Flower of My Heart
1894
Caine pulled Lilly away from his chest so he could see her face more clearly. He scrutinized her face to see if any more pain remained. He could see that Lilly's eyes were red and swollen from crying, but otherwise a small sparkle of hope could be seen deep within them. His words had the effect that he had been looking for. Now was the time to lay out their escape plans.
"The only possible way to escape is through the door," Caine began. "Here is what we must do."
Lilly listened with careful consideration. The plan was simple enough, but would they have an opportunity to pull it off? They had no choice in the matter. It was either escape or be caged and sent to China, and Lilly had a feeling that Caine was not going to allow that at any cost.
"What must I do?" Lilly asked after Caine explained his plan.
"The cage they are preparing will not be ready for another three hours. I must be able to fight them, but my chi has been depleted. I must meditate."
"What about your back?" Lilly asked with concern.
"My back will heal. I must meditate and regain my strength. You must sleep and regain yours. I will wake you when the time comes."
"Are you sure you will be all right. Maybe I should stay awake and help you keep watch."
"Your concern does you honor, but you need to rest." Caine said gently, and kissed Lilly on the forehead. It did not go unnoticed that Lilly shuddered when Caine kissed her. 'She should not have been harmed,' he thought. 'I have allowed this to happen. I will see to it that no harm comes to her again.'
Without another word, Caine pulled the blankets from the bed and coaxed Lilly to lay down. He could tell, at first she was reluctant due to her most recent experience, but she soon gave in and was settling down to sleep. Caine kissed her one more time on the forehead and ran his fingers down her cheek in a gentle caress. Glancing around, he found his bamboo flute that had been tossed on the floor with his medicine pouch. He picked up the flute, ran his hands along its length as if cleaning off some imagined dust, then settled on the floor in lotus position. He then drew a deep breath and began to play, trying to calm the storm within his own soul.
When the men finally came, the hour was very late. It actually took them longer than three hours to set up the cage. Caine could hear the men arguing as they aproached the room. It was time to put their plan into action.
"There's just no way you'll be able to get that guy in the cage with just holding a gun on him. I say we kill him. At least the reward is still $5000."
"He's worth more alive. All we need to do is hold him. I've got a little something here that Mr. Crabtree guarantees will put him to sleep. And if that won't work, Mr. Crabtree says he's sure to enter it if his lady friend is threatened."
Caine listened and waited as the key was placed in the lock. He gave Lilly the signal and she quickly dove under the bed.
"Okay, let's go," one of the men said as he opened the door. For a moment, both men stared into the room "They're gone. How's that possible?"
At that moment, Caine jumped down back into the room. He had been clinging to the side of the wall above the doorframe. Within seconds both men were out cold on the floor.
Lilly watched from under the bed. Her eyes were wide as she had seen Caine scale the wall and stick to it as if he was a spider. She did not know that such things were possible. She watched as Caine jumped down and dispatched the two men who entered the room. She quickly left her hiding place when Caine gave her the signal.
Caine grabbed Lilly's hand and signaled for silence. He led Lilly down stairs and listened for any sign of the rest Crabtree's men. It would seem that not all men were diligent about keeping watch., believing that Caine and the woman could not escape without their notice. One man who sat at the bottom of the stairs, was asleep in a chair, his feet propped up to block their path. Caine stopped and brushed his hands along the man's neck until he found the right spot and squeezed. That would ensure that the man remained asleep for at least another hour or so. As they continued on their path, no other incidents occurred. They soon found the front entrance but discovered the door was locked. Lilly gave Caine a look of dismay. Caine raised his hand to signal one moment then rubbed his fingers together. He placed them over the lock and he heard an audible click. Opening the door, he let Lilly exit first then followed.
Handing her two feathers that he pulled from his pouch he then urged her to get help. "Quickly, go to the Sheriff. Give him this. He will know what it is for. He will help you. Go, now."
"But what about you?" Lilly asked.
"I must free the others and stop Mr. Crabtree."
"Please, Caine, be careful."
Caine grasped her face in both his hands and looked deep within her eyes. The love and caring he found there mirrored his own. Without another word, he kissed her deeply as his answer then sent her on her way. Caine then turned and re-entered the building.
End of part 20
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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