Meddlesome Ways
As the darkness of night gave way to the silvered light of dawn, the rain that the clouds had foretold of earlier in the evening began. It was light at first; a few drops smattering onto my forehead, and then my nose. Within moments however, the slight drizzle had become a torrential downpour. The droplets stung my eyes and drenched my skirts. My stocking clad foot became caked with the reddened clay, and I found myself struggling to walk, much less keep pace with my captor. And then, just as quickly as it had begun, it ceased. A silence descended upon the forest, and I found myself startled by the sound of our breathing.
The stranger turned to face me once more, and a shiver ran up my spine as his annoyed gaze became a leer. His eyes came to rest upon my heaving chest. Glancing down, I found my linen slip and corset were both clearly visible under my soaked shirt. I bit my lip and lowered my head, attempting to hide the blush that quickly consumed my face and neck.
"Let's go gurl. We're gettin' close." His words had lost some of their previous harshness, but the anger still lingered. We walked for an hour or so, before halting in front of a weather-worn, dilapidated cabin. The windows were nothing more than yellowed wax paper tacked over a wooden frame. The tin roof sagged, and it looked as if one wall had collapsed inward. It appeared to be abandoned, and I could understand why. It didn't look safe to touch, much less live in.
"Come'." I was shoved forward, through the open doorway, and into the room. Though the light was dim, I could faintly distinguish the outline of a hearth, and a few wooden chairs. It was into one of the chairs I was pushed.
For the first time in hours, I was freed of my restraints. He removed the tie on my wrists, and then the gag from my mouth. I gasped in air, breathing deeply.
"Who are you?" I rasped. His reply was a swift slap across the face.
"Did I tell ya ta talk?" He quickly strode from the room and disappeared around the side of the cabin. Moments later he returned with a length of rope slung over one arm and his cocked rifle over the other.
"Now listen' here. I'll tell ya what ya need ta know, and your gonna give me what I want in return." I nodded, and fear once again coiled in my stomach. I knew that whatever he desired would most likely involve some form of violence towards me.
"Ya' know." He said, drawing out his words. "I never took a likin' ta yar fella when he came back as a docta. Always thought he shoulda left folks lone', and minded his own business. Then you came'long and started meddlin' too. Never been able ta stand meddlin'. No real man needs anyone's help tendin' ta his kin. And it seems to me that ya been doin' too much for ya own good."
"I don't understand. I haven't done anything wrong. Any meddling as you call it, was done with the best of intentions. It's my Christian duty to help my neighbors in times of hardship." I felt my temper flare as once again my actions were being taken the wrong way. Why was I always having to defend myself to these people?
"Now that ya mention it, never been able ta stand any of ya god-fearin people either. Swannie told me how ya got Mountie to talk, and took Becky ta Doc' MacNeil's when she couldn't see." He chuckled at some secret joke, and then scowled. "She paid for what she done too." His face once again turned dark, as he took a few steps closer to where I sat. "And now, you's gonna pay too." My hands were bound once more, this time behind the chair. Instead of the kerchief from earlier, he bound them with rope. They were jerked tighter, until I winced from the pain. I tilted my head upward, and spoke softly.
"You must be Mr. O'Teale."
"I am. You're a feisty one to ain't ya? Got all fensive' when I started talkin bout ya meddlin. I always liked fire in a gal." He quipped as he roughly grabbed my neck with one hand and the back of my head with the other. The next instant, his lips were on mine, pressing fiercely, and his tongue snaking out to trace my lower lip. I struggled against him, kicking him once in the shin, and then in the knee. He broke away briefly, and slid his hands lower so that they were resting on my waist.
"Ya know, ya really are too pretty ta be a teacha'. Woulda made a better harlot, been makin' more money if ya had too." I felt tears prick my eyes as he once again crashed his lips to mine. I shifted my knee as he leaned in towards me. The moment my leg made contact with his, I struck him dead center. He howled in pain and stumbled backwards. I hastily attempted to free myself from my confines, but the action only serve to bloody my wrists more.
"Ya gonna pay for that gurl. Tried ta do it my way, but ya wanna fight? Wal we'll just see how long that lasts." I watched in horror as he picked up his jug of moonshine and began to scatter its contents about the cabin. With a curse, the jug was hurled across the room, where it shattered against the wall behind me. He ran from the cabin, pausing in the doorway to light a match; holding it aloft between his thumb and forefinger for a moment, before dropping it onto the floor. With a roar, the flames leapt up, blocking his figure from view.
"Won't be meddlin' any more gal." I heard the retreat of his footsteps, and then I was alone. Smoke quickly flooded the room, choking me, and causing my eyes to tear up. The heat from the fire was unbearable, and I found myself slipping into darkness. I fought against it, knowing that if I allowed my eyes to close, I would die. It was to no avail. The fire soon surrounded me on all sides, and was inching itself towards me. It would be only moments before I was engulfed completely. Neil's face flashed briefly before my eyes, and then all went dark.
Author's Note: Christy's really got herself into a mess this time hasn't she? Once again her innocent help has been interpreted the wrong way. How is she going to escape this one? 5 Reviews= another chapter. I'll try and respond to any questions or suggestions to the best of my ability in the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who has read…and don't worry I promise she won't die…I have several more chapters planned. :D