Carter Roy

and they hit the road.

Amy had no idea how long they drove.

By now, she'd been captive for several weeks and she'd lost her sense of time.

Eventually, the car slowed to a stop and the kidnappers ordered Amy out.

Keeping her blindfolded, they led her into a small, wood-walled space.

Then the kidnappers broke the news.

Amy's mother couldn't send the ransom because she'd physically collapsed.

Hearing this, Amy fell to the floor, shaking and sobbing.

Her mother was ill.

The church was in peril, and unless God intervened, Amy would be sold into slavery.

When Amy pulled herself back together, she noticed it was hot, much hotter than the cottage.

She muttered a complaint and heard Rose respond.

Now, dearie, if your mother behaves, you will be out of here perhaps by Friday.

So her mother was still alive.

The thought gave Amy hope and filled her with determination.

The kidnappers couldn't get their hands on her church's money.

She'd find a way out of this.

A day or two later, Amy saw her chance.

Steve left her alone with Rose much of the time, possibly because Amy was too weak to cause any trouble.

On this particular day, Rose told Amy she had to go into town to take care of some business.