Chapter 5

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The next morning, Ami awoke from a long sleep, snuggled under layers of clothing that managed to keep her relatively warm. The nights were getting colder, and even with fires going in the hearth, it still got chilly since there was nothing yet to keep the wind out of the house. She rubbed her eyes and yawned sleepily, and then heard a shuffling noise outside. Slowly she rose, still wearing the same clothes as before, and headed out. Her captor was there, moving a huge deer carcass to a pile...and Ami's jaw dropped. There were four of them, huge bucks with giant antlers.

He noticed her staring, and inclined his head towards them. Deer. As you say. Enough?

Ami kept staring in disbelief.

He came a bit closer. You say prepare them for me. So do it. I will not help. This your idea.

Thank you...this is...this is more than enough for now. Though I don't know how I'm going to keep all the meat from spoiling. I don't have any salt.

He snorted with a grimace. Salt? Meat no good too salty.

Not for you, I mean my share. I can cook some of it, yes, but I'd have to dry and preserve the rest, like the Indians would do. They would salt it and then dry it in the sun...I think.

He seemed bored with the conversation and shrugged. Do what you wish. No matter. With that he left again, leaving Ami frustrated because she was hardly done speaking to him. He always did that, and it got on her nerves. For a moment she stood there, staring at the deer, and contemplating what to do. Resigning herself she went to the first deer and started the long, slow process of trying to butcher it with her camping knife. But at least she had a knife. She thought of those victims from that camp, who must have been terrified out of their minds when one minute they were sleeping in their tents, and in the next moment...he was there, tearing them away from their beds and ending their lives.

The constant stream of negative thoughts had to be stopped if she wanted to keep her mind sound. Ami shook her head as if she could clear them away in this manner, and let herself get more absorbed in her work.

/

Many hours later, Ami had managed to gut all four of the deer, piling the organs onto one of the skins and putting it aside for Goliathus. She then labored to make strips of venison that she put in the sun for drying. Using some more of her twine she had made a makeshift laundry line, which would certainly be useful for drying clothes she washed in the river, but for now would be used to make the jerky. Well, she hoped it would be as good as jerky, anyway. But she didn't have any salt. She was in dire need of supplies, and although she dreaded the idea, she would have to ask him to go and get some. It wasn't that she minded asking him, it was the thought of what family he might take it from...and for certain, that family would also end up killed.

The next day she asked him for the salt and more groceries. He seemed irritated at the request, despite having told her she only needed to "ask" in the past. Before she went to bed that night though, she had her supplies, roughly shoved into her hands as he ducked into the doorway of the house out of nowhere, starling her, and then left just as abruptly. The meat strips got salted, and after that she spent some time sitting outside her house on the log, watching him in the moonlight. He seemed to ignore the pile of animal organs for quite some time, busily going about his business, which surprisingly included helping her to clear some large fallen branches, large rocks, and other stuff from around the house. Finally, at probably around the twentieth time he was going to pass by it, he stopped, kneeling to give it a good olfactory assault. He huffed, as if the whole act was a great indignation, but decided to eat it anyway. It was amazing how fast he did so. It was gone in minutes.

Ami smiled to herself. It was a start. He seemed to calm down somewhat already, and decided to perch himself upon one of the larger boulder formations (that he didn't try to move) and work on scratching details into one of his new knives. He was literally using a sharp claw to draw crude figures into the surface, which was partly made of that dental amalgam. She wondered if her own was mixed into that one. The thought creeped her out.

A couple of more hours went by, and the night was becoming more chilly. Ami wrapped her own fuzzy robe more tightly around her (she was quite proud of herself for managing to salvage it), now dingy with ground in dirt and torn in several places from his first rough treatment of the fabric. It was getting quite late and she was tired, but she didn't want to go to sleep just yet. She wanted to talk to Goliathus, now, while he was sated for the time being, and busying himself with his weapons. It was a rare time for him to be more compliant, she had learned that quickly. Slowly and trying to keep her footsteps light as possible, she approached the rock he was crouching on. Instantly, he snapped around, eyes locking onto her as if she were a target. Geez. This heradus didn't miss a single, damned beat. Before she could even sit her butt warily next to him, her head tingled.

Go sleep.

She sighed. I wanted to spend some time with you.

I'm busy.

No, you're not really. Just doing your art stuff. And don't try to use hunger as an excuse to leave. She was pouting, but not even realizing it.

His eyes narrowed. Great, so maybe he wasn't in a good mood.

What's the matter?

You're irritating. That is the matter.

Look, I know you don't exactly think much of me. But you did say you didn't hate me, remember? Because I didn't hate you. Now though...you seem more grumpy than usual. I was just wondering if you wanted to talk about it.

It sounded silly even to herself, but Ami was hoping to probe for some amount of bonding. She had to chuckle in disbelief at herself. The only bonding he knew was to copulate with her on a moment's whim.

Still, somebody had to give her points for trying.

He grinned, clearly amused. Want more attention again, do you?

Look, is that all you ever think about? She clucked her tongue.

I think more about food. About the next hunt. He was still grinning, his razor-sharp teeth glistening in the faint light of the moon. But mating is always fun.

This is not why I want your attention. I want to know more about you. She braced herself, and tried to show some affection, like a lesson of sorts, and leaned against his solid, muscular form. Of course, what exactly Goliathus understood and he didn't were still a mystery. He also seemed to talk better at random times, which made her wonder if he wasn't...acting, in some odd way, perhaps making yet another game out of all these pretended limitations.

She felt him jerk in immediate response, and his clawed hands came around her middle. He tugged her closer to him and was smelling her again, almost feverishly.

Oh god. This just isn't working.

In a very fast move she was on the ground, and his tongue was all over her body in any exposed area he could find. In some bizarre way it was a very intoxicating experience...to know that someone desired you in such a primal, lusty way. But it was be nice, for once, to know that her own consent mattered. He certainly didn't care whether she was in the mood or not. Ami tried to push him away, but as usual it only seemed to excite him more. Heaving a great sigh she gave up and lie still. He pushed her so that she rolled over onto her stomach, then lifted her by the thighs up towards his crotch. She felt the tickly, wiry hairs for a few seconds and then he promptly thrust himself inside her, slapping against her in his quickening eagerness.

Great, doggy style. I really am his bitch.

They went on like this for a while, and Ami was more than aware of the hot semen flooding her not once, twice, but three times. At last he seemed to have enough, and unceremoniously dumped her back onto the ground, since she had literally been half-hanging in the air by the time he was done.

Panting, she tried to get her bearings and get back on her feet. She heard a dry chuckling followed by a snort.

Did you enjoy that, mouse?

She stared at him, trying to look unimpressed, although her body seriously betrayed her ruse. The wonderful sensations still tingled in her midsection from the at least four orgasms of her own. It had taken nearly biting her own arm hard enough to draw blood to surpress her moans. You don't listen well, do you? I said that's not why I wanted your attention.

Admit it.

Ami raised a brow at him. His behavior was getting more interesting by the day.

Ok fine, yes, that was pleasant enough. Although women don't like being forced...raped. You should know that. She folded her arms to try and emphasize her point, but it wasn't very convincing since her hair was all mussed, her robe dirtier than ever, and the result of their union was literally dripping down the inside of her thighs.

He laughed. Perhaps not. But this was not rape. You are a breeder, and you desire me. It is not "that way", little human. It is you. He laughed again, almost as if he was mocking her, but it was hard to tell.

His words made her go rigid. Apparently, that thought from a while back had not been private. He had picked up on it. How much did he know? It made her blush with indignation, a sense of embarrassment and resentment coursing through her.

But you are right. I don't hate you. Humans who lose fear, however, become pests. Irritating.

Do you want me to stay afraid of you, then? She frowned, backing away slightly, hoping for a good answer.

Not really. Doesn't matter now. You are not food. You are mother. Then suddenly, he growled savagely and took a few, deliberate strides towards her until he was very close. Ami gave a yelp despite herself and backed up against a tree, shivering from the sudden wave of fear that gripped her very soul. Damn it. If she wasn't so fascinated by him...if she were any normal human, she would have already hated him with a passion from the very beginning for treating her this way.

However...do not forget to respect me, mouse. I will remind you very quickly, of why you are here, and still alive, if you forget. Understand?

She nodded quickly, tightening her lips, and he instantly grinned again.

Good.

/

This was the way they existed with each other for many weeks. Autumn came

into its full season as the leaves changed to a striking blend of reds and oranges. Every couple of days he brought more deer, and she got into a rather tedious ritual of making the jerky (which turned out halfway decent) and piling the organs for him. Each time he ate them, but the enthusiasm for it was still not there. It didn't stop him from going out to hunt more humans, but it did continue to make him calmer, so it was something of a success, in her mind. Her belly was getting rounder, and it was becomingly increasingly difficult to do her work, as she tired out quicker, had to pee more frequently which was especially annoying, or felt little flutters and kicks all throughout the night that kept her awake.

She tried not to think about the baby in any real sense. There was too much of an unknown there and it made her uneasy.

One late but unusually mild Fall day she was going about the business of gutting her deer when finally she was getting too tired and needed a break. She was covered in blood and guts, and felt utterly disgusting, so she stuck her knife into a tree trunk that she had been using like a table and headed to the creek only a couple of yards off. It was very nice to have a source of running, fresh mountain water so close, but it was absolutely freezing cold. Ami shivered just from touching one toe to the icy surface. Cold...but at least she could get clean. The canvas bag had a small travel-sized bar of soap from the blessed camping supplies (that was well used by now), and she had what small sliver remained clutched in one hand as she yelped, trying to force herself to step into the frigid waters. Shivering she removed her sparse clothing, walking back briefly to put it next to the trunk, and then worked up a lather as quickly as she could, trying to get clean fast.

In the hills above some several yards away, a man with a hunting rifle was watching, keeping himself hidden behind a tree. He looked like a trucker, with a grungy red hat, disheveled hair, and hands covered with oil and grime. He was smacking on a piece of gum noisily and scratching his unshaven chin while chuckling over his shoulder to another man behind him. His companion, slender and gawky looking, sniggered back.

"What ya think she's doin' out here?" he drawled with a strong Southern accent.

"Don't know, but those are some mighty fine tits." He chuckled. "Damned crazy though, ta be washin' up in the crik."

"Sure is...just might be some whackos up here in these parts." He snickered, and his friend joined him again. The two bent close and whispered, nodding something, and then slowly made their way down the hill...towards her.

/

Ami managed to get a good lather going in her hair and awkwardly leaned over to try and wash it out with handfuls of cold water. She was so freezing her feet had gone numb, but she was nearly done and tried not to let it bother her. Finally, satisfied she was reasonably clean enough, she stood back up, only to come face to face with a man holding a gun on the other side of the creek. He gave her a big, wide grin, and instinctively she tried to cover herself with her arms, taking a few steps back. Her clothes were back at the house, and she looked over her shoulder with a forlorn glance. Fear hadn't set in yet, she was too shocked to even see a person there.

" Well howdy, little lady. Whatcha doin' all the way out here at Bells Rock, eh?"

Bells Rock?

She said nothing, only kept staring. He chuckled and lecherously looked her up and down. Ami felt a surge of disgust course through her very soul. This man was very bad news indeed, she knew it right away. When she saw the other man approaching behind him, the fear started to sink in. They were not here for friendly, Southern hospitality.

"Cat got yer tongue? Listen, you livin' in that old pile of rubble or somethin'? A vagrant? Homeless?" He was still grinning and chewing his gum with obnoxious smacking noises. His friend came near, leering, making no effort to avert his eyes from her breasts. When he did finally look away, his eyes widened as he gazed past her.

"Hey check it out, Ruddy. She's got some huge deer over there!" The green eyes followed the pointing finger, and Ruddy arched a brow as he observed the butchered carcasses. " Ho sheet...you ain't kiddin'. How'd you go and do that?" He asked, looking back at her. "Got a gun?" He seemed slightly suspicious, clenching his own gun a bit more tightly in his hands. "Ain't easy ta find deer that big around here...they hide up in them mountains, where it's hard to reach 'em."

Still saying nothing, Ami started to back up, heading for the house and trying to keep her eyes on them. The one nodded to the other, and they approached, sniggering and curling a finger at her. "C'mon darlin, we don't bite. Howabout we help ya get dressed, than ya can take a ride in our truck, eh? My buddy and I here come out this far to go huntin', sometimes for days. It gets kinda lonely, ya know...and well, then we come to this new spot, seein' some weird house we ain't ever seen before..and there you are! A pretty little thang...all wet, shiverin'...and naked." Ruddy was staring at her with a predatory gaze of a whole different fashion. "I could warm ya up, if ya'd like."

She turned suddenly and bolted, trying to get back to the house, and just barely managed to grab her clothes before she felt a hand grab her. It was Ruddy's friend, and he pulled her up close to him, his rank breath filling her nostrils. "Honey it's all right now. We ain't gonna hurt ya."

"Naw...George here is right, we wouldn't wanna do that. We's just visitin'. The truck's over yonder, why don't you come hang with us a while?" Ami pulled back and struggled as Ruddy grabbed her other arm. She kicked out at him, but surprisingly he expertly blocked and wagged a finger at her. "Now now. Let's not ferget our manners, young lady."

The two dragged her, yelling and kicking, to their truck that was indeed just over the hill. They were way off the road, and the green flatbed had plenty of evidence that they were indeed hunters, including some rabbit hides carefully tied together, and a small deer carcass of a young buck.

There were also ropes amongst their supplies, and they used these to tie her hands together. Ruddy lifted her and lied her down onto the flatbed on her back, and then tied her bound hands to one of the heavy tool boxes.

"Mmmm. Now you just stay quiet now, honey." Ami hated the way he said "honey". She hated his drawl, she hated his face. Thinking she should spit on that face, she gathered up some saliva only to have a dirty rag shoved in her mouth, gagging her.

Ruddy was an animal, he quickly unzipped his fly, reaching into his pants and pulling out his already erect member. He sneered at her as if he'd say something but instead pulled himself up onto the flatbed and on top of her. George was still grinning, turning away half-heartedly, and awaiting his wretched turn.

Ami shut her eyes tight and winced as she felt him thrust himself inside of her. It was an odd thing...she had been raped by the Creeper, but she never felt disgusted. Ruddy, however, made her want to vomit at being violently intruded by so vile a human being. He kept grunting like a pig while his movements caused the truck to bounce back and forth. Ami struggled some, but it was useless since her hands were bound and now George held her feet down as well. These two...where had these scum come from, anyhow? This was supposed to be some remote, hidden place.

Oh, Goliathus. Where are you? She chocked back a sob.

She had not expected an answer, but there it was, sudden and alarmed.

Mouse?

Goliathus? Where are you?

Up mountain a few miles, found human cabin. No humans though. He sounded disappointed, but that urgent feeling came back again. He knew something was wrong. What the matter?

I'm being raped!

What? She could hear the snarl in her mind, it was painful, like a headache. No men there! Should be no men!

There are...two hunters. They have me on their truck and they're raping me! Please...help me... She begged, her voice panicked.

Ami felt something akin to a horrible, drowning fire overwhelming her, filled with nothing but utter malice. She knew he was coming now, fast and furious.

And also she knew these men would die a horrible, lingering death at his claws, but this time, she was only too glad to know it.

Ruddy suddenly grunted loudly, spilling his hot seed inside her and pulled out quickly. Still panting he motioned to George who wasted no time in getting his own pants down. As George clumsily hovered over her and positioned himself, he suddenly paused, looking behind him. Ruddy had gone deathly still...and so had the forest. There were no birds chirping, no rustling of the wind. He followed Ruddy's gaze, and his eyes widened like saucers. Quickly he scrambled off the truck trying to pull his jeans back up while fumbling with the zipper and stood by his friend's side, whose face was awash with raw fear.

"What...the fuck...is..?"

Standing across the creek below, they saw something standing there, looking right in their direction. A tattered duster hung like an ominous cloak about its tall form and they could hear the growl even from where they stood.

"Where da hell did he come from?" George whispered, and managed to grab his gun from the back of the truck, but he moved slowly.

"I don't know, but that ain't the worst of it." Ruddy's voice was forced, and he wouldn't even blink. "Look..." he said, although he didn't point. "It's got wings."

"What?" George blinked, as if tryin' to clear his vision. "What da hell you talkin', wings? No man has got..."

He went quiet, as the figure started moving towards them with long, powerful strides. The men reacted like panicked rabbits. George simply turned and bolted, heading for the driver's side door. Ruddy aimed and fired his gun, but it seemed to have no effect even as it blasted a chunk out of the monster's chest. Cursing to himself he dropped the gun, staggered back a bit, and tried to get into the passenger seat. George managed to get the truck started, but he only got three feet when something landed with a heavy thud onto the hood. He screamed as he found himself looking into the eyes of a monstrous face and claws from taloned feet sinking into the metal. He pressed on the accelerator as hard as it would go, all the while Ruddy cursing and trying to aim his gun out the window to strike the attacker. The truck lurched forward and haphazardly went to the right and left, narrowly missing trees and boulders. Goliathus hung fast, snarling in utter rage, and knew he had to get the truck stopped. If the men crashed, they might injure or kill his precious breeder.

He clung to the truck easily with his claws and maneuvered to the back, where he found Ami still tied and moaning in fear. Her face was streaked with tears and blood, and there was a gash in her side from where some sharp object had obviously slammed into her. Quickly the heradus cut the ropes with a claw and balanced himself carefully while the truck sped on. He gathered Ami tightly in his arms and leapt into the air. He went back to the house and gently laid her onto her pile of clothes and then went back after the truck.

Thank you...thank you...I...you saved my life...you...

Ami was breathing heavy and half conscious from her wounds. She was not quite coherent, but she heard him roaring into her mind.

Cursed men! Touch what is mine? Mate with my breeder? They will DIE. Take them to new House of Pain! TORTURE THEM!

The words coursed a shudder through Ami but she was so exhausted that minutes later, looking like a wreck and still bleeding, she passed out into unconsciousness.

/

End Chapter 5