Andrea Carter Prescott and the Return of the Outlaws
CHAPTER 10. Go HERE to start this story from the beginning.
“After those women!” shrieked Benita, and the mob
gathered around her swarmed forward.
Run! Andi’s mind shouted, and she forced
her heavy feet into a blind run, no longer caring to be silent. In her arms,
Jared wailed his unhappiness.
Andi
followed Lily’s auburn braid until finally she caught up with her, and the two
ran together. When Lily stumbled, Andi held her up. Then Lily’s skirt caught on
a bush, and together they yanked it free, not even noticing when it tore.
But
when Andi’s braid snagged on the same bush, they couldn’t get her loose. Panic
and despair set in almost immediately. Andi practically threw Jared into Lily’s
arms and then hacked at her braid with her dull knife. She couldn’t think
straight.
“Take
off your ribbon and undo the braid!” Lily cried, sobbing.
Too
late. Andi knew they had no time to wait for her to undo her braid. The
bandits’ shouts and footsteps were coming dangerously close. If they waited for
her, they’d never escape.
She yanked
off her bag and thrust it at Lily. With tears choking her voice and cascading
down her cheeks, she said, “Run, Lily. Run to safety. Take my son with you,
and…and find Riley. Tell him where I am.”
Lily’s
eyes showed her fright and reluctance. It was clear she didn’t want to obey,
but it was also clear that she knew it was the best choice.
“I will, Andi,” she
blubbered, “I will.” Then she turned tail and ran.
Andi
broke down into sobs. I lost. Her
heart felt like a million daggers were tearing it apart. I’m not free. I’m still stuck with these outlaws. And now my son is gone.
Another
thought made her groan. What have I done?
I gave Jared to Lily without a thought. I know nothing about Lily’s family, or
her background. My mind was a mess. All I cared about was the idea of giving up
my son to Benita.
Andi’s knees were
like water. They couldn’t hold her up. She dropped to the ground and buried her
face into her arms. Her braid, still caught on the bush, gave a painful yank,
but she hardly noticed. Did I do the right
thing? Oh, God—
Fingers
closed around her wrist, and Andi didn’t fight them. She watched through bleary
eyes as Vega tore her braid from the bush. Then he pulled her to her feet.
“Go
after Lily,” he barked to several men, and they ran off.
“Come,
chica,” Vega hissed, returning his
attention to Andi. He dragged her along behind him as he set off at a brisk
walk. “You have much explaining to do.”
***
It
took no more than five minutes to stride back to camp. All the while Andi
prayed hard for Lily and Jared’s health and safety, her own safety, and
guidance for Riley to find her.
I know, Lord, that I prayed “May Your will
be done,” but, oh, God, it’s so complicated! I’m so scared. Will I ever see Jared or Riley again?
By the time Vega and Andi reached Benita’s cabin, Andi was trembling with fright, for with each footfall
Vega’s grip grew tighter and his expression more angry and wicked.
He
pulled Andi into the cabin, releasing her at last once the door had slammed
shut.
She
stood, head bowed and hands clasped, while Benita and Vega conversed in frantic
whispers.
Finally,
Benita turned upon Andi, her black eyes sparking in wrath. “How dare you run away!” she sputtered in
Spanish. “Where is your baby? Where? What about Lily? Where is she?”
“Hopefully
safely away,” Andi returned.
Benita
cried out in anger, but Vega laid a consoling hand on her arm. “Lily knows
nothing of these woods. I sent men for her, and I am certain she will be found.
The baby, also.”
“Are
you quite sure of this?” Benita questioned.
“Yes,
indeed. They’ll no doubt be here by morning.”
“I
like the way you think, jefe,” Benita
said, calmed down. “Let’s retire for the night, as we have a long journey ahead
of us. You know we shall leave the minute Lily and the baby return and our final recruits arrive.”
She turned to Andi and flicked a hand. “You, follow me.”
She turned to Andi and flicked a hand. “You, follow me.”
What do you think happens next? Feel free to leave your guesses in the comments below!
I wonder what happens next! :-)
ReplyDelete~Hannah