65

F or the first time in a long while, Rowland didn’t know what to do. He lay stunned on the sparse grass for a moment then rolled to his side. He had to do something .

Jenny pulled herself to her feet and looked around wildly. Her hands were on her head and Rowland saw blood. He lurched to his feet and went to her. “Let me see, Jenny. Just let me see .”

“What happened ?”

What happened? She’d jumped a man more than a foot taller than she was to protect a virtual stranger. Brave girl. But maybe not so bright. “Some guy hit you, then jumped me .”

“He had one of those girls with him. He was going to hurt her, wasn’t he? Where is she ?”

Pip. The man, Gunderson, had had her, hadn’t he? Maybe. It could have been Perci. Rowland wasn’t so sure .

But where was she ?

Rowland looked up just as two small women ran toward the burning barn .

“Go!” Jenny pulled at his arm. “Go! You have to help them !”

Rowland looked at her. “I can’t leave you .”

“Please, I’ve been taking care of myself for twenty-five years. I don’t need someone like you . But they just might . Go !”

Rowland went .