When You Were Young

"Prudence?" Rebecca said. "What's happening? I was sleeping and then I woke up this way. This is a dream, isn't it? It can't really be happening."

Prudence took the crying Rebecca into her arms and stroked her hair. "I'm afraid it's very real. Reverend Crane has found the Fountain of Youth. He's already killed Rodney and his party as well as the natives."

"He's going to kill us too?" Rebecca squealed.

"No, he's not. He's going to keep us like this for a very long time," Prudence said. "Where are the others? We have to get out of here."

"He's rounding them up, that Mr. Pryde and his creature." Rebecca looked about her in a panic. "We have to find my husband. I didn't see him when I woke up."

"He might still be there. Come on." Prudence took Rebecca's hand and together they crept back to the encampment. From behind one of the lean-tos, they watched as Pryde snatched the confused children one-by-one. His animal cornered any who tried to run until his master collected them.

"Go away!" cried a toddler version of Helena as the dog bore down on her. She curled up into a ball against the side of tent, shaking and crying. Rebecca started to run towards her, but Prudence held her back.

"There's nothing we can do for her," Prudence said.

Pryde dragged Helena kicking and screaming by the hair into one of the lean-tos and locked the door. "We have to go," Prudence said. "They'll find us soon."

"Where can we go?" Rebecca asked.

"I don't know. Into the forest. Then we can think of something else," Prudence said. Before they could set off, someone grabbed them each by the ear.

"I thought I would find you here, my child," Reverend Crane said. "I take it you have already witnessed God's judgment upon the savages."

"You're the savage," Prudence said. "You murdered them."

"They received their reward for their heathen ways." Reverend Crane turned to Rebecca. "Mrs. Applegate, it's time for you to join the others."

He dragged the two girls towards Pryde. As he did, Prudence reached for the knife she'd taken. She waited until the reverend turned to Pryde and then stabbed him in the arm. He screamed, his grip loosening enough for Prudence to break free. She ran across the meadow and into the forest with Pryde's beast on her trail.

She had failed to stop Reverend Crane from using the water against the settlers, but there had to be something she could do. She needed only to find someplace to hide until she could think of a strategy. There had to be somewhere safe on the island for her.