5Near Vienna, Illinois
Sophia readjusted the pathetic blanket around her shoulders. In the week and a half since leaving Kentucky, she’d pushed Major Todd to the back of her mind. They’d seen less of Bryan, as well. He’d only been able to stop once to give them food. He had also verified that the major had indeed been placed in charge. Hearing that gave her a tiny bit of hope; he wouldn’t have as much time to mess with her sanity because he’d had too many other things to deal with—like not getting everyone lost.
The clinking of harnesses and the frozen huffing of horses pulled her thoughts to the present. She turned to see two wounded-looking soldiers walking toward her, their faces swollen and covered with large purple welts. One soldier’s arm was wrapped, and the other, his knee. Both
