Chapter 17: Ethan and Emily's Thoughts on Being Taken

Alrighty, this chapter is going to written in two POV's. Ethan's and Emily's. Emily's POV first. Have fun kiddies. You guys ROCK my socks!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. That damn Dick Wolf does. You know who I created.

After riding what seemed like forever to the two children they stopped. I don't know where we are and I'm scarred. I think Ethan is scarred too, but he is a boy and he's trying to act tough. I just want to cry but I'm scarred that they man will do something to me or Ethan. I want my Papa and I hope he's coming soon. I would even settle for Ethan's Papa right now. The man yells at us anytime we talk to each other so as soon as he lets us off the horse we go and set together on the ground against a tree. Ethan puts his arm around me now, telling me it will be all right. Right, this man is probably going to kill us or worse. He acts like he knows us and I wonder at what point my Papa put him in jail. That is the only reason I can think that he would have to want to hurt me or maybe Ethan's Papa put him in jail and maybe that is why he took Ethan and I was just in the way. I look over at Ethan now, trying to be tough. Silly boy.

"Ethan." I say as quietly as I can.

"What?" he responds just as quietly.

"I'm scared."

"I know." Ethan says, pulling me closer to him. "But Pa will find us. I know he will."

"Ethan." I say again.

"What?"

"What do you think this man is going to do to us?"

"I don't know but I think we should try to sneak away tonight."

The man yells at us then. "You kids shut up." he growls at us. He has started a fire now, he must feel safe enough that a search party won't find us.

I feel Ethan take me hand and squeeze it hard in his. He is acting pretty grown up for a nine year old boy. I think part of it comes from the fact that he watched his own mother be killed and the other part come from not wanting to disapoint his pa.

We sit and watch as the man cooks something on the fire he's started and as he boils coffee. It is at this point that I realize that I'm thirsty. I'm scarred to say anything to the man so I say something to Ethan. "Ethan, I'm thirsty. I haven't had a drink all day."

"So am I. I'll say something to him." Ethan replies. "Say mister, could we get a drink of water?"

The man grumbles under his breath about what he was thinking taking two kids, that it would have been easier to just take the woman but he throws a canteen on the ground at our feet. Ethan picks it up and shakes it. It doesn't sound like there is much in it so he take a small drink and passes it to me. How thoughtful of him. I drink what's left in the canteen and feel somewhat better.

(Ethan's POV)

We rode for a long time today. It didn't bother me but I know that it bothered Emily and I felt bad for her. I am trying to be brave and strong for her and take care of her the way that my Pa would want me to. I feel bad that Emily was taken. I know the man wanted just me. I know he's trying to hurt my parents by taking me. I've seen him before and I know that my Pa made sure that he went to jail for trying to hurt my Ma.

I asked the man for a drink of water and there wasn't much left in it so I took a small drink and gave the rest to Emily. I still need some water but I have a plan. I plan to take off after dark and the man goes to sleep. I plan to take Emily with me. We left pieces of her dress on tree branches so we can find our way back. I hope anyway. I hope I can be a hero for Emily and get her back to her parents safely.

We sit in the same spot and watch the man eat the supper that he cooked for himself. He never offers us any and I hear my stomach rumble. I hadn't been able to finish my lunch. Soon the man takes out a bottle and I realize that it will be easier for us to escape if he gets drunk and passes out. We sit and sit and watch the man and soon his eyes get droopy. Before long he's snoring and I motion to Emily that it is time to go.

We go to the horse that we rode all day and I saddle it as quietly as I can. The man continues to snore so I hope that he remains asleep as we make our get away. I help Emily up on to the horse and I take off walking leading the horse. I hope I can use the moon light to follow our trail and that the man doesn't wake up and come after us. The only better thing would be for Pa to show up.

(Emily's POV)

As soon as the man fell asleep Ethan put his plan into action. I was suprised at how quickly and quietly he was able to work. I was really impressed by what he was doing. I never thought that he would be able to get us out of this situation.

He helped me on to the horse and then he began walking, leading him. Boy I hope Papa is up there looking for us somewhere