by J Peregrine
The tunes were catchy, and I clapped along when it was expected but otherwise, I watched the scene with wonder. Then suddenly George swung Sasha into me and shoved us together. “Teach her how to dance, Sasha.” Sasha smiled a drunken smile at me and grabbed my one free hand pulling me out into the room to follow her as she pushed and pulled me around the room.
As we danced, I saw George standing next to Piper telling her something. Sasha pulled me around her once again making me lose sight of them for a moment and then the music screeched more than usual. When I could see them again, Piper was obviously unhappy with whatever George had said, but it was obvious that George was in charge and was used to having his way.
As we spun past the table once again, I feigned exhaustion and fell onto the bench near Piper. Sasha gulped down more brew and then George swirled her back out to dance some more. Piper sawed at her strings making her instrument screech and shake in protest, but the dancers did not seem to care.
I watched Piper’s face. I could see that something George had said, had upset her but she did not look at me or stop playing until the dancers collapsed on the ground. Sasha rested her head against the wall laughing and then her eyes closed, and she immediately fell into snoring.
“Ah, too much ale, I think,” said Piper.
George seemed put-out by Sasha’s drunken sleeping. Slamming his own mug down on the table he growled to Piper, “Go out and get another barrel.” He didn’t ask, he ordered, and he didn’t offer to help.
Without question, Piper set down her instrument and went towards the door.
“Can I give you a hand?” I said.
George cut me off, “Piper don’t need no help.”
Piper paused and looked at me. “Git,” snapped George.
She jumped at his command and turned, retreating out the door.
George’s gaze immediately turned to me. “What are you up to then? Traipsing round the countryside on your own is very dangerous you know.” It was clear from his demeanor that he was not interested in my safety but perhaps curious why I did not seem concerned.
“I’m on my way to find my father,” I said, and then hearing a low growl coming from Dog I put my hand down onto his head and he quieted.
George stepped forward and straddled the bench I was on, leaning close, his sour breath filling my face. He was not concerned at all about the growling dog at my side. “I think I might like a taste of you, you seem a bit tart.” He squinted at me.
I was pretty sure I should be offended, but I also didn‘t want to be rude. I was a guest after all. Trying to remain calm, I almost whispered back to him, “I think you are misunderstanding my intentions.”
“It’s part of your trade, isn’t it?” He grinned at me as he reached across and grabbed my breast. I looked at him, considering my options.
Now I decided he had gone too far. He was trying to offend me and was used to getting his way. So, I reached up and took hold of his wrist, instantly hitting sensitive pressure points thanks to Grandfather. He dropped his hold and his eyes hardened as he pulled his hand away and rubbed his wrist with his other hand.
“I am not a prostitute if that is what you meant,” I said, smiling.
“Ha!” George laughed. Done with trying to get a response from me, he turned back to Sasha who was still snoring. Picking up my half-empty mug he threw the contents into Sasha’s face. Sasha gasped and lifted her head, her tongue attempting to capture some of the liquid running down her chin as she sleepily pushed the wet hair out of her face so she could see. George got up and squatted down next to her pulling Sasha’s face towards him. He licked the beer and then the rest of her face. At this Sasha grinned and tried to capture George’s tongue with her own. George stood and pulled her to her feet.
Piper had come back into the house rolling a small keg in front of her, then she lifted it up to set it on the end of the counter. She filled the mugs closest to her and pointedly took no notice of them kissing.
George grabbed at Sasha’s boobs, squeezing them hard enough to make Sasha cry out. Then he lifted Sasha’s skirts with one hand and grabbed her between the legs. Mouthing her face, he pushed her backward till her back slammed against the wall then he opened the front of his pants.
Chapter 10
I said nothing but my eyebrows spoke volumes as I turned away. I didn't see them but from the sounds of it he and Sasha had moved onto the cot at the back of the room.
Piper turned away, dropping her eyes as she set down the mug she was still holding, but said nothing.
George was an angry, domineering personality. I didn’t know anything about their relationship but from what I had heard and seen it seemed like they were supposed to be a couple. As the sounds from behind the curtain became more intense Piper went to the door and leaving it open, she went out.
Dog trailed behind us as I followed her outside and up a small rise, relieved to be outside. Only after I sat down on the ground next to Piper did I realize we were sitting on the grassy roof of the animal shed. From here we had a good view of their homestead, including the yard and the piles of metal.
It was a clear night so when we laid back on the dry grass, we could see a sky full of stars. I was glad to rest my head and do something familiar for a few moments and then I realized that I had been waiting my whole life for this. I was in the company of other people, not my grandfather. I missed my grandfather but all the things that happened seemed like a dream now. Even this seemed so unreal to me.
After a long while I saw Piper wipe her eyes. “George rescued me," she said. "I owe him my life. He rescues others too, wild ones with no place to go. He takes them to the Agency and they give them food and shelter and...” She didn’t finish. I could see the glisten of tears on her face. "I don't mind," she said, and rubbed the tears from her eyes.
I raised my eyebrows and looked away. For the little time I had been with her it seemed to me that she did care. George’s opinion or love was the thing Piper seemed to need most of all. But maybe I was wrong. After all, what did I know about love or relationships? I only knew love as it had come from my grandfather and what I read about in books or watched in the old movies. I looked into the endless space above us. It seemed to me that Piper was still a little girl at heart, looking for the love she had never found.
“Truth is, I don’t like it way out here all alone,” she said. “I know it’s safer, but it's lonely when George is gone.” I felt her turn toward me. “If you stay, I would have someone to talk to and be with when George is away,” she said. “Besides, George says it’s too dangerous for girls all alone in the city.”
“Is it really? I mean, safer? I realize I haven’t been to the city before, but you said, George goes back and forth with no problem.”
“George is a man, and no one messes with him.” She sighed. “Besides he doesn’t go into the city, at least not usually, he goes to the edges, the wilds.”
We lay there in silence for a while. I had questions but I thought it best to just let her talk.
“George learned to be tough. Other, older boys took advantage of him when he was just a boy. They used their strength against him when they wanted things, but he got them in the end. When he was old enough, he got up one morning trapped them inside the area they were sleeping in and set fire to the whole thing.”
It occurred to me that George might be more than just tough, several movies came to mind where the antagonist was angry, vengeful, and psychotic.
In the moonlight I could see Piper was coiling her hair with her fingers. “When George found me in the city and my mother and sister had disappeared, I was starving. He helped me, fed me, and took me with him, I was just a girl. He was much older than me. He taught me things, how to cook, and make a fire, and everything.”
My eyebrows again went up. She was young even now, so how young had she been when he “rescued” her?
“When we left the city, we traveled several days before we found this place. There was an old man living h
ere. He offered us a place to sleep in exchange for help, he needed someone to help out and we needed a place to stay, so we agreed.”
“Where's the old man now?” I asked, concerned that I had missed seeing this other person.
She didn't answer right away. “Well, that was a long time ago. George told me he went huntin’ but he never came back.” She gave a deep sigh. “I wanted to go look for him, but George wouldn’t let me. He said it was too dangerous and that if he could come back, he would. So, we waited, and when he didn’t come back... well, we just stayed. I mean no one else was using his place, and there didn’t seem to be any sense lettin’ it go to waste.” She paused. “Do you think you could stay?”
Her story alarmed me, and I wanted to ask more about the old man, but I realized she had turned on her side and tucked her chin, laying right next to me. All I could see was the top of her wildly unkempt head of hair.
“I have to find my father....”
“Will you kiss me then?” she said, sniffing and wiping her nose.
“Me?” I said and retreated a little.
She looked up at me, then without warning, she stretched up and kissed me on the mouth.
I didn't move. I didn’t know what to say or do. I was taken back. I’d never kissed anyone before. I hadn’t felt drawn to kiss her. It was a curious thing for sure, but I didn't know how I felt about it. Grandfather had said it was different for everyone.
I had of course practiced kissing my hand many a night, and I’d had dreams of falling in love. More than anything in the world I wanted a friend, a village, a family. Laying there on the roof with another person, especially a person close to my own age was a new experience. All I knew was that I thought kissing was something I would want to do, and right here, right now it wasn't something I wanted. I wanted people but I didn't think these were my people, plus I was a little afraid of them.
Piper fell asleep as we lay there, her body getting heavy and her breathing becoming more and more regular and deep. I wanted to get up, but I didn’t want to disturb her, so I stayed where I was and fell into a dream-soaked sleep until a cold wet nose in the crook of my neck shocked me awake.
Dog had learned. He would sometimes nuzzle my face to wake me and I suppose when I ignored him he learned that if he stuck his preprogrammed wet nose into my ear or the crook of my neck I would wake up. An annoying habit to be sure but it always had the proffered effect because I would spring awake. Once I was awake, I had to wait for the pounding in my ears to lessen before I could hear and listen for any sign of danger. I had learned to follow Dog after he woke me in this way. At home it meant Grandfather needed me. Out here I wasn't sure what it meant except that I knew I should follow him when he moved away. I listened for a moment, then got up and followed as he crept to the other side of the roof and jumped down into a contained area outside of the shed.
As we stepped inside the shed, I had to pause and let my eyes adjust to the moonless interior. It smelled of animals and manure. The slight rustling sounds I guessed were coming from the goats Piper had referred to in the other section of the barn. Dog moved slowly. I assumed we were trying not to startle them, so I did the same. I followed him to the wall where he sat so I sat too leaning my back against the wall. When we were still again, I could hear the voices above us. “My guess is you think George is the jealous type. Am I right?” I whispered as I stroked Dog’s back. I laid down and my heart and breathing slowed as I listened to the night.
I had thought about leaving even though I hadn’t gotten directions to the city yet. But I also realized I’d left my pack with grandfather’s notebook in the house. I could sneak into the house and get it, but I still needed directions to the city. I closed my eyes thinking about this and listening to the hum of their voices and then their laughter. They were having what I thought might be considered pillow talk. I raised my eyebrows. Was this bed hopping? I had watched plenty of romantic comedies. In fact, one of the first romantic comedies I had seen when I was barely old enough to understand was full of lust, desire, and overflowing with sexual innuendo. But it had never been part of my own experience. I was intrigued, but I had nothing but the characters in the books and movies I watched to judge by. Then I thought about Piper. It seemed strange to me that even though she lived with someone, someone she seemed to care about, she was obviously still lonely, still craving love and companionship and I wondered why. I had longed for a friend ever since I could remember. Piper was pleasant but there were many things about George that I didn’t trust. Frankly, I wasn't sure Piper trusted George either. I rested my hand along Dog’s back and slept.
Chapter 11
I don’t know how long I had been asleep when I felt Dog’s vibrating growl sending his warning straight to my brain. Then a snarl erupted from him in full force and was aimed straight at the intruder. When my eyes sprang open, I saw that Dog was in a fighting stance already, not yet attacking but prepared to.
I could just barely make out George's form standing at the door of the shed, early dawn had taken the black outside to gray. It was too dark inside the shed to make out his face but as he moved a step closer, I could see he was armed with what might be a heavy stick. I pushed myself slowly to my feet and stood behind Dog. “Is there a problem?” I asked.
George cracked his neck, side to side, “I just thought we should have a chat.” He stepped forward and smacked his stick against his hand.
At this Dog unleashed his dark side, his hackles sticking straight up and snarl barking, his lips pulled back over his glistening fangs.
I crinkled my eyebrows for a second. “Dog doesn’t seem to believe you.”
“Your dog needs to learn some respect.” He twirled his stick towards Dog’s head but not quite close enough to land a blow. Dog snapped, but he did not take the bait, he did not move.
“My Dog is my protector and he takes his job seriously. Perhaps if you could explain what the problem is then we could all relax,” I said, trying to remember the landscape out the back and weighing my options at escape.
“Maybe you both need to learn some respect.” He laughed.
It was finally light enough and he was close enough that I could make out the sneer on his face. “I think you have the wrong idea, I just need directions and I‘ll be on my way....”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you to the city. I have people who can use a good wench,” he said, and took another step forward unswayed by the snarling dog. Reaching up, he pulled a strap down from the rafters and lashed out at Dog. Perhaps he thought this would send him away, but Dog took his job seriously. His reflexes were designed to be quick as light. Dog grabbed the strap, pulled back and ripped his head to the side throwing George to the floor in one quick flick.
#
George caught himself as he hit the ground, but his stick bounced across the ground towards me and before he could move an inch Dog was in George’s face snarling and barking nose to nose.
George didn’t move.
I jumped for his stick and moved to the door. “Get up, we’re walking to the house.”
“You'll regret this,” he said, with enough venom to sting, but it didn’t, not now.
“Careful,” I warned. “After you...” and motioned him towards the door.
We walked toward the house with Dog flanking him, still growling. When we got to the house he paused and I stepped forward in front of Dog and using the stick I pushed him inside.
The doorway was narrow, so George went in and I followed. As I cleared the door frame Piper rammed the door shut. Trapping me on the inside, Dog on the outside. I could hear Dog gnaw at the door trying to get in. I knew he would try to gain entry, but it didn’t look likely.
They‘d put shutters on the windows and there was a lantern burning at the end of the room. I could see that Sasha was strapped to a bench her back against the pole in the center of the room. She was totally naked except for the sock stuffed into her mouth. She had a fresh wound that looked like a burn on the outside
of one of her thighs and had been crying but she shook her head trying to stop whatever she thought was about to happen.
When I woke my head was throbbing in pain and my body ached. I tried to open my eyes but found someone had covered them so I couldn’t see. Then I remembered.
“She’s awake,” I heard Piper say.
Now I was scared and mad. I wanted to cry but I bit the inside of my mouth instead. I remembered that I had seen Sasha tied to a pole in the middle of the room.
“Good morning, Sunshine.” This was George speaking. “That’s your new name.”
“She smells good,” said Piper, kissing me. I turned my head away but then she sat on my lap facing me and grabbed my face to kiss me on the mouth this time and pushed something wet into my mouth as she did.
I jerked my head away and spat.
“George, she spat on me,” said Piper.
George stepped over and slapped me so hard my head hit the wall behind the bench. Then he grabbed my hair and pulled my head towards him. He made as if to kiss me but instead he bit my lip and split it open. He moaned in my ear and then jammed his hand down my pants and grabbed a hold of my crotch.
“Ah, mommy, if only I could fuck you, uh, uh...” he said, ramming the crotch of his pants into the side of my face.
“George!” Piper yelled at him. “You’re saving her for the others, remember?” I could feel Piper pulling George’s arm away from me.
George relented but pushed his face down into mine, panting. “I have plans for you, Sunshine. There are Porsche’s who will pay top dollar for you as soon as we fix you up.” He laughed and twisted one of my nipples so hard it made my eyes tear. “We put rings in your nipples later,” he said, and laughed as they moved away.
“Maybe we could keep her,” Piper said, in a little girl voice.