The Last Laugh

***

Little Heather's POV:

I was gloomy and quiet the next morning, Sawyer had gotten up finally and my mom looked more than satisfied with the escape of Sheridan  because she'd prayed for his death in some sort of way. My mother now scared me a lot. I saw her in a completely different way.

We were having breakfast when all of a sudden, an employee came in.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"The horse that was stolen just came running into the ranch. We've taken it back to the stable."

Mom smiled. I knew why. She probably thought Dove had deserted Sheridan.

"Thank you."

The employee left.

I knew better. Sheridan had surely sent dove back home because he couldn't take care of her, wherever he was. He wasn't dead. He wasn't in danger. No.

***

Little Sheridan's POV:

I'd walked for a long time in those woods without finding any cave or place where I could find refuge. My feet hurt and my body too. I was tired. I'd walked all afternoon in my bad state.

I sat down underneath a tree and began to sob. What was going to happen to me now.

I rested for about thirty minutes and came up with the decision that giving up now was useless and so I got up and continued my search.

At about 5pm, I was more than glad when I found a spring in the woods! Without thinking, I ran to the spring , got on my knees and drank as much water as I could. I was glad I'd found fresh water. I'd walked the whole day with wounded feet and a dislocated knee. I needed energy. I drank to my satisfaction.

While I savored the taste of fresh water, I heard thunder. I stopped drinking and looked up at the sky. Black clouds could be seen beginning to cover. Heavy rain was on it's way! I had to find a place and fast!

I stood up and started limping as fast as possible through the woods. Places were beginning to get darker. The last night had been a lucky one. Any wild animal could have found me and made me its meal. I had to find a place. Worse again, it was going to rain. Heavily.

I limped and limped, ignoring the endless pain in my knee and under my feet.

Heavy raindrops began to fall. I increased my speed. I was week, tired and hungry. The rain began to slightly increase. Soon I was soaked and shivering. It was really cold. The weather had gone from hot to freezing. I didn't stop moving. I had hopes.

As I limped in pain, just when I was about to give up, I noticed something. A house! That house I'd shown uncle Ken and dad.

I quickly made my way for it. I was gonna break in. I didn't care whether there were snakes in there or whether it was dirty, old and hunted. I needed a house.

I climbed up to it's balcony where dad, uncle Ken and I had protected ourselves from rain. I went to one of the windows. It seemed easy to open. I picked a stick and forced it open. When it did get open, I almost screamed in joy. Without wasting time, I got into the house and closed it's window behind me.

I was in darkness In the house. It didn't smell old. I searched through the dark and accidentally stepped on an object that hurt my feet really bad it made slid and fall back.

Luckily my back touched the wall and I heard a click. In a second, the place was lighted.

*

all. Nor did it seem abandoned. I seemed to be in the living room of the house. The chairs and furniture were clean. There was even a

"Wow."

any signs of life. There was a shelf full of books. I went towards it and began to touch the books. I opened one to look at the

to drop from

stammered, fear

man warned dangerously, "I have a gun. One move and I kill ya. You

I was

a

silent for sometime.

"Turn around." he ordered.

first thing I saw was a gun pointed

the man said in a shocked voice. The fact that he'd called my name caused me to pull my eyes away from the terrifying gun and look up.

"Mr– Mr Victor??"

was my dad's ex assistant. He threw his gun aside. He

"What happened to you??"

at

***

a warm bath. I washed myself carefully and slowly because of all my bruises. When I was done, Mr. Victor gave me

he went into another room and returned with an aid box. "You're lucky I have some stuff

sat in front of me. He cleaned my wounds and treated them. For the bruises, he rubbed them with some kind

"You hungry?" he asked.

"Y– yes, please. Very."

and give you some. You can

him

"Okay."

for him patiently as I watched the flames from the

of soup. I thanked him when he handed it over

much soup as possible. I was so hungry. He watched

you tell me what happened to you?" he

"How did you turn out to be in such a state? What pushed you

"Ah– aunt Christina."

"Ken's wife??"

"He's dead."

Victor's expression saddened a

"I know. I heard."

began to tell him everything that had happened after uncle Ken passed away. Mr Victor

your father's property in

"Yes."

my gawd." he stood up unable to believe his ears, "And she's also the reason

I said

shocked and sad at the same time. He looked at me with pity in his

"Sheridan?"

"Y– yes, sir?"

"Call me uncle."

made

"Yes, uncle Victor?"