Gabriel had finally elected to just keep his eyes closed. It had made a slight improvement to how his was feeling but he still wanted this trip to end. The longer it went the further away from help he got, which meant less chance of being rescued. That hope of a rescue was what he needed to focus on right now. If these men meant to kill him, they would have done so already.

The horse came to a stop. Gabriel kept his eyes closed for the time being. It wasn't like there was much he could do anyway.

"Randy, Edgar, I want you to start getting the gear into the cabin and get the horses settled for tonight," the man who had gagged him said.

There were no verbal replies to the command but as the man did not repeat anything, Gabriel assumed the other two men complied with the commands. It was clear to Gabriel that this man was the leader.

"Walter, help me with the Mountie," the man said, even as Gabriel could feel the man tug at the ropes that held him on the horse.

Gabriel tensed up. His instinct was to fight back. However, that was not an option to him right now. His breathing started to quicken, only complicated more by the gag.

Though there was nothing gentle about the process, the two men quickly untied the lashings holding him to the horse. Even then, Gabriel's hands and ankles were still bound and the blanket he had been rolled up in was still secure. It was actually the ropes tied around the blanket around his arms and ankles that the two men used to carry him toward the cabin. Though uncomfortable, Gabriel supposed he should be thankful that the men had not let him fall to the ground.

Inside the cabin, Gabriel found himself placed none too lightly onto the bed. He felt the air being forced from his lungs as he made contact with the mattress, the sound muffled by the gag. As he was face down, the blanket still rolled around him, lay on either side of his head, limiting his view. He breathed in deeply through his nose trying to get air back into his lungs.

"He'll be fine there for a bit," the man calling the shots said. "See what kind of canned goods they have in this place while I get a fire going."

There was no reply but Gabriel did hear footsteps move in opposite directions.

At first, Gabriel just lay there, letting the lightheadedness he was feeling pass. He had a feeling the headache wasn't going anywhere any time soon, but even though he was on the bed, it felt like the room was moving.

Around him, footsteps and other noises indicated that his captors were moving about the cabin. A smell of smoke indicated that someone was trying to start a fire. The bang of the door indicated that at least one more of his captors had entered.

There was a thud and then the newcomer spoke. "Edgar said he would take the first watch."

"Good," came the leader's reply.

When the room seemed to be staying still again, Gabriel shook his head trying to get the blanket away from his face. It took a couple of tries but he did manage to do so. Turning his head to the side, he took in his surroundings.

They were in a one room cabin. Presumably one of the many cabins in the wilderness that was there for the use of hunters, trappers and travelers. Only one of the men was in his view. One whom he did not remember seeing yet. The man wore a bandana over his lower face and still wore his hat. Though the men were using first names, they were clearly being careful about him getting a good look at them, which was a good thing really. If they planned on killing him, they would not care if he got a good look at their faces.

The man caught his gaze. There was a steely look in the man's eyes. Gabriel got the impression that this man would not have any problem killing him.

"How do you like your accommodations there, Constable? Comfortable?" the man asked with a sneer.

"Leave him alone, Randy," Walter replied.

Gabriel struggled to shift enough to see his defender. The voice sounded younger than the other. However, the ropes tightly binding him did not allow him enough movement to see Walter.

"Leave him alone, Randy," Randy mocked. A cold laugh followed the words.

"Enough, both of you," the leader commanded.

The talking ceased as the men returned to their tasks. Though he knew he would be out numbered even if he did manage to get loose, Gabriel could not simply lie still. Trying not to draw too much attention to himself, he tested his bonds. Could he work them loose? Was there a knot in reach of his hands?

"I taught Walter how to tie knots," a voice said above him, causing Gabriel to go still. He craned his neck to see the leader standing above him. "As far as I know, no one has escaped by themselves yet. However, we did have one sheriff awhile back who managed to cause a ruckus even with his hands and ankles bound. I do not plan on having a repeat of that."

The man reached out for the knot in the ropes encircling the blanket. Gabriel went still. Though the man did not scare him as much as the one called Randy did, Gabriel had no doubt the man meant what he had said about not losing any sleep over his death.

The man untied the ropes around the blanket and pulled the blanket away. For a moment, Gabriel felt less restrained, even with his wrists and ankles bound. However, that feeling did not last long as the man rolled Gabriel on his right side. The man looped a rope around his bound wrists, and then looped that same rope through the rope binding his ankles. Gabriel instinctively struggled against the increased restriction.

"Want me to come keep him still?" Randy asked. Something in his voice told Gabriel the man would enjoy the action.

Despite his struggles though, Charlie had the upper hand and the man knew it. "I got this, Randy," Charlie told the other man, even as Charlie pulled the new rope taunt enough to draw Gabriel's ankles up a little closer to his wrists. It bent Gabriel's knees enough so that while not adding much strain, would make it impossible to stand up straight or try to get up from the bed.

"That sherif I told you about, Constable," Charlie said as he tied a slip knot in another length of rope. Gabriel felt the shiver go up his spine at the sight of that slip knot. "Well, I managed to get his feet touching his hands, after he caused his ruckus. Even pulled his head back using the gag, so just remember Constable," the man said as he slipped the loop he had formed in the rope over Gabriel's head. The man leaned in close. "It could be worse," he whispered in his ear.

The man left the loop loose around Gabriel's neck as he tied the other end to a bed post behind him.

"You keep still and do not give us any trouble, you will be fine. If you don't, well I will not promise we can loosen that rope around your neck in time," Charlie told him. He pulled another bandanna out of his pocket. "As we cannot eat without taking the bandanna's off, I am going to have to blindfold you, Constable. It is for your own good though," he added as he reached out with the bandanna held in both hands.

Gabriel could feel the rope against his neck. That was the only reminder he needed to remain still as the man tied the bandanna around his eyes. Once again, he saw only blackness.

"The best thing you can do for yourself right now, Constable, is just hang out and remain still," the man said, as he patted Gabriel's cheek before his footsteps took him away from the bed.

The only other time Gabriel had felt this helpless was when Jack Trenton had Lillian secure him to the chair and had beat him. The fact that he had so far not been beaten was the only thing that made this situation slightly better. However, even with the injuries he had suffered then he had been able to do something to try facilitating his escape. That was not the case this time. This time all he could do was lie here in the dark and pray for this ordeal to be over. Pray that he would see Lillian and Billy again.

Billy.

What if the boy panicked while spending the night with the Mendelson's. If Billy returned home and found him gone, what would the boy do? Would the Mendelson's be able to keep him with them? Would Ben think to perhaps get Maggie? Would Billy just simply panic and run?

If something happened to him, he knew Lillian would feel the pain of his death. The fears she had confessed to having about him being a Mountie, would have become reality. Yet, he did not fear for her well being. Lillian would grieve for a time, but she would be able to go on. She had Grace and Eleanor and she would find a purpose again caring for the orphans that she loved as if they were her own.

However, if he did not make it out of this what would it do to Billy? The boy had just begun to trust again. Gabriel would even go so far to say that Billy was beginning to love again even if he was not yet ready to admit it. Could the young boy who had already lost so much, be able to handle the death of another parental figure? Gabriel felt thankful that he had already talked to Nathan and Elizabeth. Seeing how easily Billy had accepted his friend and wife, he had made arrangements for the Grants to be Billy's guardians. The paperwork had been signed though he had not mentioned anything of the arrangement to Billy. He had wanted the boy to settle into his new life a little more before he brought up that particular possibility. Nathan and Elizabeth would look out for Billy as long as the boy would allow it. Gabriel feared that Billy would run off again and what if no one could find him?

Gabriel vowed to do whatever he could do to survive this ordeal. For now, he knew that meant he remain still and quiet. If he did not give them any trouble, the leader of this group at least, seemed content to just keep him tied up. Chances were, they planned on leaving him here after they committed whatever plan they had for the town of Brookfield. Gabriel hoped no one got hurt in town but he could not do anything to prevent that. Right now, he had to look out for himself. He knew he needed to endure the pain and whatever else lie in store for him until someone found him. He had faith someone would eventually. When they realized he was missing, the people of Brookfield as well as the Mounties would search for him. Nathan would as well when he heard, but for all Gabriel knew, he was further away from Hope Valley then he was when he was in Brookfield. He had no idea how long he had been out. No idea just how far away from town he was.

Gabriel's thoughts changed to prayers once again, as he prayed to God for the strength to hang on and the lord's guidance in sending help to him.

Billy laid awake, staring at the ceiling in Henry's bedroom. Henry slept beside him. Though it was the first time Billy had shared a bed with someone that was not what was keeping him awake. What was keeping him awake was being in a strange place. Every shadow looked threatening though Billy was not about to admit to that.

It was not like the night out at the orphanage though. There was only a few pieces of furniture in Henry's room - the dresser, desk and chair, a chest at the foot of the bed and the bed itself. There were colorful braided rugs on the floor and a picture of Henry and his parents on the desk. It was clear that the room had only one occupant and that would never happen at an orphanage. Although, he supposed Mary Louise had a room to herself right now but the bunk beds would still be in the room.

However, Billy just could not seem to close his eyes and go to sleep. He was sure nothing would happen if he did. The Mendelsons had all been very accommodating to him. Mr. Mendelson had assured Billy that if at any time during the night he wanted to go home, he would walk Billy across the street.

More than once, Billy had considered doing just that. It was that he did not like the Mendelsons. Henry and his parents had been very accommodating but it was not the same. He felt safe when he was with Constable Kinslow. Even safer than when he was with Miss Maggie, and he felt safe with her. Part of him wanted to go and be with Gabe. The other part of him wanted to prove that he was brave enough to have a sleep over with a friend. That was what normal kids did.

"Billy, are you okay?" Henry asked quietly from beside him. The question sounded a bit sleepy.

"Just having trouble falling asleep," Billy admitted, the thought of lying about it not even occurring to him.

"Do you want to go home?"

Billy shook his head before realizing his friend probably couldn't see the gesture in the dark. "No. I want to prove that I can stay with a friend."

"But you are anxious enough that you cannot sleep right?"

"I suppose so," Billy admitted, glad that his friend said anxious rather than scared. Being anxious sounded a whole lot better than just being plain scared.

Henry got out of the bed. Without turning on a light, he made his way to the chest at the foot of the bed. The boy opened it and then shortly later closed it again. Making his way back to the bed, Henry held a small object out to him.

"This is Rex," Henry told him. "I have had him as long as I can remember," his friend continued as Billy reached out for the object which was soft and squishy. "I use to hug him all night long when I was younger. He usually stays on the bed these days, though I put him away if my friends are over, and just hug him on nights when I am worried about something. There is something calming about hugging him but I am afraid the other boys would tease me if they knew. After hearing your essay, I do not think you will tease me and he might help you feel better tonight."

Billy hugged the toy, which he had figured out was a teddy bear, close to him. "I am willing to try anything," he admitted.

"I want you to stay, Billy, but if you need to go home, I understand that too."

"Thank-you," Billy replied, holding the bear close. The bear and his friend's words reinforced his desire to want to stick the night out at the Mendelson's. If you could get through this night, further sleep overs would be easier. He had learned that when he had first ran away from the orphanage. That first night out on his own had been the worst. Things had gotten easier after that.