Abbey awoke when she heard someone unlocking the padlock on the barn door. Still restrained and lying between the two blankets, she had no idea how much time had passed since McGann had left her alone. All she knew was that she was hungry and thirsty. And, by now, would welcome any human contact, good or bad. She had resigned herself to the fact that she was McGann's prisoner for an unknown period of time, especially if everyone thought she was already dead. Her most immediate goal was to stay alive until such time someone could find her and bring her back home to her family and country. Until then, she was willing to do almost anything to stay alive. Almost.

She watched as an older woman entered the barn with two fairly sturdy younger men holding what looked like hunting rifles. She could identify the rifles as they seemed similar to those her grandparents had used hunting deer during her childhood in Massachusetts.

"Well, hi there. Glad to see you're awake. My name is Gladys and I'm going to take care of you for the next couple of days. Feel like going for a little walk?"

She didn't really give Abbey a choice as one of the men took out a knife and cut the tape off her feet and the other one roughly pulled the tape off her mouth. She swallowed a little of the water Gladys offered her and moistened her cracked lips.

The man who had pulled the tape off her mouth pulled her to a sitting position, thereby causing the blanket to fall off, causing everyone to see her naked body.

"Put that blanket around her, Charles. God, let her have some modesty."

"Yes, ma'am."

Charles draped the blanket around her chest and taped it so tight it wasn't falling off anytime soon.

Abbey struggled to speak with her throat so dry, but finally was able to get out "Thank you."

"Oh, it's nothing. I wouldn't want my stuff to be shown like that. Now when we stand you up, I'm going to wrap that second blanket around your waist as soon as I can. So, we'll see everything for just a minute. Can't do any better than that, understand?"

Abbey nodded. Just a minute was the best she could get at this time.

"Feel like you can stand? I know you've been lying for a while so you might be dizzy when you first stand. Just give it some time. Martin will keep a hold on you while I hold the blanket. Charles will tape it secure. Okay, Martin, 1-2-3"

Martin easily pulled the lightweight woman upright in one tug. Gladys wrapped the blanket around her tiny waist while Charles taped it securely.

Gladys and Charles backed away. "Feel dizzy or anything?"

"No."

"Good. Martin, let go. Now, Abigail, we're going to walk out this door to the house just a few yards away. When we get inside, I'm going to cut the tape on your hands and we'll sit down and have a nice chat. In the meantime, these boys here, are going to be around in case I need them. But I'm not going to need them, am I?"

"No."

"That's what I thought. Now, let's go."

Abbey followed Gladys. But she was followed by Martin and Charles was by her side at all times, except when going through the door. After they got outside, Abbey looked around and saw nothing but broad, sweeping pasturelands. No other buildings could be seen in any direction. And even if she could see a structure, she had no clue how she would get there. So again, she made up her mind to do whatever it took to stay alive until someone figured out where she was and brought her home. Her true one and only home.

The group made their way to the porch. Gladys stood aside and motioned for Abbey to enter first. She then entered behind Abbey and shut the door. What was different was the door locked from the outside and apparently the men held the key, not Gladys. Abbey knew that was another factor in keeping her from leaving. McGann had chosen her prison carefully.

"Please sit. I'll get a knife and cut your bonds." Gladys walked over to a drawer, pulled out a kitchen knife and came over behind the chair Abbey was sitting in,

After some effort, Abbey was able to pull her hands apart and bring them in front of her. She finished ripping off the tape and rubbed the soreness on her wrists. "Thanks. They feel better."

"Good." Gladys sat down. "Now, we chat. All I know of you is your name is Abigail and that's all I want to know. Brendan wanted me to take good care of you. And I will. I will feed you, clothe you, let you have showers. You know, nice things. But in return, you will behave. That means, no talking about whatever occurred in the past, your past life, anything like that. I don't want to know. You will follow my directions. You won't try to escape. If so, Martin and Charles won't like that. And I won't be able to stop them from whatever Brendan has told them to do as punishment so I would advise you not to push your luck. You will eat what I eat. If you don't like it, tough. That's all I have. And I don't have a telephone, a television, nothing. Occasionally a neighbor comes by to make sure I'm still alive. If one comes while you'll here, you'll stay in your room and be quiet. Even one bit of noise, then I have to allow Martin and Charles to punish you. And I don't think you will like what they do. Although I've never seen their punishment, most people don't return from the barn when they are punished. And I don't ask questions. Understand?"

Abbey nodded. Sounds like she really didn't want to cross Gladys. If she did, it wouldn't be a nice ending.

"Okay. The room on the left is yours. I've laid out some clothes. I hope they fit you. You have your own bathroom. Go on. I'm sure you want a hot shower. All you need is in the bathroom. I'll be out here and will have some hot tea for you when you get out."

Abbey stood and did as she was told. A hot shower sounded marvelous. This was going to be a nice jail. A beautiful prison.