Plan of Escape:

The House:

They fell into routines. The man, who Trixie learned was named Frank, didn't bother the girls much unless he wanted something and then it was Charlie who always went to help him out. Charlie made him dinner, cleaned his house, kept him away from Trixie & Heather and made the girls dinner. If Frank wanted more, Charlie did that too, though Trixie never asked what that 'favor' was. She had lost count of days and since they all blurred together, she only really knew that it was either morning or night by use of the window in the small room they were kept in.

After the first few days, Frank had tried to go after Trixie but Charlie always got in the way so he'd take her instead. She was vaguely aware of the moans that came from another part of the house, but Charlie never talked about it and she always looked like she was about to cry when she came back to the room.

Heather, it turned out, had some sort of mental problem so she never really understood what was going on. She knew that she as with her sister, but beyond that didn't know much else. True to Charlie's word, Heather accepted Trixie as her new best friend and someone to play with when Charlie was too busy with Frank to play.

Trixie had tried to ask about Charlie's family but every time she brought it up, Charlie would change the subject as if talking about her family wasn't allowed in the house. And so Trixie had been forced to give up that line of questioning and thought as well. Though she often wondered what her family & friends were doing. When she brought it up to Charlie, Charlie told her it did no good to think of the past when they needed to think of ways to survive every day.

But Trixie refused to let go of her family & friends and instead started looking for ways to escape somehow. If only Frank would leave so they could escape…

Crabapple Farm:

It had been a month since the kidnapping of Trixie & still there was no word. It was as if she had just dropped off the face of the Earth, though everyone knew that that was impossible. But since the police in Sleepyside were working with the Detectives in New York City and had linked the two cases, they had many officers not just looking for Trixie but also the two missing sisters of Adam Fowler. It was the lead the Sleepyside cops had been waiting ten years for. Charlotte Fowler had finally resurfaced and now it was a race against time to find the three girls before time ran out.

Spider Webster was always at the Belden place, updating the family with any new evidence in their daughter's case. Because of his personal connection to the victim, he wasn't allowed to help look for Trixie, but that didn't stop him from being involved in the case, even if it was just updating the Belden's.

The Bob-Whites were a different story. Without Trixie, they didn't feel whole. It was as if the heart of the club had been ripped out and they didn't know how to put Humpty Dumpty back together again without the heart that was so obviously missing. And that was another thing. Mr. & Mrs. Belden no longer felt comfortable allowing Brian & Mart to meet at the Clubhouse, though it was on the Wheeler property. So now, they met at Manor House, holding their meetings in Jim's room. Tom and Celia had attempted to give up their trailer for every meeting but the Bob-White's declined, telling them that there was no offense but they felt safer in the house. Tom & Celia hadn't taken offense at all.

Adam Fowler also spent a lot of time at Crabapple Farm & Manor House discussing with both sets of parents what was going on in both cases. He'd been at Basic Training when his sister had been kidnapped. He was feeling very protective of them now that there was a possibility that not only were they alive, but with Trixie as well. If Charlotte & Heather were with Trixie, there was a greater chance at bringing all three of them home alive.

Can Trixie, Heather, Charlie find a way to escape? And will they get help from an unknown source who has been wondering about Trixie?

The Barn:

Trixie was in the barn next door grooming a horse when Charlie walked in with not only Heather but the man that owned the barn. Apparently, the man and Frank were good friends and Charlie had become friends with the man's daughter sometime in the past summer. Heather immediately ran to where Trixie was grooming the horse to try and help. There were 3 horses in the barn.

"well hello young lady, where did you come from?" the man asked and Trixie hung back, afraid of what Frank might do if he caught them in the barn.

"Trixie, you don't have to be afraid. This man is a retired cop and he says he wants to help. His name is Donald Jackson."

"It's nice to meet you sir. But Frank will be mad when he finds out we're gone."

"He won't have time to come after you. Charlie and Heather will be on one horse and you on another. We have your bags all ready for you. Frank is passed out drunk right now. Now, after you are dropped off at your house, Charlie & Heather will continue to their home. Each bag has clothes, food, money & water. You can each pay me back when you get home. I expect you to keep in touch so I know how you are getting along once you are back home. I have some friends still on the 'Force' that will come when I call & tell them what my neighbor has done. By that time, you will be long gone. And you can keep the horses till I come get them. Now, let's saddle the horses and get you on your way. You need to be well on your way before I call in the cavalry. I do hope to see you three again."

The horses were saddled almost immediately and the three girls grabbed the bags that had been packed for them, then they headed off into the woods with a map and flashlights. They were free from Frank and they knew it was going to be a long ride home…

More to come in next chapter…

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