Nowhere to Hide

 By Joanna B. 

The latch began to rise, Andi had nowhere to hide. Her heart raced against its cage. The sound of it beating was loud in her own ears. What could she do? She glanced around the barn. There were many places to hide, but they would find her eventually. They were determined enough, after what she had done. A strange horse nickered, causing Andi’s heart to leap again. The latch on the door paused. Voices rose outside. Slowly, Andi rose from her spot on the ground as an idea began to form in her head. It was risky, but she couldn’t let them follow through with the plan. If they got their hands on that money, every single one of the stolen horses in that barn would be gone and the criminals would escape. She crept to the door of the tack room. The window in there cast the moon’s light onto the floor, giving the room a mysterious atmosphere. Closing the door behind her, she began to pile things in front of the door. It wouldn’t hold them forever, but it bought her time to open the window. Just as she piled the last heavy object in front of the door, she heard the barn door open. Footsteps walked down the aisle. They stopped every few feet, checking each stall. Adrenaline pumped in Andi’s veins, she knew she would have to set the next part of the plan into action. Stepping softly, she moved to the window. She pushed up. Nothing happened. Her heart sped up. She tried again. It barely budged. With another push, the window opened three inches with a deafening squeak. Andi froze, sending a prayer to the Lord up above. She put her trust in Him. The footsteps outside stopped. “What was that?” A rough, gravelly voice asked. “I don’t know. Let’s just continue looking,” the other voice replied. Andi let out a quiet sigh of relief. Outside, one of the men knocked over a bucket. The man swore. Andi used the opportunity to push the window up again. She could feel her blood pumping in her temples as she strained against it. It moved another four inches. “Quiet, Steve!” The gravelly voice said. “I can’t help it, Bob. It is too dark in here,” Steve responded, his voice deepening in annoyance. “I’m going to check the tack room.” Andi suppressed a panicked scream as Steve pushed against the door. She frantically pushed against the window. Sqeeeaaaakkkk! The squeak was the loudest of squeaks. “She is in here! Help me Bob!” Steve flung himself at the door. Andi pushed up against the window just as Bob joined Steve. The door was almost open. With one last final push, the window was open wide enough. Andi scrambled up and squeezed her shoulders through. After wiggling a little, she slipped through right as the door gave way. She rolled on the grass, the impact knocking the breath out of her. She was on her feet again. Behind her she could hear the two men yelling. In the bright moonlight, Andi could see a horse was picketed not far away from the house. It was risky again, but she had no choice. The men inside pushed aside the clutter, heading for the main doors. It was now or never, she had to get that horse. It was her only way to escape and stop these criminals. Taking a deep breath, she broke out into a run. She was almost there when the men burst out of the barn. Her fingers fumbled with the knot, the men were shouting. Finally the knot was free and she swung herself onto the horse’s back. In a quick maneuver, she turned the horse directly at the men. They froze in terror as she ran the horse full speed at them, intending to run them over. At the last second, the horse sidestepped. Andi completely missed both men but had broken free from them. She raced through the forest, Chad was going to be so mad that she had defied him. What was she thinking? She should’ve just listened instead of letting her pride get in the way. Why couldn’t she just have admitted that Cory was better than her at navigation. She would never have been in this forest and she would’ve never stumbled across the answer to Fresno's missing horses. Chad was right, there were things that shouldn’t be touched in that forest. The lights of the ranch grew brighter and soon Andi skidded to a stop in the yard. The door to the house opened. Light spilled out onto the yard. Mother stood in the doorway, her usually immaculate hair was mussed. Chad and Justin stood behind her, their eyes wide. “Andi!” Mother said. Andi slid off the horse and started sobbing. Tears streamed down her cheeks as her mother pulled her into a hug. “What happened?” “I-i wanted to prove myself to Cory, so I rode into the forest. But I got lost and it got late. Then I found a house, but horse thieves lived there. They chased me, and now they have Taffy,” Andi replied between sniffles. “I’m so, so sorry.” She fell into another fit of sobbing. “We’re just glad you're safe. Thank the Lord you are. He really had you in His hands. Come on, let’s go inside. We’ll take care of Taffy,” Mother crooned, gently stroking Andi’s hair. Her voice sounded like a river falling over stones, cool, calm, and comforting. Andi instantly relaxed and let them lead her inside. ***** “Well, Andi. You solved the mystery. The thieves are caught, the horses returned, and you’re safe,” Chad said the next afternoon. “Taffy is outside.” Andi stood up from her seat and grinned. She rushed outside. “She was just telling me the whole story. She really did have God on her side. I thank Him for being such an amazing God,” Justin murmured, awe filling his voice. Chad smiled. “We really are blessed.”