The hot water over Abbey's body felt good. She still didn't know how many days had passed since her abduction, but right now it wasn't important. All that was important was to stay alive for however long it took Jed to find her. And she knew he wouldn't stop until he did. Even if he thought she was dead, she had faith that he would still search for her body. He wouldn't let her body rot in some foreign country. He would make sure that she was returned to her native Massachusetts or the Bartlett family cemetery in Manchester. Abbey shuddered, in spite of the hot water, when she thought of being dead and buried. And the trauma her family must be going through right now with the knowledge of her death, but with no body to grieve over.

She turned off the shower and wrapped one towel around her wet hair and one towel around her wet body. Making her way back into the bedroom, she looked at the clothes on the bed. Whoever had picked out the clothes had guessed pretty close to her size. She put on the undergarments, slid into the jeans, the flannel shirt and tied the sneakers. Finally dressed, she towel-dried her hair and looked in the old mirror in the room. Except for a couple of fading bruises on her face and neck, she could have been dressed for a day at the farm. But she knew this was not New Hampshire. This was somewhere completely different, and she had no clue where she was. Probably for the better.

"Jed, please find me. And find me quickly," she whispered to the reflection in the mirror. "Don't give in to whatever you're being told. Listen to your heart. I'm still alive, Babe."

Fighting back the tears, she regained her composure and went back into the kitchen area. It seemed to be the only living area. Gladys was sitting at the table, waiting for her with the teapot and two cups.

"I heard the shower stop so I went ahead and fixed the tea. Feel better?"

"Yes." Abbey sat down and poured the tea into her cup. "The shower and clothes really help."

"Usually does." Apparently, Gladys was a woman of few words.

Abbey sipped her tea in silence.

"Hungry?"

Abbey nodded. But she saw no pot on the stove so she didn't know what Gladys had in mind for food.

Gladys got up and went over to a cabinet and reached for a loaf of homemade bread. She also pulled down a jar of jam and a knife from the drawer. She brought the items to the table and sat them down in front of her guest.

"Here, help yourself. Supper isn't for another couple of hours. This should tide you over."

"Thank you." Abbey reached for the knife and cut a few slices of bread and spread some jam on each slice. She ate one piece which she found surprisingly delicious, and eagerly ate two more.

"I guess I was hungrier than I thought."

"Well, I think you haven't had anything to eat in a few days."

"Would you tell me what day of the week it is?"

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not. Just being curious."

"Curious can get you into trouble around here."

"Okay. Lesson learned." Abbey had just been taught her first lesson. Don't ask questions. It was going to be a long, silent prison sentence.

"If you don't mind, I would like to go lay down until dinner."

"Sure. Nothing else to do. I'll come and get you when it's time."

Abbey got up, went back to her bedroom and closed the door. Before she could get to the bed, the door slammed open.

"Another lesson, Abigail. Your door stays open all the time. Understand?"

"Understood."

Gladys turned around and left a stunned Abbey still standing, looking at the now empty place where Gladys had been.

'Hurry, Jed,' she prayed silently.