In Chains

by Michelle Abbott

  We lie like that for a moment, then he pushes himself up onto his forearms. Brushing my hair out of my face he kisses me gently on the lips. “I love you Savannah. Thank you.”

  Pulling the duvet over us, I snuggle against his sweaty chest as he wraps both his arms around me and slings his leg over mine. I hope he won’t get a dead arm with all my weight lying on it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Savannah

  I smile as I awake to Kayden’s soft snores. He’s buried under the duvet, only his eyes and the top of his head are visible. His arms are still encircling me and he’s blowing little warm breaths on my face.

  It’s hard to believe how close I feel to him after just a few days but there’s something unexplainable between us. I’m drawn to him. I wonder if we’re kindred spirits as neither of us have had an easy life, though mine has been far easier than his. All I know is, I love being with him. I feel safe, cared for and happy.

  As I raise my head slightly to check on the time, his eyelids flutter open. I lay my head back down on the pillow. “Did you sleep well?” I ask, gazing into his eyes.

  “Yeah. Your bed’s way softer and warmer than mine.”

  “Stay in it then.” I kiss his forehead. “I’m going to fix us some lunch; we can eat it in bed.”

  Looking in the freezer I find two packs of macaroni cheese. I heat it up in the microwave. I place the food and two mugs of coffee on a tray and head back upstairs. Kayden has gone back to sleep. He must be tired after being awake all night. As much as I love being with him, I’m worried about him not getting enough sleep if he intends working every night.

  Putting the tray on the bedside table I gently climb into bed next to him. Not gentle enough it seems because my movement wakes him up. Putting his arm around my shoulder, he kisses me on the cheek. “Thank you baby.”

  Holding a forkful of mac and cheese to my lips he feeds me, one forkful for me, then one for him. I snuggle into him as we eat. After eating half the carton I’m full, he polishes off the rest. Placing the tray on the floor he enfolds me in his arms, giving me a long, slow kiss that tastes of cheese. We lie back down. I rest my head on his chest. “You said you haven’t had sex in a long time. When was the last time you had sex?” I ask him.

  “When I was at the pound.”

  “They didn’t mind you having sex?”

  He runs his fingers through my hair and kisses my forehead. “Nah. So long as we didn’t break the rules, they didn’t give a damn what else we did.”

  “How many girls did you have sex with?”

  “Why?” he frowns at me. “I don’t have any diseases, I get checked every year.”

  I kiss him on the cheek. “I’m just curious how many?”

  He’s still frowning. “I dunno, a few.”

  “Did you love any of them?”

  He shakes his head, “No. We were just lonely.” His expression is serious and his eyes have a faraway look. “I wanted to feel like a person, not just a slave. To feel like I mattered to somebody.”

  He’s stroking my arm and I wonder again about the scars around his wrists. “How did you get those?” I ask, running my finger along them.

  “Do you think they’re ugly?” he whispers.

  “No, nothing about you could ever be ugly.”

  Crushing me to him, he smiles and gives me a big, loud kiss on my neck. “I got them when I was at the pound.”

  “How?”

  He’s silent for a few minutes and I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t asked, I never meant to make him feel awkward. Eventually he shrugs. “It don’t matter. It was a long time ago.” He obviously doesn’t want to tell me about it, so I let it go.

  “Did you love your ex?” he asks, stroking his hand over my back.

  “I thought I did. He was my first boyfriend. I don’t think I knew what love really was.”

  “How long were you together?”

  “Too long,” I say, sighing. “Six years.”

  “Do you miss him?”

  “No. I’ve never been so happy.”

  He grins and runs his fingers through my hair.

  “If you haven’t had sex since you left the pound, does that mean all your lovers have been slaves?” I ask.

  “Yeah.”

  “Haven’t you met any other women since then?”

  “Yeah but no one I’ve been interested in.”

  Oh no. Is Christina right? Is he just with me because I’m plain and I’m more likely to say yes? “So what was different about me?” I ask, dreading his answer.

  He sighs, smiles and then slowly shakes his head. “When I first saw you, you looked so beautiful I almost fell to my knees. I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since then.” He strokes my hair as he speaks. “I didn’t think you’d ever be interested in me. I kept making excuses to be near you. I’d hide and watch you.” He rubs his nose against mine. “Didn’t you ever wonder why you kept bumping into me? Like that time when you were looking around my caravan.”

  I push myself up onto my forearm, “You knew I’d already been in your caravan?”

  He’s laughs softly. “Yeah, I was watching you.”

  “Kayden!” I thump him gently on the chest. He’s still laughing as he squeezes his arms tightly around me.

  “I can’t believe that you’re mine. I’m not usually lucky. You mean so much to me baby. I love you.” He brushes his lips against mine. “It damn near killed me when that fucker had his arm around you.”

  “You mean Ben?” I ask.

  “I dunno,” he shrugs, “I can never remember his fucking name. The blond guy.”

  “I’m not interested in him.”

  “I hope not.” He frowns at me. “But he’s interested in you.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Savannah

  “Let’s go out for a walk,” I say. “You can finish showing me around.”

  I make sure to wrap up this time. I borrow Simon’s hat and gloves. The gloves are too big but they’ll keep my hands warm. I’m worried Kayden will to freeze to death but he doesn’t want to wear one of Simon’s jackets and insists he’s used to the cold.

  We walk past the orchard and the chicken coop, our arms around each other, my head resting on his shoulder. When we reach the vegetable field I see the scorched remains of the fires Kayden lit last night. Being with him makes me happy, even if we are just walking in silence. I notice a wooden structure just beyond the vegetable field. It looks like an upside down ‘L’ shape and there is rope hanging from the top of it. “What’s that?” I ask, pointing towards it.

  Kayden doesn’t even look. “It’s nothing interesting. Come here I wanna show you something.” Grabbing my hand he pulls me along. We climb up a hill and when we reach the top there is the most glorious view, miles and miles of open countryside with a few villages dotted in-between. “It’s pretty cool at night too,” he says as he stands behind me and wraps his arms around me, “when all the houses are lit up. Except knowing you, you’d freak out because it’s dark.” I pinch him on his arm but he just laughs. We stand in silence for a while, taking in the view and the peace.

  “Where did you live before you came here?” he asks.

  “I shared a flat with my ex, in London.”

  “What was London like?”

  “Lots and lots of buildings and lots of traffic.”

  “Do you like it best in London, or here?”

  “Here. I love the open space and the quiet,” I turn to put my arms around his neck and peck him on the lips, “and you’re an added bonus.”

  He lowers his head and kisses me. “Are you going to stay here Savannah?”

  “I’m going to stay in this area,” I say. “I can’t move away, I’d miss you too much.” He kisses me again.

  “Kayden, how did you deal with the electric shocks when you had sex at the pound? Whatever you did then must have worked.”

  He shakes his head. “I didn’t have a chip. They put that in when they sold me.”


  I’m startled by my phone’s ring tone. Simon’s number shows on my caller ID. Answering it, I put my finger to my lips to warn Kayden to keep quiet. Simon tells me he’s coming home early because he has to go back to work this evening; they’re having a conference call with some clients in the US. “Bad news. My brother will be here in fifteen minutes, but the good news is he’ll be out tonight.”

  “So I can see you tonight?”

  “Definitely. I’ll come and find you when he’s gone,” I hold his hand as we walk back towards the house. “Maybe we can see your friends again and have some more hooch. Maybe Clay will get to like me the more he sees me.”

  He smiles. “Yeah we can do that but don’t hold your breath on Clay.”

  I give him a quick kiss goodbye at the door but he follows me inside. “I’ve gotta clean in here and do the laundry,” he says. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” I’m about to reply when I hear the front door opening.

  Kayden is putting clothes into the washing machine as Simon comes into the kitchen. I busy myself making a pot of coffee. I don’t want Simon to think I’ve been talking to Kayden; I couldn’t bear it if he got hurt again because of me.

  Simon kisses me on the cheek and sits down at the table. He’s giving Kayden a filthy look but Kayden can’t see it because he has his back to Simon, he’s putting soap powder in the machine. “Did the slave give you any trouble Savannah?” I shake my head. I hate the way he’s talking about Kayden as if he’s not even here.

  I pour out two mugs of coffee and sit at the table with him. “How was work this morning?” I ask.

  “Same as usual.”

  Taking a sip of his coffee he glances over at Kayden. “This floor needs cleaning slave.”

  Kayden nods and mumbles, “Yes Sir.” He starts filling a bucket with hot water and pours in some detergent.

  “How long are you going to be out for tonight?” I ask.

  “I probably won’t be home till after midnight.”

  Kayden is on his hands and knees, wiping a cloth over the floor. His butt looks sexy in those jeans. I look away before Simon notices me ogling. “How’s Christina doing?”

  “She’s fine. I’m meeting her for a meal tomorrow night. You’re welcome to come along. She likes you.” You could’ve fooled me. She always seems to enjoy putting me down. I’ll pass on the meal, I don’t enjoy her company and it’s another opportunity to spend time with Kayden. Okay, I think I’m officially addicted to the man. He must be cleaning somewhere behind me because I can’t see him anymore.

  I almost drop my coffee when I feel his lips on my ankle. He’s kissing his way up my leg. I look across at Simon to see if he’s noticed but I guess Kayden must be hidden by the table because Simon is calmly sipping his coffee. I try desperately not to giggle as Kayden runs his tongue down my leg. Suddenly his body jerks and his head smashes into the table, knocking Simon’s mug over. Simon leaps up from his seat as hot coffee spills onto his legs. “Shit,” Kayden mutters.

  I’m worried that Kayden may have hurt his head and that Simon may have been scalded. Simon storms over to where Kayden still kneels. His eyes are blazing and his face is red. “Get up,” he screams at Kayden.

  Kayden stands and flinches as Simon hurls his coffee mug at him. It narrowly misses his head and shatters to pieces as it hits the kitchen cabinets. “I’m sorry Sir.”

  “Clean this mess up. Now.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Simon stomps upstairs, to change clothes I assume. Kayden is mopping up the spilt coffee. Opening the kitchen cupboards I find a dustpan and brush and sweep up the broken crockery. “Kayden, what happened?”

  “I got fucking shocked. Shitty timing.”

  Listening out for Simon, I check Kayden’s head for lumps. “You’ve got a bump coming here,” I gently rub my fingers around the swelling that’s forming on top of his head.

  Hearing Simon coming downstairs I quickly scoot back to the kitchen chair. He slings his coffee stained shirt and trousers at Kayden. “Get them washed.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Simon takes a can of tomato soup from the cupboard, opens it and pours the contents over the floor. “And you haven’t cleaned the floor properly. Do it again.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  While Kayden cleans the floor for the second time, Simon is busy emptying the cupboards of tins and jars. He throws a tin of ham at Kayden and it hits him on the head. He’s now got a cut on his forehead and it’s bleeding. “Pick that up,” Simon shouts at him.

  I’ve had enough. “Simon, stop it. It was an accident; he didn’t mean to do it.”

  Simon glares at me. “An accident? What was it doing under the table, looking up your dress?”

  He opens a can of spaghetti and throws the contents over the kitchen cupboards. Tomato sauce oozes down the cupboard doors and strings of spaghetti dangle from the handles. “Clean this up,” Simon barks his order at Kayden.

  Kayden sighs. “Yes Sir.”

  “Simon this is ridiculous. You’re making a mess.”

  “Carry on Savannah. The more you complain, the more mess I’m going to make.” He splatters every available surface with soup, spaghetti, cream, milk, anything that he can make a mess with. The floor, the windows, the table, the chairs, the doors, even the curtains, no surface escapes his attention. He has Kayden cleaning up after him the entire afternoon.

  He’s getting ready to go back to work and Kayden still hasn’t finished cleaning up. “This kitchen had better be spotless by the time I get back,” he says. “If I find any mess you’re going to get the strap and I promise I’ll shred every inch of skin on your back.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Finally, Simon leaves. “If I ever have the stupid idea to kiss your legs when I’m under the table again, kick me in the face will you,” Kayden says.

  “Aww no I can’t do that.”

  “I’m tired. My knees and my back ache,” he says. Throwing my arms around him I glance up and see a few strands of spaghetti hanging from the lampshade. I can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. “It’s not funny,” he says. Then he begins laughing too. “Ahh maybe it is.”

  “I’ll help you finish cleaning this up, then we can go meet your friends. I’m sure you need a drink after this.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Savannah

  Kayden carries me across the fields. We’ve kissed and caressed and got his four shocks over and done with. I wrap my arms and legs around him in a feeble effort to warm up his chilled body. “How’s your head?” I ask, my cheek pressed against his stubbly one.

  “It’s still on my shoulders,” he giggles.

  When we reach the farm his friends have a large fire lit once again. I see the orange flames flickering as we approach and can hear the crackle and pops from the logs. Kayden puts me down and I head over to the fire, seeking its warmth. Kaci and Clay are huddled together, wrapped in a blanket. Trent is tossing logs onto the fire. They look up at us, Kaci and Trent smiling a greeting. Clay says hi to Kayden but he ignores me. I don’t know why it bothers me but it does. I want him to like me, or at least realise that I’m nothing like the people who have abused them. I guess it’s going to take time.

  “Hey man,” Kayden says to Clay. “Can I speak to you alone for a minute?”

  The two of them walk off towards the caravan and sit down on the step. I wonder what Kayden wants to talk to him about but they’re too far away for me to hear what they’re saying.

  “So, you haven’t dumped him yet,” says Kaci, glaring at me.

  “I’m not going to dump him.”

  “He may not be human but he’s still got a heart. Don’t break it,” she snaps.

  “I’m not going to and he’s as human as I am, you all are.”

  Trent hands me a mug of hooch and I take it gratefully. It seems Trent and Kayden are the only two who like me. I glance around, trying to avoid Kaci’s glare. It’s dark but my eyes make out a wooden structure identical to the one
I saw on Simon’s land earlier. I didn’t notice it last time I was here; I guess I was preoccupied with other things. “What is that?” I ask to no-one in particular. “My brother has one of those on his farm.”

  “It’s a whipping post,” says Trent. “See the ropes? They tie your wrists to it when they beat you. That way they ain’t gotta worry about you trying to run and they can get to your body easier coz you can’t curl up into a ball.”

  My head snaps towards him. “They don’t use it, do they?”

  “Well, not on you they don’t,” Kaci sneers.

  I don’t know why I ever ask to come here. I always hear something that upsets me. I down my hooch in one and ask Trent for a refill. Kayden is still deep in conversation with Clay. I wish he was with me; I need a hug right now. As disturbing as it is, I have to know more. “Did they have one of those at the pound? Is that how Kayden got the scars on his wrists?” I look over at Kaci and Trent’s wrists. Neither of them have scars like Kayden’s.

  “No,” says Trent. “They had, probably still have, a rope on a pulley they hung from the ceiling. They kinda hung you up in the air from your arms.”

  “Did they do that to you?” I ask Trent.

  “A couple of times.”

  I glance at Kaci. “And you?” I ask.

  “Just once.”

  “How come Kayden has scars and you two don’t?”

  “Clay has them too,” Kaci says. “It’s just one of the reasons he hates you humans.” She pours a mug of hooch, wraps the blanket tighter around herself and scowls at me. “In obedience class they teach the little slave children what happens to them if they disobey orders, or don’t obey an order properly, or fast enough. They give them a demonstration of the punishment they’ll get. I’ll give you three guesses what two slaves they always chose to demonstrate it on.”