Escape:

Night Flight:

Heather was in front of Charlie on Bolo, who happened to be at one point in Mr. Jackson's career, part of the Mounted Patrol in the city. Trixie was on Levi, who happened to be Mr., Jackson's late wife's horse before the woman had died a few months before. They each had flashlights and they were using them at the moment as they made their way through the woods and staying off the main trails.

They knew better than anyone that if they stayed off the main road then they might be able to get all the way into the country part of New York without being stopped by anyone they didn't want to run into. Trixie was anxious to get home to her family & friends and though she could see that the same was true for Charlie & Heather, she also saw apprehension on Charlie's face and so she asked about it. She wasn't expecting the answer she got.

"Charlie, what's with the face? It's almost as if you don't want to go home."

"Of course I want to go home Trixie, but I don't know what awaits us. Both of our parents were killed the day we were taken. I don't even think anyone is looking for us anymore. What if we get home and no one is left to say that they are glad to see that we are alive?"

"Well, didn't you have any siblings other than Heather?"

"We have a brother, but I don't know if he came home after we disappeared. For all I know, he sold all of our stuff and moved away."

"Well, let's hope he didn't do that. Say, where did you live before Frank took you guys?"

"Actually, I don't really remember. All I know was that it was in the country somewhere. I was only in first grade when I was taken and Heather wasn't even in school."

"Maybe Moms and dad will let you stay with us till we can find your family; them or the Wheelers."

"Weren't you with the Wheelers when you were taken?"

"Yes, and I miss my friends terribly but I miss my family more."

"Well, you'll be with your family in a few days. I can only wish the same for Heather and me."

"Enough talk for now. Its growing light so we should be able to hurry more now that we'll be able to see. Best wake Heather; she won't want to miss the scenery."

"Good idea."

The talking stopped as night turned to day and the most beautiful sunrise hit the horses and their riders. How would everyone react to seeing the trio escaping to freedom?...

A Night Raid:

Mr. Jackson had called his friends that hadn't retired yet & told them everything. Detectives from both New York City & Sleepyside participated in the raid. And it wasn't just local police either. The FBI had gotten involved. So now the small cabin in the woods was slowly filling up with cops as the three girls made their escape & Frank slept in a drunken stupor.

It had been quiet as all the cops got into position outside the cabin. The lead FBI agent had been told what Mr. Jackson had done for the three victims and understood why he had finally stood up to his neighbor. Mr. Donald Jackson had seen the new girl that had suddenly appeared in the cabin and heard from friends about the missing girl that matched the young girl to a 'T' and had acted. The girls had been given the opportunity to flee to freedom and they had taken it.

But as the cops made ready to breach the house, they knew that the only person that would be hurt was the kidnapper himself. And as they turned on all of their lights and grabbed the doorknob to breach the house, they knew the girls were not inside. And all Frank heard as they breached the house was, 'FBI, Police, put your hands where we can see them and get on the floor.' Because Frank would never be able to hurt anyone ever again, for he would be in prison for the remainder of his life.

Now Spider Webster had something positive to tell the Belden's…

A Familiar Store:

It had been nearly three days since Trixie, Charlie & Heather had fled on Bolo & Levi, Mr. Jackson's horses. Three days since they left the woods and city and had entered the country. Three days since they had seen anyone that might be looking for them. But in those three days, the girls had seen plenty.

Heather had adopted an abandoned wolf pup during one of their stopovers to sleep. Charlie had figured out she was pregnant thanks to what Frank had done to her and the bruises on Trixie's arms had started to fade. Charlie had made room in Heather's bag to hold the wolf pup by putting some of the food in the saddlebags. And Heather had started to sing, though it was usually her Charlie who finished the song for her sister. The horses had grown to be friendly with their new temporary owners, though according to Charlie, had always been friendly to anyone that took care of them.

On was on the fourth night, as they came upon a small grocery store that Trixie recognized where she was. Charlie had suggested that they stop and buy some bottled water and Trixie had agreed. The second she was off Levi & waiting for Charlie to get Heather down from Bolo, Trixie recognized where she was. As they entered the store together, Trixie's eyes fell on the store owner.

"MR. LYTELL!" Trixie practically screamed. Mr. Lytell was so shocked, he fell right off the stop he'd been sitting on.

"Trixie Belden, by God child, is that really you?"

"It is. Oh it is so good to see you," Trixie said as he came around the corner. Trixie threw her arms around the old shopkeeper and the old man could do little more than to hug her right back.

"How in the world did you get here? How did you get away?"

"That's a long story. I'll tell you later. Can I use your phone please? I want to call home."

"Of course, just one second."

But right as Mr. Lytell went to grab the phone, the power went off and everyone in the store groaned. Mr. Lytell came to the rescue.

"Not to worry, we'll just call your house in the morning, Trixie. We'll let them know that the store will be closed and that I'll be bringing the newspaper tomorrow. That way it will be a surprise for everyone at the house. Now, from what I know, all the Bob-Whites are sleeping at your house tonight, Trixie, something to do with a fundraiser that's being held tomorrow at the lake. Miss Trask originally invited me so there is a reason for me to be closed tomorrow. I guess you and your friends will be the surprise for the night, now, there is a house back of the store just in case I got stuck here during a storm. And since my horse is already in the garage, let's put your two horses in the garage as well."

"Thank you Mr. Lytell. We really do appreciate it. I promised Charlie that Moms and dad would help find her family, well hers & Heathers."

"Good to know. Alright girls, let's get something to eat and then get some sleep. We want to be on the way up Glen Road tomorrow before anyone has a chance to get their horses saddled and headed down here. Your parents are going to be so relieved, Trixie."

More to come in next chapter…

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