Bryn awoke for the second time in the dingy room where she had been kept. Her head felt very fuzzy and she shook it to try to clear it some. The fear of the last couple of days invaded her again. Where was she? Where had the man taken her? Would anyone ever find her?

The first time she had woken up, HE had been there. Murmurring assurances of love and hovering about her, touching her. She cried out for him to let her go, but he had just laughed.

"My Songbird is in her cage finally, and all mine to enjoy." Was the only reply.

Bryn had been helpless, tied in a chair as he gave her some tea. A little while later she had drifted off to sleep, he had drugged the tea.

Now she was awake again and the room had changed a bit. A bed had been added and it was that to which now she was tied. Panicing, she realized she was wearing a different dress. Had he changed her?

The thought of him touching he made he want to gag and retch. She wished Seamus was alive, this would never have happoened if he was there. But he wasn't, and never would be again. Now it was up to her to get herself out of this..... could she?

Ezra hobbled towards the telegraph office, a frown marring his usually cheery countenance. Bryn had been missing days now, and all searches had been futile. He had asked Lily what she had seen and the description she gave of the figure on the hill matched a man Ezra remembered at Bryn's shows. All of them. Things were falling into place. Hopefully this lead would pan out.

"Any word, Mr. Standish?" Molly asked shyly, not wanting to intrude, but needing to ask.

"Nothing I am afraid." Ezra gave the girl a half-smile. "But do not worry, we WILL find her. Of that I promise you and send the vile miscreant to where he belongs as well."

Molly smiled encourageingly at the gambler and moved off to talk to Josiah.

Ezra continued on his way, painfully aware that if Nathan caught him without his crutches there would be hell to pay, but he didn't have time. His reply from the land office was in. Soon they would not only know who the man was, but hopefully where his homestrad lay.

"Hello my pretty," came a voice from the door.

Bryn gulped and fought down the desire to cry. Something was about to happen and she didn't know if it would be her last day on this earth. She wouldn't let him have her, she had decided that. No matter what, she would rather die first.

"I suppose you want a name to go with my face." He smiled at her, devouring her with his gaze. "I never did give you one."

Bryn kept silent, not meeting his eyes.

"No need to be shy, you are safe here." He crooned. "Safe from those others who truly don't appreciate you. I do. And I will keep you here to admire for as long as we live."

Bryn silently began to cry, he was mad, was there any hope now?

"There, there," He took a silken cloth and wiped her face. "You will not mar those pretty features with crying. What is distressing you? Maybe I can help?"

Hope flared in Bryn, the man was mad, but was he stupid as well. She had nothing to lose so she decided to try something.

"I never liked bein' tied up." She whispered, trying to look as frightened as possible. "Please, untie m'? Please?"

"You won't try to get away will you?" He looked suspicious for a brief second, the looked at the ceiling. "He tells me you won't. And I agree. You know your place is with me now and forever."

With that he began to untie the cords on her ankles, then her wrists. Bryn realized that she had to wait a bit and gain his trust before escaping, she just hoped she could get somewhere safe.

Once untied he was suspicious, until all Bryn did was sit up and smile at him.

"Thank you." And Bryn meant that, now she could get out of here, but she would have to be very careful.

"Come and sit with me." He gestured to the table.

Reluctantly, but knowing she had to gain a little of his trust, she went. Shuddering as he kissed her on the cheek and vowing if he laid a hand on her to try to take her, one of them would die. A sense of dread overcame her as he gestured her to sit in his lap. What should she do?

Lily watched as the search parties came back again without Bryn, and sighed. The trail was getting colder daily and some of the townsfolk had begun to give up. Noticing Ezra hobbling purposefully down the boardwalk, Chris dismounted and waited for him.

"Ezra, you had better have a damned good reason for walkin' on that leg!" Nathan growled, getting off his horse as well.

"Would knowing the name and location of our villian be a good enough reason?" Ezra smiled into the stunned silence around the saloon.

Bryn was running, running for her life. She was sobbing and clutching her torn dress to her shoulders. Night was nearly upon her and she wasn't sure if she was ever going to feel safe. He had tried to take her right there in the chair and Bryn had done something she never had done before. She struck out in anger and fear, smashing the bottle of whiskey down hard on his head and fled.

She had heard him bellow after her, saying she would die for betraying him, and Bryn had run harder and not stopped since. She ran until breath was short and she gasped more than she ought to. And then she ran some more. As night fell, she tripped on a branch and tumbled down a small hill, coming to rest unconscious on the small trail theat had been far below her.