Trent Tacoma knew the signs of an abused girl when he saw one, and the small red haired girl Marlin and Vesta had brought into his clinic had certainly been abused. There was little doubt in his mind about that. Some of her bruises were a few weeks old. He bristled at the thought. Who could have hurt this beautiful girl. She couldn't be older than fifteen or sixteen. The girl had suffered some sort of trauma recently, Trent assumed that was what had caused her massive memory loss. He could see no bump to her head.

"We should file a police report," Trent advised. Dakota looked terrified at the thought. Trent couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl. She was clearly terrified of everything.

"Can't that wait a bit?" Vesta asked. "I think the girl has been through enough tonight." Dakota looked at Vesta gratefully. She didn't know why the going to the police scared her, but the thought was too much to handle right now.

"Ok," Trent conceded. He was hesistant to not call Harris in, but he knew better than to cross Vesta. "Does she have a place to stay?"

"She'll stay with us," Vesta replied. "We have an extra bed in Celia's room."

"That's fine with me then," Trent stated. He would call Harris tomorrow.

Dakota, Marlin, and Vesta made their way back to their farmhouse. Vesta had been so very kind to her. The small girl struggled to remember anything about her past, but the harder she tried, her head started hurting. She knew that there was something important that she was missing, but didn't know what it was.

"Welcome to our home!" Vesta stated when they arrived at the farm. "You can stay here as long as you need to, until you get your memory back."

"Thank you for your kindness," Dakota replied. Marlin grumbled something and left the farmhouse.

"Don't mind my brother," Vesta stated. "He's always grumpy." Dakota giggled. For the first time since she'd been found on the sidewalk, she didn't feel afraid anymore.

OOOOO

Hamilton returned to the small apartment in Umberland City. Both he and Elliott had searched the city trying to find her. Hamilton cleaned up the small apartment, leaving no traces of himself and Dakota. He had rented the small apartment in Umberland City after he had abducted Dakota. He didn't want any trace of Dakota in his own apartment. Now he knew that it was only a matter of time before the police started to descend on him. He got into his rental car to drive to the airport. At least he would get a little distance between him and the police. A few more hours of freedom was what he needed.

Hamilton had not expected Dakota to be able to escape. He had been so meticulous in binding her, but he knew his mistake had been the previous night. Hamilton had let his guard down. He had been feeling pretty depressed as of late, and had not paid as close attention to binding his captive as he usually did. He cursed himself for allowing his guard to drop. Now it was all over.

Elliott his accomplice had gone underground. If Hamilton was a smart man, he would do the same thing. But his pride would not go down that way. He wanted to be in control of the situation. At least sitting in his lush apartment in Harbor City, he would be able to enjoy the last moments of his freedom. If he was able to get there before the police caught up with him. It was a two hour flight back home, and he had yet to buy a ticket.

OOOOO

Evening was Jill's favorite time of day. She loved when the sun would be setting and dusk would settle on the land. The skies would be painted a beautiful crimson or purple color. People were finishing up their work day, and coming home to spend time with their families. This time of day had always resembled hope for Jill.

Jill sat out on the small front porch in front of the house, with her guitar. It had been quite a while since she'd pulled it out to play. Claire had gone to Mineral Town again. Jill didn't mind, she liked the time alone. She lazily strummed on her guitar, allowing her fingers to roll gently over the strings.

"Do you have a voice to match that beautiful playing?" A voice asked. Jill jumped. She looked up to see Skye standing in the yard.

"Shouldn't you be off stealing some young girl's heart?" Jill asked.

"I am trying," Skye crooned. Jill cocked her head to the side. She set the guitar down.

"I don't understand you," Jill admitted. Her brow furrowed.

"Most people don't," Skye replied. There was a touch of something almost sad in his voice. Jill wondered if it was just another ploy of his. She didn't trust the handsome thief. "Play me a song?"

"What?" Jill asked. She was surprised at the request. She didn't think that a man like this would want to listen to a song. She looked in his eyes to see if he was just mocking her again. There were no traces of laughter in them. Jill sighed. She said nothing, and picked up her guitar. She started playing a lullaby her mother used to sing her. She wasn't sure why out if all the songs she'd chosen that one. Closing her eyes to avoid crying, she finished the last notes of the tender song. When she reopened her eyes, Skye was gone. It was just as well, as the tears she'd struggled to hold back were now freely falling down her face.

OOOOO

Hamilton roamed through his empty apartment. At one point he had been proud of all the property he had acquired. He had reveled in the wealth that came along with it. Now he looked at the property and it was just a dim reminder of the life that was slowly slipping from his grasp. It angered him. He had not planned on the money running out. It had poured in so freely over the past few years. He was not going to be able to afford rent in his high rise apartment for much longer. He had wasted enough money renting the small apartment to keep Dakota in.

Four days had passed slowly for Hamilton. The hours were excrutiating as he was waiting for the police to show up. When the knock finally came on the door, he was a frazzled mess. He ordered himself to hold it together. He would not just lie down and die.

"Hello?" Hamilton said as he opened the door.

"Are you Hamilton Blake?" The officer asked him.

"That would be me," Hamilton stated.

"You're a hard man to get a hold of," the man stated. "My partner's got a few questions for ya, you mind coming with me to Waffle Island?"

"Waffle Island?" Hamilton asked. This he hadn't expected. He'd expected the officer to come and arrest him. He forced himself to calm down again. Maybe, just maybe this wouldn't end out bad after all.