It's finally here! Kind of a short chapter, but here is my continuation to Pieces of Me. Hope you enjoy, and please reivew!

Picking up the Past

Sequel to "Pieces of Me". Katie has finally gotten over the tragic loss of her parents, only to stumble upon a dark mystery from their past. Knowing certain things can make things worse, but how much worse?

Chapter 1

Katie stared at the box for a while before finding the courage to keep looking through it. The thing making the clunking noise was another key. The thing that rattled was a little string of Cheyenne beads that looked like it was made by a small child. She moved those things aside and moved on to the first piece of paper. In the far left corner, the date read 1871, when Katie was still an infant.

Dear Sully,

I have never loved anyone as I have loved you. You are my whole life, the reason I am breathing and alive right now. I just need you to know. Tell the children I love them too, so very much.

Sully, I haven't been honest with you lately. I've been nervous and jumpy all the time…I tried to tell you so many times, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. If you knew, you'd be hurt too. But now it's too late, and you might as well know the truth, but please know I only did this because I was trying to protect you.

I saw something Sully, something I wished and prayed that I'd never see in my lifetime. It was a child Sully, a little five year old girl. She was being hit…over and over. It reminded me of our little girl. Her father wouldn't stop. She was crying, and crying, begging him to stop. I couldn't just sit there and let that happen to an innocent child. I ran over to her, I shouted at the man. Then he hit me. That's why my cheek was bruised that night, when you thought I fell down the stairs. I was so angry…that he could just hit a child like that, and then hit me for stopping him, I hit him back, and I picked up the little girl and ran. I got us on my horse and rode back to the homestead. As we rode away I could hear him shouting…he said he swore he would kill me if I ever told anyone…and he'd kill whoever I told. That's why I haven't told you. And if he ever got his hands on one of the children…I can't even imagine what he'd do to them.

I recently was walking near where I had seen him beating her, and he came up from behind and covered my mouth. Then he…he touched me. He said I was a very "pretty lady". He said that if I didn't go back to where I'd found him with the child and give her back to him, that he would hunt me down and kill my family…and that I would have to be his. I couldn't let that happen to you or the children, but I couldn't give that sweet girl back to that monster…So now I am going there, by myself, so none of you will be hurt. Please don't follow me or try to find me…I'll find a way to get back to you I promise. But this letter is for you, in case I don't. I love you so much, don't ever forget that. Don't tell the children where I've gone, and if I don't come back, just tell them I went to Boston for an emergency and there was a train accident. My heart is yours forever. Make sure Katie remembers me…please

Your Heartsong,

Michaela

Katie sat staring at the letter for a while. She could hardly believe what she had just read. Something so terrible had happened, and she had never known? How had her mother gotten home? What had become of this child, this girl who her brave mother had rescued?

Katie wiped away the tears that had formed in her eyes. Reading such loving words from her mother that were meant for her father brought back memories of how much they loved each other. She was willing to risk her life, and her innocence for her family. She had sold herself to this man to protect a strange little girl. How brave and strong her mother had been. Katie only wished she could be half the woman her mother was.

She moved on to the next piece of paper that was in the box.

Dear Sully,

Follow these directions carefully if you want to help. The girl, named Molly, is waiting for you to take her back to the homestead. Please do this for me Sully. If the children have any questions, just tell them you found her orphaned and alone in the woods, and leave it at that.

Go out from behind the homestead, and keep going in that direction (west). When you come to the stream that runs right in front of you, tie up your horse and cross the stream. You should see a brush of bushes, crawl under them. Behind them is an abandoned cellar, which I have put a lock on. To open it use the key that was on top of this letter. Visit her regularly until you find a permanent home for her. Please do this for me. Just be yourself and she'll love you as much as I do.

-Michaela

Katie put aside that piece of paper, but then picked it up again. She had a sudden feeling, almost an urge; a yanking urge that was pulling her to that cellar. She had to find it. There might have been something there that she needed to see. She glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was just after midnight. She checked the box for any more papers, and there was just one more. It was a much smaller piece than the others.

You might not want to tell me where that girl is, but I'll find her. I always have, and I always will. I'll never stop looking. She's mine. I bought her with my own money. And as for you and your pretty little family…you just watch out.

Reading that sent shivers up and down Katie's body. It had been thirteen years since this had happened, so she was probably safe. Probably. But still, knowing that there was someone out there looking for her…it unnerved her.

Her curiosity still a burning flame inside her, she gripped the key that was inside the box. That key would open the cellar that had once held a little girl. Tonight, she was going to find that cellar, and maybe the flame inside her, that was being fed by the need to know about her parents' lives before her, might be put out.