The Search

Larry was frantic in his quest to find Marty. He had nearly killed his poor horse in his rush to get to her. It wasn't long at all when he arrived at the Manning cabin, looking for Todd or Marty. He wasn't sure where to find them, but he thought that this might be the place where they had gone.

"Todd? Marty?" he called out out as he stepped into the cabin.

The air was thick with the chill of death. Todd was standing over the body of his beloved Aunt Barbara. Tears rushed from his eyes. He had returned to the cabin only to find that she had died. The wonderful woman he had loved as a mother had died in childbirth. Todd was sobbing as he held Barbara's hand.

There was no time for Larry to extend his sympathy. He had to find Marty. He was struggling with a nagging suspicion that his beloved daughter might be in some sort of danger.

"Where's Marty?" Larry asked. "She ran out earlier, looking for you."

Todd stiffened when he heard Larry's words. He became greatly agitated. What if his uncle had grabbed Marty? What if he had taken her?

"I think my uncle raped Marty," Todd stated. "We've got to find her. He may hurt her again. He may even kill her."

Larry swallowed hard when he heard Todd's words. His daughter was in danger. They had to save her.

"Let's go," Larry said. "But let me do the talking." The last thing he wanted was for something horrible to happen to his little girl. She had already been through far too much.

Todd and Larry left the cabin. They hurried off into the night to look for Marty and Peter. They were riding on horseback at the edge of the woods. Larry let out a frustrated sigh. He had absolutely no clue where to look.

"Do you have any idea where your uncle may have taken Marty?" he asked.

"He has a hunting cabin in the woods. He hangs pelts there... from the animals he traps," Todd stated. "He may have taken Marty to his cabin."

"Let's go," Larry said.

Larry followed Todd into the woods. As they traveled, tears stung at Todd's eyes. He couldn't help but blame himself for what had happened to Marty. All this time, he had never told a soul about his uncle's abuse. Peter had repeatedly hurt Todd and his severe mistreatment had lead to Barbara's illness and death. If Todd had spoken up, maybe Marty wouldn't have been hurt as well. Maybe she'd be safe at home with her parents. Maybe...

Maybe he wouldn't be losing the woman he loved.

He realized it then- Marty had became a woman and he LOVED her. He loved her beyond measure. With all his heart and soul.

She meant everything to him. She always had... and all he wanted was to get her back. He wanted her in his arms, so he could keep her safe.

*Please God, don't take Marty away from me. Don't let Peter hurt her again. I will do anything. ANYTHING! Just please, keep her safe,* Todd quietly prayed.

He prayed as he never had before. He prayed with all his heart and soul. He had always seen Marty praying. When times were tough and they didn't have enough to eat, he had always seen her, crying out with her heart to Jesus. Somehow, someway, they had always found food and shelter. Somehow, they had always made it through.

That night, Todd prayed with all his heart. As he cried out to God, he hoped his sincere prayer would be answered.

*Let there be a way, God,* Todd concluded. *Amen.*