dad. Surely some of his warrior spirit had rubbed off on me? I desperately urged to be as smart as he was, as clever, but I was still stuck with these people, and even farther from home.

Cale and Logan didn't bother me for a while. I was dizzy with relief that they hadn't punished me for trying to escape. I felt Cale's unwavering grumpiness off to my right. I didn't know what Logan was feeling, but I could hear him collecting wood for a fire. I wondered if we were near the river again. Probably—it was our only source of water.

Thinking of water suddenly made me very thirsty. I licked dry lips as I heard someone approach me.

"Drink this." It was Logan.

I shook my head and hoped he would leave.

He sat down next to me. "Come on, Kendra. You've got to be thirsty."

I reached my hand out without looking at him so he would give me the canteen. Instead he grabbed my wrist, and I whipped my head around to stare at him, trying to keep the fear out of my eyes.

He stared back at me with those light gold eyes, his lips forming a satisfied smile.

"That's better," he said. "Here you go."

He let go of my hand and placed the canteen in it. I took off the stopper and poured the delicious drops into my mouth. When I was done, I handed it back to him, eyeing him angrily for a second.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I glared at him. "Did you really have to steal that man's horses? He probably has a wife and a family. How are they supposed to get to town now?"

Logan looked surprised by my answer, like he was expecting something else, but he shook his head. "He has enough horses for five families. They can still get to town."

"Don't try to justify what you did."

"I'm just answering your question."

I looked at him, confused. Then I saw the pleased look on his face and became annoyed again.

"It's not right to steal," I said.

"I know this."

"Then why do you do it?"

"It's what I do." He looked away from me. "It's how I survive."

I stared at him. His smile had faded, but I still couldn't feel any emotion from him, even at this close range. "No one should have to commit thievery to survive."

"And yet, so many people do."

I didn't know how to respond to this. "Can't-can't you just ask for help?"

He chuckled at my question. I felt my face turn red, and looked away at a tree.

"No. Thieves don't get charity. Horse-stealing is a serious offense. They could put us in jail if they caught us."

I couldn't help but look at him again. "Us?"

His gaze met mine. "Cale and I."

"Right." I looked down at my shoes, and then looked at his. They were worn and faded, but looked durable. Mine were starting to get holes in them.

"So, Kendra—"

"I'm not going anywhere," I said softly.

Logan was silent for a second, then he stood up to leave. I thought of asking him to stay—talking to him almost made me forget I was kidnapped, and I longed to find out why his emotions seemed immune to my gift—but he left before I could make up my mind. I leaned my back against the tree and was asleep before I knew it.

A/N: What do you think? Please review!