Let your conscience be your guide!
Chapter 1
The field was beautiful, Candy was picking some wildflowers for the dining room at the dorm. Jeremy would be down the mountain to see her this evening. She was going to be cooking his favorite dinner and one of her apple pies. He really liked those pies. She picked a few more flowers and put them in her basket. Sitting down in the middle of the field she was content to wait. Enjoying the beautiful day.
Jeremy was coming down from the mountain when he noticed that Candy was in the field. He stood out of her sight just to watch her. He watched as she carefully picked the summer flowers and watched as she sat down in the meadow. He watched as she fell sleep there in the meadow. He was just about to go down to see her when he noticed that someone was coming towards her. He did not hesitate but headed towards her as well a little faster than he would have walked but he did not know the person who was walking over to her. When they reached her, he suddenly recognized the man.
"Well, Jeremy, have you made her your wife yet?" I hope so, because if you haven't then I sure do have a good chance of taking her from you and this time it won't be such a sweet remembrance for her!"
Jeremy was shocked, he had thought "the kid" had left the area, in fact there had been rumors that he had been killed. But here he was standing in front of Jeremy. Jeremy then took his gun, shot the kid, and killed him. He then ran, he ran far away from Candy and the mountain. He was so far away that Candy woke up with a start and yelled:
"Jeremy! Jeremy! Come back, I am here for you!" She was so distraught that she ran towards the camp as she got closer, Jeremy and his brothers were walking down from the top of the mountain and when they saw her, Jeremy ran to her. She was crying and fell into his arms.
"Candy, what is the matter?"
"Jeremy, I dreamed that you shot "Richard'" she said as she stopped crying for a minute and then she said: "You started to run and run, and I couldn't find you?" then she cried again as he held her in his arms. Jason and Joshua came up and listened and helped Jeremy to calm her down.
"It was just a nightmare!" Jeremy said as he shushed her, drying her tears.
"I just fell sleep; everything was so warm and peaceful until I had that dream!" she said, letting Jeremy's arms surround her, making her feel safe and protected.
Joshua said: "Perhaps you are worrying about something Candy?" Jason looked at Josh and decided that it was probably what happened.
"No, it wasn't worry, I mean, I dreamed that he saw me lying in the meadow and he came over and Jeremy shot him! But I don't know why Jeremy would run from me? Or why Richard was in my 'nightmare'? she said and started to cry again.
"Candy, I will take you to the cabin and we can sit for a while. I won't leave you until you feel better!" Jeremy said as he took his arm on her shoulder and led her towards the Bolt cabin.
"Jason, Josh, do you mind if you go to Lottie's for a while?" asked Jeremy as he was walking away. Jason and Josh both agreed and headed into town for dinner.
Once Jeremy and Candy got to the cabin, he sat her down and started some water for some tea. Ever since the ladies had shown up, the Bolt brothers had some tea on hand for the ladies that would come to visit their cabin.
"Candy, c-ca-can you tell me a little more about this dream?" Asked Jeremy as he almost made a mess of the tea leaves. Candy got up and helped him. She liked helping Jeremy. He accepted it but then he made her sit on the chair, and he sat next to her holding her hands in his. He brought them up to kiss them once or twice as she sat there. He let her take a sip of tea.
"Jeremy, I don't know why I dreamt of Richard today. It was such a nice day that laying down in the meadow…Oh! I left the flowers there!" said Candy remembering the basket of flowers.
"We can go get them if you want to? Jeremy said, holding her hand and watching her. He was concerned, she had been having some dreams or rather nightmares for a week now. He had wanted to tell her of something that happened just a month before, but he had not had the time nor the desire, and figured she didn't need to know about that incident. While Jeremy was looking at her and remembering the incident, Candy looked up at Jeremy and saw that he was remembering something. She knew he was not good at lying and wondered if there was something he needed to tell her or didn't want to tell her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know. But it could be something that she needed to know.
Jeremy looked at her. She was going to be his wife. There should be no secrets between them. No lies or worries bothering their consciences. But he wasn't sure he wanted to tell her. She did not know of his encounter. It had happened about a month ago. When he left to go to Olympia to pick up the wedding ring. On the way back the stagecoach he was on was stopped and there was a robbery or an attempted robbery. The Kid had stopped the stagecoach in order to rob the passengers. He was surprised that Jeremy was on the coach.
Chapter 2
The Kid recognized Jeremy and said:
"How is Candy? I hope that you are treating her right, because if you aren't, I will have to do something about that! Say, what is that in your pocket? Jeremy tried to cover the ring box that was in his jacket pocket, but he Kid noticed and smiled and said to Jeremy:
"When is the date? It might be nice to see her again? Maybe I should be your best man? Of course, if she says that you aren't treating her right, I will just have to shoot you and marry her!" He taunted Jeremy who was doing his best not to react. Jeremy held his temper and kept his thoughts to himself. The Kid told Jeremy he wanted the ring; he would return it on the day of their wedding.
"Jeremy, I will return it on the day of your wedding. Now when is the wedding? He asked Jeremy who said very clearly:
"Give that back to me! It does not belong to you!" The Kid laughed in his face while the gun was positioned so close that Jeremy could feel the barrels pushing into his stomach.
"Oh, maybe it does! But you see, I still want to marry her and make her mine. Maybe I should shoot you and then she will have to marry me!" He smiled. Jeremy could not take it anymore, regardless of the barrel that was in his stomach, he reached up to hit The Kid but used his feet and legs to knock him off balance. Once the kid was down, he had fought to get the gun away from both of them, but it went off. Some of the passengers and the Stagecoach driver immediately went and pulled Jeremy off of The Kid. The Kid had been shot, but he had not died yet, With his last breath he said to Jeremy:
"I will see Candy again…he took another breath…and you won't be able…to…stop….me!" He had a gruesome smile when he expired. Jeremy was too stunned to react at the time. He got back in the stagecoach with the wedding ring and sat there until they got to Seattle. When he got off, he forgot to get his bags. The Stagecoach driver had time, so he took the suitcases up to the Bolt cabin and saw Jason.
"Jason, you need to see your brother Jeremy. We were held up and seemed The Kid was working the stagecoach line and Jeremy may have shot him. He is pretty shook up!"
"Thanks Frank. I will go check on him." Jason said and left the cabin going to Lottie's thinking that Jeremy had gone there first. Candy was out picking her flowers that day, so she had not been there when the coach arrived. Since Jason could not find him at Lottie's he went to search for him. He found him in the little church sitting and crying. Jason came in and saw him and sat next to him. He put an arm around him and waited. It took awhile but he finally started to tell Jason what happened.
"Th-the-thank you J-j-jas-jason!" Jason told him to take some breaths when he was ready to tell him what happened.
"It was a rob-robber-robbery! We were stopped by The K-K-Kid. He recognized….me and took the-the-the ring. He held a g-g-g-un-gun against my…!" Jeremy started to not breathe again, and Jason held him and said very quietly:
"Breathe Jeremy, take a breath, 1…2…let it out…that's it." Jason said and waited for Jeremy to relax and breath normally. This might take some time.
Jeremy finally continued a little calmer and said:
" I could feel the barrels of the gun pushing…pushing into my stomach!" He stopped and then he said:
"He had the wedding ring, s-said he was going to show up and give it to us! He was…he was trying to get me mad. Then I just balled up my fist and went to hit him, and my legs kicked his legs off balance….I d-d-don't know what happened after that….it was….its w-w-was like I was not there but there?" Jeremy stopped Jason, gave his brother a hug and waited again.
"I was back on the stage, and I remember getting to Seattle and….I guess you found me!" Jeremy said and then he started to cry again and said:
"P-p-p-please don't tell Candy? I d-d-do-don't want her to know!" Jeremy said as he leaned into his brother and cried. Joshua was out looking for his brothers when he went by the church. Someone was crying. When he went in, he was surprised to see that Jeremy was crying. He was about to make a snide remark when Jason gave him a look and he stopped and waited for Jason or Jeremy to tell him what was wrong.
"Jeremy, I am going to take you home. Joshua and I will be with you the whole night, you won't be alone. Joshua, I want you to go to Lottie's and get a bottle of whiskey. And a couple of beers. And tell Lottie to let Candy know that Jeremy is home, but he will not be able to visit tonight we have some important Bolt business to handle." Joshua understood and did not have to be told twice. Jason walked Jeremy home from the church. Taking a different direction so they would not pass by the dormitory in case anyone happened to see them.
Joshua went to Lottie's and talked to her. She said she would see Candy in a few minutes. She did not ask any questions although she was curious, but she also knew what ever it was would come out sooner or later. She gave Joshua two bottles of whiskey and two beers for him to take home. That night both Jason and Joshua sat up, with Jeremy giving him some whiskey every now and then when he started to wake up. They wanted him to sleep for a couple of days and would not let anyone see him.
Chapter 3
Candy was beside herself with worry, she felt that she should be there to take care of Jeremy. But neither Jason nor Joshua would let her in or let her see him. They had taken a few days off from the logging operation. Corky was handling things with Big Swede helping as well.
"Jason, I am Jeremy's fiancé! I don't see why I cant help?" Candy said as she tried to push past or see past Jason's big frame. Jason was like a mountain; you could not move him even if you tried.
"Candy: I know that you want to see Jeremy, but he is not feeling well and needs to sleep! Lottie said to go talk with her, she can let you know how Jeremy is doing." Jason said as Joshua came up to the door with supplies for them.
"Joshua, can you give me the supplies and escort Miss Pruitt to Lottie's?" Joshua nodded yes and gave Joshua the supplies, Candy tried to peak behind Jason but still could not see a thing. Everything was all dark inside! She reluctantly took Joshua's arm and went with him to see Lottie.
"J-j-jason, who was that?" Joshua asked weakly. Jason put the supplies down and said,
"Candy, she is wanting to find out how you are doing. How are you today?"
"I-I-I'm okay, a little fuzzy from all the whiskey you gave me!" Said Jeremy sitting up in his bed. Jason looked at him. He would need a good wash before he would feel any better physically.
"Do you feel like you could get yourself cleaned up? Josh and I can get the tub and get you some water to take a bath?" Jason said as he put the supplies away. He wanted Jeremy to tell him what really happened but was afraid that it might cause some more confusion. Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed and then said:
"You know, that would be a good idea! Thanks Jason!" Jeremy said. Holding his head, a little with a hangover.
"Okay as soon as Josh gets back, I will get the tub." Jason said finishing with the last of the supplies.
"Jason, I don't need help with a bath, I am not ten years old!" Jeremy stated emphatically.
"You may not be ten, but little brother, you do need a bath and until I deem that you are ready to go out into the public, you will stay here while I get the tub and Joshua and I fill it with water!" Jason said with a silly grin on his face. Jeremy had that helpless little boy look on his face and then they both laughed. Jeremy knew he wasn't feeling well so it was good to have his brothers helping him.
Joshua got home and they proceeded to get a bath ready for him.
"Just like the old days when we had our Saturday night bath and mom would bath you while we took our baths afterwards!' Joshua chuckled and so did Jeremy.
Candy was bound and determined to see Jeremy. She decided to watch the cabin. She also had Biddie watch as well.
"Candy, I think they are getting a tub of water, they may be giving Jeremy a bath?" said Biddie who then said: "you probably don't want to go in there while he is in the bath?" and she gave a shy look at Candy who said:
"Well, if I interrupt his bath, then I will know how he is doing, won't I!" Candy said with a look of determination on her face. Biddie just giggled and they kept watch.
"You know Candy, maybe I can get them to come out to help with something?" Candy looked at her friend and said:
"That's not a bad idea!" Candy thought and thought and then grabbed Biddie and said,
"Let's go see Mr. Stemple!" Biddie practically fell when Candy grabbed her hand and pulled her back to town.
"okay, Jeremy, you water is ready!" Jason said. Joshua got Jeremy and helped him get in the water. Jeremy still wasn't feeling so good, but as soon as he sat in the tub he just suddenly relaxed. Almost to the point of closing his eyes and sinking.
"Jeremy, don't sink to far down, you might drown!" Jason said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He went to sit in his chair and read, while Joshua was at the table looking over the books.
"Thank you for this bath. It feels so good!" Jeremy said. There was a knock on the door. Jason went to open it and Joshua put a towel around the kitchen chair in front of Jeremy to keep anyone from seeing him.
"Aaron, what are you doing here?" Jason said.
"I heard that Jeremy was back and that you haven't been at your camp this week. I need to talk to you about your contract that is due next Thursday? Could you come down to my office for a few minutes?" Aaron asked.
"I think I can, I will leave Joshua here with Jeremy." Said Jason, getting the books ready to go.
"Well, I really need Joshua as well, Is Jeremy okay to be left alone?" asked Aaron. Jason and Joshua looked at Aaron and then looked at Jeremy. Joshua said first looking at Jeremy behind the chair and then at Jason.
"I think if we lock the door, he will be fine?"
"I will be fine if you two need to talk to Aaron. You can tell me later." Jeremy said as he was using the soap to scrub his legs. Joshua then looked at Jason and then at Aaron.
"Okay, we can go. I am going to lock the door from the outside. Don't answer it until we get back. You know where the towels are when you want to get out of the tub!" said Jason. He and Josh left with Aaron and went to his office in town.
Candy and Biddie were hiding nearby. Biddie had a hairpin and Candy had one as will. They both silently picked the lock and opened it up quietly.
"Oh, this was easy!" said Biddie a little too loud. Candy shushed her and she went in. Biddie stayed outside as a look out for when Jason and Joshua would come back.
Candy slowly creeped in and took two steps and saw the chair in front of the tub. She was almost close to the tub when from behind, Jeremy coughed. Candy turned around and saw him. He was dripping wet and had a towel around his waist and was blushing. Candy also started to blush as well. Then they both started to laugh. Jeremy was very happy to see Candy and almost dropped the towel. Candy quickly averted her eyes.
"My pants…" Jeremy said, pointing toward the other chair. Candy took the pants, and without looking held them out for him to take. He got his pants on and then he said she could turn around. When they looked at each other they both fell into each other's arms and held for a long time.
"Oh, Candy, I missed you so much!" Jeremy said as he held her close to him.
"Oh, Jeremy, I missed you I was so afraid they wouldn't let me see you?" She looked up and he could see she had questions in her eyes, but he as not ready to tell her yet.
"Ah, Candy, they are back!" said Biddie who was almost run over by both Joshua and Jason. They stood looking at Candy and Jeremy and Candy and Jeremy stood looking at Jason and Joshua.
Chapter 4
While Jeremy had been Olympia Candy had her first nightmare about Richard Halliday. He had shown up in town. No one really recognized him at first, at least Candy had not noticed him, except once or twice, when Christopher and Molly had been coming home late from school for a few days. They did not say where they had been, only that something happened at school that they could not talk about which made Candy suspicious about what happened. She had gone to talk to their teacher, but even the teacher did not know why they were coming home late. It wasn't until after Candy had seen Jermey for the first time after his return from Olympia that the kids finally told her what had happened.
"Candy, we couldn't tell you because he told us not to tell!" said Molly.
"Who told you not to tell?" Candy asked
"The Kid!" Christophe replied. Candy was shocked. She had not heard from him or about him for a while, but that would explain why she thought she had seen him here and there.
"Why did he tell you not to say anything?" Candy asked Christopher.
"Because he said if we said anything to you or Jeremy, he would hurt you." Molly said. Christopher shook his head in agreement. Candy looked sad. She then asked:
"Did he threaten you in any way?" both children said no.
"But he did say: 'if you say anything, I will kill your sister and you will really be orphans!'" He didn't sound very nice." Christopher said.
"Yeah!" said Molly: " Then he told us to go and not say anything at all!" said Molly.
Candy wanted to say something to someone, but she also didn't want to get anyone hurt. She kept it a secret so, when Jeremy got home and he wasn't doing well, she wondered if The Kid had seen him as well. She thought she could keep that secret and indeed it wasn't too hard at first but then she started to worry and wonder if he would be coming after them. Her dreams, well nightmares began to take a toll on her, and she wasn't sleeping very well. That day up on the mountain, and when Jeremy took her to his cabin and Joshua and Jason spent the time at Lottie's she had wanted to tell Jeremy, but she couldn't. She couldn't tell him just like he couldn't tell her. Both had a secret and soon it would come out but, she wondered, what would happen then? Will The Kid win out? She had heard that he had been killed but she wasn't sure. Jeremy wrestled with the fact that he may have pulled the trigger when he was fighting with The Kid. Neither of them wanted to talk about it and neither of them had confided in their closest friends or family either.
Christopher was out by the camp and playing with the other boys, when he saw a shadow appear just at the top of the mountain. He thought it might be his friend 'Bigfoot.' He looked at the other kids and no one saw him. So, Christopher went up the hill to explore and see what his friend was up to. A few minutes and he seemed to disappear over the hill on the other side.
Molly was ready to go home, she had done her homework and was getting ready to leave. She was near the school and thought that Christopher was there as well. She could not find him, so she thought he had gone home. She went home as well. When Candy asked where Christopher was Molly couldn't say.
"I don't know where he is!" I had to finish some school work and when I was done, I did not see him. So, I thought he went home before me!" Molly said as she put her school things away. It was already close to supper, and she looked out to see if he was anywhere on his way home. She did not see anything. She went to the dorm and asked Biddie to keep an eye on Molly and then went to find Christopher. She looked in all the usual places and even asked a few of the neighbors whose kids played with Christopher.
"Candy, I think Jack saw him, let me get Jack," said Edith who had three boys and they were always wandering off, so she said as long as they were home for supper, she did not worry. They kept a good eye on each other and if one were in trouble the there was always one to help and one to get help.
"Miss Pruitt, I saw him go over the hill to the valley, I think Caleb's valley as I recall." Jack said.
"Thank you Jack." Candy said and then went to the Bolt brothers cabin to ask help to find Christopher.
" Jason could you go find Christopher; I think he went to Caleb's valley to see his 'bigfoot' friend." Candy asked.
"I will go over there; do you want to come along Candy?"
"Yes, thank you Jason. Jeremy are you coming?" He was already getting his boots on and getting ready to help find Christopher.
"Yes, I am Candy!" said Jeremy. Joshua was in town and Jason would tell him where they were going on their way to the valley. They took the wagon and headed to town first. When they told Joshua, he said he would wait there in town in case Christopher came back.
An hour later, they were in the valley but did not find Christopher. Caleb was out walking and saw them.
"What are you doing here at this time of day?" Caleb asked. Jason said;
"Have you seen Christopher up here Caleb?" Jason asked. Caleb thought for a while and said:
As a matter of fact, yes I did. He said he had seen Sasquatch, and he was planning to find him. I told him I haven't seen him in a long while, but he does come and go as he pleases." Caleb said. Just then there was a horrendous screaming sound. It sounded like they were coming from the caves that Caleb used to live in during the summer months. It was getting on towards fall and Caleb would move into town with his brother soon.
They all scrambled to the caves. Candy was the first to get there. She called out Christophers' name and when he answered she asked if he was okay.
"Candy, he wants you to come in here. The others have to stay out. He says I can leave once you are in the cave?" Christopher said. Candy looked confused and so did everyone else.
Jeremy asked: "Who is in there with you, Christopher?" The answer was not what they expected. Chrisopher did not answer. It was another voice, a familiar and frightening voice. Both Candy and Jeremy visibly shuddered and clung to each other. Candy gasped and Jeremy looked determined. Jason said:
"Hey, Kid! You need to let the Christopher out of the cave now!"
"No doing Mr. Jason Bolt!, this is between Jeremy, Candy, and me. Now, if you don't want the child harmed, Send Candy in!" He said. Pinching Christopher so he would yell out in pain!
"Don't hurt my brother, Richard!" Candy shouted. I will come in if I can see Christopher!" Candy said.
"Candy, what are you doing?" Jeremy asked her
"I don't know, I just know that Christopher needs to be safe, and I won't feel good until he is safe!" Jeremy nodded his head. He and Jason started to talk about something. Candy could not hear their voices. But when they were done. Jeremy told her:
" Okay, you go on in. Caleb knows those caves really well; we can get them in a different way. First we will get Christopher out and then get you!" He gave her a kiss and waited for her to go into the cave.
"Okay, Richard, I am coming in, Please send Christopher out!" She did not hear anything, but she went in. It was dark and damp. Meanwhile, Jason had lit a fire, it was getting dark early now. Jeremy followed Candy inside, Caleb had drawn a map of some of the turns and he followed them to the letter. He was able to see Candy and Christopher quite well. Candy hugged Christopher and Richard let him go. He took hold of Candy and tied her hands behind her back.
"So, now that you have me what are you going to do?" she asked him. He looked at her and said, sit over there. You won't be able to do anything, just watch. You see, I know that Your fiancé is trying to find his way in here, but I am going to play a cat and mouse game with him, he will be the mouse and I am the cat. When I catch him. Well, dear, if you want to watch, I will gladly let you but, I don't think it will be pleasant!" He said. As he took his fire and went into one of the tunnels. He had had time to explore these tunnels and find out ways in and out and ways to get lost. So, he was confident that he could get Jeremy lost and then leave him in the tunnels to die. If he had to, he would kill Jeremy, but he didn't want that to stand in the way of marrying Candy!
Chapter 5
Candy woke up shaking and worried. She looked at her sister and brother and saw that they were both asleep and safe with her. She went over to check on them and then went into the main room to make some tea. She was so scared from the nightmare that she was shaking. Biddie had gotten up for a little nip in the middle of the night and went over to Candy.
"What are you doing up?" Biddie said.
"I had a nightmare again. It is twice since Jeremy left for Olympia!" Said Candy, her voice shaking. Biddie looked at her friend and when her friend turned to get the teapot off the stove, she put a little of her special concoction in. This would help her friend sleep better.
"Candy, Jeremy is fine, I am sure that since 'the Kid' has been in jail he won't be here too soon. I think he got life?" said Biddie trying to cheer Candy up.
"I know he did. But he is still there. It is like he is haunting us!" Candy said as she took a sip of her tea and made a face.
"EWE!" she said as she looked at Biddie. "Did you put that stuff in my tea!?"
Biddie nodded yes and took another sip and said:
"It will be good for you. It will help you sleep better!" Biddie said with a smile and made her take another sip! Candy finished the tea and thanked Biddie and they both went back to bed.
The next morning Jeremy had got home and just as she had feared, something had happened to him. She did not tell Jeremy about her nightmare she had, but after her second nightmare where they had sat up in the Bolt Cabin talking and he was trying to cheer her up, Jeremy was wondered if he shouldn't tell her, and she was wondering if he shouldn't tell him.
The days went pleasantly, and it was getting close to their day. Her nightmares had stopped, and Jeremy seemed to be a bit calmer and more like himself daily. Both knew they had a secret; both knew that they had to tell each other, but when to do it? That was the question! When would they talk about it, would it be before or after they were married, would it even come up at a later time, or be forgotten forever? Both wondered and worried about this. They did not like secrets, but they kept them from one another.
Danger was lurking around the corner. The Kid had gotten out of jail and was heading to Seattle. He was thinking only of getting Candy for himself. He thought Jeremy was weak and had no backbone, he wasn't going to be able to protect his precious 'Candy' from 'The Kid' . In fact, Richard had a very nice place in mind to settle down and keep Candy safe and all to himself!
He was holed up in a set of caves that he thought no one had been in recently except maybe a bear or two. He cleaned it up and procured items that would help her to live. He made sure there were pretty dresses, ones he would like to see her in, there was a cookstove, he had made a hole in the ceiling so that any bad air would go out. He also set up a sitting room, a reading room and of course a master suite! She would never see daylight again! But that was only to be expected, especially if he had to go away on long trips! He smiled to himself. He had fashioned a special indoor 'toilet' so that she would not have to go out. He also fashioned a shower so that she could clean herself whenever she needed. All the comforts of a rich luxurious suite at one of the higher end hotels of San Francisco!
He decided it was time to go and dispatch Jeremy and take her for his own! He left their 'home' and went to Seattle. He was careful not to be seen by anyone, especially her brother and sister because they would tell her right away and spoil the surprise. Besides, he wasn't into killing kids!
He walked silently around the dorm. He knew that most of the ladies were gone, there were only a few left. Candy had the west part of the dormitory to herself. He looked in the window and saw her brushing her hair. He almost broke his silence, but he heard a sound. So, he crept under the bushes nearby and hid. It . the boy. He w. coming home from school. Richard observed. He decided that he could wait a few days to get her schedule down. Once he had that he would know when he could take her.
Jeremy was coming up to the door. Christopher answered it and let him in. Candy and Jeremy talked a while and then they left. Christopher was in the room all by himself.
Richard had an idea. He would lure Christopher up to the caves where he was going to keep Candy, then as before, when he lured the men away in a false posse, and came back to kidnap Candy, he would do that again, except he would take Christopher and they would be looking for Christopher and not staying with Candy! So, he made his plans and set the trap!
Two days later, Christopher was up by the camp. He would go there sometimes to help Jason, or Joshua or Jeremy and learn about logging. Molly spent most of her time with her friends at the school and also helping Biddie with a few things as well. Christopher wandered around the camp freely when there wasn't anything to do. Richard stood behind a tree, the men were all at another site and so Christopher was all alone. He heard something and walked right to the tree that Richard was in. Richard grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth!
"don't say a word or scream, or you will be dead!" The knife was in Christopher's throat, and he did not even wiggle. Richard took him and used one of the other horses to get away. He laid Chris over the horse so he could not move. He rode fast and hard. When he got to where he was going, he stopped. Dropping Christopher to the ground he got off his horse. Chris tried to get up and run but Richard was faster. There was a waterfall, large and just perfect to hide someone behind in one of the little caves. He took Chris, carrying him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and placed him behind the waterfall deep in the cave. He tied him up but did not gag him.
"No one will be able to hear you but don't worry, they will be looking for you here in a few days, you will be hungry but fine! Richard said.
"I thought you were Candy's friend?" said Christopher with tears of anger in his eyes.
"Oh, I am, I am son, but not yours nor Jeremy's so, if you know what is good for you, you will keep your mouth shut, when they find you. Because if they find me, I will kill Candy!" Richard said. Christopher was scared and angry. Tied up he could do nothing but cry. Richard left him there and immediately set about the second part of his plan.
Chapter 6
Candy was just getting ready to serve dinner when she realized that Christopher wasn't there. She asked Molly who had been busy doing some homework. To go find Christopher. Molly went to his usual places but did not find him. Jeremy and Joshua were finished with their work and were just coming into town when Molly told Jeremy that they could not find Christopher.
"He was up there but then we didn't see him the last couple of hours." Joshua said as he pointed in the direction of Lottie's and went that way.
"Molly, where is Candy?" Jeremy asked.
"She was at the dorm making dinner, but she may be looking for Christopher as well?" Molly said.
"Okay, let's go find her and see what we can do!" Jeremy said as he walked to the places that Molly had looked. He and Molly found Candy soon by the blacksmith shop.
"Oh, Jeremy, I am so glad you are here!" She said as she gave him a hug. "I can't seem to find Christopher." She said. Just then one of the boys came running up to Jeremy and Candy and said:
"Christopher is by the waterfall!" said Tom Finn, one of Christophers friends he played with at school.
"How do you know; he is at the waterfall?" asked Candy, who looked at Jeremy who waited to see what Tom had to say.
"A guy in a black hat and riding a black horse gave me two bits to find you and tell you where he was!" Tom said, showing him the money he had gotten from The Kid.
"Candy, I will take Josh and we can go get him. Stay here and don't stay by yourself!" Jeremy said.
"Is there something you aren't telling me? Why shouldn't I stay by myself?" Candy asked. Jeremy looked at her and wondered what he should say. He had not told her that Richard was out of jail, he had not told her that he had been sighted by a few townspeople lurking around the town. Candy had not told him she had thought he had been nearby watching her, in fact, she wasn't really sure, not with all the nightmares she had been having. As they both wondered if they should say something, Jeremy asked Molly to go to Lottie's and get Joshua and Jason. He would meet them at the cabin. He took a hold of Candy's arm and gently guided her toward the cabin. He did not say anything just yet. He wanted to be inside with His brothers before he told anyone of what happened.
When Joshua and Jason arrived, he had Candy sit down and began:
"I know that I haven't said too much about what happened on my trip back from Olympia, but I had thought I had killed a man. Not just any man, I thought I had killed 'the kid'…" Candy gasped.
"Jeremy, I have been having nightmares about him, I thought I had seen him looking in my window." Candy said. Jeremy went over to her and then said:
"Candy, he had been taken to jail, he has a lifetime sentence, but recently I found out he had escaped from Jail and have been worried for a long time for you, for us."
"So, Jeremey what are we doing?" Jason asked.
"Well, I think that he may have taken Christopher. His friend said he was at the falls. I don't' want this to be like the last time we went to find someone, and he came and took Candy!" said Jeremy. Jason looked at Jeremy and then Josh said:
"So, do you want to remain here, and we go look for Christopher?"
"Well, that is not a bad idea, but I am worried that if everyone leaves the town, he may decide to ransack the place or destroy it or something?" said Jeremy. There was a knock on the door. Jason quieted everyone. Candy stood close to Jeremy and Joshua between them and Jason and the door.
"Who is it?" Asked Jason.
"It's me, Aaron!" Aaron Stemple said. Jason opened the door and let him in.
"So, why are you here?" asked Jason.
"I am here because of the kidnapping of Christopher and because I just found out that 'The Kid' is back!"
Jason smiled then and said:
"We were just planning a strategy. The last time the kid was here he had us running all over the place. But I think that he is after Candy so, we thought that only two or three of us would go looking for Christopher while the rest stayed with Candy and the ladies!" Aaron looked at Jason and thought a minute.
"But, if he is wanting to take Candy, won't that just mean he will find some other way? Why don't we stage our own little surprise party? We leave Candy and the ladies here at Lottie's like we did the last time and then circle back and catch him. Jeremy said:
"N-no! I don't want C-C-candy to be hurt! Wh-wh-what if he takes her anyway? Jeremy said, putting his arms around Candy. Jason and Joshua and Aaron all thought about that. Then Aaron said:
"She and the ladies won't be alone. We can have the other guys who didn't go with us, stay nearby, so that she won't be taken!'
"But Mr. Stemple!" Candy said, "That means others might get hurt if we do that? If I stay here and they are watching what if he has his gun and shoots someone?" Aaron was about to say something when a fiery piece of wood came through the window. Another one came as well. Two or three more. Jeremy pushed Candy to the floor and then they crawled out through the bed room window. Jason, Joshua, and Aaron had fallen to the floor.
"Aaron, there might be someone out there who will shoot us if we go outside through the front!" said Jason. Joshua was on the other side close to the window and looked out. He did not see anyone there and the fire was spreading. He decided to see if he could get out the window. He raised his head, and nothing came whizzing by. He decided to go for it. He climbed out the window and waited a moment then went around to the front. No one was shooting at them. So, he opened the door and Jason and Aaron were coughing. Jason grabbed Aaron by his shirt collar and Joshua helped.
Chapter 7
It was dark when Jeremy opened his eyes. He tried to move but his hands and feet were tied. He lay quietly to listen to see if anyone else was with him. He heard distant breathing but could not tell where it came from or who it was. He tried to sit up and was able to pull himself to a sitting position. He heard a scream and tried to untie his hands. But was unsuccessful. He then heard footsteps. One was heavier than the other. He knew that Candy might be the other one. But wasn't sure yet. A bright light had come into view. He saw shadows but not really anything at all.
"Candy Darling, you see, how small and weak your 'intended' is?" The voice sounded familiar. Jeremy tried to 'see' who it was. But he could only hear. Candy stood very still next to The Kid; she did not look like she understood anything. Jeremy thought: "what has he done to her? Did he drug her"?
"Well, Jeremy my old friend and adversary. I hope that you have enjoyed your stay for today, you die!" Candy just stood there staring straight ahead as if she had no idea of who she was or where she was. The Kid looked at her and sensed that Jeremy was looking as well.
"You know, if you had given her some of the laudanum she might have been as docile with you as she is with me!" said the kid who had one foot on a rock and the other foot near enough to prod Jeremy if he felt like it. Jeremy was too upset to say anything. He wanted to shout Candy's name, but he could not get it out.
"Now, little Jeremy Bolt, You are going to meet your end. Your previous fiancé here will push you over the ledge so that you will fall into this bottomless pit! Oh, she will have the strength, I have just the thing to help her. She is very susceptible to hallucinations and will think she is sending me to my death when it will be your own!" The Kid laughed. He had really thought of a good idea. Once Jeremy was gone, he could ride out with Candy, take her high into the mountains and in a few years or shorter, she would forget all about Jeremy Bolt!
"She will know it is not you!" screamed Jeremy who suddenly found a way to talk without stuttering.
"Oh, come now, Jeremy, she won't see you and she won't hear you. You will be gagged, and you are already dressed in my clothes. The hallucination will work!" said The Kid. As he wrapped a gag around Jeremy's mouth. He looked up at Candy. He could see there was nothing of her behind her eyes. He prayed that somehow, someone would be there to stop this madness. The Kid opened up a small bottle of something and had Candy drink it. She did. She 'swallowed' the drink. Jeremy watched in horror; would Candy kill him? His thoughts went to her nightmares, then he realized what had happened.
'Candy' was not really inside of herself at all, or so Jeremy and The Kid thought. But she was there. The dose that The Kid had given her had been watered down. Biddie had guessed something was wrong the night she gave Candy the 'tea.' There was something had been put in the tea to cause her to have nightmares. In fact, some of the others were having nightmares themselves. Not as bad as Candy's but enough to make them worry. When Biddie discovered this, she asked Candy who would do this. Candy had seen The Kid and had known for sure it was him. She told Biddie to water down the tea and make it slightly lighter than what she was getting. She would be able to help if something were to happen. Biddie did that and helped Candy to become immune to most of the laudanum and other stuff that was put in it. She still had nightmares, but they were softer and less scary. She did wake up in the middle of the night though to be sure that if he was watching, he would think it was working. Candy was thinking to herself as she stood there acting like she was in a daze, "if only I had told Jeremy before! We would not be in this mess, but now I have to pretend he is Richard and then try to kill him!" She was not sure she would be able to face her dilemma. But she remembered that Biddie had even snuck extra water to make sure that the dose in the bottle was not potent at all. So, when Richard said a certain word and then stood back, she started to walk toward Jeremy who was trying not to back up since he was on the edge of the cliff. She tripped and fell close to him and put her hand on his leg. When he looked down, 'she was there' that was all he needed to know. She was going to try to help him, his eyes told her he understood and so she pushed herself up and looking like she was going to push him over the edge, she stopped. She turned around and behind the kid were Jason, Joshua, and Aaron, ready to stop the kid. She moved closer to Jeremy and untied his hands. When he had untied his feet, they both sat there for quite a while.
"Jeremy, this isn't a dream and I love you!" she started to cry. He held her in his arms and said: "I love you too!" they had a short kiss because The Kid landed right in front of them. Jason and Joshua were about to put The Kid over the edge when Candy and Jeremy said no together. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Why Jeremy?" asked Jason. Jeremy looked at Candy and Candy looked at Jeremy and they said together:
"Because, he still needs to find love!
Epilogue!
They had told each other their secret about seeing The Kid, and they both admitted that they needed to let each other know when their dreams or nightmares became real. Or as real as they saw them. The truth was important to them more than anything else in the world. If they had told each other who they had seen, they could have been prepared for his arrival. Christopher would never have been kidnapped. As it stood, Big Swede and Corky and other lumberjacks found Christopher behind the falls, they took him out and once he had something to eat, he was okay.