Hello there... This story is a bit darker than I usually write, but the idea came to me almost fully formed. Who am I to argue with the muse?
"Well, well, well. What have we here?"
Lou opened her heavy eyes and was startled out of the last vestiges of sleep when she found herself looking up the barrel of a rifle. There were many times that being a heavy sleeper got her into trouble, but this was definitely worse than sleeping through morning chores. She usually awakened easily when on the trail alone. She'd let her guard down being out with Buck.
Buck! She let her eyes flick over to his empty bedroll. He must have gone over to the nearby river to wash up and fetch water for coffee. She needed to stall; hopefully that would give Buck enough time to do something.
"I ride fer the Pony Express." She tried to keep her voice low and gruff. "Just camped here fer the night."
The man holding the rifle smirked. He called over his shoulder, drawing Lou's attention to the three men casually making their way over to her campsite. "Hey Bert, we got us a real, live Pony Express rider."
Lou started to stand up, but froze when the man she assumed was Bert spoke. "Stay right where you are, chap." His proper British accent was at war with his actions. He pulled a pearl-handled Colt from his gunbelt, training it on her heart. His eyes slid over to Buck's bedroll and back. "Where's your friend?"
"I don't know." It was true enough. Lou couldn't see Buck anywhere, nor did she detect any of his animal calls. She felt certain that if he were watching he would give her a sign.
Bert strode over and grabbed a handful of her short hair, yanking it back and exposing Lou's throat and drawing tears to her eyes. His clipped tone was low and mean as he pressed his gun to her temple. "Why don't you invite your friend to join us? He can't have gone far."
As Lou struggled to bite back a smart-mouthed response, she heard another voice call out from the direction of the river. "Look at what I found pollutin' the stream, Bert!"
Her heart sank as she saw Buck walking back to the campsite, his hands raised and blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The moment Buck spied her he surged forward, only to be slammed in the gut by another of the men's rifle's. He dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach.
"Buck, no!" Lou fought back tears, her outburst earning her another vicious hair yank by her captor.
"Excellent catch, Jensen." Bert smiled broadly, "I was hoping for a challenge. And I think we might just have it with the half-breed."
Buck was still trying to catch his breath, but his eyes showed that panic was beginning to settle in. Lou struggled to make sense of everything that had happened since her rude awakening only minutes ago. "We ain't got nothin' of value. We already delivered everything."
Suddenly Lou found herself thrown violently forward. She threw her hands up to break her fall, realizing too late that she left her midsection exposed. In a split second, Bert's heavy boot connected with her ribcage. As she fell to her side, he followed up with a kick to her stomach.
Distracted by her pain, she was only dimly aware of a scurry of movement toward Buck. A clamor of voices told her Buck had called out and been rewarded much as she had. As she tried to swallow the pain radiating through her abdomen, Bert crouched beside her. "Listen up, boy. Lou, I think your friend called you? Well, Lou, I've hunted game all over the world. Elephants, tigers, cheetahs, gorillas… I've hunted them all, many times in fact. A hunter such as me deserves a real challenge." He prodded her sore ribs with his gun as he continued, "No offense, boy, but you seemed rather a puny excuse for prey. However now that I've met your friend, I think the two of you will do quite nicely."
Lou craned her neck to try to get a look at Buck. As he struggled to his hands and knees, his eyes met hers and mirrored the fear she also felt. These men were clearly deranged. They wanted to hunt people? And not just any people... her and Buck. Before she could stop herself, she grunted, "Yer crazy."
Bert chuckled gaily, again grabbing her by the hair. "Dear boy, when you have as much money and influence as I have, you're eccentric.. not crazy." He yanked her head back again, causing her to yelp in pain. "I'm going to release you and your half-breed friend over there. I'll even give you an hour head start." He leaned down then and whispered in her ear, his words chilling her to the bone. "And then I'm coming for you."
He drew back, raising his voice again for all to hear. "My associates here, will accompany me, but the kills will be mine and mine alone. I've heard much about Pony Express riders and savages, so I do hope you two won't disappoint."
Lou 's revulsion caused her stomach to revolt. It was all she could do not to vomit. Before she understood what he was about Bert was tugging her by her hair again, forcing her to rise. In his hurry she stumbled, causing him to throw his free arm around her and roughly haul her to her feet. His arm lingered, and Lou felt her fear double. He viciously pulled her hair, forcing her to expose her slender neck yet again. This time he ran his hand along the vulnerable flesh caressing its smoothness, and she could feel the cruel laughter bubble up from deep within him.
"Oh, friends, it looks like we have an extra special treat today. I'll be hunting a savage and a whore." Leaning his head down he ran his tongue along her neck, viciously biting the skin where her neck met her shoulder. Raising his head to look her in the eye, he seemed to enjoy the fear and disgust he saw there. He grinned before calling out to his friends, "Mmm, she's a tasty little tart. Too tasty to keep to myself."
The other men cheered in response, egging him on. "When I track this one down, I'll take her alive. She'll give me the first ride, then the rest of you will get a turn. If I've learned anything from hunting, it's that some bitches are always in heat." He leaned down again, whispering into her ear, "And if you're really good, maybe I'll make you my pet. It looks like it's your lucky day after all." His teeth cut into Lou's earlobe, drawing another cry. "There's more where that came from, sweetheart."
When she gasped in pain he took advantage of her open mouth, thrusting in his tongue to the bawdy cheers of his men. He chewed at her lips as his invasion continued. Pulling back he admired his handwork. Lou could taste the blood on her lips. "I've marked you now, and I'll mark you again after I've hunted you down." His warm breath fell upon the tender flesh of her ear. "Next time I think I'll use the branding iron. When in Rome, after all."
Bert threw her to ground toward where Buck was being held. As she scrambled to gain her unshod feet, she felt a pair of strong hands grasp her upper arms to help her rise. She knew instantly that Buck was beside her. His closeness helped her start to reign in her emotions. They watched Bert warily, drawing more laughter from the madman.
"Your hour starts now, sweetheart. You too, savage." As the pair scrambled away, Bert's maniacal laughter followed them. "Remember, I want a challenge. So I suggest you run."
My sincere thanks go to Beulah for encouraging me along the way :) This story might never have seen the light of day if not for her assistance.
