After gathering a blanket from the front yard pile, Abe moved onto the front porch. Taking loose boards and broken furniture, Abe fashioned a small protective fort around his little body. Curling into a ball, Abe was exhausted from his ordeal. Clutching the canteen, he kept searching in all directions. Coyotes exchanged howls which worried Abe further. Fighting to keep awake as it grew darker, Abe's eyes eventually became tired and soon he was fast asleep.
Waking early with the sun, Abe stood and stretched sore achy muscles. After finding one of Roy's books, Abe tore a piece of paper from inside the cover and then scribbled a note. Grabbing some string, he wrapped the note around a fist-sized rock. Abe carefully dropped the rock into the same shaft that allowed his escape. He was about to head to town but was also hungry.
Roy, Sara, and Billy were startled awake by the sound of something crashing to the floor. Fighting sleep, Roy stepped into the tunnel and rolled his eyes toward the shaft of sunlight that was beginning to appear. Just below the opening on the ground lay a rock with string tied around it and what seemed to be folded paper. Roy scrambled and retrieved the stone. After untying the string, Roy unfolded the severely damaged piece of paper. It was a blank page from one of his books. A message written in charcoal was scribbled across the page. Sara and Billy joined Roy. Holding it in the light, Roy read it with difficulty.
"Maw, I okay. Go to town. Farm gone. No horse."
Roy was ecstatic as he grabbed Sara and hugged her tightly to share the excitement. There was nothing they could do now except wait for Abe to get help in town.
Looking through Roy's little garden, Abe found a few radishes and a couple of tomatoes for breakfast. I hope the note I tossed down the opening reaches Maw and Roy letting them know about my plans, Abe thought. Suddenly, he was startled when Abe heard a sound behind him. He instantly thought the bad guys had returned, so he grabbed the broken knife from his belt and spun around thrusting the blade forward.
Sugar-Girl raised her head and nodded making a sound with her lips. Abe pulled the knife back and hugged the horse's neck. Sugar-Girl nibbled on Abe's ear tickling the boy. Abe shrieked with laughter. "I am so glad to see you." Abe grabbed some greens from the garden and fed Sugar-Girl, which she eagerly ate from the boy's hand. Abe stroked her neck and patted the horse while she ate.