Into the Sierras

 By Hannah H. (ages 9-13 category)

Seventeen-year-old Andi’s heartbeat quickened as she read the words on the expositor. The Fresno Bank has been robbed. Two culprits were seen fleeing the scene. The sheriff will gather a posse and search for the thieves. Hopefully, the thief will be caught.

Andi didn’t want to read the rest of the article.

“So Chad, will you be joining the posse?” Justin asked as he tucked the newspaper away.

Chad ran a callused hand through his jet-black hair, “I don’t know Justin. This season is busy, so I don’t know if I’ll have time.”

“I understand. I just thought I’d let you know so that you were prepared in case Russ shows up wanting to know if you’d join.” Justin said.

As her brother’s talked, Andi thought. The bank was robbed. This is terrible! Who are the culprits?

Andi went out to the barn and to Shasta’s stall “Hey boy.” She grabbed a brush and started grooming him. “You’ll never guess what just happened. The bank has been robbed!”

Shasta whinnied. “I know. It’s awful! I wonder if Chad or Mitch will join the posse. Chad said he was busy, and I know he is, but the bank being robbed is urgent.”

Shasta stamped a hoof. Andi laughed, “I know you want to go for a ride. Sorry boy, but you’ll have to hang in there for a little while longer. I’ve got work to do.”

Andi headed out of the barn and to a coral fence where she was supposed to help Riley with some two-year-olds. “Howdy Riley!” Andi greeted.

“Howdy!”

“Did you hear about town?” Andi asked as she jumped over the fence.

“No, what about town?” Riley asked.

“The bank was robbed,” Andi said.

“What!” Riley exclaimed.

“Yep.”

“Do you know who the thieves are?” Riley asked.

“Two men were seen fleeing from the bank, but that’s all I know.” Andi answered.

“That’s too bad. I hope those thieves are caught.”

“I’m sure the whole town can agree with you on that, Riley.” Andi said.

***

“Mother, I’m going riding,” Andi called.

“All right, be back before super.” Elizabeth said.

“Goodbye Andi,” Chad’s new wife, Ellie, called.

Andi rushed to the barn and saddled Shasta. She led her mount out of the barn.

“Hey Andi! May I join you?” Riley asked.

“Sure!”

“I’ve got something I need to do real quick, but then I’ll join you,” Riley said.

“All right, meet me at the creek near the spot we like to trick ride at.” Andi urged Shasta into a gallop.

Andi arrived at the spot in no time. She dismounted and tied the reigns around a branch. She plopped down on the grass and took her boots off before dangling her feet into the water. “Ah!”

After a few minutes of splashing Andi pulled her boots back on. “I wonder what Riley is doing.” Andi thought.

“Howdy there missy,” a voice called.

Andi whirled around to see a man with brown eyes, black eyebrow length hair, and a beard. The man was wearing a gun around his waist. This man made her feel uneasy.

“Where am I?” The man asked, not noticing her discomfort.

“You’re on the Circle C,” Andi answered.

“Ah. I’m Bryse Joshin.” The man introduced as he dismounted. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing out here?”

Andi took a step back towards Shasta. She fumbled with the reigns. “I... I need to be getting home.”

“Going so soon?” Bryse asked.

Andi turned and slammed into a horse. She tumbled to the ground. She looked up to see another man on a horse.

“I’m sorry about that,” The man apologized.

Andi stood to her feet and reached down to grab her hat when she noticed a bag that must have fallen when she knocked into the horse. She gasped when she saw what was printed on the bag. Fresno Bank.

Bryse walked over to her, “What’s wro...” He stopped when he saw the bag. He swore.

“You! You’re the thieves!” She turned towards Shasta. “Wait till my brothers hear about this. You’ll regret you ever stepped foot on this ranch!”

“Well, I guess they won’t find out about it then.” Bryse grabbed her and yanked her off Shasta. He held her tight ignoring her attempts to free herself. He  whispered, “You’re feisty, but you won’t get away.” He pulled out his gun and held it against her back. “Austin, help me tie her up.”

The two tied her up and hoisted her onto Bryse’s horse. Andi looked behind her, hoping to see someone who could help, but her search was not rewarded.

“Where are we going?” Andi asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Austin taunted.

“Yes, I would. Why do you think I asked?” Andi retorted.

“She’s got sass,” Bryse commented, “A good thing too! It would be torcher to carry around a crying sissy.”

 They plodded along for a while. I need to leave something that my brothers will see if they’re looking for me. Andi racked her brain for an idea. Then she remembered her bandana, it was the only thing she had, but it would be spotted by Bryse or Austin if she dropped it now. She decided to wait.

“Let’s stop here.” Bryse said.

Andi mentally sighed with relief.

“Girl, take care of the horses.”

“Why should I,” Andi said.

Her sass earned her a slap. Andi decided not to resist. Besides, it might give her a chance to drop the bandana. She pulled the saddles of the horses and tied her bandana to a tree. Before heading back to where Bryse and Austin where making camp.

Andi ate a supper of stale bread and beef jerky. She made a face, but didn’t complain. After her scanty supper, she decide to go to bed. She was exhausted from riding for so long, and she had no doubt that tomorrow would be the same. God, please help me endure this. Help my family find me.

Once Andi was asleep, Bryse and Austin talked. “What should we do with the girl?” Austin asked.

“Ransom?” Bryse suggested.

“We don’t even know her name,” Austin said, leaning against a tree.

“She said something about the Circle C. Maybe her family lives there,” Bryse suggested.

“Maybe. I think we should get her name first.”

“All right,” Bryse said. “Goodnight.

“Goodnight,” Bryse said.

***

Andi’s stomach growled. It was close to lunch and she hadn’t been given any breakfast that morning. At least these two scoundrels had let her ride on her own horse.

“So missy, what’s your name?” Bryse asked.

Andi raised an eyebrow, but didn’t answer.

“Well,” Bryse said impatiently.

“Andrea Carter,” Andi said.

Bryse just continued on like nothing had happened.

When they stopped to let the horses drink, Andi secretly brought two branches into the shape of a cross. When she finished that, she cooled herself off with the creek water.

They trudged on soon after. “So, do y’all normally rob banks?” Andi asked, she was getting bored.

“No, we also rob stage coaches,” Austin answered.

Andi clenched her fist to keep her angry words down.

They soon made it to a crude cabin. A coral fence was near the house along with an outhouse. “Welcome to your new home.”

“This is not my home,” Andi mumbled.

“Head inside and start cooking,” Bryse commanded.

Andi grimaced. Cooking was not her specialty! She decided to make biscuits since she didn’t have time for anything more. They could eat more beef jerky for protein.

Andi pounded her fist into the dough, taking her anger and fear from the past day and today out on the bread. God, keep me strong, help my brothers find me. A verse popped into her mind. Andi whispered it to herself, “‘Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the unjust and the cruel man.’”

A few minutes later, Austin and Bryse walked in. “I hope that food is almost done. I’m starving!” Bryse said.

Andi checked on the biscuits before pulling them out of the oven. She let them cool for a few minutes before telling Bryse and Austin that they were done.

Andi hungrily ate her supper before looking around the cabin. A bunkbed stood in a corner of the cabin, a fireplace, a small counter, a cook stove, and some shelves.

She wondered where she would be sleeping. Bryse grabbed two blankets and spread one out on the floor and set the other one next to it. “You’ll sleep there.”

Andi sighed but didn’t complain. She lay down on the blanket and pulled the other one over her body. As she lay there, she heard Bryse and Austin talking.

“We’re low on supplies,” Bryse said.

“Tomorrow afternoon I’ll head to town and get anything we need,” Austin said.

“What about the girl?” Bryse asked.

“We’ll get our ransom, but we need to wait ‘till the town calms down. A ransom will do us no good if we’re behind bars.” Austin said. “Until then, we might as well get our use of her while she’s here.”

“Her biscuits weren’t bad,” Bryse said.

Andi turned her head away from the conversation. God please, I don’t know how much more of this I can endure. Please, keep me strong!

***

Andi hauled the last bucket of water to the sink and started washing the dishes. She sighed; she had been kept busy the whole day. Even worse, there had been no sign of her brothers.

There was a commotion outside. Bryse and Austin came charging through the door. Austin grabbed Andi roughly by the arm and pulled out his gun.

“How could this have happened?” Bryse asked.

“I don’t know,” Austin glared at him.

He yanked Andi over to the door. “Unless you want the girl to be shot, then I suggest you leave.” He hollered out.

“All right. Don’t hurt her!” Chad shouted. Andi could hear the worry edged in his voice.

Austin opened the door and stepped out, bringing Andi with him.

“Andi! Are you hurt?” Mitch asked.

“I’m fine,” Andi called.

“Hush girl,” Austin barked, shaking her.

Andi looked at the people that had come, Justin, Mitch, Chad, Sheriff, Tate, some deputies, and a few other people.

Andi made up her mind. It was risky, but it might be her only chance to get away. She ground her heel into Austin’s foot and elbowed him in the gut. He loosened his grip and she rushed forward.

“No one move or I’ll shoot.” Austin threatened. He turned to Andi “I’ve had enough of you.” He aimed the pistol at her.

Andi glanced at the pistol in his hands. Then she noticed that Riley was behind him. Riley grinned before grabbing the man.

“What!” Austin squeezed the trigger in surprise.

Andi felt searing pain rip through her arm and she fell to her knees. She heard Riley, Chad, Justin, and Mitch cry  “Andi!”  before everything went black.

***

Riley along with Andi’s brothers rushed over to Andi. “Is she... is she dead,” Mitch whispered.

“No, she can’t be.” Chad said, joining them.

Justin leaned down to listen for a heartbeat and his sigh told Riley that Andi was still alive. At least for the time being.

They brought Andi inside and laid her on the bottom bunk of the bed. Riley hated to leave Andi, but when he glanced at the pale, bleeding figure he knew someone had to get the doctor. “I’ll fetch the nearest doctor.” At Justin’s nod, he took off.

***

Andi woke to find excruciating pain running down her arm. She tried to sit up but the effort was too much. “Andi! Take it easy, honey.” Justin said.

“What happened?” Andi asked.

“I’ll tell you what happened.” Chad said angrily, his eyes blazing and fearful. “You got shot by those low down, good for nothing, thieving-”

“Chad,” Justin cut in, “Can we focuses on more important things right now?”

Andi barely heard her brothers. She looked at her arm and saw tons of blood. Her blood. She closed her eyes as fatigue sweeping over her. “Where is everyone else?”

“Sheriff Tate and his deputies are taking those to thieves to town, and Riley went with them to fetch the nearest doctor and bring him here,” Mitch said.

Andi drifted into unconsciousness.

***

“What have you done girl?” The man asked angrily. “You led them right to us,” He shook her violently.

“No I didn’t. Please, let me go.” Andi pleaded.

“No! You’ll pay for what you did!” The man got an evil look in his eyes. He pulled out a pistol.

“Please! Don’t do this!”

Bang!

Andi’s eyes flew open. “Only a dream,” she said in attempt to calm her racing heart. But in some ways, it wasn’t a dream.

Andi looked to see Chad sitting by her side. He had his head buried in his hands; silent tears were rolling down his cheeks. “Don’t cry.”

Chad startled and looked up. He whipped his face on his sleeve.

“Chad, you’re a grown man! You know better!” Andi teased.

He grinned. “Aren’t you too hurt to be worrying about what’s proper and improper for a man?”

 “I’d offer you my bandana, but I left it on the trail.” Andi said.

“Yeah, we found it.” He looked at her arm. Andi knew that it had been used to keep her from bleeding to death.

“It’s all right Chad. If we didn’t have bad and hard times, we wouldn’t enjoy the good times. Also we wouldn’t see God’s goodness as clear. Everything that happened is according to God’s big and perfect plan. We may not see why yet, but one day we will,” Andi said.

“I know.” Chad said. “Now, go to sleep.”

***

Andi sat at Sunday dinner with a smile. It had been the first time she was strong enough to join the family.

“Andi, tell us what happened,” Lucy asked.

Andi told the whole story, not leaving off the parts about how the Bryse and Austin must have been starved half to death to actually like her cooking.

“That must be hard, not being able to be up and about,” Betsy said.

“It would be, if it weren’t for the fact that I don’t have to do chores,” Andi said.

“I could find some stalls that need mucking,” Chad teased.

“No thanks.”

Laughter rang around the room. A verse popped into Andi’s mind. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.

After supper Riley caught Andi. “I’m glad you’re alright.” He took a breath and said, “I guess I never realized how much I love you until I thought I would lose you. What I’m trying to say is,” He bent down on one knee,” Andrea Rose Carter, will you marry me?”

As Andi squealed and hugged him she thought. What a good God we have! No matter how bad things are going, He uses them for good!