"C'mon darling, time to go!" I sat up slightly confused and disoriented. The previous day rushed back to me in a tidal wave. I looked around frantically, all senses on high alert.
"Skye? Calm down, it will all be okay," Clyde sad down beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I hugged myself tightly and tried to soothe my panic. Okay!? How could it be okay? How could he think his comfort was going to make any of this okay?
"Restrain her, we have to leave." Georgie instructed. Clyde began to tie my ankles together with some blue rope from his duffel bag, but instead of the hog tie he had me in earlier, he kept my wrists in front of me. When he pulled out the duct tape he looked apologetic.
"This is just until we get back on the main road."
Ripping off a large piece with his teeth he carefully covered my mouth and kissed my cheek.
"You are behaving well this morning," he complimented with pride.
"Because she's only been awake for ten minutes; give her time, I'm sure she's not done. Now let's go," grumbled Georgie, no doubt suffering a massive hangover. Clyde grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up over his shoulder which dug into my pelvis but I didn't fight, I knew now wasn't the time. Clyde held a hand over my skirt to try and hold it down, in some attempt of affording me modesty.
"Ready." Georgie opened the door and they moved fast. Not quite running but walking at a very brisk pace. The sun was barely up, enough light for them to not trip over their feet but enough darkness to hide the fact they were carting me around all tied up.
Within minutes Clyde and I were in the back, a few sleeping bags had been rolled out to give some measure of comfort. He set me down and lay beside me. Georgie started the truck and we were gone. With nothing else to do I soon fell asleep again. When we stopped the sun was higher in the sky. Clyde sat me up on the edge of the truck bed and removed the duct tape. I hissed but held in my scream. Freeing my wrists, Clyde handed me a cheeseburger.
"I also got you a chocolate milkshake, hope you're not allergic." He looked hesitant, almost worried of how I'd react. I smiled genuinely and reached out for it.
"Chocolate is my favorite," I replied gratefully. Georgie sat on the curb, glancing around as he ate his food. He was vigilant, keen. I saw something predatory in his eyes and I could tell he'd done this before and more than once. Clyde had more of a carefree innocence to him.
"I have to pee," I announced as they started to get cleaned up.
"Piss yourself, there is no way..."
"I'll take her," Clyde interrupted, already undoing my ties.
"She'll try to escape," Georgie warned holding out a small handgun. After several minutes of staring at it, Clyde took it and tucked it into his waistband. He led me to the men's room. Since I actually had to pee I didn't argue. He stood at the door and motioned me towards the stalls.
The first few were a mess but the last one looked untouched.
"It's really awkward knowing you're standing
there listening," I confessed. Of all things to be embarrassed about, granted I'd never found myself in this type of situation before.
"Skye, its natural human function, we're going to spend the rest of our lives together, I am bound to hear you pee some point," he laughed. I had been holding it too long, I shrugged the embarrassment away. The rest of the afternoon went by fast and by night time I was exhausted. I did nothing but lay in the same position for hours listening to Clyde talk about the farm. My limbs protested as I moved around and I took a minute to admire the hotel room this one was much nicer. On the downside, it came with a mini bar so Georgie seemed content to stay in his bed.
"It's your turn to shower," Clyde announced.
"I don't have any extra clothes."
"I have a dress for you. Although this bathroom has a pretty big window so I'll be supervising." My heart almost leapt in my throat at the idea.
"I'd rather not," I replied, while trying to remain polite.
"You need to shower to keep yourself clean. Now get your butt in there," he snapped. He pointed to the bathroom and grabbed a backpack. I didn't protest until we were once again behind the locked door Clyde started the water.
"Well, you aint gonna shower in your clothes are ya?"
"I'm clean...really," I protested.
"Skye, you will take off that uniform and wash up! Do not make me tell you twice," he warned through gritted teeth. I stood there, staring at the floor for the longest time before I began to undress, shivering at the cold temperature of the bathroom. I felt sick and exposed and vulnerable. Clyde handed me the shampoo and offered me the soap when I needed it. I could feel his eyes constantly on me and I couldn't seem to cover myself up enough.
"Water is getting cold," I announced. He turned it off and wrapped me in a giant towel, helping me dry my hair. It was strange for me to have someone not only see me naked but to be doing such intimate things to me.
"You don't have to do this," I objected, face aflame.
"I want to though." He continued to rub me down, instructing me when to hold my arms out and I felt hot tears roll down my face as he touched my most cherished body parts, taking much longer than necessary to dry them. I almost gasped at the feel of him pressing the towel up between my legs; alarms went off in my head, screaming at me to do something, anything. Make him stop, this wasn't right! Before I could utter a single word he stopped and pulled away.
"Doesn't that feel better?" he asked, he was breathing heavier now as he stood there staring at me, towel hanging in his hands. His hand reached out for me but stopped just inches before touching me. He pulled his hand away and cleared his throat. He clenched his fist as he held it against himself.
"Dry and dress," he instructed holding out a dress. It was hand sewn and old; the fabric was an outdated floral pattern.
"Where did you get this?"
"Two of Georgie's wives made it for you, it might be a little big on you though, and we weren't sure what size you'd be until I chose you." I pulled it over my head, grateful to be at least covered now. I felt a little lost in the outfit; it was rather large and long.
"You look amazing." But my reflection disagreed. My hair hung in large blonde clumps and my cheek had a dark purple bruise from Georgie's fist. My eyes were red from crying. I didn't even look like myself. He led me out of the bathroom and towards the bed. He motioned for me to sit while Georgie pulled the entire mini bar in his lap.
"Can you watch her for a few minutes without beating her?" he asked Georgie.
"Are you getting smart with me brother?"
"No, Skye; I'll be right out. Be good please." I nodded, I didn't plan to start anything with Georgie; he'd already proved he was stronger and more ruthless. When I made my move for freedom I'd have to choose a time when he was gone or distracted. He had been right about the fact I wasn't done. I wouldn't be done until I was home and free, or possibly dead.
"I know you'll try again, I can see the defiance in your eyes." Georgie informed me, glancing my way. But I didn't reply or even look over at him. Clyde was out minutes later, than came to get settled beside me, stretching out.
"Come lay down," he instructed.
"I'm not tired," I protested softly.
"It was not a request," he snapped. I flinched than I crawled closer and settled myself down beside him, head resting on his chest. His arm encircled me protectively but I had never felt so afraid of another human being in my entire life. The men watched the football game, barely making conversation. The smell of alcohol made me queasy and shut my eyes, the noise of the game fading into the background. It was dark when I felt someone stir beside me. Clyde rubbed one hand down my side and his face was buried in my hair.
"I've waited a longtime for you Skye," he whispered, planting a quick kiss on my neck. I froze, unsure how to respond without encouraging him or incurring his wrath. But after a few minutes he fell back asleep and I lay awake, rigid in bed and curled up with Clyde. He was warm and I felt taken aback by how at ease I felt at that moment.
I gave myself a quick mental kick. He was not my friend, he was my enemy. He was the one who pulled me into the truck and spanked me like a damn child. How could I even for a second relax? Sighing I tried to move, I had to get out of here. With both brothers snoring I felt like it took hours for me to move fraction by fraction.
When I stood beside the bed, free of restraints my heart leapt and I felt confident as I slid my feet across the hardwood floor trying to regulate my breathing. The rattling of the chain lock made Georgie stir and I froze, even holding my breath. When his chest began to rise and fall peacefully I focused on turning the locks. As the deadbolt slid with a thunk Georgie sat up and looked at me furiously. I felt almost paralyzed with fear but when he tossed the covers aside I threw the door open and ran. Georgie swore and I could hear his steps mere seconds behind me. I ran down the stairs, skipping some while hoping not to trip and fall.
I didn't expect what happened next. Georgie jumped the railing and landed in front of me at the bottom of the stairs, rolling on the balls of his feet. I turned to run back up but I just wasn't fast enough. He had his big arms wrapped around me and was dragging me towards the truck.
"I KNEW it, you just can't fucking help yourself, can you?" he spat, his arm around my throat tightened. I kicked flailed, vision fading fast and muscles growing weaker the longer I was being deprived of oxygen. Georgie carried me towards the truck, keeping firm grip as he opened the double back doors and bent me over the truck bed. He immediately duct taped my wrists behind my back before wrapping it around my mouth and head a few times. Satisfied he'd done a thorough job, he backed up a little. I tried to stand back up only to have him run up and slam my head down against the metal bed. I felt a little dizzy but I remained still.
"While I would love to fuck you into submission, I swore to Clyde I wouldn't so we'll just have to settle for a good ol' beating." He pulled his belt out, it was a daunting sound, the whooshing through the loops of his jeans; the sound had me shaking in fear as I watched him fold it in half over my shoulder. I shook my head; if I could have talked I'd be begging. The first slap hit my leg and the intensity had me in instant tears. It radiated in pain and I wished I could scream. Lifting the dress he exposed me to the cold night air, and then he slapped my ass; the skin already sensitive and bruised. I screamed but the noise was too muffled.
Why couldn't anyone hear or see what was going on? It was the middle of the night, but someone had to be awake! Georgie brought his belt down over and over, every inch of me felt on fire by the time he was done. I slid to the cement, legs no longer able to support me. The ground was cold and slightly wet but it felt good. Georgie put his belt back on and shut the doors to the back of the truck.
