Chapter 7
Crossroads mission school, Oklahoma
August 1859
Kaylie's heart thudded in her chest as she heard a familiar voice echo through the empty hallway. Her pulse quickened when Sister Agnes mentioned she was in the kitchen finishing up her chores. No, it couldn't be him. Her ears must have been playing tricks on her. She listened intently at the doorway.
Conner Winters, her uncle.
Kaylie saw the shadows move down the hallway, and she quickly dashed out into the courtyard and into the girls' dormitory.
"Kaylie, what's the matter?" Nicole glanced up from her studies as Kaylie began rummaging through her little box of belongings.
Kaylie's mind seized with fear, rendering her speechless. Without a moment's hesitation, she snatched a blanket from her bed and hastily stuffed all her letters into a small satchel. Peeking cautiously out of her room, she spotted the ominous silhouettes slowly making their way down the corridor.
With her heart pounding in her chest, she dashed into the courtyard, seeking refuge behind a sprawling rose bush. From her concealed vantage point, she observed as the sister departed, leaving behind the ominous figure in the courtyard while continuing toward the girls' dormitory.
Clutching her satchel tightly and draping the thin blanket around her shoulders, Kaylie hurried back into the kitchen. With swift movements, she filled the small bag with fruit and rolls, her mind racing with urgency. She understood that once Sister Agnes spoke to Nicole, they would undoubtedly come searching for her. The thought of him being so close sent shiver down her spine. With determination fueling her steps, Kaylie dashed past the chapel and across the narrow dirt road that separated the school from the looming forest ahead.
Kaylie's heart beat faster as she quickly looked around the trees. For a split second, she thought about turning around and just hiding in the mission. Surely one of the fathers or sisters would protect her, right? No, she shook her head and rubbed her arms. She was glad she thought of bringing a blanket with her.
The forest was dark, but she had been this far out many times when she was gathering firewood. She had that advantage at least. She stopped again and looked back towards the mission. She didn't see him following her, nothing but blackness.
"Calm down, Kaylie," she whispered to herself.
Three years had passed since Kaylie first set foot in the mission school, and in that time, she had dared to believe she was safe, that the shadows of her past would never haunt her again. Yet, it was a deceptive sense of security, one she now recognized as a costly mistake. As she fled into the wilderness, determined to escape once and for all, Kaylie vowed never to underestimate the reach of her uncle again.
The night air was cold, but nothing like the bite of fear that kept her running in the darkness. She remembered that Buck had told her once if she was lost to look up. He showed her how the stars would guide her. Through her tears and the dense leaves, she had a difficult time finding the star. She could hear her own breath and the howl of an animal somewhere in the distance. A shudder ran through her as the thought of being eaten by an animal raced through her mind.
Kaylie was determined to make it through the night. She walked for what seemed like days to her. By the time the sun began peeking through the trees, Kaylie thought she was going to drop. The only thing that kept her going was adrenaline and fear. She had to make it to Kansas; Buck was in Kansas. He would protect her.