The Lost Souls of Gilfords Falls

By Nancy Rich-Foster

Living in the religious commune for the past twelve years has slowly drained seventeen-year-old Mary Snippet of life. She can no longer endure the cruelty of her husband, Zachariah Snippet, and she makes the biggest decision of her young life: she must escape.

Along with her small son and daughter, Mary packs what few belongings they have and flees the commune one chilly evening. She has only a faded photo to guide her back to her real home: a picture of a beautiful white mansion with a few illegible words on the back.

Relying on the kindness of strangers, Mary struggles to care for her children and fights the terror that, at times, threatens to overwhelm her. When she finds a temporary home in an abandoned cottage, it starts a chain reaction of events that may very well lead her to her lost family.

But Zachariah Snippet isnt about to let this impudent girl outsmart him, and Mary knows he is hot on her trail. As the net begins to tighten, Mary must draw on all her inner strengthand her faithto survive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450297721

Nancy Rich-Foster

Nancy Rich-Foster grew up in Richburg, New York, one of seven siblings. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, thirty-four years ago. She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Prologue:

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

Chapter four

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

EPILOGUE

Dedication

To Angela, who cried when she read my book. And to the girl that read the rough draft of my book, while her mother waited patiently.

To my beautiful daughter, Patty Rose, who was lost to me for many years and through the grace of God was returned to me. To my wonderful, patient and beautiful daughter, Nora, and my sons Jason and Daniel. My grandchildren and great grandchildren. To Mary, Lois, Sharri, Sandy and Denise, And in memory of Danny, Wanda and Charley. And to all my nieces and nephews. for Jeff, because you asked—.

To my sister Lottie, a heart felt thank you for all the hours you spent talking to me long distance, while you helped me edit this book! And first and foremost lots and lots of love and kisses to Bruce, my better half of fifteen years, for patience above and beyond the call of duty.

I love you all,

Nancy Rich-Foster

Prologue:

It had taken Mary almost six years to save the money. She counted it carefully, praying that it would be enough. Paying for the tickets, she quickly stuffed them into a hole inside her coat pocket. They would be safe there. No one must know that she had them, no one!

Hurry up Mary, snapped Casey, hastily maneuvering around huge piles of merchandise crammed onto a table in front of the ticket counter.

I’ve already looked through this stuff, why are you going through it again? We best get the rest of the items on our list before the van returns to pick us up.

Sighing, Mary turned and smiled at Casey, your right, she said, we must hurry. Our husband Zachariah gave me permission to spend the night with my children. I really don’t want to mess that up!

Wow, a whole night, how did you manage that? said Casey.

Mary shrugged, I told him that I was pregnant and asked his permission to tell Billy and Kimmey. I couldn’t believe it when he granted me the permission to do so.

Casey stared open mouthed at Mary, When did you ask him? Your night was over three weeks ago, so how?

That’s when I told him, Mary said. I sure hope he hasn’t forgotten or changed his mind.

Either way, Casey stated worriedly, we’d better hurry. I don’t want to keep the van waiting or get caught dawdling and neither do you!

Both girls had been on the receiving end of the great Zachariah Snippet’s anger more then once and had the bruises to prove it. The thought of angering him sent shivers of fear up and down their spines.

Mary, harshly disciplined after living only a few days at the commune, had been terrified.

Zachariah Snippet had come to the children’s quarters to make a surprise inspection. Five-year-old Mary, having been ordered to clean her plate, had refused saying the food tasted yucky. Zachariah had ordered her taken into a small room and swiftly punished. She’d then sat through the next three meals with only water to drink. It had been a hard lesson and she’d learned quickly after that. It seemed that her tormentors had done their work well, because within two weeks all memories of home were gone.

Six children, Mary, Casey, Casety, Clara, Martha and Mary-Lou, had all arrived at the commune together. Sometimes in dreams, they were again children laughing and playing in a beautiful castle or riding a little train in a beautiful garden. The dreams, upon waking to the travails of the morning were forgotten, until she’d received the photo. In the photo was the huge cream-colored mansion of her dreams. The little girl in the photo sat at a child’s table with two life-size dolls and a woman. The woman was kneeling down beside the little girl.

Come on Mary, said Casey nudging her in the ribs a second time. The van just pulled up, stop day dreaming, we’ve got to go! Quickly the girls gathered their parcels and hurried out to the van.

Soon after their returned, Zachariah was served a meal of London broil, baked potatoes, creamed peas with baby onions, tossed garden salad and cherry pie topped with French vanilla ice cream. The women ate a meal of meatless stew made from the leftovers Zachariah had not eaten that day.

After supper, Zachariah surprised everyone by telling Mary that as she had asked his permission to spend the night with her children weeks ago and because he was in such a good mood, she had his permission to do so. However, she had to finish her work, collect her things and leave before dark or she couldn’t go.

Swiftly scrubbing the kitchen, she gathered everything she needed, then stood silently at the back door posed for flight. Hastily she closed the door behind her, it was already dark.

The children were in a small trailer at the other end of the compound, next to the security shack. A security guard would check on them around two thirty in the morning, giving her a window of approximately forty-five minutes to carry out her plan. The bus would leave at precisely three thirty A.M. with or without them.

Mary looked anxiously at the clock again. The guard should have been here ten minutes ago she thought. Just as she had given up all hope, the bedroom door finally opened and the guard shined a light into the room. Closing her eyes she pretended to be asleep, quietly the guard closed the door.

Fear engulfed her as they slipped quietly from the doorway and into the shadows. She pulled a rusty wagon from its hiding place and using an old mustard bottle swiftly squirted the wheels with oil. Settling Kimmey and Billy into the wagon, she slowly pulled it to the fence behind the trailer. She found the place where the boards were rotting and quickly pulled them from the posts, giving them barely enough room to squeeze through. The wagon was no sooner through the fence then one of the wheels started wobbling.

She’d almost made it to the bus station, when in her haste the wagon hit a rock sending the wheel flying and the children tumbling to the ground. Falling to her knees, she gathered them close and said a desperate prayer that they would make it on time.

Picking up a sobbing Billy, she looked thoughtfully at Kimmey, How fast could you run if someone were chasing you with a big stick and you were trying to get away? she asked Kimmey.

If Daddy was chasing me I could run really fast, she said solemnly.

Really fast, huh, can you take my hand and show me how fast you would run? said her mother.

It had been close, too close, thought a breathless Mary, as she settled Kimmey in the seat next to her and pulled Billy onto her lap. With a sigh of relief, she wrapped her arms lovingly around both of her children and prayed for the guidance that she would need.

Mary was only seventeen, she felt as if she were fifty. Suddenly she realized that they were free, they had escaped. She could see the scenery flashing past the window. Yes, they had escaped and tomorrow, well tomorrow was a new day and a new beginning.

CHAPTER ONE

She could see the light over the door of the gas station restroom, it wasn’t far now, they would make it. Wearily she shifted the weight of the child who was sleeping in her aching arms.

Almost there, she said, to the other child wearily walking at her side.

Cautiously she stepped up to the door praying it wouldn’t be locked and turned the doorknob. Relieved she ushered the children quickly inside, closing and locking the door.

We should be safe here, tonight, she told them. She hit the button on the hand dryer, and then said a quick prayer that the heat would help warm their chilled little bodies.

Pulling an old pillow from her backpack, she settled the children onto it. She then covered them with the ragged blankets and the tattered tarp that she also carried in the oversized backpack, gently wrapping them around and under the children for maximum warmth.

Kimmey, she said, to the little girl looking up at her with big frightened eyes. Honey, Mommy’s going to that Deli just across the parking lot, I promise I won’t be long.

Kneeling, she gently and lovingly drew her children close. You’re safe here, she said, giving them fierce hugs and kisses as she cautioned them to lock the door behind her.

Stepping outside, she closed the door, scanned the area and dashed across the parking lot, in less then a minute she was standing in front of the Deli. She hastily pulling her coat around her, stepped inside and took the roll of bills and change totaling six dollars and ninety-three cents from her pocket.

We’re closed, said the man behind the counter. Grills off, sorry, all we have left are a few fries and about three dried up burgers to feed the old dumpster, ha, ha!

Oh, said a disappointed Mary. Do you know of another place close by that sells food at this late hour?

The man looked at Mary for a long moment, as if considering her question. Then just as he opened his mouth to speak, a very loud voice from a room in the back of the store yelled, Henry, will you come here, please?

Coming, dear, he said, winking at Mary he shrugged his shoulders and was gone.

Mary shifted her gaze from the man to the counter, where the opened cash register tempted her with stacks of twenty dollar bills, sighing she forced her gaze away from the tempting sight.

When the man returned he was carrying a large paper sack in his hand. Wife said to give you this, said Henry.

Why? Besides, I can’t possibly pay you for all that, she stammered looking longingly at the bag with all the good smells coming from it.

I didn’t say sell you, I said give you, stated Henry gruffly, so here I’m giving.

Mary looked at the bag, But why? she asked again, confused and bewildered by their generosity.

Aw shucks, said Henry grinning, the wife saw you go into the restroom with the children. Right now she is in the backroom nose pressed to the kitchen window watching the bathroom door. Believe me, if anyone goes anywhere near there, she’ll call the cops.

Mary was absolutely astonished by the man’s words. No one’s ever cared enough to help us before, so why would you? she asked the man, puzzled by his concern.

Well, the wife and I know just about everyone for miles around and don’t think you’re from this part of the country. A simple deduction and you’re either homeless or runaways, either way you look like you could eat a good hot meal.

Her eyes grew bigger and bigger as she listened to him. Suddenly terrified she bolted for the door, leaving the bag of food behind. What was I thinking, she thought bitterly scolding herself, the minute she stepped outside the door. If someone comes around asking questions, what’s to keep him from telling them our whereabouts? I wish I’d never gone in there, even though I had to get food for the children. They haven’t had anything to eat in more then two days. I had to try, though I still don’t have any food for them, she thought bitterly, as she tapped on the bathroom door.

Kimmey, it’s Mommy she said softly.

What was I thinking taking Billy and Kimmey away from their home and putting them in danger, she asked herself. I’ve put them in danger, not only from their father and his gang of monsters, but from the very real possibly of them starving or freezing to death. Will we ever be safe, so I can take care of them? I hate looking over my shoulder in fear that I’m not always one-step ahead of them.

Hey Miss, your food, said a stunned Henry as the girl fled out the door and disappeared into the night. Shaking his head Henry crossed the distance to the restroom.

Miss, you forgot your food, he said, tapping on the restroom door. I’ll just leave it here, please eat it while it’s hot. Cautiously, Mary opened the door just wide enough to take the bag from him. She give him a shy smile and timidly thanked him before shutting the door, but she wasn’t quickly enough to keep him from seeing them huddled under the hand dryer trying to stay warm.

Saddened by what he’d just seen Henry returned to The Deli, as jumbled thoughts raced through his mind. He knew that they’d be safe for the night and tomorrow he would make it his business to find out everything he could about them, and then figure out a way to help. He knew that he’d have to tread carefully. The girl was as skittish as a doe and it wouldn’t take much to scare her into running.

The food smelled delicious and she removed it from the bag the minute she closed and locked the door. She gasped in disbelief as she opened one of the go plates, staring in awe at all the food. The plate was heaping full of roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed peas and carrots, two hot buttered rolls and a large piece of apple pie with cheddar cheese and melting vanilla ice cream. The two remaining plates each held four large chicken tenders, creamy macaroni and cheese, cinnamon applesauce, peanut butter stuffed celery, a hot buttered roll, three chocolate chip cookies and chocolate Ice cream in a cup. The bag also contained three half pints and one quart of milk and three Styrofoam cups.

Billy and Kimmey could hardly believe their eyes, Ice cream! they said in awe, ice cream was a rare treat for them.

Mary sent a prayer of thanksgiving heavenward; as slowly savoring every bite of the delicious meal, they devoured every crumb of food and drank every drop of milk. For the first time in many days they would fall asleep with there stomachs full, thanks to the generosity of the man and his wife at the Deli.

Mary again tucked the blankets securely around them. She desperately needed some sleep and a plan. She knew they had to leave early in the morning, knew her husband’s henchmen were hot on their trail. She also knew what would happened to them if they were caught.

Please God, she prayed, You gave us the strength and courage to escape, please keep us safe and show us the way home.

Mary blinked back tears as she looked at the woman and mansion in the tattered old photo she lovingly held in her trembling hand. She had always kept the photo well hidden, fearing being punished for having it. On the back of the photo, were these faded words:

M~r~’~ b~r~~d~yJ~ly ~ 6—19 5 ~

A~l ou~ ~em~~~i~~s L~~ e,

G ~lf ~~d ~ F~ l l~, Pe~~~y~~~~ia.

All Mary knew about her home was what the photo showed her. She knew she was getting paranoid and although it seemed to her that they’d been on the run forever, she really hadn’t been.

She desperately needed to find her childhood home. She was running out of hope, time and money. She’d gotten careless tonight and would have to tread cautiously in the future. She hit the button on the hand dryer and then the light switch. Almost immediately, she fell into a troubled, restless sleep.

* * *

Henry and his wife Myrtle lived in the house behind the Deli. After a long discussion about the temporary tenants of the restroom, they had finally gone to bed. Wanting to talk and unable to sleep, Myrtle refused to let Henry sleep as well. Every time he closed his eyes, she would poke him with her elbow. Usually a yes dear would suffice.

Henry guessed that seeing the homeless young lady and children had brought back fresh memories of their missing daughter, kidnapped along with the five other children years ago.

Those poor kids, said Myrtle. I’ll bet they’re scared to death! How could you just leave them there, Henry? Now you just get out of this bed and bring those children back here. Henry? Henry, wake up, Henry—

Ouch! roared Henry, as Myrtle poked him again, stop poking me and go to sleep.

I can’t, sighed Myrtle, and I wouldn’t be poking you, if you didn’t keep falling asleep while I’m trying to talk to you.

Myrtle, we’ve discussed those children enough for tonight. Tomorrow you can take them under your wing, if they haven’t disappeared by then. Now, please go to sleep!

But Henry, those poor—

But nothing! roared Henry. Go to sleep!

CHAPTER TWO

Mary came awake with a start, terrified she watched as the doorknob turn again and heard a voice yell, Hello, is someone in there? She then heard the man say, I guess I must have locked it, now where’s that key?

The minute she heard his retreating footsteps, she stuffed everything into her backpack, gathered both children into her arms and slipped quietly out the door. She’d almost made it to the alley, before he saw her.

There you are, hey, wait a minute, he hollered, there’s nothing down there. Come back here where do you think that goes anyway? he shouted.

Terrified Mary tightened her grip on her children as she ran to the end of the building and down the alley where it suddenly ended in a cul-de-sac.

She looked frantically around her and saw a rocky cliff on one side and woods on the other. Mary taking one look at her children’s frightened faces, tightened her grip and plunged over the guardrail. She nearly fell as she ran down a gradual incline and into the woods, stopping only when she realized that huge old oak trees surrounded them.

We’re lost, she thought sitting on the cold hard ground with tears of defeat and worry streaming down her cheeks. She knew that tears were a useless commodity, and impatiently stifled them as trying to think, she focused on the cold hard ground. Her heart suddenly leapt into her throat, as she realized that a very old, much worn, and partially hidden path led off to the right and over a small steep hill.

The air had become much colder, even within the protection of the trees she could feel the bitter breath of the wind and the sprinkling of rain as it began to fall. The children’s teeth were chattering and they were almost to the point of lethargy. She knew that she had to do something quickly or they could freeze to death.

Instinctively she followed the path, even though it became so gloomy and dark, that at times she could hardly see. Maybe it would lead to a small cave, an old shack, or even an overhanging low tree branch where she could fashion a temporary shelter from the blankets, tarp and pillow.

Kimmey was clinging so tightly to her mother’s coat that she almost tripped her. Mommy, Mommy, I’m scared, whispered Kimmey.

Mary set two-year-old Billy down and then put her arms around her children, giving them both fierce, but gentle hugs as she comforted them.

I know you’re scared, Mommy’s scared too. I need for you to be brave for just a little while longer, can you do that for Mommy? she asked in a voice so tender that Kimmey threw her arms around her Mother’s neck and burst into tears. Both children knew that no matter what happened this Mommy would always be there to protect them.

House, said Billy, see the pretty house, Mommy!

Questioningly Mary looked at Billy, House, what house? she asked.

There, said Billy, pointing behind her and off to the left.

Mary turned and looked, surprised to see a house almost hidden from view by all the bushes that surrounded it. In fact, they would have completely missed it, if not for Billy’s sharp eyes.

The house looked as if no one had lived there for a long time. If it was deserted, it could be the answer to her prayers.

Mary looked at her children and saw that they were almost blue from the cold. She knew that she had to do something fast or they would freeze to death. Boldly and without hesitation she stepped up to the door crossed her fingers and knocked. The door immediately swung opened as if inviting them to come in. She noticed that a thin layer of dust covering everything.

She looked long and hard at her children, as they shivered uncontrollably. Do I have a choice, she asked herself. Taking her children gently by the hand, she straightened her shoulders, stiffened her back and marched into the house, firmly closing the door behind her.

The furnishings looked too new, somebody lived there. A feeling of such despair suddenly descended on her that she nearly staggered under the weight of it. Occupied, she thought, just my luck. With shoulders slumped in defeat she turned and opened the door to leave.

At that very moment, two things happened simultaneously. Kimmey tripped over an object that protruded slightly from the side of an over stuffed chair setting by the door. The sky opened up and a cold nasty rain came pouring down, complete with thunder, lightening and a freezing cold wind. Mary, the decision made for her, quickly closed the door.

It’s weird, but I don’t think the house want us to leave, Mary said softly to her children.

Lovingly she picked them up and sat them in the chair. Her fingers aching from the cold, she took the blankets from her backpack and tucked them securely around her children.

Mommy, is this heaven? asked Kimmey, looking at the huge wooden box she’d tripped over. The box was overflowing with an assortment of canned and boxed foods, along with several small bottles of assorted juices and other drinks.

Would whoever owned all this bounty be angry if I took a few of the crackers or a couple of the drinks for my children, she asked herself. She picked up and opened two small bottles of orange juice and a small box of honey oat crackers. She was surprised to see a hand written note taped to the box.

Angelia,

In case we miss you when your return on Monday: We have cleaned and stocked the cottage. The shed is full of wood, the cupboards are full of food, the tanks are full of Propane and a new hot water heater sets in the laundry room closet.

We also took the liberty of having the electric and phone services turned on and the food box filled just in case.

We wish you were staying with us this winter, but understand why you won’t. We’ll stop by to