Faith woke up to a pounding headache. She tried to swallow but her throat was too dry for even that simple task. Even though her eyes were closed, she could see the light from the lone window in her room to her right. Slowly her eyelids fluttered open, pain shot through her head bringing an involuntary moan from her parched throat.

How long had it been since she'd had anything to drink? Her eyes wandered over to the tall glass of water sitting on the bedside table. She tried to think, she had to concentrate on getting away. She had to warn Levi that Philip was going to kill him for marrying Hope. She wasn't sure why, but that didn't matter. All she could think about was getting to her brother.

The sick son of a bitch had snuck into her bedroom and chloroformed her on the second night they had been in town. Then tied her up and gagged her. Thank God the man had not defiled her, but she would have a few bruises from him knocking her around. Slowly she began to work her wrists back and forth wincing as the rough rope chafed and bit into the tender skin on her wrists. Every time she was awake, she worked on the ropes stretching them ever so slightly.

Footsteps walked down the hall, stopping in front of her door. A few seconds later, the sound of a metal key scraped in the lock. Quickly Faith turned her head towards the door and closed her eyes, leaving a tiny crack to see through her lashes. Slowly the door creaked open and she heard the rustle of skirts instead of the distinctive walk of her captor. Instantly Faith's eyes shot open and she began to thrash about on the bed and mumble through her gag. She recognized the woman from when she'd checked in the hotel.

The woman's eyes widened when she saw Faith on the bed. Without saying anything she turned around and shut the door, locking it. At first she was positive the woman had left and her one chance to get free was gone. Tears of frustration filled her eyes as she struggled to keep calm. Then she realized the woman was coming back towards her, and then the gag was gone.

"Please. Please help me before he comes back." Faith managed to get out through her parched throat.

The woman nodded and pulled a knife from a pocket in her skirt. "I always try to be prepared." She said as she began to cut the ropes.

Once she had been cut free, blood began to flow back to her hands and feet causing tingles of pain. "Water, please." As if by magic the glass of water that she had been looking at on the bedside table appeared in her hands. Greedily, she gulped it down as the woman helped raise her to a semi sitting position.

"My name is Mildred. Now, do you think you can walk? We need to get you out of here as quickly as possible."

Nodding, Faith sat up and slowly swung her legs off the bed. A wave of nausea and dizziness washed over her as her head spun. Mildred quickly put her hands on her shoulders steadying Faith before she could fall over. "Oh, you poor thing. What did that man do to you?"

Faith knew what the other woman was asking. "He didn't do that, at least I'm pretty sure he didn't. He snuck in my room and drugged me then tied me up. How did you know I was in here?" Her voice was still little more than a raspy whisper.

"I knew that you checked into the room across the hall, but I didn't see you after the second day. Mr. Huntington checked in by himself, but said that his 'wife' was very ill and that we were under no circumstances to come into the room. I knew he was hiding something, what man wouldn't bring his wife food or even a doctor? So, I watched him. I wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but I knew he was up to no good."

"I have to get out of here before he comes back."

Once again Faith tried to stand, this time she was able to and she slowly began to move one foot in front of the other. With each step her determination grew. Once they were in the hall, Faith headed towards her room. Mildred shook her head and pulled gently on her arm.

"No, I have to get something, it won't take but a second."

Mildred fished the keys from her pocket, unlocking the door. Faith went right to her leather bag. Opening it, she ripped the liner and pulled out a small midnight velvet bag and a smaller red leather coin purse. After placing the bag back in its original position, she turned and fled the room locking the door behind them.

Quietly, the two women went down the back stairs into Mildred's rooms. Panting with exhaustion, Faith plopped down into a wooden rocker and began rubbing her abused wrists, wincing as she did. "Stay here. I'll be right back." A few minutes later, the older woman walked back in holding a basin of steaming water, clean white bandages, and jar of salve.

"Where are you going?"

"I was on my way to my brother's house in Red Valley. Do you know where that is?" The older woman nodded, still bandaging Faith's wrists. "How long will it take me to get there?"

"By train, maybe a day and a half, by horse three to four days of hard riding in good weather."

Faith's heart began to beat faster, she was so close to her brother. "When will the tracks be ready to travel on?"

"I heard one of the other passengers say two to four days."

It would be close but she knew that she could do it. "I'll need to go back to my room and get a change of clothes." Even as she said the words, a feeling of panic consumed her at the thought of just being near that man's room. "Then I need to get to the livery and rent a fast horse. Do you know of someone that would act as a guide?"

"You're not going back upstairs, it's far too risky. Wait right here." This time the woman was gone much longer. As each second slowly ticked by, Faith became more and more convinced that Mildred wasn't coming back. Finally, Faith heard the door knob turn, and Mildred entered the room carrying a bundle of something.

"Put these on. They will probably be a little big, but they should work. Do you need help?

Faith nodded, Mildred walked behind her to undo the row of tiny buttons down her back.

She stood back and stared at the person in the mirror looking back at her. Her boots were a little too big and worn but they were comfortable, the dark brown trousers she had on were a different story. A soft white cotton button up shirt with a dark brown leather vest and dark brown hat completed her ensemble. Her hair was wound into a tight bun and tucked under her hat. If you didn't look too hard, she looked like a boy of about fourteen. It was perfect!

"Mildred, you're a genius! I would have never thought of dressing as a boy. Whose clothes are they?"

"They belong to my son John. He also happens to work at the livery, and he can take you to Red Valley. He's getting the supplies you'll need, then he's going to tie the horses behind the livery and come get you. You and he will walk right out the front door." The older woman saw the look on Faith's face. "Don't you worry, my John will keep you safe. He's a good boy, Faith, I promise."

Mildred walked up to Faith and took her chin with her thumb and forefinger, turning her face back and forth. "Hmmmm, there's nothing I can do about these bruises. At least they're not too dark and will fade in a few days, hopefully before you get to your brothers."

A knock on the door let them know that John had everything ready for their trip. Faith reached into her red leather change purse and pulled out a couple of dollars and placed them in Mildred's hand. "Please, take this. You saved my life and are now helping me get away from him."

"I don't want your money." Mildred said as she tried to give the money back to Faith.

"If you don't want it then give it to John, he's missing work to take me to Red Valley. It's the least I can do."

The older woman huffed, but relented and put the money in her pocket. "I'll put this with the rest of your savings John."

"Thank you ma. We best be going. It's just before lunch and we need to put as much distance between us and this town as possible." The three of them walked out of Mildred's rooms and into the kitchen. There on the table lay a leather holster and gun. For the first time Faith noticed that John was wearing a gun belt like so many westerners did. "Ma'am, you're gonna need to put this on. No self-respecting man would be caught out in public without wearing their iron."

Faith reached out and gingerly picked up the belt, it was heavier than she'd thought it would be. She finally managed to get it buckled around her waist. She took a few steps then stopped and turned back around to face her savior. "Thank you again. Will you please have my things shipped to Red Valley?" Faith pulled out two more dollars and handed it to Mildred. "This should cover the cost."

Mildred was going to argue, but saw the mulish look on the younger woman's face. There was no point in saying anything, they needed to leave. Faith gave her new friend a hug and turned to leave once more. She felt naked wearing trousers and silly for wearing a gun she didn't even know how to shoot. John led her out of the hotel's front door and down the uneven dusty boardwalk. Several times she tripped on one of the boards with her too big shoes. "Just walk normal, don't speak to nobody unless you absolutely have to. And if you do, you're gonna have to try and speak in a deeper voice.

In no time at all they had walked through town to the livery, where their horses waited patiently out back. "Have you ever ridden before?"

"Oh yes, I'm a very accomplished rider. Except that I only ride side saddle."

"Well, you're gonna have to ride astride. I'll help you up as long as nobody is around to see us."

Faith nodded and put her foot in his cupped hands as he practically threw her up on the horse causing her to land with a bone jarring thud. It must have scared the horse as much as her because he started throwing back his head and sidestepping. John was quick to calm the horse, then mounted his own. The two walked their horses out of town, then took off into a gallop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Philip wasn't sure why he hadn't taken the girl yet, there was just something in her eyes that held him at bay. He knew if he ever cut her loose that she would try and kill him. The thought should have made him laugh, but it didn't. It made him furious that he couldn't control the little bitch. That would change though. It might take a little longer than the others, but he would have her cowering in a corner, just like all the rest.

It was getting dark, and to be honest, he was tired. After paying for his dinner, he made his way back to the hotel. The clerk was in the lobby, but no one else was around. He stopped at the door to listen. Hearing nothing, he pulled out his key and unlocked the door. Philip found his way to the dresser and lit the lamp. When he turned around he expected to see the girl asleep or staring daggers at him. But no, there was nothing but an empty bed.

Fury filled him as he walked over to the bed to see the rope still tied to the bed. It had been cut. Someone had come into his room and cut her loose! He snatched open the door letting it bang against the wall. With every step he took, his anger increased. Someone was going to pay and he knew just who that someone was. The owner! That meddling bitch, she couldn't follow one simple order.

He made his way into the lobby just in time to see her go back into the kitchen. Why the damn place had a kitchen was beyond him, they didn't serve food to their customers. "What in the hell did you do woman?" He asked between gritted teeth.

"Why, whatever do you mean, Mr. Huntington?" Mildred said with her sweetest smile.

"Don't play coy with me. You know damn well what I mean." He drew back to slap her but stopped when he felt something sharp against his belly. He looked down to see a knife with a ten inch blade held to him.

"You would do well not to insult me, Mr. Huntington. I think you need to gather your things and leave my hotel before I call the sheriff and have you thrown in jail for what you did to that poor girl." Philip hesitated a moment. He could kill her easily enough. The blade pricking his skin had him sucking in his breath but still he did not move. Mildred applied more pressure, she knew if she pushed much harder, the man was going to need stitches.

It didn't really matter to her, Philip Huntington was not the first man to be on the pointed end of her knife. Everyone in town knew that she carried it with her always, and that she wasn't afraid to use it to protect herself. Finally Philip backed away.

"This isn't over. If I were you, I would sleep with one eye open." With that last threat he turned and marched upstairs to get his things and leave. There was another hotel in this town.

mily:CalibNC[