MISSING 

By Tessa Harvey

Steve almost forgot to phone the police, then groaned, wishing he had. Finally, he called.

    He was put through to the detective, expecting to be politely told "no deal." Dreams and so on were not evidence. But James was very interested. "Do you think I could talk to your daughter?" he asked, cautiously. "I won't be in uniform and the car is unmarked. A policewoman will accompany me. Of course, you will be present."

    They arranged a time after school.

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    Angel checked around her prison one more time. This was bizarre, unreal. She shook her head. All this because she had disagreed with Gabe about what to have for tea - as if it mattered. It's the little foxes that spoil the grapes, she thought. No way out.

    She had looked endlessly, minutely for three days round and around the barn. "God, help me," she cried, sinking to her knees on the dusty straw-laden floor. Not the first time she prayed for the impossible to be made possible - for God to make a way, where there is no way.

    She began to cry, hopelessly. Then she heard footsteps. Angel turned. Was it Ryan or rescue? She groaned aloud in anger and frustration. It was her captor. The key turned in the lock. The big man shambled in, uncoordinated, jerky and to Angel, horrible.

    Suddenly the young woman threw herself at him in rage. She heaved a smaller bale of hay at him. He threw up his arms in defense, balance teetering. Quickly Angel kicked him viciously in the shins, ducked around him and ran.

    She would liked to have locked him in, but there was no time. For long days and nights, the young woman had planned a route she would take if she escaped...uphill.

    She knew she was a gifted runner, especially going over country that was rugged and steep. But the man, despite being somewhat uncoordinated was bigger and he was also desperate.

    "Come back, pet," he cried. "I lost the other lady. You have to come back."

Angel had no choice. Ryan was gaining. Quickly she jumped high and grabbed a wide oak branch. The man pulled her foot hard. She nearly fell, but kicked hard and the shoe came off. Higher and higher she mounted far above where a heavy man could safely go.

    All the time, he was trying to reach her, he kept saying, "why?" To him, she had everything - a toilet, bedding, food, a little water. He never touched her, except to occasionally pat her hair. Angel always flinched so much that he quickly backed away. "Pet not tame yet," he had mumbled.

    Angel didn't like to imagine what being tame involved. Perhaps Ryan was a true innocent. She was not disposed to find out.

    But now she was stuck.