Summary: Mrs. James has a daughter and stuff..

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The ranch was rather quiet for this time of night. Jesse was usually outside, rounding the horses and sticking them in their stalls. Then Frank would be barking about some damn thing bothering him downstairs and mom would be calming him down, offering him solutions that went right over his head. Then, if he were lucky enough to get my horse in its stall, Jesse would come in and grab his guitar, which he'd practice till at least midnight. Then I could fall asleep. I needed the silence to shut my eyes and let my thoughts take a vacation and my dream take its post.

Tonight was different. I didn't hear the Jesse's folk tunes or Frank's complaining. I didn't hear the knicker of a horse or the humming of my mother. No, it was silent. It kept me awake. I lay in my room, which was at the far end of the hallway. Frank slept downstairs and Jesse slept at the other end of the hall. Mama slept across from the bathroom next to my room, which had always given me comfort in the darkest of times. I didn't like to admit it, but I sometimes needed to crawl into her bed when I got scared.

That was the last draw. With a sigh, I pushed myself from the quilt mama had made for me and shivered when my bare feet hit the wooden floor. I was going to investigate. The moon was bright and it casted its silver rays and harsh shadows through the windows of the house. I peeked through the crack in my mama's door. She always left it open a smidge. She was fast asleep and looked awful peaceful in the moon glow.

I frowned. I felt like someone was watching me. I hated that feeling. I was cold to. I was only wearing a nightgown after all.

I began my journey to Jesse's room. His door was always closed which made it hard to peek. I hesitated. I didn't want to wake him up if he was in there. I curled my slender fingers around the cold doorknob and pushed it open a crack. He wasn't there. After realizing his absence, I let it open all the way and stepped inside. I decided to check the window. He had the best view of the fields and for some reason; I thought he might be outside still. But he wasn't. Instead, I saw a bunch of figures, lingering and gazing about cautiously. With furrowed brows, I squinted against the moonlight for a better look. Who were they? Why were they on our land? I bit my lower lip and left Jesse's room.

I began my journey downstairs, to get up close. If I were still upstairs and lying in bed, I would have heard the nickering coming from the nearest field. I went to the kitchen window, my toes sticking gently to the wood floor.

There were three of them. They were all on horses. I couldn't hear anything.

I knew what they were going to do. With a frown of concern, I slid back from the kitchen to the main room where at this time any other night, everyone would be gathered. I rushed to Frank's bedroom door and without any thought I opened it.

Frank wasn't there. Or at least I didn't think they were. I stepped inside and began curling my fingers together uncomfortably. I thought of simply going upstairs and crawling in bed with mom. Then I thought of going outside with Frank's rifle and chasing them off. If I did that, ma would kill me. I was only 15 and as I've been told.I'm to young to do anything important except chores and duties. I gazed out Frank's window and searched for those guys. They were right outside. I could hear them now. Frank always left his window open a crack so he could hear if anything was amiss.

'The barn is over here!'

There was more then three. There were seven. I hadn't counted the four at the barn, who were working on unhooking the latch. My stomach sunk and my lips parted in fear. They were going to steal my horse and every other horse in that barn. I kept silent. My thoughts were racing. Then to my misfortune, Scout, the family shepherd dog jumped on Frank's bed and began to release its heart-stopping barks. At the same moment, each man outside the window shot their cold, rock hard eyes upon me and stared hungrily.

The tallest man, with greasy grey hair and a worn old cowboy's hat grinned with his yellow teeth and shook his head, shouting in a wretched, scratchy voice.

'Lets get this party started boys!'

Whoops of excitement and a national declaration of sin were heard in the distance as the six individuals worked on the latch of the barn, the ugly man stayed was watching me. I quickly pushed Scout off the bed and with only a few barks; he left with whimpers of excitement, obviously wanting to get outside.

'Hey girlie, why don't you come out here and have a little fun with ol' Jacko?'

I winced as the ugly man's scratchy voice slid beneath the crack in the window.

I quickly curled my fingers around the frame and tried to push it down. I couldn't.

Another eruption of whoops came from the distant barn and I saw the horses come rushing from the barn. We had five horses and I watched them scatter, followed by 6 men on their own horses. They were stealing them! I had to do something. With narrowed eyes, I reached beneath Frank's bed and snatched his rifle. I knew enough about it to use it. I checked to see if it was loaded and it was. I rushed from Frank's room and clambered to the front door and pushed it open. With only a slight struggle I cocked the gun and pointed it at one of the riders. I heard the ugly man shout and with a quick tug on the finger, a loud blast erupted and I quickly closed my eyes. When I opened them, and I peered through the smoke, I saw a man hit the ground.

'You little sonnavabitch!

My mouth fell open and I quickly struggled to reload the gun. I couldn't manage it. He was coming closer. I was doomed. He'd take me away. I started to panic and I fell back against the front door, which had closed behind me in those few shorts moments.