VIX.

During the next three days, some of Alyssa's inner wounds seemed to finally start healing and the girl became more outgoing. Everyone noticed it, but still, as soon as it came to finding out more about her, she blocked and said nothing about it. Only Becky seemed to get through to her. Jodi was a very nice girl, but she was too inquisitive sometimes and for those who want to hide a secret Jodi was definitely not the first person they put all their trust in to.

Since Jodi's and Becky's room were next to each other, Alyssa spent a lot of time with Becky in the evenings after all the work was done and after they had dinner.

Claire and Tess used to sit outside until midnight, now that it had grown so warm, but Becky always retreated and sat on her bed to read a little before she fell asleep with all the lights on. Most of the time it was Meg who turned out the lights because Jodi had the same problem with leaving the lights on. But lately, since Alyssa's arrival, Becky did not read anymore and she did not go to sleep early anymore, she and the strange girl spent hours just talking. And after a few of those talks, Alyssa slowly began to tell where she was from and how she came here. At first it did not make any sense, but when Becky told Claire and Tess a night later, confidentially of course, the two women saw the connection.

"So her name is Alyssa Hawking, as in Hawking Thoroughbreds Hudson. I've guessed so far." Claire stated. "The horse has the brand, HTH, so that fits. The Hawkings brand their stud horses which are not for sale, the ones that they sell on auctions only get numeral brands. Graham Hawking has two children, his son manages the property and the daughter has been reported missing for 5 months. Since then, the business is close to ruin. Seems to me as if that boy doesn't have a very good sense of retail. Before that, HTH was one of the most important thoroughbred studs in Australia."

Tess frowned. "Ah…so you think she is the daughter? But she's only been here for a few days."

"I have never seen the daughter, but the son, his name is Frank, was in Gungellan and sold a few horses last year. When I now come to think of it, they kind of look alike. The same face, the same eyes, but hopefully not the same character. Frank is a complete idiot and doesn't treat horses and other people well. Alex once nearly got into a fight with him. He's a jerk…" Claire said and raised an eyebrow.

"Ah…a jerk…" Tess replied with a frown.

"And why aren't her father or her brother searching for her?" Becky intervened.

"Dunno…wish I knew. Her father is quite old but still, it's no reason at all to not try anything to find her!" Claire said and Tess watched her carefully.

"But then why is she here?"

Claire was just about to answer, but in that moment the phone rang and she went to answer it. When she came back a couple of minutes later, her facial expression made Tess shiver.

"Dr. Gardener just called. He said that the DNA tests were negative, no reported rapist did it. But he found traces of damage, which means that there were or are inner injuries which caused loss of blood. He is pretty sure about this being a violation. She didn't do it freely. She probably fought her opponent, that's why there are so many bruises and cuts, especially on her wrists and hips. He also said that it must have happened about a week before Alex found her. So she must have been travelling around with that horse for at least a week."

"So if she didn't steal the mare, she is the daughter of Graham Hawking. Maybe we should call him and tell him that she is here…"

"Don't you think that she would have done that if she wanted him to know where she was?" Becky interfered.

"You've got a point there…" Claire trailed off. "But still, we need to find out if someone is still searching for her."

"You're probably right, but we should leave it to her, don't you think?"

"Becky…she needs help, and we will help her. Time will tell what to do." Tess said and smiled. "We'll help her, ok?"

The blond girl nodded. "But then…where has she been for the rest of the time? I mean, we all speculate on it just being a week, but it's been 5 months that she's been reported missing, if I got it right."

Tess frowned. "I don't know…"