ALL GROWN UP NOW

by LARONDA 2004

Lou McCloud ran faster. Looking back she could see him. The more she ran the more he seemed to catch up with her.
"You're all grown up, Louise!" His voice was haunting andshe ran faster. Her legs felt like lead but she continued running as tears sprung from her eyes. His voice boomed behind her. "You're all grown up now, Louise!" He sprung for her and capturing her, knocked her down to her knees. She screamed and pulled away but his arms were tight like steel around her. He pulled down and stripped her. "No, please no!" She never guessed he would find her again.

His breath on her skin made her skin crawl as she felt his hands on her body. She kicked and pushed her hands at him. "You're mine, Louise!" She screamed. No one would come to help her. Her voice echoed through her ears. Louise sat straight up in her bunk, sweat poured down her body. She screamed as a hand touched her shoulder. She turned. It was her fellow rider, Ike, and she fell into his arms. The screams woke the other riders from their sleep. They raced to Lou. Even though she dressed like a boy, they had found out she was a girl when she had to go to St. Joe to get her sister and brother from a orphange. They were at her side in a second as they loved her like a sister.
"What happened?" Cody asked Ike as he was still holding Lou tightly.
*I don't know she woke up screaming,* the mute rider explained.
"I am fine just a bad dream." she said to her protectors.
" Do you want to talk about it?" Buck asked his friend.
She shook her head "Maybe someday."
"Anytime you need us we are here." Kid said.
Ike released her and she laid back down as they returned to their own bunks. Maybe I should tell them, she thought . She returned to sleep - this time a peaceful dream.

THE END

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