MISSING 

By Tessa Harvey

The man was physically fitter. He could easily wait her out. It was beginning to rain.

    Angel thought back to when she had followed Ryan after her soaking in the river. She had had no idea he lived alone nor that his mental capacity was so limited.

Angel had tried hard to tell him she belonged to a family, but her jailer had just shaken his head, bewildered.

    He had found her. She belonged to him now. It was that simple - and to her, that terrible.

    Light was fading with hope. The young woman called out in loneliness and despair and suddenly heard an answering shout, and the wavering light of bright torches.

    She cried out again, this time in hope. How she had longed for light throughout her beleagured nights, that had seemed so endless. Muttering, Ryan shuffled away, afraid and annoyed.

    Then Angel heard Gabe's voice. She cried out again in joy. She saw that he looked terrible, but he was climbing up to rescue her. 

    Police held up torches to assist him, sending one of their own up the tree to help. They almost had to bend back her finger, her grip had been so tight. She was free! The men carefully helped her down.

    Angel clung to Gabe and he to her. She was dirty, and her clothes stained and ragged, but her husband did not notice.

    Angel whispered, "Gabe, I'm pregnant!"