Chapter 2
HER LEGS SHAKING, Johanna filled the bucket. She clambered up the steep incline back to the hilltop, avoiding the touch of any more trees. Loud voices and laughter rang through the forest, and the screams of a woman.
No, please. Nellie.
Johanna hurried as much as she could without spilling the water. At the top of the hill the bandits had a fire going. One of the men came to take the bucket off Johanna, but she ignored him.
That sleazy Ludo had grabbed Nellie from behind. She wormed herself away from his free hand that was trying to find a way under her dress.
Johanna didn’t think. She swung the bucket so that the water flew out over both Nellie and Ludo. It wasn’t a very good throw and most of the water missed, hitting a couple of packs and someone’s sleeping mat.
Ludo loo
