Chad started down the hill toward the barn. He knew that these first few interactions were going to be crucial in setting the tone for their training and he was prepared for several scenarios. Based on what he had seen last night, the way she had broken down to a blubbering mess, he thought it very likely that she was going to beg him for mercy and freedom. That would be ideal for the sake of ease as breaking her would be as simple as remaining stoic and waiting for her to wear herself out.
The second scenario, while much more difficult, would be more interesting. Considering what he had learned of her personality - strong, independent, and for the most part reserved, it would mean that she would be angry at her situation and would fight everything he did. She would be defiant and foolhardy in which case he would have to exercise a little more dominance from the get go and wait for her to make a mistake and show her weak side. He would prey on that and force her submission.
Either way, Chad felt confident that within the week his filly will have found her place at his feet and they could begin to really play. It was with that confident foresight in mind that he opened the door to the barn and entered to find her standing in the center of her stall. From the looks of it, her harness had held up nicely and her wrists were still bound. While there was evidence of crying by the black make-up streaks down her beautifully pale cheeks, her eyes were bright and clear.
He approached Lady's stall first, ignoring Lindsay's presence, and broke off a couple of flakes of hay. The dappled mare nickered appreciatively as he tossed her breakfast into the feeder at the back. She turned her back on him and began to tear at the hay, dismissing the two humans' tension behind her. He steeled himself and turned to face his first round with the red-headed challenger.
He decided it best to limit her movement and made his way into the stall adjacent to hers. He fiddled with the rope on the pulley system and began to crank it tight, losing the slack he had given her the night before. He could feel her watching him all the while, though she remained silent. This was not something he had counted on, but Chad was sure that she would show her colors with a little prodding.
He cranked the rope up until he began to feel her lifting of the ground. He heard a sharp intake of air and glanced up to make sure that he hadn't gone too far. She looked surprised, but there was no pain on her face. He continued to crank until she was on the tips of her toes before locking it in place. Still she said nothing. He made his way around to the front of her enclosure and grabbed a riding switch off of the tack wall - just in case he was facing scenario two. He unlatched the gate and entered.
***
Lindsay watched the cowboy take something off the wall outside of her cage, but it was still too shadowed in the early morning light to make out what it was exactly. Then, as she expected, he entered.
Relax, you can do this.
Fight or flight instincts had been wrestling around in her head all night. She had tried to find a way out, but it was futile. Her only out was going to be through this animal. She was battling every voice inside her head that made her want to cry out, but something deeper that all of that was telling her to watch him, read him,
find your escape
.
He closed the gate behind him and came to stand just a few feet in front of her. For the first time she was able to see his face, and to her horror she recognized him. He was the very cowboy that assaulted her at the farmer's market.
And the one that you fan- SHUT UP!
His mouth drew up into a half-smirk and she knew instantly that her face had given away her revelation. Apparently this sicko enjoyed her fear and indignation, so she wasn't about to give him anymore of that. She formulated her first sentence carefully. Trying to pick harmless words and imagining the tone of her delivery that would show the least amount of the emotional turmoil raging within her.
"Long time, no see." As soon as the words left her mouth she realized how completely lame they were.
Long time, no see. That's all you can come up with? Good god, woman, we're never getting out of here.
She felt a sharp pain on her left hip and jumped, losing her balance. She swung around, dancing on tip toes and trying to regain her foothold on the soft straw under her feet. She felt two very large and callused hands settle on her waist and steady her, though now she was facing away from the cowboy. This only added to the fear that was building inside of her. She looked down and saw a triangular welt bubbling up on her upper thigh.
"What did you just -" Another sting this time on her right and she jumped once more, this time no hands came to steady her. She danced around like a fool trying to catch solid ground once more. She heard a deep chuckle come from her left and she whipped her head around at the cowboy. His arms were crossed now, a small smile on his face, and in his hand was a short crop.
A whip, seriously?
She finally found purchase and small relief to see that she had landed facing him once more. She braced herself, "Why are you -" It landed hard this time on her left hip but she was ready for it. It smarted horribly but she managed to keep her toes on the ground and her wince to a minimum. The cowboy smiled again.