Scurvy ran as fast as his canine legs could carry him and since he was a bull mastiff that was pretty fast. He would have transformed into this Werewolf form but seeing that is was still daylight out he thought that would attract too much attention. His only thought was getting to Laela's and warning the kids about Oakley. He would soon learn of their existence if he didn't know already and their lives would be in more danger than they were already.

It seemed like it was taking forever for Scurvy to reach the farm, but it was only because the situation was so dire. The forest trees became nothing more than a blur as he ran faster and faster. Finally he reached the clearing and to his delight saw the old familiar farmhouse that was his home these past few months. He did miss the smell of the sea and the rocking of the ship when he was part of Thomason's crew. The old clique of a pirate having a pet parrot was made just that by his old friend Mike, besides he was not a pet. He was more of a colleague.

He hated to leave his post on the pirate ship, but Mike had another more important job for Scurvy. That was looking after Laela, not she needed looking after. Scurvy had to admit that at times Laela scared him. They were of the same kind, Sadian, yes, but more than that. There was a special bond that they shared, even one Scurvy could not fully understand. Laela was in a delicate condition with the baby just a few months to come, and his place was with her. He had made Mike that promise, and he and no intention of breaking it.

He ran down to the farmhouse and saw that red-headed girl. She was cute, but he couldn't communicate with her, but that boyfriend of her. Reese, that was his name. The boy was young and naïve, but a good kid, and he had a familiar smell but he couldn't quite place it.

"Hey, Scurvy," she said, squatting down to pet him. People were always doing that. If he had looked human they wouldn't always treat him like a dumb animal.

Doll, go get Laela or your boyfriend, Scurvy said but the red-head just smiled at him and scratched behind his ears. She picked up the water and walked back inside the house. Scurvy followed her inside hoping at least one of the people he could commute with would be there.

Just then a dark-haired boy came out of the kitchen door. "Hey, Beautiful," he said smiling at the red-head. Yeah, that was the one called Reese. . "Let me get that for you."

"Reese, I can carry a bucket of water," she said in protest.

"But you shouldn't have to," he said and took the bucket from her. It made Scurvy laugh how different this girl was from other girls he had known. She was more like Laela in a way, strong and independent. There was nothing remotely girly about this young woman. He liked that. He hated hearing the garbage humans and even Sadian men spewed out about the so-called fairer sex.

As they all entered the kitchen Leala was holding a knife and chopping up some vegetables. Scurvy looked at Reese and saw a certain amount of fright. Scurvy reveled in it. Leala could be intimidating but would act on it if needed. Making someone think you were going to tear them up was more frightening sometimes then someone actually doing it, but Laela was also vicious in a fight. Scurvy never wanted to go up against her. He feared that would be his last act on earth.

"There's my water," she said looking up at Reese. "Just put it down there."

Hey, Laela, Scurvy said. She looked over at him. There was intense look in his eye.

"Yes, Scurvy," she said.

"Oh, that dog is talking again," Cree said quietly.

We got trouble at the Gamgee house, he said. It still freaked her out a little to think that dog was more than a dog, but he had saved their lives.

"Is it Jenny?" Reese asked. The dog nodded. Cree wasn't sure that the dog meant but she had a feeling that it wasn't good.

"What about Jenny?" Cree asked. She looked scared and frustrated. She felt like a foreigner who couldn't speak English when everyone else could and was caught in the middle of a catastrophe. "Oh, I wish I could hear that dog talk."

Oakley is after her, Scurvy said. So get your buddies. We gotta move.

Reese grabbed Cree and raced out of the kitchen. "What's going on?" she asked.

"No time," Reese said. "We have to go now."

As Reese led her out of the house Scurvy followed. He knew exactly where they were going and he had every intention of seeing this thing through. If Oakley was involved then they were all in danger.

As he guessed the other kids were out in the barn. Millie and Jordon were laughing at a story that Nathaniel was telling them about the first time he encountered a bear. Denny looked so sullen though. Reese figured that he was worried about Jenny and rightfully so. They had not seen her since coming here and that had been a few days. Denny had no idea what was happening with Jenny and he was sick over it.

"Oh my god, that is so funny," Millie said not able to contain her laughter.

"It wouldn't be funny if it happened to you," Jordon said. "Although if you were dripped in honey..."

"Yuck!" Denny shouted out. "You two are so gross."

"Hey, jockstrap," Millie shouted over to him. "It's not gross, kicky yes, and maybe a little romantic." She leaned him and kissed her boyfriend before he had a chance to protest. Usually he didn't like public displays of affection but Millie wasn't a girl who much cared about appearances.

"Hey, guys," Reese said. They all turned and looked at once. He was still holding onto Cree's hand and she looked just as confused as the rest of them. "Jenny's in trouble."

Denny was the first to rise and swiftly walked over to Reese. "Then what are we waiting for," Denny said.

"So where are we headed?" Jordon directed the question towards Reese.

"According to Scurvy here, the Gamgee farm," he said.

"Then let's stop wasting time" Denny asked.

"I'm coming alone," Nathaniel said, and approached the kids.

"You've done so much already," Reese said. "You really don't want to impose."

"If there is trouble you may need help," he said. "Besides I know these woods better than anyone."

"Alright," Reese said, "but let's not waste any more time."

The six of them headed out with Scurvy leading the way. They had one thing on their minds, and that was to get to Jenny and get the hell out of there before something truly awful happened.

As they approached the Gamgee farm Denny became anxious. Not only was he worried about Jenny, but it had been days since he had seen her, and after the little incident on their last trip he had promised never to put her in danger again. Now he had a very bed feeling that something was terribly wrong, and he felt helpless to stop it.

"Is this the place?" Denny asked.

"Yes," Nathaniel said. "Sam and Maudeen will be glad to meet you," Nathaniel said. Sadians in these parts are few and far between and those who are keep quiet.

"Why?" Millie asked. "What are normal people going to do... even if they believe it in the first place?"

"Burn you at the stake," Nathaniel said. "Being a Sadian is the same as being witch, and witches are still seen an evil even now."

Denny's heart raced at the thought of that. The rest of them could blend but Jenny couldn't. If she were without her inhibitor or if it stopped working there was no telling what they would do to her if she were caught.

As they approached the farmhouse they all notice two small boys playing. "Who are they?" Cree asked.

"Michael and Thomas, Sam and Maudeen's two youngest boys.

"I think Laela mentioned them at dinner late night," Reese said. "Didn't you say they five children?" He directed the question at Nathaniel.

"Yes, and all them what you referred to as active Sadians," Nathaniel said.

Yeah, yeah, cut the chatter , Scurvy said. Reese looked down and saw the look of urgency on the dog's face.

"Sure, Scurvy, Let's go,' Reese said as they all walked out of the woods. We gotta hurry.

The two little boys who were playing looked up and smiled. "Thaniel," they both said at the same time. Neither of them could pronounce his full name.

"Papa," one of them called out while running towards the house. The other continued to spin around in circles. He was so excited that he lost control of himself and drilled a hole in the ground. He was waist deep in the hole before Nathaniel reached him.

"Thomas, what have you gotten yourself into?" Nathaniel asked but giving the boy a smile. When it came to the youngest Gamgee boys he learned to expect anything.

"I make hole for Mama's oranges," he said and put his hands on the ground surrounding the hole and tried to lift himself out but he was not strong enough.

"Well, that hole will grow some nice fruit," Nathaniel said grabbing the boy under the arms and lifting him out.

"That was so cool," Millie said.

"Very interesting power that little boys has," Jordon said.

"Beats using a shovel," Denny said and looked around. Still no sign of Jenny, and he was now more worried than ever.

Then a man looking to be in his forties came out of the farmhouse carrying the other little boy. He approached his callers with curiosity but in no way was he surprised by their presence.

"This must be our visitors," he said and put the boy down. In seconds he was off again playing with his brother.

"Yes, these are Jenny's friends," Nathaniel said. "We got a message from Scurvy that she was in danger and possibly your whole family."

"That is for certain, Nathaniel." Sam said in a serious tone. "If Jenny is found by Oakley or one of his men we will all be in danger. I have no doubt that he already knows of her existence. I'm sure Ethan will tell him. He was here this morning right before the girl disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Denny shot up with a question. "Where is she? I have to know right now." Denny leaped towards him about to attack.

"Denny, stop!" Reese shouted out. Suddenly a strange calmness came over him. "We are all worried about Jenny, but attacking this man won't bring her back."

"Where would she go?" Cree asked.

Just then a young girl about the age of twelve approached. She had long brown hair and eyes of violet. "She left to protect us," she said. Cree gasped thinking what kind perils Jenny could get her into. "You're Cree, aren't you? Jenny talked a lot about you... and Millie too. You look much like so your image that Jenny showed me. She said that you would come. I had no doubt."

"Who are you?" Cree asked with curiosity. This girl looked familiar, but she couldn't place it, perhaps in one of Professor Hootoo's history classes. They were in the past after all.

"This is my daughter Sophie," Sam said as they all looked on. "She's the one that found Jenny hiding in our barn."

"And then what did you do with her?" Dennis said accusingly. "Did you turn her in?"

"Denny, calm down," Reese said grabbing his arm.

"No, I would ever do that,' Sophie said. She was almost in tears. "She's my friend. I don't want to see anything bad happen to her, especially not after what I've seen."

"And that is?" Denny asked. He was still ready to attack and would have if Reese had not been holding him back, both physically and mentally.

"I've seen all of you," she said trying to explain that she and her family were not the villains. "In the past, meaning your past, present and future. You are all destined to so great things, and so will your children."

They all looked confused. "Sophie is a dream seer," Nathaniel pointed out. "She can also communicate with animals and other living things."

"Alright, then if you're a seer," Denny said in a harsh tone. "Where's my girlfriend?"

"I'm not sure," she said, "but she's not far from here. I can feel her presence, and it very close, but something or someone made her leave."

Yeah, that sister of yours, Scurvy said.

Sophie looked down at Scurvy as did Reese. "Are you saying Amelia had something to do with this?" Sophie asked, directing the question at Scurvy.

The dog looked up at her. There was a growl in his voice. Scurvy said with a snarl.

"Ethan was here?" Sophie asked blurted out. She saw the anxiousness in Reese's face, and she realized that he could hear the dog speak as well. She looked over at Reese with sorrowful eyes. "Ethan's family is a supporter of Judge Oakley. If he was here then he knows about Jenny, and that means he will most likely report back to the Judge."

"I don't care about Ethan or Oakley or any of this," Denny said losing his temper once again. "All I care about is finding Jenny, and getting the hell out of here."

"Denny, please, calm down," Reese said in his ear. "These people are not our enemies. They only want to help." He looked over at Sophie. "Do you have any idea of where Jenny could have gone?"

"There is one place where she could go that would be hard for anyone to find her," Sophie said but she hesitated for a moment. She looked over at her father who gave her a disapproving stare. "The old caves."

"How would she know about the caves?" Sam asked her.

Sophie didn't like the look in his eye. Last time he gave it to her she was grounded for a month. She wallowed hard before answering. "Because I kind of told her," Sophie said.

"Then let's go," Denny said without hesitation.

He had a seriousness about his face that Reese rarely saw. Denny could be a wise ass, but when it came to Jenny he would go to the ends of the earth to protect her as they all would.

Nathaniel led the way, but before they all got two feet Sophie spoke up. "Wait," she said insistently. "I'm coming with you."

"No, Sophie, it's too dangerous," Sam said trying to hold his daughter back. "I'm not going to stand by and watch you get hurt."

"He's right, Sophie," Cree spoke up. "Jenny wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger either."

"But she's my friend too," Sophie said, "and I know those caves. If she's there she could get lost in the maze, and I know the way out, not many do, not even Nathaniel does."

"Sophie's right," Nathaniel said. "I can track through smell and sound but the maze masks that, but there is no hiding from a seer."

Alright, but Nathaniel," Sam said looking at his old friend seriously. "I am trusting you to keep my daughter safe."

Nathaniel gave a nod. No more words were spoken, but it seemed none were needed. Sophie joined the band out to find Jenny with Scurvy by her side, he more than anyone would make her safety a priority.

To be Continued...