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Setting: The Old West (Cowboys) Sarah awoke to a strange, crackling sound close by. She sat up with a jolt, her memory of the void returning. "Daddy?" Pain exploded through her head and, with a groan, she fell back to the ground. Something had happened. She'd fallen into an abyss of some sort. Where was she now? Home? Oh, how she wished it to be true. "Take it easy. You got walloped pretty hard." Vaguely, through the throbbing in her head, Sarah realized that wasn't her father's voice. She looked to the side, across the campfire that burned steadily, not far from her. "D.K." She relaxed upon seeing him. She was safe. "Where are we?" "How do you know me, gal? I don't recall us meetin'." Sarah sat up, slowly this time. "What?" She looked around. She recognized this place. It was where she'd been the first time she awoke after her car accident. She looked over at D.K., and immediately noticed the tin star pinned on his chest. Yes. She knew where she was ... sort of. Her hand flew to her throat. Her necklace! She had it on, which meant D.K. didn't know who she was. "Not again." She groaned in despair. "Again?" She shook her head. "Nothing." She recalled the James brothers, and glanced around for them. "Did they get away?" "The two I was chasin'? Yeah," D.K. answered, his voice tight. "I almost had them, until you decided to get in the way. Where did you come from, gal? You called out for your pa. Did he leave you out here?" "No." She rubbed the back of her head. She had quite a bump there from where Jesse had hit her. At least D.K. hadn't left her here alone and gone chasing after them. "What's your name?" "Sarah. Sarah Corday." "Well, Miss Corday. You've caused me a heap of trouble. In the mornin', I'll take you to town. You can wire a relative, and decide what to do from there. I ain't got no use for a troublesome female. I could of had them two, you know." A tear trickled down Sarah's cheek. She felt so alone. She'd thought for sure she'd found her father when she heard his voice. And now D.K. didn't remember her. Well, at least that was temporary. He'd never get the chance to take her to town. By morning, she'd be someplace else. They'd be someplace else. D.K. rose and walked over to her. He crouched down and, with the back of his hand, wiped the tears from her face. "Why are you cryin'? Never could stand to see a woman's tears. Rips me up inside somethin' fierce." "I'm sorry." Sarah sniffled. "I'm just ..." "Scared?" He sat beside her. "There's no need. Them two won't be back. They're probably in the next territory by now." "Not of them." A look of concern crossed D.K.'s face. "You're not scared of me, are you? I don't mean you no harm. Pay no heed to what I said about you being troublesome. I was just being ornery. I'll take care of you. And I'll get Jesse for hurtin' you," he blurted out, then looked uncomfortable at having said it. Sarah touch his cheek. "I could never be frightened of you. I trust you, D.K. ... with my life." A strange look crossed his face, and she thought for a moment that perhaps he'd remembered her. But then the look was gone. He cleared his throat and bolted to his feet. "You best get some rest. I think that blow to your head is affectin' your reasoning. I'll be wakin' you early, so don't be surprised if it's still dark. It's a long ride back to town." Sarah watched him pace before the fire. What had gotten him so nervous? She laid down. Well, it didn't matter, she supposed. She fingered her necklace. Tomorrow he'd remember her. She was sure of it. |