It was exactly as remote as Nora thought. Another prairie like area, much like many of the other locations she had tracked them to. How did they find all these remote areas? The owners of the areas she had gone to previously hadn't known these people were on it. With one exception. In that case, the owner had mysteriously disappeared about the same time. The family hadn't a clue what had happened to their father or husband, other than that he failed to come home from a hunting trip. Nora suspected that he had found these people and been taken with the others. He had been a farmer but knew more about animals than crops. His Christian family still prayed for his safe return, but he had been declared dead by the authorities, after there had been no sign of him for a year. People didn't survive that long out in this area, the local sheriff had said. And it meant that the heirs could legally take possession of the estate.
Nora was surprised when she saw another person staring at her from a nearby hill. Was this a scout from the cult? Had she been discovered? She hadn't thought to bring anything like a weapon.
The man was dressed in modern clothes though. Everyone she had talked to had mentioned how everyone except the guide on the bus had been in costume. Costumes that were made so well that they weren't sure they could even call them that. Would any of them actually remain behind to make sure that no one was on to them? It had been several weeks since they were last here, though at the other places she had been to it had been even longer since they had been there.
She became acutely aware that she was all alone as the man started walking towards her. And that no one would miss her, if she was kidnapped as well. The man looked hostile. She tried to remember what she had learned in that self-defence class she had taken years ago. But would that make any difference? He was a lot bigger than her. Maybe she should have run away the moment she saw him. It was too late now.
"Who are you, and what are you doing out here all alone?" the man demanded as he got closer. Nora tried not to shrink backwards, like she normally did when she was confronted. She probably had as much right to be here as this man.
"I was about to ask the same thing," Nora replied. "Besides, who says I'm alone? The others are waiting on the other side of the ridge. I just wanted some photos of the nice landscape. Are you the owner of the land?"
The man dropped the threatening posture as he answered. Now he just looked forlorn.
"I suppose I deserved that. If you must know, I have been trying to find proof that my wife was here. I've been searching for years, yet no one else seems to believe me when I present my evidence. They think she is dead. I know she isn't. I would have known."
Nora felt as if ice had gone through her spine. That sounded very familiar.
"Your wife, did she go somewhere for a weekend, then send a message about getting sick and going to a hospital, then never being heard from again?"
The man gaped. "No, but that sounds familiar. Are you telling me you're chasing the medieval castle group as well? I've never seen you around before."
As well? Did that mean there were others? Could she have found some allies at last?
"What else do you know about that? I've been searching for years, I thought I was the only one!"
"I have met some over the years, but most of them have given up after a while, or they have found some fake answer that they were pleased with. Many stopped when their relative or friend was declared legally dead. But I should introduce myself. I'm Bryan Coote."
"Nora Brock." They shook hands.
"Who are you searching for?"
"My best friend. Audrey Keene. We were supposed to go to this thing together, to get her mind off a family tragedy. She never came back. That was 5 years ago."
"And you've spent all your time since looking for her?"
"Well, I've tried. I've not had much luck so far. And I can only do it in my spare time, I still need to work my regular job."
"Why don't we team up? I can tell you what I have, and you let me know if you have anything I've missed. The more people working on this, the better chance."
Nora hesitated. How could she know that this man could be trusted? She knew nothing about him except a name. It seemed Bryan understood her hesitance.
"Why don't we meet back in the town? With witnesses, so none of us can do anything shady. I'm sure your friends in the truck are wondering where you are." The way he worded that made Nora suspect he knew that there weren't any friends. But the idea had some merit. Maybe she didn't have to do this all alone.