Staying in between us
Chapter 10: The Cave
Previously on Staying in between us...
"He has five minutes left to show up" Nate informed everyone.
"He will be here" Elizabeth said.
"He better be here on time or we are leaving. We need to make a move on it" Nate said.
Everyone was off of their horses waiting around. Elizabeth was beside Charles but wasn't tied up this time.
Time ticked by.
"Two minutes left" Nate kept informing them.
From the bushes two figures were coming out.
"Jack?" Elizabeth said.
But it was not Jack who came out of the bushes.
To be continued...
Two men came walking up.
"What were you two doing over there?" Nate spoke to them.
"We just thought it would be funny to come over here" both of Nate's men started laughing and came back with them.
"He has one minute" Nate looked at his watch.
Just then from the other direction was Jack walking up with big Phil.
"We are here" Jack said scaring everyone from behind.
Elizabeth gave a breath of relief.
"Just in time Thornton. Did you tell her?" Nate asked.
"Yes I told her what you told me to" Jack replied.
"Good. Tie him up Charles we have to get going" Nate stated.
"We shouldn't be in that much of a hurry anymore than? I mean since he told them" Charles said as he tied up Jack's hands.
"Oh they will come anyways I know that. I just wanted to spare some time. They won't know what to do at first. I wanted to scare lover boy over there" Nate laughed at the last part he said.
"Why thanks" Jack whispered to himself annoyed.
"What's that Thornton?" Nate spoke up and said.
"Nothing I'm ready to go" Jack said as he was pushed up the horse.
Jack thought this was the moment to get out of there but Elizabeth was by Nate and he couldn't get her out. He would have to try another time but soon.
"Let's go" Nate said.
They started riding toward the cave.
Charles was quiet the whole way there.
Elizabeth thought this was weird but didn't say anything.
"What are we going to do with them when we get there Nate?" Big Phil asked Nate.
"That's for me to know and them to find out" Nate said laughing.
Jack knew they had to get away soon and if they didn't they wouldn't get away at all.
{In the woods. The searchers}
"Everyone stay quiet. If they hear us Jack and Elizabeth could be in danger" Bill said.
Over on the right of Bill Jesse shouted.
"Over here I found a cabin"
They all rushed over to where Jesse was.
"Let's look inside" Gowen said coming down from his horse.
Jesse was looking in the windows to see if anyone was in there.
"Anyone in there?" Bill asked as he knocked on the door.
There was no reply.
"Okay let's go" Bill said as he hit the door open.
"Look around and see if anyone has been here" Ned spoke up.
"The fireplace wood is still warm. Someone must have been here earlier this morning" Gowen said while looking at the wood.
"Someone left a piece of paper in this room over here" Jesse said as he picked the paper up.
"What does it say?" Bill asked him.
Jesse read it out loud, "Send help. Nate won't hesitate to get rid of us once he is done with us. I fear he won't keep Jack or me alive. p.s. I heard them say something about Cape Fullerton. ~Elizabeth"
"Where did you find this Jesse?" Gowen asked him.
"Behind this door" Jesse replied.
"Cape Fullerton? What would they have to do in Cape Fullerton?" Bill thought out loud.
"Maybe there is a friend meeting them there?" Jesse said.
"Or a hide out place" Ned suggested.
"Maybe" Gowen said.
Just then Gowen and Bill looked at each other.
"They are going to get on the train"
{Back in town}
"Miss Abigail is Miss Thatcher okay?" Cody asked as he was eating his breakfast.
"Why do you ask Cody?" Abigail trying to act innocent here.
"Well we never seen her after the fire yesterday. And I heard you talking to mountie Jack this morning" Cody said looking down.
"Now Cody you know what I said about ease dropping on adults" Abigail said trying to change the subject.
"I'm sorry Miss Abigail. I went to get some milk when I heard you two talking. Is mountie Jack and Miss Thatcher going to be okay?" Cody asked while drinking his milk.
"Everything will be okay. Jack is a very good mountie" Abigail told him. But deep down didn't know the answer herself if everything will be okay.
"He is the best" Cody stated.
Cody felt like Miss Abigail didn't know if they would be okay though. How could she actually know? She wasn't there with them. But he didn't ask anymore about that.
"Who is going to teach school today Miss Abigail?" Cody asked as he got up and got his books.
"Mrs. Florence will be there today bud!" Abigail said as she took Cody's plate.
"Really?" Cody said as he looked down and didn't sound that excited.
"Now Cody you behave today for her. Miss Thatcher will be back soon" Abigail said as she lifted his head with her hand.
"Yes Miss Abigail" Cody said.
Just than the door opened.
"Hey Cody and Mrs Stanton! You ready to go Cody?" Robert and Anna asked.
"Yeah I'm coming" Cody said as he ran to the door.
"Be good Cody" Abigail said as she looked over her shoulder.
Outside Cody, Robert, and Anna were walking to school.
"Hey is Miss Thatcher back Cody?" Robert said as they were all walking towards the school.
"No. I think Nate Tolliver took her and mountie Jack" Cody said without thinking.
"Oh no! Shouldn't someone get them help?" Anna asked worried.
"Yeah why can't we help?" Robert said standing tall.
"You wouldn't last up against a criminal Robert" Anna said smiling.
"Yeah I would" Robert replied trying to flex his muscles.
"Hey guys stop for a moment" Cody interpreted.
"Why isn't the kids allowed to help or do anything?" Cody spoke again.
"Well... because... are parents think we will get hurt" Anna answered.
"Yeah we should be able to help too. We could sneak in places that adults can't" Robert said.
"I don't think it's a good idea" Anna said.
"Well you don't have to come" Robert said back.
"You two are going?" Anna asked surprised.
"I don't want to sit around in school with Mrs. Florence and wait around" Cody said.
"Are we going now Cody?" Robert asked.
"Yes. Come on" Cody answered
"Well if you two are going than I am too" Anna replied.
"You can't you are a girl" Robert stopped and turned to her.
"Miss Thatcher says girls can do anything Boys can do" Anna stood tall.
"Leave her alone Robert. We could use an extra person. Come on Anna" Cody said leading the way.
"Thanks Cody" Anna said smiling than at Robert.
"Where are we supposed to look?" Robert asked Cody while sticking his tongue out at Anna.
"I heard my mom talk to mountie Jack this morning about Cape Fullerton" Cody spoke.
"Wait mountie Jack was at the cafe this morning?" Anna and Robert said at the same time.
"I'll explain on the way. Come on" Cody said leading the way to the livery.
{In the woods outside of Cape Fullerton}
"The cave should be around here somewhere" Nate said.
"It's over there by the river" Charles pointed to where it was.
There was a cave by the water fall. The entrance was covered by leaves and branches. Hard to see if you weren't looking for it.
"Leave the horses behind the hill up there" Nate told the men.
"And come in the cave when you are down" Nate spoke again leading the way in the cave.
Everyone got off the horses and headed inside. They went deep enough in for no one to see them outside.
"Tied them to each other again Charles" Nate said as he started a fire.
Nate started walking towards outside again.
"Wait where you going Nate?" Charles asked as he sat down after tying them up.
Charles made sure that he didn't tie them too tight.
"To town I need to see someone. I'll be back soon" Nate said as he left the cave.
"Great. Like he can't sit still" Charles said as he looked at the fire. Then back at Jack and Elizabeth. They were both just looking at Charles.
"Hey big Phil you want to go find some more wood?" Charles asked him.
"Yeah I'll be right back" big Phil said.
Once he left Charles turned to Jack and Elizabeth and spoke.
"Here is the plan"
To be continued...