Meg didn't stay long in the cabin. She couldn't. Something inside her pulled Meg out the door and away from the Tucks. It was time to move on.
She stopped before she got in sight of the road and took one last look. There was nothing spectacular about the forest. It looked the same as it had forever. Forever.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the trip ahead. She closed her eyes tightly, fighting off any tears that might threaten to expose her. She was startled when a man's voice came out of the trees. "Excuse me, Miss."
She whipped around and nearly fainted. The man from her dream, the one in the yellow suit, was standing in front of her. Her surprise must have showed, for he continued, "I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to startle you. I was just wondering if you could give me some information."
"What is it that you want?" She didn't trust him, and not even his smooth words and friendly smile could convince her to.
"Just to inquire of a name. A family by name of Tuck used to live around here, have you heard of them?"
Meg's heart nearly stopped. He was asking after the Tucks? That could only mean one thing: he knew about the spring. She had to play it as if they weren't around here anymore. She could only pray he wouldn't see through her act. "Tuck? No, never heard of 'em. Then again, the only family I know of is the Fosters. See, I'm just passing through, and the Foster girl, what was her name? Winnie. She gave me leave to camp in the woods a few days. Nice woods these are. Not another human for miles if you get deep enough into 'em."
"Mmm. I see. Winifred Foster was kidnapped a couple weeks ago, by the Tucks, you see, so I'm out here looking for them. Are you quite sure you've not seen any signs of them?"
Meg made a show of thinking about it. Please God, don't let him find out. "No sir, I've not seen anything like human activity since I came in these woods."
The man in the yellow suit took a step toward her. "That's funny," he said flatly.
"Why's that?"
He pulled a gun. "See, I don't believe you. You know where they are, and you're going to tell me. Understand?"
"Sir, put the gun away. I don't have any idea who the Tucks are. It won't do any good to kill me. Put the gun away."
He was getting closer now, close enough for her to smell his rancid breath. What's this?" His hand went to her neck, where he yanked the chain bearing Miles's ring off. Dangling the trinket, he enjoyed the murderous look she gave him. "Oh, my dear, was this something important to you? Let's see what it is? Did your beau give it to you, then?"
"Give it back."
"Tell me where the Tucks are."
"No."
It was quick. His gun went off, and Meg crumpled to the ground. Satisfied with himself, the man decided to keep the ring as a trophy. "Poor girl. You should have just told me. Ah well, I'll find them soon enough on my own." He strolled through the woods at a leisurely pace. The girl had left such a trail that it would be easy enough for him to find the Tucks. Then, he would force them to show him the spring. Of course, they wouldn't respond to death threats to themselves, but to the Foster girl, maybe. Just maybe.