Bludgeoned and thrown in the windowless basement of an abandoned house, Rachel and her Aunt Louise overcome fear, the pain of broken bones, dehydration, rodents and hypothermia in their attempt to escape. Rachel's faith gives her the strength and wisdom to use the garbage in their prison to build a ramp and climb it to freedom. She tries to impart her faith to her aunt before she leaves to follow a railroad track through ice, snow and rain. Rachel leads rescuers back to her aunt and the police to the solution of the crime against them and the rash of vacant farm thefts. She helps her Aunt understand that God cares for her in spite of her checkered past.