People can Change

Ch. 13

It was over an hour after Audra and Juliet rode off for a quick ride when Victoria knew something was up. She was trying to keep Catalan busy so she wouldn't start asking about her mother. Looking at the stairs; she heard footsteps then she saw Heath coming down.

Heath had just left Scott after talking to him. He was still shaking his head about Scott story and the way he'd been treated growing up. It was no wonder Scott had become the man he had once been. He glanced to his right and saw his mother looking concerned. Heath hurried to his mom's side and asked, "What is wrong?"

"It's Juliet and Audra. They went for a short ride on the path that leads east from here and they are past due back." Victoria said softly. She didn't want Catalan to over hear them.

At hearing that, Heath also grew worried. With Scott's crazy uncle out there, he didn't like hearing this bit of news. "Don't worry, we will find them." Heath said as he hurried outside.

Heath began running to where Nick and McCall were leaning against the coral. Nick heard running and turned around to see Heath running to towards them; fear written all over his face.

"What is it, Heath?" Nick asked anxiously.

"Juliet and Audra are missing. They went on a short ride over an hour ago and mother is beside herself with worry. I'm going looking for them and wondered if McCall was needed here; if not I want him to come with me." Heath said.

Nick nodded, than watched Heath and McCall run off to get their horses. About ten minutes later they were headed down the same path the girls had supposedly taken.

Nick had had a few conversions with Scott since he had woken up. He now understood Heath and his mothers concern. Scott had indeed changed from what he had been and he only hope his Uncle was not here to cause any trouble. All the more reason he should stay close by the house. Heath and McCall would find the girls… He prayed.

/

Heath and McCall rode down the path hoping to find some signs of the girls. The thought of them no longer alive never crossed their mind, but they knew for sure that whoever had them was going to pay for taking them. The friendship was forged with Scott once again. And this time Heath didn't see them losing the friendship with the Breckenridges.

Aakesh and Baldev had just come around the bend in the path when they spotted Heath riding with somebody else. The two men were looking around everywhere searching for something. Aakesh and Baldev waited for them to come closer before they spoke.

Heath looked up and saw two Modoc braves sitting staring at him. As he got closer, he realized that the two were friends of his. Heath stopped his horse not far in front of them and said, "Hello, Aakesh and Baldev."

"Hello, Heath." Aakesh replied.

"What are you two doing out here?" Heath asked.

"We are on our way to join our group then we are heading back home. What are you two looking for?" Aakesh answered.

"My sister and her friend Juliet; they've gone missing." Heath said. "You haven't seen them?"

"They are with three men headed north." Baldev said as he pointed the way.

Heath looked at McCall and said, "Go get Nick and other people to help. Meet me up at the north line of the fence and hurry!"

McCall took back off towards the main house in a hurry while Heath thanked his friends and went after the ladies. Aakesh and Baldev watched Heath until he was gone before they continued their journey to rejoin their group.

/

Juliet and Audra hands were tied to their saddle horns. Juliet's face was motionless and Audra was beginning to understand why Juliet and Scott had stayed pretty much hidden from people outside of her village. This uncle of Scott's made Audra sick to her stomach.

Hank held the reigns to Juliet and this other lady horses. Mo and Slick were riding behind the ladies as they made their way up to the base of the mountain. They all stopped; the sun was going down and they all needed to eat.

Hank dismounted and then told the ladies to get down. He made them cook supper and after they had eaten dinner he had Mo tied the girls to a tree. The men lay down and fell asleep; while Juliet wiggled until she was able to reach the knife she had hidden.

Audra looked at Juliet and watched what she was doing. She smiled when she saw the knife in Juliet's hand.

"Audra, how well do you know the area we are in?" Juliet asked.

"Well, enough during the day, but I have never tried to travel at night." Audra replied.

"Well, we have no choice but to travel while those three are asleep. I know that if we don't get a lead, however small it is; we will be dead a lot sooner than we want to be." Juliet whispered, as they stood up.

Audra and Juliet quickly, but quietly saddled their horses and led the horses away from the makeshift camp. As soon as they decided they were far enough away, they mounted their horses and rode up the side of the mountain with Audra leading the way.