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The next morning Steve woke Cassie up rather early to get her ready.

"Cassie, wake up," he whispered.

"What? Why?" she asked drowsily.

"Because we're taking a short trip to the country," Steve explained.

She got up not really understanding anything except that Steve said she could sleep on the way there. She had no change of clothes with her so Steve took some of Ponyboy's. She followed Steve out to the truck and climbed in. Steve got in on the other side and put the key in the ignition. The car roared to life and they were soon driving down the lonely streets. Steve kept his hands steady on the wheel as he drove slowly, for once in his life, and Cassie snuggled into the comfy upholstery.

Steve glanced over and smiled at her. He loved his sister more that anything and only wanted to see her happy. He knew for her own good he should take her a mile or so out of town. He smiled to himself and continued driving until the houses were replaced with open fields, and the old dirty cars were cows and horses grazing happily.

A few hours later they came to an old house that sat in the middle of nowhere. Steve slowed the car and got out. The car shifted and Cassie's eyes opened wide. She had no clue where she was all she knew was she was with Steve. Where was Steve? She looked frantically at the driver's side of the car, but couldn't see him.

All of a sudden two hands grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her out of the car. She almost screamed until she recognized the laughter.

"Steve," she gasped turning to him.

Steve laughed a little more and put his arm around her shoulder to turn her around. She gasped as she saw the big plantation house that saw before her.

"Like it?" he asked beaming.

"It's beautiful," she said in awe.

"Yeah, grandma and grandpa used to live here before they passed away. They never sold it," Steve explained.

"Why are we here?" Cassie asked.

"Well, I figured you could use a break form the hum drum of town. So I figured I'd show you this and we'd stay a night or two. What do you think?" Steve asked.

"I think it'll be great!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around Steve.

"Great!" Steve echoed picking her up and swinging her around.

The day drew on as they looked around the old dusty house. It had no electricity or running water, but Steve talked to the power company and got a week of electricity for them. They walked threw the court yards and down to the old stables. They even sat on the old porch swing and laughed and told stories. Cassie felt something she had never felt before, free. She had never truly felt free before because she always had her dad beating her, but here she didn't have to worry about that.

As morning drew to evening and evening into night they settled down in the living room. They lit a fire in the fireplace and opened the front windows to let in some air. She could here the tree frogs singing and crickets chirping, she never wanted to leave.

She felt herself slipping into sleep and she smiled as she dreamt of happy thoughts.