The driver was a male in his early 20s, like the woman. His hair was black and his reddened eyes suggested long hours driving without any sleep. In the back seat, there was a young boy. He was curled up in a fetal position, asleep.

The man tried without success to restart the car. "Dammit Karen…this is it. We've come this far and now we don't even have a freakin' car!"

Karen was silent for a moment, but then she spoke. "Exactly Eric. I haven't come this far to just give up."

Only nine hours before, the couple and the boy had been in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"What do you suggest then?" Despite his feelings for her, at the moment, Eric was really upset with her—though not as upset as he had been when the cop had first shown up:

She noticed Eric continually looking in the rearview mirror. Had he seen him? "Eric, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. At least I don't think so. There's a cop back there that's been following us since we left the hotel."

Karen's blood ran cold and her tongue turned into nothing but a dry lump in her mouth. It was almost too heavy for her to speak. "No…" she whispered under her breath.

The patrol car's sirens and lights suddenly came to life and Karen's heart beat so fast she thought she would die if she couldn't slow it down. "Damn!" Eric yelled. "What does he want? I'm not even speeding or anything."

Karen grabbed on to her seatbelt with her sweaty hand. "Eric…"

"What?" he asked, irritated.

"Don't pull over."

Eric couldn't believe this. "Karen, it's raining like hell out there…besides, we have the kid."

"His name is Austin."

"I don't care what his name is. Because of him, you and I are both going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble."

Karen stepped out of the car into the pelting rain, which had slacked off just a bit. Eric followed her. "We can't leave the car here in the middle of the road—they'll find it."

"I don't think we have much of a choice, you know? Because if the car worked well enough to pull off the road, we'd be able to drive into town…"

Karen decided it was time to turn on the charm if they were ever going to get anywhere. She moved closer to Eric and put her hand on his shoulder. She ran her hand down his arm. "Why don't you give the car a little push—you're a strong guy."

Eric was amazed at how close they had grown since living Dallas and going to Pennsylvania. Maybe she was really beginning to feel differently about him. "What good is that going to do? The car will still be in plain view."

"No it won't. There's a big ravine over to the right. If the car were to go off—no one would ever find it."

Eric walked to the edge of the highway. There was about two feet of shoulder and then a steep drop off. "This is crazy…"

Karen walked back to the car and opened the back door. "Austin? Wake up honey."

The boy stirred and then sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Where are we?"

"We're in the mountains…and we're about to go on an adventure. Isn't that exciting?"

As he was rubbing his eyes, Austin managed a smile. "Cool."

Karen helped the boy out of the car. "Now, I want you to stand over there, away from the car. You know how we were playing cops and robbers earlier?"

"Yeah! That was fun."

"Well, we lost the cops, but now we need to get rid of this car, so they don't find it."

Austin nodded. "Okay."

Karen stepped into the car and took a seat behind the steering wheel. "Okay Eric…start pushing. When it gets close enough to the edge, I'll get out."

Eric reluctantly gave the car a push, but it didn't budge. After more pushing, the car finally gave way and began to roll. Twigs cracked underneath as the front wheels reached the grassy shoulder. From a safe distance, Austin watched with amazement—he'd only seen this kind of thing on television.

Karen quickly stepped out of the car, but lost her balance and crashed to the ground. She quickly stood up, in time to see the car go over the edge. It crashed through the underbrush and disappeared from sight.

"Now what?" Eric asked.

"We stay off the highway. We'll stick to the woods across the road…"

Eric nodded, not sure why he was taking orders from Karen.

Mystique Forest

"Sounds like a storm's gonna hit."

Karen nodded. That was all they needed now. "I thought we were closer to town than we are."

"Dammit Karen, we should have stayed on the highway—nobody would have recognized us yet…"

"I'd rather be safe than sorry."

"We could have hitched a ride to town and then we wouldn't be soaking wet right now."

Austin spoke up. "Are we lost?"

"No. We're just exploring," Karen said. No use in having him get upset over nothing.

They continued walking. The forest was basically dead, other than a few evergreens that dotted its landscape. "Hey! Look!"

Both Eric and Karen were startled by Austin's sudden outburst. "What is it?"

"It's a house!"

Up ahead in a clearing was a small cabin—it looked deserted. Karen looked up at the sky. It was growing darker. "We'll go in there before the storm hits. I don't want to be under these trees if it starts to lightning."

The thunder rumbled again, louder. Karen and Austin started toward the cabin and Eric reluctantly followed. He couldn't believe this was happening. His life, which had been so normal just a week ago, was now turned completely upside down.

He called ahead to Karen to wait for him, but she had already disappeared into the darkness of the cabin. He followed them inside.

"Eric…there's food here. Cans and stuff. Somebody must have lived here…or maybe it's a summer cabin or something."

"Yeah and maybe that someone still lives here."

"I don't think so. There's dust on all of this stuff." Karen walked into the other room to take a look. There were two cots. Other than that, the room was empty. Thunder rumbled again and shook the cabin.

Karen was smiling. "What is it?" Eric asked.

"This place—it's wonderful. We could hide out here for a while. I mean…who's to say that they haven't already reported this…people might already know about us?"

"God Karen…you're crazy! You were crazy to do this in the first place and it's crazy to think we can live here forever!"

"Not forever Eric…but this is our home. At least for the next few days."

Mystique Forest: The Cabin

She stepped out of bed onto the cold floor and made her way into the next room. Eric was sitting up on the bench and greeted her when she walked in.

"Eric…I'm sorry." Karen apologized.

"Sorry for what?"

"For getting you into this mess. I don't know what came over me."

"We're in neck-deep now."

"I know…but it's worth it. I didn't want to say anything until he was asleep, but there was one big reason why I did what I did."

"Karen, I don't know what on earth would justify kidnapping. You gave Austin up for adoption five years ago—whatever claim you had on him went away the day you signed those papers. For God's sake, the kid doesn't even know you're his mother…"

"Haven't you noticed?"

"Noticed what? Come on Karen…I haven't slept in twenty-four hours and I still can't sleep because of this damned uncomfortable bench. I don't feel like playing guessing games."

"The bruises. They were abusing my son…"

"God Karen! The kid is five years old. Do you have any idea how rough five-year-old boys can play? Just because you saw a bruise doesn't mean the kid is being abused! And it doesn't matter what your excuse is…when you tell the judge that, he's just going to laugh in your face because it's totally irrelevant!"

"I can tell Eric. You know I've been working at Dallas Memorial for a while now. We had a child that had been abused…he had the same look in his eyes—that distrusting look."

"Ok…so just say he is being abused. The sane thing for you do have done would be to report that to the proper authorities and let them handle it!"

"Damn it Eric! A day hasn't gone by that I didn't regret giving Austin up for adoption after he was born and now that I've found him, I'm not going to let him continue to live a life of pure hell! Taking him away from that family is the best thing for him and it's the best thing for me."

Eric sighed and the thunder rumbled ominously in the background.

Mystique Forest, the next day

"Look Karen, we need supplies. The town shouldn't be far away and I'll be back before sunset. You'll be fine."

"What about you? We're in the mountains for God's sake! Mountains—comprendo? That means mountain lions, wolves, bears…"

"Like I said. I'll be fine."

Before Karen realized what she was doing, she was in Eric's arms. "Please…come back. Be careful."

"I will, don't worry about me. You take care of yourself…and the kid."

Karen watched him disappear down the path and into the woods. There was a time when Karen wouldn't have cared, but now, she hoped this wasn't the last time she'd ever see him.

Mystique Point, Main St.

The bell above the door rang as he walked in and almost immediately, people began staring at him. Eric was paranoid and desperately wanted to get back to Karen. He nodded to the man behind the counter and walked back to where the canned goods were kept and took several of them off the shelf.

After rounding up the rest of what he came for, he walked to the checkout counter and put it all down. "Must be campin'," the clerk said.

"As a matter of fact I am. Got any firewood?" Eric asked.

"Yep. Right outside the door. Should've seen it when you came in."

"Guess my mind was elsewhere."

"You can pay for it right here and pick it up on your way out."

"Sounds good. Oh yeah, do you happen to have any maps?"

"Maps of what?"

"The area…neighboring states."

"There's a rack right over there on the other end of the counter."

Eric nodded and walked over to the display, where he selected maps of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

While Eric was browsing through the maps, Joc Cryder walked into the store. "How're you doing Henry?" Joc asked.

"Pretty good. What can I help you with?"

Before Joc could answer, Eric walked back to the counter. "I think that's all I need…" He then noticed the cop that was standing next to him. Eric nervously handed over the maps.

"Damn…what are you, on the run from the law or something?" The man broke out in an irritating chuckle as he was ringing up the purchase. Joc joined him.

"Afraid we don't get too many fugitives in this little town," laughed Joc.

"That'll be $36.84," Henry said.

Eric opened his wallet and gave the clerk two twenty-dollar bills. "Keep the change."

"Appreciate it. Come back."

Eric picked up the grocery bags and nodded in Joc's direction as he went outside. Once out of the store, Eric took everything from the bags and transferred them to the backpack he was wearing. He tried to pick up two bundles of firewood, but realized he'd never be able to carry both of them, plus the cans, back to the cabin. Instead, he just grabbed one, not worrying about getting the rest of his money back.

The sun was beginning its descent behind the Smoky Mountains as Eric started back out of town, whistling along the way.

The Cabin

"Karen, when are we going to find my mom?"

Karen felt bad for having to lie to him, but she didn't want him to know what was really happening. She had told him his mother was taking a sudden trip to Florida and that they were friends of hers who would take him there. "Soon. Are you anxious to see her?"

"No." Austin said abruptly.

"Why not? Don't you love her?"

"Yeah, but she hits me."

Karen pulled her son into an embrace. "Why does she hit you?"

"She doesn't love me."

"Austin, I'm sure she loves you."

"No she don't. I tried to run away from home one time because she told me she didn't love me. I told her I was going to go find my real mom."

"Your real mom? You mean you know you're adopted?"

"Yeah. She told me one time. Then she hit me and I told her I was going to go find my real mom so I could live with her. Karen, do you think my real mom is still alive? And do you think she loves me, even though she gave me away?"

Karen could barely see her son through the tears. "Yes…I know she still loves you…with all her heart. Your real mother just made a mistake. She was young when she gave you up for adoption. But if she'd known then what she knows now, she would have never made that mistake."

"How do you know so much about her? Do you know her?"

Karen wiped away more tears. "Austin, I am her. I am your mother."

Mystique Forest

At first, he thought he was imagining the sounds coming from behind him, but after hearing a twig snap loudly, Eric was convinced he was being followed. Was it the cop?

He stopped and the only sound that could be heard was his breathing. "Hello?" he called out quietly. "Is anybody there?"

Eric decided it was time to get out the flashlight he'd bought. He fumbled for it in the backpack and then spent another few seconds looking for the batteries and eventually putting them in the flashlight. He switched it on and projected the beam into the forest.

A growl emitted from the underbrush and Eric's breathing grew louder. He directed the beam towards the sound and the light reflected off a pair of green eyes. "Oh shit," he whispered.

Eric broke into a run. He ran through the forest, faster than he had ever ran in his life. Branches slapped him in the face and thorns snagged at his jeans, but he let nothing stop him.

From behind, he heard more crashing, but he didn't stop long enough to get back. Where was the cabin? Was he going in the right direction? What if he wasn't? Hundreds of thoughts raced through Eric's mind as he raced through the forest.

Suddenly, there was nothing beneath his feet and Eric felt himself falling. He desperately reached out to grab onto something, but it was dark and anything solid seemed to evade his grasp. There was a loud snap and a scream of pain rang through the mountains as Eric hit bottom…

Mystique Forest

Gradually it all came back to him and he remembered running through the forest from some kind of animal. He tried to bring himself to a sitting position, but the pain in his arm was too bad. There was also a dull throbbing pain in his abdomen, which he suspected was a broken rib.

"Oh God, I'm going to die out here." His breath froze in the cool mountain air. The temperature had dropped so much since the sun set. Eric searched for the flashlight, but couldn't find it. He turned his head and realized he was on a rocky outcropping. Looking up, he saw the side of the mountain, which was almost completely vertical. It was highly unlikely that he would have been able to climb out, even in perfect condition. With an injured arm, it was impossible.

The Brass Bell, the next day

She propped herself on the bar and directed her attention to the set…but to her dismay, there was some sort of news report on.

"Rats…"

On the television, a reporter began to speak. "Pennsylvania authorities are hot on the trail of two people who are believed to have kidnapped a young boy from his residence in Philadelphia. The boy's mother, Jan Anders, reported her son missing two days ago, after a visit from two strangers who supposedly wanted to check into buying her house…"

"Yeah yeah…but what the hell does this all have to do with Mystique Point?" Belinda grumbled.

"Later that night, neighbors reported seeing a suspicious vehicle outside the Anders residence. Mrs. Anders was not home at the time and the boy was left home alone. In what seemed to be an unrelated event, a rental car was reported stolen after it wasn't returned to Quick-N-EZ Rent-A-Car. The car was rented to a Karen Ewing, of Dallas, Texas—a woman believed to be the young boy's biological mother. The boy's mother confirmed Mrs. Ewing as the woman who showed interest in buying her house, but it's now believed to be just a cover-up to get to the boy."

"And you're interrupting The Young and the Restless because?"

"Now we go to Judy Meadows, live, from Mystique Point, North Carolina," the reporter continued.

Judy stared into the camera. "The car believed to have been stolen by Karen Ewing has been found in a deep ravine, right outside the city limits. It appears to have gone over the edge without anyone in it, so local authorities are almost sure that the driver was attempting to hide the car from view. The ravine is being searched, however, and if nothing is found, the search will spread to the adjacent Mystique Point Forest and then on into the town."

"Wow," Belinda said. "Young and the Restless…eat your heart out." She walked over to the phone to call her best friend—she had to know about this.

The Cabin

Karen winced. Even though she'd told him the truth that he was her son, Austin was still calling her Karen. But, she supposed that's how things worked. "We've got to go get food Austin. Eric has been gone for a whole day…something's happened to him."

"Oh."

"Are you up for another adventure?"

"I guess so. I like Eric though. I want him to go with us…I'm scared without him."

Karen bit her lower lip. She had to admit that she was scared without him too. "I know, but we'll be okay. Eric's probably down in town somewhere. We'll find him, don't worry."

"I hope so."

Karen wondered what had happened to Eric. Was it possible that he'd been arrested? Or worse…what if he'd been hurt? "Okay," Karen said, trying to push those thoughts from her mind. "Why don't you put on your shoes and then we'll get out of here."

"Okay. I'm tired of this old cabin anyway. It smells funny."

Karen laughed and was thankful that Austin's spirits hadn't really fallen. "Yeah, it does doesn't it?"

Mystique Forest

Was he going to die here? He knew he couldn't give up. He had to protect Karen and her son…he had to get back to them.

He looked at his watch and noticed that it had been almost twelve hours since the fall. Whatever had chased him was bound to be gone by now. Propping on his good arm, Eric managed to pull himself to a sitting position. Fiery pains erupted all throughout his body—more from stiffness than anything else. But he knew the pain in his arm was real.

His entire left arm was blue and swollen and it throbbed with sharp pain every time his heart beat. The process of standing up caused him excruciating pain, but he knew he had to do it.

"Step One Eric…you're up." He looked up at the rocky outcropping that he'd have to overcome before reaching the top. Part of him wanted to give up—to die. It would certainly be easier than trying to get back to Karen. But the part that loved her told him he had to get back and protect her. He knew that's what he would do.

Several feet away, Eric noticed a less steep area that he thought he just might be able to climb up. Slowly and carefully, he began the trek.

Mystique Forest

She clenched her son's hand tightly and they trudged on. "This is a pretty place isn't it Karen?" Austin asked.

Karen really hadn't noticed, but it was. All around them the forest was beginning to spring to life. Wildflowers were coming into bloom and the trees were all sprouting. "Yes it is." Other than that, she didn't say much during the walk. She wasn't sure what to say.

Then, she heard something. Karen froze and instructed Austin not to say a word or move a muscle. What she saw made her blood run cold.

"Bigfoot," Austin suddenly whispered.

Mystique Forest

Austin nodded his head in understanding.

Karen looked over and saw that there was a large pile of rocks, covered in moss. She pointed to them. "I want you to walk over there behind those. Be careful and don't step on anything that'll make a sound. Do you understand?"

"Yeah."

Karen pushed him along and breathed a sigh of relief when they were safely behind the rocks. It was a miracle that the cop hadn't seen her.

Then Karen heard a voice that she recognized as that of Eric's. He'd been caught…

Just two minutes before, Eric had finally reached the top of the small cliff. Obviously, he'd made too much noise climbing up. He had no idea they'd already begun a search.

Officer Patrick Murray stood staring at him, his hand ready to draw his gun. "You have the right to remain silent…"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Eric said, trying to play innocent. "I was just out here camping and I had an accident. My arm's broken, I need medical attention."

"Save it Buddy. I recognize you from the picture's they've been circulatin'."

Eric was in denial as the cop continued reading him his rights. This couldn't be happening…they were supposed to get away, to Florida. This was Karen's fault. "Look…do you know who I am?"

"Yep. I reckon I do, or else I wouldn't be arrestin' you."

"Then you know who my parents are. My father owns the largest oil company in the state of Texas. And…and my mom, she's important too. I could make you a wealthy man. You'd never have to work again…trust me. Just name your price. A million, five million?"

Murray hesitated for a moment. "Bribery's not gonna get a rich scum like you anywhere. Now shut up before I decide to add that to the charges." Murray fit the handcuffs on Eric's wrists. Suddenly, there was an excruciating pain that flashed through his head and Officer Patrick Murray's world went completely black.

"KAREN," Eric almost screamed.

"Oh my God…" Karen dropped the rock that she'd hit the officer with. She couldn't believe she'd done that. "I couldn't let him take you away Eric…if they take anyone, it should be me. I got you into this."

"Just get the key from him…get these handcuffs off before someone else sees us."

Austin watched in amazement as Karen fished through Murray's key ring and then unlocked the cuffs. Eric noticed the terror in Karen's eyes over what she'd done. "Oh my God…Eric, what have I done?" She began to cry and Eric embraced her, trying to comfort her.

"It's okay. He'll be fine when he comes to."

"Eric…your arm. What happened?"

"Broke it in a fall. I'll be okay."

"No. We need to get you to a hospital. We have to."

"I said I'll be fine. We can't risk being seen."

"We'll have to disguise ourselves or something…I don't know."

"I went down to Mystique Point Karen, it's a tiny little town. They'd spot us in a second."

"Then what the hell are we supposed to do?" She was near hysteria. "Tell me!"

"Damn it, why didn't you think of this before you kidnapped Austin? We wouldn't be in this whole mess if it wasn't for…" Eric saw the look in her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Come on."

"Where?"

"We're going to steal a car."

"WHAT?"

"I don't think it's going to hurt much. I've already kidnapped Austin, failed to return that rental car, assaulted an officer…and I need to call my husband. Christopher has a right to know where I am—if he hasn't already found out through the news. We'll somehow sneak into town, get the car, and maybe down there I'll be able to pull in a decent signal on my cell phone."

Karen walked ahead and after a moment of hesitation, Eric and Austin followed, lingering slightly behind.

The Mystique Point Inn, the next morning

"Karen? Is that you?"

She turned around and smiled. "Sleep well? Like my new look?"

"I didn't recognize you with the short red-hair…and your eyebrows are different."

"Great. If you don't recognize me, then chances are that the cops won't either."

Eric was stunned. "You did all that with the dye and stuff I bought last night?"

"Yes I did." Karen turned away. "Eric...there's something I need to tell you. Something I need to say to you."

"What is it?" Eric asked. "What did you want to say? I'm listening."

Karen smiled. "Eric, thank you so much. I couldn't have done any of this without you. You've been so helpful and you've been a friend. I'd have never made it this far without you. I mean...your picture wasn't on the news. That was an advantage."

"It's only a matter of time."

"I know. Get out of bed Eric. Let's see how you look as a blonde."

"You're kidding?"

"No I'm not. Say goodbye to your hair too—or most of it. I'm giving you a cut."

Eric got out of bed and walked over to Karen while pulling on a shirt. "Karen…thanks again for helping me out yesterday afternoon. I'd be in jail now if you hadn't done that."

Karen smiled. "No problem. I'm just glad we were able to sneak into town and get a room here. How's the arm?"

"It's okay, thanks to you, Doc."

"Now's the time to tell you, I didn't know what I was doing. But I don't think it's broken…may be just bruised."

"Yeah. So, ready to get started?" Eric asked.

Karen looked over his shoulder at Austin, who was still asleep. "Sure. Follow me into the bathroom and you'll be blonde before you know it."

The Inn

She looked over at the phone, which sat next to the bed and decided that she had to call her husband back in Dallas. It was now or never.

Karen walked over to it and sat on the bed, being careful not to wake Austin. She hesitated for a bit before dialing the number to Christopher's room back in Dallas.

"Hello?" he answered groggily.

"Christopher…it's Karen."

It took a second for it to sink in to Christopher's cluttered mind. "Karen? What the hell do you think you're doing!" he almost screamed.

"I'm doing what I have to do for my son."

"Your son? Why didn't you ever tell me! I feel so stupid. The family is going to find out about this…and for your information, Clayton died last night."

"WHAT?" Karen asked. Clayton was Christopher's step-grandfather. "How?"

"He was shot here a few nights ago. He died. Now Clayton is dead and your face is plastered all over the news. If Grandma sees this…"

"I'm sorry. God, I can't believe Clayton is dead."

"I can't believe what you've done. Tell me Karen…and you better not lie to me—not about this. Is Eric Stone there with you?"

Karen hesitated for a moment and swung the phone cord in circles. She knew she couldn't lie to her husband. Not about Eric. "Yes he is. Eric is here in Mystique Point with me."

"Good grief…you know what Karen?"

"What?" she asked.

"You are on your own with this. You can just get yourself out of trouble. I'm not going to be there for you to bail you out and save the day like I did with your drug addiction."

"I got myself into this. I'm a grown woman—I know what the consequences of my actions will be. But I wanted to call and let you know that I won't be coming back to Dallas."

Christopher didn't seem surprised. "Maybe that's just the best thing. You can run off with Eric Stone—I know you always wanted to. Go away and live your life like some fairy tale dream that wasn't meant to be. I don't care. I really don't care anymore."

"Then I guess there's nothing else to say…other than I love you."

"I…love you too." The words escaped Christopher's mouth before he could stop them. As mad and as hurt as he was, he did love her.

"But I also love my son, Austin."

"I don't want to lose you Karen. Tell me where you are…I'll be there as soon as I can. We can go away together…with your son. I need you. We need each other."

Karen wanted so bad to take him up on his offer, but she knew she couldn't drag him into this. "No Chris. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"Then come back to Dallas and turn yourself in. I didn't mean what I said before…I want to help you. I will help you. I'll get you the best lawyers money can buy."

"I can't risk losing my son. I can't come back to Dallas. Please understand."

"I guess I do understand. I understand that you're choosing Eric Stone over me. Bye Karen."

The phone clicked in Karen's ear and she wanted to cry. Why did things have to be so complicated? She wiped away a tear and looked up to see Eric standing in the doorway.

"I know this isn't easy for you Karen. And I know I had a hard time accepting it before, but I know that you love Christopher."

"Thank you for understanding Eric…and thanks for saying that." Karen blotted away another tear and tried to lighten the moment. "Hey, you look kind of cute with short blonde hair. I like the spiky little thing you've got going there."

Eric blushed. "Thanks…I think. What about Austin though?"

"I'll work on him when he gets up. But Austin's had a hard week…I want to let him sleep as long as possible."

"Yeah, it'll do him some good. The kid is kinda beginning to grow on me, as much as I hate to admit it."

Karen smiled. "Eric Stone, I didn't know you had a soft spot."

"I guess I try to hide it. Now enough about that. What do we do now?"

The Mystique Point Inn, days later

Karen flipped on the TV and she was immediately bombarded with a newscast about the kidnapping. What had she gotten herself into? And then she didn't care—as long as her son was away from the abuse he'd faced at home.

"Bored?" she asked with a smile.

Austin had his nose pressed against the window and he temporarily removed it to turn around. "Yeah. When can we go outside?"

"I don't know if we can right now."

Disappointment spread across his face. "Please?"

"I'm sorry honey. I'll try to take you outside soon, but it's not safe to go out right now. Why don't we go back to sleep? We've been going to bed late and you woke up kind of early today. Then maybe we can go out for some fresh air."

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm kinda sleepy." Austin rubbed his eyes and walked over to his mother, climbing onto the bed with her. She snuggled him close to her for comfort and soon she'd drifted off into a troubled sleep.

The Inn

Karen rounded the partition to find Eric asleep in the other bed, but Austin wasn't there. "Eric!" she cried. "Wake up!"

"Wha?" He mumbled groggily. Eric sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. "What is it?"

Karen was hysterical. "It's Austin! He's missing, oh my God, he's gone outside…I know it. They're going to find him and then…and then, then I'll lose him. Get up Eric! Get up!"

Eric bolted out of bed and pulled on his shirt and shoes, which Karen gave him no time to tie. "Maybe I should go out and look for him…my picture hasn't been plastered all over the news like yours has."

"No…no, I'm going with you. I don't think they'll recognize me at a glance, not with the changes I made to my hair." Karen ran over to the desk and grabbed her sunglasses from it.

"He couldn't have gotten far…"

Mystique Point Elementary

From the sidewalk, Roxanne Prescott watched him with a smile as she rubbed her swollen abdomen. It wouldn't be but a few more months before she'd have a child of her own and she couldn't wait until she'd be able to take him or her to the playground and swing him on the swings.

"Hi!" she called out to the boy as she made her way up the path to the playground.

Austin frowned and answered with a meek "hello."

"Don't be shy, I don't bite," Roxanne teased. "But I guess your Mommy always told you not to talk to strangers didn't she?"

Austin reluctantly smiled. This lady seemed nice. "She saw me talking to a stranger in the park one time and she gave me a spankin'—my mommy back home did. I like my new mommy."

"New mommy?"

"Yeah, she came and got me from my house and we ran from the police. You're not a police are you?"

Roxanne shook her head. "No, not me. Wait a minute…I've seen you before…"

The Inn

Eric sensed her uneasiness and he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll find him Karen, I promise we will."

She couldn't make herself smile, but she nodded. "I hope so. I can't lose him. I haven't gone all this way and risked my freedom just to lose him like this."

Then Eric spotted him across the street, swinging in a tire swing. "Karen! He's there—straight ahead in the swing. There's a woman talking to him."

Roxanne kneeled down, unaware that she was being watched. "Your name is Austin isn't it?"

Austin looked at her with a child's suspicious glance. "How do you know that's what my name is? I didn't tell you."

"I saw you on the news! You're the kid that was kidnapped."

"Austin!" came Karen's cry from behind. Austin quickly extricated himself from the tire by falling through the bottom and he ran to Karen.

Roxanne whirled around. "Do you know him?"

"Yeah, he's my…" She paused.

"Your son. You gave him up for adoption," Roxanne said. "I saw you on the news—your hair is different, but it's you!" Roxanne fished through her purse for a cell phone and finally she found it. "I'm calling the police."

Eric reached forward to take the phone from her, but Roxanne jerked it back. Karen looked to Eric and then back to Roxanne. "Look, please…hear me out before you make a decision like that."

"I saw this on the news. That child has been kidnapped," Roxanne argued.

"It's not like that, you don't understand. I don't know how closely you listened, but…" Karen paused again, realizing that Austin shouldn't be hearing all of this. "Eric, will you take Austin back over to the swing?"

Eric nodded and led Austin away. "You don't have long and then I'm calling," Roxanne said.

"Okay, wait! He's my biological son, but I was forced to give him up for adoption when he was born. Then this past January I decided to go check on him—just to see if he was okay and his mother was treating him right. Well, when I got there, I noticed that he was badly bruised in some places and I knew immediately what was going on…"

"Are you saying his adoptive mother was abusing him? Oh my God…how could anyone do anything like that…"

"Yes. Austin later told me she'd hit him before, when I asked him where he got one of those bruises. So Eric and I took him away from that."

"Is he your husband?"

Karen looked down and kicked around a tuft of grass with her shoe. "No. My husband is back in Dallas. Eric's just a friend of mine."

"But you have to understand, you still kidnapped that kid. If his mother was abusing him, you should have reported it—not this."

"When is your baby due?"

"Mid-June." Roxanne reached down to her stomach as to confirm that the baby was still there.

"Put yourself in my scenario. Say you had to give up that baby because of problems you were having and there was no way you could possibly keep it. Do you have any idea how hard that is?"

"I'm guessing that it's not an easy thing to do. Pardon the pun, but I'm already so attached to this one."

"But say you did have to do that. Then six years later you really began to think about that baby and regretted giving him up now that things had gotten better for you. So then you find out where he is now and you go to see him, only to find out he's being abused. Can you honestly look me in the eye and say you wouldn't have done the same thing?"

"No…I can't." Roxanne put the phone back in her purse and zipped it shut.

Karen closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

The Inn, later on that day

He sighed as Roxanne laughed. When would they get to go somewhere else? He was tired of being here. He was tired of staying in this room. Then Roxanne brought up a topic that interested him.

"So Karen, how long are you planning on staying here in town?"

"As long as we can. I don't want to risk moving as long as we're safe here."

Austin groaned and tossed the matches higher.

"If there's anything I can do to help you, let me know. You strike me as a very good mother Karen. What you've done just further proves that—risking your freedom and all."

"I couldn't leave him there once I saw the bruises. I could have never lived with myself if I had."

Roxanne nodded and glanced at her watch. "I should get going. My husband will be home soon, if he's not already…and you know how men are when they're not fed."

Karen laughed and showed Roxanne to the door. "I just want to thank you again for what you did—or didn't do."

"It's no problem. I could never call the police—Austin's better off with you." Roxanne stepped outside and then turned back around. "You have my phone number if you need anything. Don't hesitate to give me a ring."

"Sure, thanks."

Karen shut the door and leaned against it. That had been a close call. Thank God Roxanne had been an understanding woman.

The Inn

Eric smiled and Karen returned the smile. "Karen, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Eric paused. "Remember last Christmas when that Christmas tree and ornaments showed up in the children's ward at the hospital? And the donation? You were wondering who did all of that…"

"Yeah, I was. But I know now."

"You do?"

"You did."

Eric looked away, almost embarrassed. How long had she known. "You knew all along?"

"Not at first, but I eventually figured it out. Eric, that was the most generous and most sweet thing you've ever done. The day I figured that out, I think I really saw you in a new light."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I figured I'd wait until you wanted me to know."

"I have another confession…I hate to say this."

"I know what it is. You only made the donation to get closer to me and to make me like you."

"At first. All I wanted was for you to love me—I would have given away everything I had for that to happen. But now I know you can't make someone love you. I've learned that while being on the run with you. I feel like I've gotten to know you so well. But I still love you."

Karen looked away but he took her chin and turned her face back around until their eyes met. "I…I love Christopher."

"I know you do. I didn't at first, but now I do. Christopher's a good man, even though we haven't gotten along in the past. He loves you too." It was the hardest thing Eric had ever tried to say—and the most hurtful to himself.

"I'll always love Chris, but that part of my life is in the past. I…I have to divorce him somehow so he can get on with his life. He deserves better than me. He deserves a woman who can be there for him—be there to love him. I have other obligations now—my son."

"I want to go with you wherever you go…to protect you and Austin."

Karen smiled, but she was crying. Oh Christopher, forgive me. "I need you Eric."

Eric encircled her in his arms and pulled her face closer to his until their lips were almost touching. The knock at the door startled them both and Karen pulled back. "Roxanne?" Karen called out.

"This is Chief Barry Allred from the Mystique Point Police Department."

Karen froze. She couldn't answer—her tongue felt like a heavy dry lump stuck to the bottom of her mouth. She looked to Eric, but saw no solution in his eyes.

She regained her composure. "Umm, can you give me just a second? I just got out of the shower and I'm not dressed…I'll be right there in a couple of minutes."

"Sure, but make it quick," came Allred's voice from the other side of the door.

Karen wasted no time running into the other room and pulling Austin out of bed. "Sshh, we're about to leave here, but only if you keep quiet and don't say a word."

Austin's sleepy eyes immediately shined with excitement and anticipation, but he didn't say anything. Eric bolted over to the back door and unlocked the chain-lock; then he swung it open and motioned for Austin to get outside.

"Almost done!" Karen yelled to Chief Allred. She carefully placed a chair in front of the door to stall them and then she ran across the room and followed Eric outside.

"Where to now?" Eric asked.

But Karen didn't have any answers. They had no car—no way to get out of town. She knew their only hope was the woman that might have once been their downfall—Roxanne Prescott.

Outside of town, near an old barn

Karen glanced behind her, afraid that they'd been followed. "It's just a barn. I bet there are even some cows in there…and maybe horses. Remember how I told you I liked to ride horses? Maybe we could ride one." Karen was desperate. She had to get him to go inside.

"Okay, but I'm goin' back outside if there's not any horses."

"Deal."

Eric took the lead as they walked into the darkened barn. Much to their luck, there were horses. "Wow!" Austin exclaimed. He ran over to one and stroked its nose.

Karen looked at Eric. "What do you think?"

"I think we can hide out in here until Roxanne gets us the car."

"I think so too."

Eric was quiet. "We never got to finish what we started before," he said, almost apologetically. Karen could tell he was uncomfortable bringing the subject back up.

Karen looked over Eric's shoulder at Austin, who was still petting the horse. "We need to talk. Why don't we step outside?"

"Yeah, okay."

After they'd gone, Austin stopped petting the horse. "What's your name?" He asked, almost expecting an answer. The horse tossed its head back. "I'll just call you Mr. Horsey." Austin strained his eyes to see what else was in the barn, but he couldn't make anything out. Then he remembered the matches—the ones from the Inn that he'd shoved in his pockets earlier.

"Are you scared of the dark Mr. Horsey?" Austin looked at him for a second longer and then took out one of the matches. He'd seen his mother do this before. The first match didn't light and Austin frowned as he tossed it to the ground. The second one sparked, but didn't catch. Austin licked his lip and focused intently on the third one. He struck it across the package briskly and his face lit up with joy—it had worked! But it still wasn't bright enough…

Then Austin looked down and noticed the hay all around them. He carefully stooped over and heaped up a small pile of it; then he touched the flame to it. Seconds later there was a glowing fire. "That's better!" he said, overjoyed. The barn lit up and he stepped back.

His smile soon faded as the fire quickly spread into the other stall. "Uh oh, Karen and Eric are gonna be mad at me now…" Austin's eyes searched the barn and they spotted a small bucket of water. He ran over to it and picked it up. Water sloshed out as he struggled to carry it back to the fire. He threw the water onto the fire, but it just sizzled and seemed to grow bigger.

Outside the barn, Karen and Eric stood silent in the darkness, listening to the chirping of the crickets and watching the stars twinkle. Then the acrid smell of smoke stung their noses.

"Oh my God." Karen turned around and acting on maternal instinct, rather than logical thought, she sprinted into the barn, but the smoke and the heat overwhelmed her and she fell down into the hay, coughing and sputtering.

Realizing what was happening, Eric ran in after her, but couldn't see two feet in front of him, due to the thickness of the suffocating smoke. He coughed and covered his face with his sleeve. "KAREN!"

Outside, Roxanne's face was lit up with the glow from the blaze in the barn as she stepped out of the car, staring in awe. Were they inside? She left the car door open and ran to the barn, standing near the doorway. Smoke puffed out and cast an eerie look to the whole area. Roxanne strained to see inside the barn and she stepped just inside the doorway for a closer look, but she knew it had been a mistake when she heard an earsplitting crash from above.

She could only throw her arms up in a weak defense against the flaming rafters and loft floor that gave way above and came crashing toward her with the weight of all the hay it had supported…