by S. M. Shade
“Five men counting the doctor and four women,” Troy replies flatly, as if the information is of no consequence to us whatsoever.
“I assume they have guns?”
“That would be a safe assumption. I can’t tell you how many or what kind, but I know that they hunt deer and turkey, and I doubt they use a slingshot.”
Joseph smiles at him while Airen continues firing questions. “There’s no way out of this place? How far are we from the house? Shit, what town are we in?”
“The town is called Herrin. The house is on a hill that overlooks this stable. You’ll see that tomorrow, I assume. Even if you could manage to escape the stable, they’d see you,” Troy responds, patiently.
“Herrin? We’re in Herrin?” Joseph repeats. Troy nods. “We were so close. Herrin is a little to the north and east of Carbondale.”
“What’s in Carbondale?” Troy asks.
“We were traveling there. I’m from Carbondale, and I wanted to get some things from my old home.”
“Where do you live now?”
“Tennessee,” Airen answers quickly, glaring at Joseph. “Who’s Abraham?”
“The leader. He decides what’s going to happen to you. He’s the one who pronounces you saved or evil. He’s the judge, jury, and executioner, literally.” Troy glares at Airen. “Unless you want your back to look like mine, and probably your wife’s as well, don’t cross him.” He returns to his cot and picks up a book. “They won’t be back until morning, so you may as well get comfortable.”
“Come and lie down with me, Air,” I beg. “You’re hurt, and we need to rest while we can.”
“Abby’s right. There’s nothing we can do right now. You should rest until we figure out what our next move is,” Joseph coaxes when Airen shakes his head.
Airen relents and stretches out on the cot beside me, and I lay my head on his shoulder, where I can whisper in his ear without the fear of being overheard. He pulls a blanket over us.
“Did they get your gun?” I whisper.
“Yes, they must’ve searched me when I was unconscious.”
I take his hand and slide it to the inside of my thigh so he can feel the .22 in its holster. His eyes widen, and I place my finger over his lips. “Don’t let Troy find out,” he warns. “We don’t know if any of what he says is true. He could be here to listen in and report back. He could be one of them.”
“Didn’t you see the marks on his back?”
“I did, and that’s why he’ll do whatever they want him to do. When we escape, I don’t want him to know where we’re going or where we live.” His face softens as his eyes meet mine. “We’re going to get out of here, sweetheart. Please, don’t be afraid.”
“Just don’t give them a reason to hurt you.”
“I won’t, I swear. You remember your promise to me before we left for this damn trip. If I tell you to run and leave us, you run.” I’m silent as his words sink in. He grasps my face, and his eyes pierce into me. “Promise, Abby.”
“I do. I promise.”
“It’s not just you anymore.” His hand caresses my taut belly.
“I know. I need to close my eyes for a few minutes.”
“Take a nap, and I’ll be right here when you wake.”
“I love you,” I murmur.
“Me too, darlin’.”
Abraham
“Will you be visiting them today, Abraham?” Cole asks.
“Yes, I believe I will. Do you have any information for me?”
“The dark headed man is called Airen, and he claims the woman, Abby, is his wife. The other man’s name is Joseph. Airen’s the one to be careful around if you want my opinion. We had to knock him out to capture him. He’ll be a challenge.”
“Fortunately, I love a challenge.”
“Do you need anything else, sir?”
“No, Cole, that’s all for now. Just keep an eye on them.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hmm, do we have another Micah in Airen? I doubt it. It’s natural to be defiant in the beginning, especially if he’s trying to protect his wife. He’ll fall in line, but perhaps a small demonstration is in order.
If I demand that Joseph be tested with Abby that should shake things up. If Airen resists, he’ll quickly learn who’s in charge. Yes, that’s the best way to bring him to heel. The same goes for Joseph if he refuses, although I don’t imagine he will unless he’s a homosexual. The chances of that are slim, and it’s more likely he’s hoping for a chance with the girl.
Regardless, they’re mine now, and I’ll see they behave accordingly. I suspect Troy will warn them of the consequences of disobedience.
I may get to use my cane again after all.
CHAPTER TEN
It’s evening when I wake, and Joseph, Airen, and Troy are sitting in a circle, eating, and deep in a discussion.
“How are you?” Airen asks softly, as I join them.
“I’m good. How’s your head?”
“Not bad, those pills are strong.”
“Joseph?”
“I’m fine, honey.”
Airen brings me a thermos filled with tomato soup and a cheese sandwich. “You need to eat,” he insists. It’s hard, but I manage to get enough down to placate him. I climb on Airen’s lap in the beanbag chair and stay there for the rest of the evening. His hand stroking my back is soothing, but I can’t relax. Who knows what will happen to us tomorrow?
Joseph places a lantern beside my cot as I snuggle down for the night with Airen. I give him a small smile, and he returns to his bunk, wrapping himself in an old blanket. The night is interminable. I lie with Airen for hours, listening to him breathe. At least the pain pills help him sleep.
Troy wakes us in the morning. “We have to make the beds and clean up before Abraham gets here.” Nearly an hour later, the rattle of chains falling from the door warns us of his arrival, and we kneel. When I get my first glimpse of the infamous Abraham, I’m taken aback by his youthful appearance. I expected a much older man. He looks about twenty-five. His head is shaved, and he’s dressed in black slacks and a white button up shirt. His eyes have a creepy, vacant look.
“Good morning, Troy.”
“Good morning, Abraham.”
“You may rise and introduce our guests.”
We stand as Troy introduces us. “Airen Holder, and his wife, Abby,” he announces.
“Welcome, you look familiar to me, Airen. Have we met before?” he asks, a serene smile painted on his face.
Oh, shit. Is he going to recognize him from television? Somehow, I don’t think they will consider portraying a stripper or a prostitute a holy endeavor.
“I don’t believe so,” Airen replies, calmly. I know he’s seething inside, but he’s hiding it well.
Abraham smiles. “Have you been married long?”
“Six months,” he lies. “We were fortunate enough to meet a nice minister to perform the ceremony.”
“How wonderful.” He regards Joseph, as Troy introduces him.
“This is Joseph, Airen’s brother.”
“Surviving brothers! Rare indeed! God has surely blessed you.”
“We share the same father. Perhaps he passed on an immunity, although he didn’t survive,” Joseph remarks. These two can lie on demand, I’ll give them that.
Abraham grins. “I’m sure God has chosen you both for a reason. I’ll be speaking to each of you individually. I hope to discern God’s plan for you.”
Airen grabs my hand. “I’m staying with my wife.”
The serene smile never leaves Abraham’s face. “It’s heartwarming to see such a bond between husband and wife. I assure you she’ll be safe with me. If it eases your mind, I intend to speak with each of you in these quarters. She won’t leave your sight.”
“Airen, please, you promised.”
“Fine,” he growls through gritted teeth.
“Why don’t we begin, Airen?” He gestures for him to follow.
They settle into two chair
s across the stable, too far away to be heard even with my advanced eavesdropping abilities. Airen seems to be controlling his temper, and they talk for over twenty minutes. Airen shakes his head, getting agitated, and I hold my breath, just waiting for him to do something stupid. Finally, Abraham dismisses him, and calls to Joseph to join him.
I pounce on Airen before he has a chance to sit. “What did he ask you?”
“If I believe in God.”
I look at him skeptically. “Don’t lie to me. You were shaking your head. What was he saying? Was it about us?”
“No.” He sighs, resigned. “He seems to be focused on Joseph. He thinks he shows homosexual tendencies.”
“Bastard has a gaydar, doesn’t he?” I murmur.
“I think it’s the same for any single man they meet.” Airen drops his eyes and gnaws his lower lip.
“What is it?”
“I told him I would swear before God that Joseph is not, as he so eloquently puts it, a sodomite, but that isn’t enough. He wants Joseph to prove his sexuality, just like Troy.”
Troy, with the cane marks across his back. The comparison makes me shiver. “He’s going to force him to make out with some random woman? Joseph will never do that.”
Airen’s head lowers, and he releases my hand. “He wants Joseph to prove himself with you,” he whispers.
“What?” I reply, horrified. “But he knows we’re married.”
“In his fucked up mind, the fact that Joseph is my brother makes it acceptable. He quoted some biblical bullshit about a wife belonging to the brother when a husband dies. He told me if I made this sacrifice, I could prove my loyalty to God, as would you, and Joseph would prove he’s straight.”
“Does he expect us to have sex?” I ask, fearfully.
“No, only bring him to the point where he could. His words.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said no, Abby. It’s what any husband would say. He’s trying to play us against each other. Force us to resist so he can dole out some punishment.”
“He’ll do it. You know he will.”
His hands travel through his hair in frustration. “Look, sweetheart, he doesn’t realize how close we all are to each other, or that Joseph kissing you won’t exactly break my heart, but I’m not giving him permission to use you for anything.”
“It wouldn’t bother you if I kissed Joseph?”
“I don’t like it, but it’s not like you’re sneaking around with him or cheating on me. I just don’t want you forced to do anything.”
“If it means that he won’t hurt us,” I murmur.
“I know.” He sighs, his eyes darkening. “I could take him out right now. Shoot him.”
“No! The bodyguards will kill us all. We have to play along until we get our chance to run. Please.”
“Allowing him to control us like this—it’s killing me,” he admits quietly. “I want to do something.”
“I know.” He buries his face against my neck as I embrace him. “Air, I know, but you’re doing the right thing.”
“Forcing my wife to be intimate with another man isn’t doing the right thing. If it were anyone other than Joseph, I wouldn’t stand for it. I’d shoot him and damn the consequences. You know that, don’t you?” he pleads.
“Of course I do, and you aren’t forcing me to do anything.”
“It feels like I’m pimping you out.” His eyes brim with unshed tears. Airen never cries, and the sight kills me.
“Airen, please don’t. It’s not like that at all.” I force a grin. “Think of it as payback for your drunken kiss with Joseph,” I whisper.
He smiles in spite of himself and shakes his head. “Never going to let me forget that, are you?”
“It was a picture to remember. Permanently and indelibly imprinted on my brain,” I tease.
Joseph walks toward us, looking absolutely miserable. I grab Airen’s hand. “You told me I have to be with Joseph, and I always obey my husband. Understand?” I say, frantically.
Airen nods, defeated. “I’m so sorry.”
“Everything will be fine.” I squeeze his hand. Abraham motions for me to join him.
I take a seat across from him, and the look of arrogance on his face is sickening. Before the plague, I’m sure he was a nobody, a loser. That must feed his need to dominate people and play with our lives, as if we’re nothing more than toys placed here for his amusement. I hate him already.
“Good morning, Abby. I just want to ask you a few questions, and please, be truthful.” He flashes a predatory smile. “Do you believe in Jesus?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know the Ten Commandments?”
“Yes.”
“Would you recite them for me, please?” I rattle them off, and he stares at me intently. “Do you know The Lord’s Prayer?” I recite it perfectly, and his smile widens. “Very good, you should help your husband to learn it.” I nod. “Do you love your husband?”
“Of course.”
“Obey him in all things?”
“Yes.” No. Fuck no.
“Has he explained our issue with your brother-in-law?”
“Yes, and I can assure you Joseph isn’t into men.”
“And if your husband bids you to spend time with Joseph to prove that, would you obey?”
I hesitate. “Would God look upon me as an adulteress?” I know how to talk to these religious nuts.
A phony smile tilts his lips. “No, sister, not if I and your husband command it.”
“Do you? Command it?”
“I’m afraid it’s a necessary evil, my child. Rest assured neither you nor he shall suffer for it, in my house or the Lord’s.”
I bow my head. “I don’t want to hurt Airen, but if he says I must, then I’ll do as he asks.”
“You’re a good wife, Abby. ‘Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies,’” he quotes.
“Proverbs 31:10,” I reply. I may be an atheist, but I’m a well-read atheist.
His face lights up. “You and your husband will be joining us in the house very soon. The rapture has removed most of his children, but he’s left behind a few of the faithful to guide the heathens, teach them to repent, and give them a chance at redemption and eternal salvation.”
“I’ll do my best to help,” I swear, trying not to gag on the words.
“I believe you will.” He grins.
Then you’re insane and stupid, you narcissistic asshole.
Abraham promises to send for me and Joseph later in the day. After he leaves, Cole arrives with clean clothes, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. It feels so good to wash off the grime, and I manage to find a pair of panties, sports bra, sweat pants, and a long sleeve shirt that fit well. All the clothing still have tags attached. They must have raided the local K-Mart.
Joseph and Airen have been deep in a hushed conversation for the last few minutes, and Joseph is obviously upset. It looks like Airen is trying to reassure him. What does one say in such a situation? Please, let my wife give you a hard on, so they won’t hurt you?
“Is everything okay?” I interrupt.
“You don’t have to do this, Abby,” Joseph whispers as Airen discreetly walks away.
“It’s not exactly a punishment. I meant what I said about those lips,” I reply.
“I’m sure you dreamed of this situation.” He shakes his head.
“Look...Joseph...do you think that you can get...you know...with me?” I stumble, blushing to my roots. After all, Joseph is an attractive guy, and I don’t know what kind of girls he’s dated, but I’m sure they were pretty.
“Abby!” he cries in surprise. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
“Of course. They may think they’re right, and who knows what the consequences could be.”
After a quick glance at Airen, he studies the floor and responds, “How can I say this tactfully? I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Sometimes, when we’re at home you wander around in those
little pajama shorts...and...” He shrugs, and it’s his turn to blush firehouse red.
Oh. “Do you think they’re just going to watch us or what?” I whisper, trying to change the subject.
“I don’t know. Honey, are you sure about this?”
“Sorry, you’re stuck. You’re making out with me, and you can’t get out of it.”
“Do you think Airen will ever forgive me?”
“He doesn’t blame you in the first place, Joseph. We know you don’t want to do this. We’re surviving and going home to our kids,” I insist, wiping my eyes.
“All right, honey, don’t cry.”
Right after dinner, Cole and another man named Eric show up to escort us to the house. The anguish on Airen’s face as they lead us away will haunt me for the rest of my life. It’s dark, so I can’t make out much of the house, but it’s massive. They lead us down several hallways until we reach a small bedroom, lightly furnished with a full sized bed, night stand, and a small dresser.
Abraham materializes at the door. “God would not wish that I, a married man, should look upon another woman without clothes. You’ll both remove your clothing. You may keep your underpants on for the sake of your modesty. Put the clothing outside the door. Joseph, when you’re ready to be examined, knock on the door, and come into the hallway. If everything is satisfactory, you may both get dressed and return to your quarters. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I whisper. At least he won’t be breathing down our necks the whole time. We’ll have a little privacy. Joseph nods his assent.
“Very well.” Abraham regards me with phony sympathy. “I realize this is an awkward situation for you, my dear. There’s no need to rush.” With an oily smile, he closes the door behind him.
“I didn’t know they’d make us strip, Abby. You don’t have to do this,” Joseph mumbles.
I have to make this work. It’s Joseph’s life at stake, and maybe mine and Airen’s as well. I’m haunted by the cane marks on Troy’s back, and I can’t let that happen to Joseph. I unbutton my shirt, sliding it off my shoulders, and slip off my sweat pants. Before he can react, I pull his shirt over his head.
“Your pants,” I whisper. His eyes never leave mine as he removes his pants and hands them to me. As instructed, I toss the clothes out the door and close it, wishing it had a lock. I feel extremely vulnerable in a bra and panties, while Joseph stands in front of me in only a too large pair of boxers.
