Chapter 1 *UPDATED

The wind brushed against her face as she rode across the beautiful fields of the western wilderness, it was the best feeling in the world. Her white mare ran through the emerald shaded grass which seemed to reach out and tickle at her legs. Both horse and owner felt as free as the great eagle flying free in the sky. The mane of the horse and the hair of the girl danced freely behind them as they raced along the never ending field of grass. The green eyes of the girl sparkled in delight; she knew this was where she belonged. The horse came to a hault as they reached the top of a hill; they gazed upon the small village beneath them. One look at each other they both knew what was going to happen next. The horse was just about to charge down the hill...

"Oh my god Jessie can you believe it! It's my engagement party tonight!"
Jessie snapped out of her small fantasy world as she heard a voice shriek and a sharp pain went around her waist. She looked behind her and remembered her mother Betty was sorting out the back of her underwear before her hideous dress went over the top.
"Jessie are you listening to me?" A blonde girl said. She was wearing a pink dress that flared out below her waist, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yes Bo, I was listening." Jessie grumbled as her mother pulled at the ribbons to tie them up.
"Quit moaning Jessie, you know how much I deteste it when you moan.'"Betty said. Betty had brown hair tied up in a bun that sat perfectly upon her head. Her face was plump and round. She wore a white long sleeved top that was low cut revealing some of her chest. On her bottom half she wore a long silk skirt that suited her tall figure perfectly.
"Yes mother." Jessie said falsely smiling.
!I can't believe it, two months ago we were celebrating my twenty-first birthday, in November we will be celebrating your eighteenth birthday but this month my engagement!" Bo said running over to Jessie and hugging her as their mother walked away to the closet. "Oh when me and Buzz are married and start a family you will be a fine auntie Jessie."
All Jessie could do was smile as her sister hugged her tighter.

Jessie and Bo were the complete opposite. A lot of the time sisters have things in common but these two had nothing in common both in their physical features and personalities. Physical feature wise Bo had Blonde hair in the form of ringlets that sat perfectly above her shoulders where as Jessie had red crimson hair that was straight with a few wavy bits here and there just below her shoulders. Their eyes were also very different. Bo had beautiful blue eyes that resembled crystals, but Jessie on the other hand had green emerald eyes that shone in the daylight. Personality wise, Bo is most defiantly the typical dumb blonde. She forever flirted with the boy's that went to the parties their house. She forever done what her parents asked of her and tried to be the best she could to please them. Bo hated animals and she also hated the country. 'Only peasants go there.' She would always say. Jessie on the other hand did not live to please her parents all though most the time she just went along with what they wanted to escape being in trouble. She loved animals, especially her horse Angel. She also loved the countryside; the never ending beauty fascinated her. Each night she would look out her window at the view of the West where she so badly to live, but both her mother and father wouldn't allow her to go, not because they were afraid of her safety but because they disallowed it completely.

Bo let go of her sister and went to the dressing table to sort out her hair. "Bo you have looked in that mirror so many times now." Jessie said to her older sister as she walked over to the open window.
"I need to make sure my hair is perfect Jessie, when you find someone you'll know what I mean." Bo said messing around with her hair.
Jessie rolled her eyes and leant against the window pane closing her eyes and inhaling the fresh air. The air filled her lungs with joy and hope that one day, just one day she might just get to where she desired to be. She slowly opened her eyes to reveal a view so beautiful it felt like her heart would melt. Of course she had seen the view so many times she had lost count, but each time she looked it seemed to get better and better. The great mountains of the West stood high and tall surrounded by great canyons from so many years ago. Winding paths went in all different directions, who knows where they would lead. The grass swayed freely as the wind brushed against each blade so delicately. The sun shone down making everywhere glow causing a smile to cut across Jessie's face. The birds swiftly flew here and there hurrying around and enjoying themselves. "Oh how I wish I could be as free as you birds..." Jessie said with a sigh before looking down at the floor and frowning.

"Here's your dress Jessie, you need to look your best for your future in-laws."
"My one in-law, Buzz and his daughter." Jessie said as she turned around to see her mother holding a pink dress with elbow length sleeves that had netting fabric around the bottom. Down the centre a black triangle slit sat with a small floral design upon it. The dress was very large at the bottom, almost tipi like. It had frills around it making it a heck of a lot bigger than it needed to be. Jessie looked at the dress then at her mother. "You really expect me to wear that?" Jessie asked scrunching her face a little.
"Yes. You need to look your best and you won't look your best in those other dresses you usually wear." Betty said to her holding out the dress for her to take.
Jessie went over to the mirror where Bo was and held it against herself to see what she would look like.
"Oh Jessie you're going to look beautiful." Bo smiled admiring the outfit and taking a piece of the fabric in her hand.
"I'm going to look like a travelling circus!" Jessie snapped at Bo. "I don't see why I have to dress to impress, it's not like I'm marrying Buzz am I?" she said throwing the dress on the floor. Jessie had a habit of speaking her mind which her mother and father didn't like one bit, after all she was taught how to be a lady.
"Young lady you are wearing this dress if you like it or not! I do not care who is marrying him, you're wearing this dress and that's that!" Betty picked up the dress and grabbed her daughters arm standing Jessie in front of her. She then forced the dress onto Jessie then turned her around to do it up. Bo sat in silence as it was the best thing to do when her mother was angry. Jessie frowned as the dress grew tighter and tighter around her waist causing some of her air supply to be cut off.

There was a loud thud on the door. "Girls come on, it's time to go." A gruff voice said from outside. "We are coming in just a minute Bart; we would have been out by now if your youngest daughter knew what respect was." Betty said to her husband outside the door.
Jessie again rolled her eyes.
"Jessie I'll be having a word with you when you go to fetch that useless horse of yours.'"The voice replied causing Jessie to feel angered inside.
"Yes father but she isn't a useless horse! She is one of the most loyal creatures ever!" Jessie said crossing her arms.
"Do not back chat me young lady!" Her father said.
"'I'll do what I like." She mumbled to herself as her mother let go of her and made her way to the door. She turned the handle revealing a tall man with a fat round stomach. He had a pencil moustache sitting above his lips. His nose was rather big compare to his other facial features. His hair was also brown like Betty's but a much darker shade. He was wearing a black suit with a white top underneath. Jessie looked up to the man's eyes. They were a very dark shade of brown, the man himself didn't intimidate Jessie but the look in his eyes did. His eyes were full of anger at his youngest daughter which caused her to look down. Nobody could ever look her father in the eyes when he was angry. "Come with me," He doing a finger gesture to Jessie for her to follow "we will have a little chat while you go and get that horse."
Jessie frowned inside and tried not to show her fear to her father. He seemed to thrive off the fear of others, it seemed to be the source of power that kept him alive. Jessie put a bag inside her suitcase before doing it up. 'I hope nobody looks inside the bag.' She thought to herself. She then made her way over to her father almost cowering beneath him, refusing to make eye contact. They left the room in silence.
"Oh why can't she be more like you Bo?" Jessie heard her mother say to Bo as she walked down the corridor. She inwardly sighed to herself. Her parents had always preferred Bo. Maybe due to the fact Bo was prettier, or just because Bart had wanted a son for his second child and instead he got another girl. That wasn't really a good excuse to dislike her so much though.

Jessie and Bart walked round the house in silence. Bart was never one to mess with, it was always best to stay on his good side. Jessie knew he'd killed people and stolen goods before her and Bo were born, that's why the family was so rich but Bart never told them what he done and neither Bo nor Jessie dared to ask.
They made their way down some stairs to be faced by some over sized doors. Bart pulled one open and held his arm out gesturing Jessie to go out, she did as he wanted her to do.
"Jessie. Jessie, Jessie, Jessie," Bart began "What are we going to do with you?" He stated as they made their way round to the stables.
Jessie still looked down refusing to make eye contact with her father.
"I don't like the way you back chat your sister or your mother. But I certainly do not like the way you backchat me, it's not at all lady like of you." He said in a calm tone before looking down at his daughter. He noticed she wasn't looking at him; her eyes were being covered by her hair. Bart soon felt enraged, nobody ignored him. "Look at me when I am talking to you young lady!" He grabbed her arm forcing her to come closer to him.
She winced as his gripped tightened around her arm. She lifted her head up to look into his eyes. His eyes were threatening as if he would hit her if she disobeyed. Jessie occasionally disobeyed her mother but hardly ever disobeyed her father. The biggest fear in her life was her dad.
"I don't care if you are seventeen years old and nearly eighteen, until you are married you will do as I say and once you have moved out you will obey your husband. Do I make myself clear?." He hissed at her causing her heart to beat rapidly against her chest. "No more back chatting. You got that?" he said with a snarl.
Jessie couldn't speak only nod, the fear in her eyes was clearly visible to her dad.
He smiled at her slyly before kissing her on her forehead. "Good girl, now go get your horse and I'll get her tied up to the carriage." He said letting go of her arm and pushing her forward. She stumbled a bit before quickly walking away from her father refusing to look back. He smiled to himself before turning around to wait by the carriage for his wife and two daughters.

Jessie scurried towards the stables to fetch her mare, the only thing she could really call her friend. Thoughts were rushing through her mind due to her father's actions towards her. Ever since a child Jessie had feared Bart. Most little girls have a fear of spiders or flying insects, but not her. Ever since poor Jessie could remember she had always feared Bart, not one day passed where she didn't fear him.
She reached the stables; the smell of fresh hey brushed up her nose. Brown stable doors stood in front of her and she hurriedly opened them. Inside was a water barrel and hay scattered everywhere. At the back a window was open to let fresh air into the stables and next to it a grand white horse stood. The mare had a long brown tail that swished elegantly to the sides. Her main was also long and had curls that lined the sides of her face. Her body was pure white with a few grey freckles of different sizes upon the top of her hind legs. The legs on the mare made her stand tall and broad showing elegance and beauty. At the bottom of the long legs she had beautiful grey hooves that shined as the sunlight hit them. The face of the mare was white like her body with a grey nose. Her eyes were a dark chocolate colour showing kindness within. Her long lashes made parts of her mane flicker as she blinked.

The mare saw Jessie come in and instantly neighed in delight running over to her. Her excitement faded though when she saw the worried expression upon her owners face. The mare's eyes grew concerned and she let out a small neigh as if to ask 'what's the matter' before nudging Jessie on the arm.
"Oh just father being father." Jessie sighed before wrapping her arms around the horse. "Oh Angel, you're the only one who understands me, you're my best friend." Jessie sighed tightening her grip around Angel and closing her eyes to try and fight back the tears.
A single lonely tear rolled down her rosy cheek staining it a little. Angel noticed this and rubbed her face against Jessie's to wipe the tear away. Jessie gave her a small smile "You always know how to cheer me up." Another sigh escaped her mouth. "We need to go now; father wants you to pull our carriage."
Jessie let go of Angel and fetched some rope before tying it around her neck to lead her out. Angel gave a grunt in disgust at the mention of Jessie's father which made Jessie giggle a little. "I hate him as much as you do girl." Jessie sighed once again while shutting the stable gate.

Jessie and Angel walked back over to the carriage. It was a dull shade of gold with big black wheels holding it up. The luggage containing clothes for the family sat upon it in a tidy heap. Bart was waiting outside. Angel's eyes narrowed as she saw the man holding a saddle and reins. How the horse detested that man, if it wasn't for Jessie she would not have even seen the first hour of her horse life.
"Ah thank you Jessie, go join you mother and sister in the carriage." Bart smiled to Jessie holding the door open.
"Yes." Jessie said taking a step into the carriage.
"Yes what?" Bart smirked evilly grabbing her forearm lightly causing Jessie to look at him.
"Yes father!" She spat releasing her arm from his grasp before slumping down next to Bo. She received a cold glare from her mother which she ignored.

Bart grabbed the rope situated around Angel's neck yanking her to the front of the carriage causing her to grunt at him. He ignored her and placed the brown saddle on her back before tying it up. Angel purely ignored Bart. Once tied he attached the two wooden poles to her sides to help her pull the carriage. Bart bent down to pick up the reins and walked to the front of her. Angel gave him a cold glare, just like Jessie she could sense the coldness in his eyes.
"Now my dear horse, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is probably the best unless you want your dear sweet owner to get in trouble once again." He hissed. The horse showed no fear towards him and simply lowered her head for him to put the reins on her face. The mention of Jessie getting into trouble made her not want to cause a big fuss. Bart held a straight face as he tied up the reins.
"Hamm!" Bart shouted causing Angel to flinch a little.
A small plump man with brown eyes and blonde hear wearing a black suit and black bowler hat came trotting over almost out of breath. "Yes...sir?" He asked while trying to catch his breath.
Bart handed him the reins and then a whip.
Hamm looked down at the whip as did Angel. "Why do I need this?" Hamm whimpered a little knowing the answer, how he hated hurting animals.
"Why to whip the beast if she steps one foot out of line. Use it, it's the only way to train her, is there a problem with that?" Bart said looking down at the man.
"N-no sir." He stuttered before climbing up onto the seat at the front of the carriage.
Bart sneered to himself as he stepped inside the carriage. He slammed the door behind him and took the seat next to his wife.

"Bo be a dear and draw those curtains next to you." He smiled to his oldest daughter.
"Yes Father." She replied returning the smile before closing the curtains. The curtains were a dark shade of purple and neatly sat upon the rails.
Jessie sat in silence waiting for her father to give orders to go.
"Men be sure to keep us safe, going through these awful towns can be hassle, we never know who could be around."
Jessie looked out the window to see two men on the left side of the carriage upon black horses. They wore blue jackets and white trousers with boots that touched their knees. 'That explains why the stables were empty. But why?' Jessie thought to herself.
"Yes sir." Four voices came; two other men were obviously on the right side of the carriage.
"Okay men, now go." Bart ordered closing the curtains next to him and Jessie. The carriage started to move jolting from side to side.
Jessie couldn't help but ask her father what the four men were doing outside. "Father, what are those four men on horses doing outside?" Jessie asked looking at her father with curious eyes.
"To guard us." He replied simply.
"To guard us? From what?" She asked becoming even more intrigued.
"From the town folk in the old West. Such a horrible place." He said with a hint of viper.
Jessie felt a sudden wave of excitement flow through her "We are going through the West?!"