Chapter 38
Suddenly two men came into the tent.
The first one was carrying a small tray with some food on it. He put the food, a bottle of water and a rechargeable lantern on the little camping table. Meanwhile his comrade helped Beth up from the floor and pushed her on the chair near the table. He freed her hands so that she could eat, but her legs were still tied. Both men stared at Beth curiously while she ate. She didn't like their looks, not at all. She could sense that they hadn't been this close to a woman for a very long time.
"You sure are cute, pumpkin", the first man whispered to her, narrowing his eyes.
"I still remember the night of the tournament… how you looked like on that stage", he continued with a nasty smile.
"Hold your horses, moron", the second man noted sharply.
"C wants to question her himself, alone. We are not allowed to touch her yet. Usually the Consultant is not interested in these bitches, but this one is different somehow", he continued thoughtfully.
"I see… well, some day it's my turn. Some day soon", the first one said and grinned at Beth so that she could see his missing teeth.
Beth felt sick. She couldn't eat anymore, so she just pushed the food away.
"Honey, you should eat. Trust me, you'll need all your strength soon enough", the second man noted, and his comrade started to laugh salaciously.
The first one took the tray away and the another one tied Beth tightly on the chair. They left, still laughing a bit, and left the lantern on the table.
Beth was left alone for two hours.
She listened sounds from outside and tried to loosen the ties, but it was in vain. The lantern on the table was the only source of light in the tent.
Beth couldn't do anything but to think now. At first she had been so numb that she hadn't been able to fully comprehend Carol's words at the gate.
But now those words were all she could think about. Beth was forced to leave her family behind. As if it hadn't been enough, she knew now that the man she loved was sleeping with someone else. And that Daryl had been doing so for years behind her back. How could he? After all they had been through together?
Maybe - just maybe - Carol lied to me, Beth tried to tell to herself.
But she had to face an ugly truth. Carol knew about the birthmark - the one Daryl had on quite intimate part of his body. How was that possible?
The only explanation is that those two have - or at least had - an intimate relationship, Beth concluded with tears in her eyes. She also had to admit herself something - me and Daryl never promised anything to each other. I was just so happy to be with him that I never even thought about it. I was faithful to him from the beginning and I just assumed somehow that he felt the same. But he never said it, not really, Beth realized bitterly.
In her mind she could see Daryl and Carol together now. Kissing. Laughing together. Touching each other gently. Entwined in bed. Oh Jesus, mere thought was painful.
And still I don't regret sacrificing myself for him and the others, Beth realized. I just love him so much, regardless what he did or what he does.
She started to cry again.
It was at that moment when the Consultant entered the tent. He looked as tidy as ever and also very pleased with himself.
"Oh, dear Beth, why are you crying? It doesn't suit you, not at all", he whispered softly.
Beth tried to restrain herself at once.
"Well, that's better", the Consultant noted merrily and dried her cheeks thoroughly with a large linen handkerchief.
His touch was very difficult to tolerate, Beth realized numbly. She tried to keep her face impassive, but the Consultant was able to read her like an open book.
"Oh, my dearest Beth, I can see that you haven't forgot our last meeting. Neither have I. Do you know what I did afterwards? No? Well, of course you don't. I sniffed and licked my fingers. I could taste you for hours", he explained merrily.
"You are a very sick man", Beth replied quietly.
"Maybe so, but you know what they say? The sick shall inherit the earth", the Consultant declared pompously.
"Who says that?" Beth wanted to know.
"Not important, dearest", the Consultant said and winked at her. Then he took a step closer and opened Beth's blouse. She was startled, but she couldn't do anything because she was tied to the chair so tightly.
The Consultant took a step back and looked at her with disgust.
"Oh Dear Lord! Is that really… milk? You look like a cow now. And you were such a sweet girl not so long ago", he snapped.
Beth looked the other way. She tried to imagine herself far away from here. Unfortunately she couldn't close her ears. The Consultant buttoned her shirt again, still talking to her. He was getting angry now.
"You had a bun in the oven the last time I saw you. I guess you gave birth to that child. It was his, wasn't it? That redneck was the father of your child, right?" the Consultant shouted. Suddenly he was furious.
Beth remained silent. Suddenly the Consultant slapped her in the face. Beth almost fell backward with her chair. She didn't say anything, but she bit her lip. She could taste her own blood.
"You tricked me! You lied to me, both of you - you and that boyfriend of yours. It is inexcusable", the Consultant hissed. Then he started to walk back and forth in front of Beth, glancing at her angrily.
Finally he calmed down and even smiled a bit.
"But it doesn't really matter, not anymore. I own you now. And the question is - how to punish you?" he said thoughtfully.
"I could give you to my men straightaway. I guess it could be fun… to watch them play with you I mean. But on the other hand… I think I have something better in mind. Actually I have a little surprise for you!" the Consultant exclaimed with a smile.
Beth didn't like this, not at all.
It was at that moment when a man stepped into the tent carrying a large, oblong cardboard box. He put it on the table and nodded at the Consultant. They both smiled.
"You can untie her now", the Consultant said to the man. He stepped to Beth and did as he was commanded. Then he helped Beth up from the chair quite rudely.
"You can look in the box now, dear", the Consultant said softly.
Beth was so numb at first that it was hard to walk. She managed to step a bit closer nonetheless. She didn't want to do it, not really, but finally she looked into the box. She couldn't believe her eyes.
The Consultant started to laugh.
Beth started to scream.