Chapter 21
Tw- Character Death
Attempted rape
'Come on August… Please…' Maddie begged out loud, waiting for him at the gate between the two properties. August had agreed to meet her before he left for school and she had hurried to make herself look presentable and be here on time. She looked at the time on her phone again then back up the trail. Where was he?
Bubbles was blissfully unaware of the fact her life lay in the balance, the kitten curled up fast asleep in her carrier. She had practically begged August to come meet her, swearing him to tell no one about her call or their meeting. As long as her kitten was safe, that was all that mattered.
Finally she could see August coming up the trail on his bike and he came to a stop at the gate. 'What's so important you couldn't tell me over the phone Maddie?'
'I need you to look after Bubbles for me for a few days, please.'
He raised an eyebrow. 'Is that all? Dad wouldn't care-'
'No, no, you mustn't tell anyone you're looking after her, okay?'
'Why?'
'If my father gets his hands on her, she's dead. She attacked him this morning, he's furious with her. I just need to know she'll be safe until he calls down.'
'Uh, sure…'
'Please August? I wouldn't ask for your help unless I really need it.'
He thought about it for a moment then nodded. 'Alright, just for a few days. I can hide her in my room. What about her things though-'
'Already here.' She had a hessian bag tied onto the saddle with what he needed to look after her. 'Litter tray, litter, bowls, food, toys, harness and leash. All here.' Quickly she untied it from the saddle, handing it to him over the gate. 'Don't tell anyone, I mean, anyone. Okay? Promise?'
August nodded. 'Promise.'
Maddie breathed a sigh of relief. 'Thank you.'
He frowned, seeing a mark on her arm as he took the bag from her. 'What happened to your arm?'
'Hit it on a bench a couple days ago.' She lied, slipping the cat carrier off her back. 'Just make sure there's no breakables out in your room, put everything away. I wouldn't want her breaking something.'
'I'll make sure my room is safe for her.'
'Thank you.' She handed the kitten to him, August slipping the carrier onto his back. 'Please look after her well.'
'You have my word. Now I gotta go or I'm going to be late for school.'
Tears were in Maddie's eyes as she watched August ride back to the ranch, her kitten with him. Skylar nuzzled her gently, the girl running a hand down her face before mounting up.
The ride back home was a sober affair but she knew she had done the right thing. Bubbles would be safer with August then she would be staying with her… After what that little kitten had done to save her, she owed it to her to make sure she was safe.
Arriving back at home she could see her father's truck was parked out front and a shiver ran up her spine. What was he doing home so soon? Anxiety flooded over her as her mind raced off with various scenarios, none of them ending well.
With shaking hands she managed to untack the mare and turn her back into her stall, filling her haynet and water buckets before she stepped out. She wanted to run, she wanted to hide but her father's threats rang through her mind. She couldn't let anyone get hurt because of her. It was better for her to take it then to have the guilt of knowing she was why others had been hurt.
'Where have you been?'
She didn't dare look at him as she walked into the kitchen, her father seated at the table. 'Bubbles… ran away… I've been looking for her.' She lied.
'Take a seat.'
Not wanting to anger him further, she did as she was told and sank into a chair across from her.
'I owe you an apology-'
Her head shot up with bewilderment written on her expression. Her father never apologized to anyone. Ever.
'I lost my temper. I'm sorry.'
I'm sorry.
Maddie was dumbfounded.
Robert looked at her, spinning an empty mug around on the table. 'Aren't you going to say something?'
'I uh… I don't… I don't know what to say.' She replied after a moment, still in shock that he had actually apologized to her.
'I lost control, I lost my temper-' He continued. 'I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. It won't-' He took a deep breath and sighed. 'It won't happen again. Can you forgive me?'
Maddie was silent, trying to figure out where on earth this remorseful behavior was coming from.
'I-I'll leave you to think it over…' Getting up he placed the empty mug back in the sink. 'I'm going to head out, I'll see you tonight.'
What just happened? She wondered as he walked out of the kitchen. She didn't know how to take his sudden change in attitude, or the fact that he had apologized to her. It was confusing, as it always had been trying to figure him out.
She didn't know what to think.
Maddie was sitting in the living room, curled up on the couch to read a book as she heard the sound of her father's truck pulling up in the drive. It was late at night but she had stayed up, wanting to speak with him when he got home and so she had waited.
Being alone for most of the day, she had ample time to think about things and time to ponder what she should do. Her father had apologized to her, but she had never been more terrified of him in her entire life then she had been in that moment. If it hadn't been for her kitten… She placed her book down as the front door opened, her father walking into the hallway. 'Dad?'
Robert stopped at her call, looking into the living room. 'Maddie… What are you still doing up?'
'I need to talk with you.' She replied as she stood. 'I've had time to do some thinking while you were away and I'm going to be honest with you. You scared me, you really did. I know you apologized but it's not enough…'
He sank to a chair, holding his head in his hands then looked back at her. 'Maddie-'
'Let me finish.' She interrupted. 'Dad, I think you need help. You need to talk to someone about your drinking and your anger. I love you Dad, but today was the final straw for me. I can't take this anymore, not knowing how you'll be with me from one day to the next. I can't stay here any longer, not unless you go and get yourself some help. Will you go speak with someone? Please?'
'It's too late…'
'No, it's not.'
'It is.' He replied as he stood, turning away from her. 'Maddie, I did something… Something I can't undo…'
She swallowed hard. 'What is it? What is wrong?' She asked, concern in her tone as she watched her father pace back and forth across the floor.
'I didn't want to do it…' He looked back at her. 'I'm sorry.'
'Sorry? This isn't about this morning, it's something else.'
He nodded.
'What is it?' He turned away from her and she could see tears in his eyes… Never in her life had she seen her father cry. Never. Maybe it was the alcohol messing with his emotions, for the smell of whisky was strong on him or maybe it was something else but something definitely was wrong. Really wrong. 'Dad, Dad listen.' Cautiously she stepped up to him, placing her hand on his arm. He looked back down at her. 'You asked me this morning if I forgive you, and I do. It's okay. Whatever it is, we will get through this.'
'He's right… He's right… I don't deserve you…'
'Dad, it's okay.' She looked up at him. 'I believe in you, whatever it is, you can find a way through for us.'
'I lost it… I lost it all… Everything…'
She frowned, waiting for an explanation but none came. Her father wasn't making any sense at all… 'Dad?'
'Poker game…' He replied, struggling to get the words out. 'All my money, the truck, your Mama's rings and guitar-'
Mama's guitar?!
'I lost it all.'
Maddie swallowed hard, her eyes not leaving his. He had bet her mother's guitar? 'Alright… So, you're going to have to win it back.'
'No, you don't understand-'
She turned away from him, heading over to the display cabinet. Pulling out a vase, she brought it over to him and handed it to him. 'There's a thousand dollars here, my wages from working for the Walkers and for selling the garden produce. I'm giving it to you so you can win it back.'.
More tears came to his eyes as he took the vase, looking at the money inside. 'There are no second chances, I've already lost everything-' The vase slipped from his hands, shattering on the timbered floor. 'I've lost you, sweetheart.'
'No, no you haven't, I'm right here-'
'No! You don't understand!' He shouted, unable to keep it in any longer and started pacing anxiously around the room. 'Maddie, they gave me one last chance to win everything back…' His voice wavered as he turned away from her. 'I was drunk, I wasn't thinking straight. Maddie, honey, I bet you.'
'You what?' She questioned after a moment, unable to believe what she heard. A moment later her surprise was replaced by anger. 'You what!'
'Maddie, sweetheart-'
'Don't you dare call me that!' Maddie roared, stepping up to him angrily. For the first time in her life, it was she who was losing her temper. 'You had no right, no right at all, to bet me, your daughter, in a bloody poker game!'
'I'm sorry-' He placed a hand on her shoulder, the teen pulling away from him. 'Honey-'
'No! Don't you lay a hand on me!' She hissed. 'Do you realize what you've done? You just sold your own flesh and blood! What kind of father does that?'
'Your right…' He glanced towards the window, knowing that anytime now they would turn up to claim his daughter. In his drunken mind he thought he stood a chance against them. 'I'm going to fix this-'
Maddie sank to the floor after he left the room, disbelief and horror filling her heart. Her own father had sold her. Sold her! Bet her in a poker game. With shaking hands, she pulled her phone from her pocket and began to text a message to Cordell, she needed help…
Her father returned before she could hit send, a pistol in one hand and a canvas travel bag in the other. 'It'll be alright sweetheart, Daddy is going to fix this-'
'No Dad, you'll only make it worse! We need help, we need to call the Rangers-'
She didn't get to finish her sentence, her father laying a swift blow to her face, sending her to the ground. 'Don't you dare call the cops.' He growled, leaning over her as she wiped the blood from her now bleeding nose. He couldn't risk having them get involved. 'I can take care of this myself.'
Maddie shook her head. 'You can't Dad, I don't know what trouble you are in but you need help. Walker-'
'Walker would love nothing more than being able to pin this on me and get me locked up for life.' He walked to the window, looking out before turning back to his daughter. 'Then get his hands onto you. Oh, I've seen the way you look at him, like he's some great superhero or something. I am your father Maddie, not that man.'
'No.' She shook her head as she rose to her feet. 'You lost that title years ago, when you walked out on Mama and I. I see now who you really are, a pathetic excuse for a human being. I thought for a moment this morning that perhaps maybe you hadn't gone too far to be redeemed but apparently, I was wrong. You love no one but yourself. The Walkers have given to me something you were never capable of; love.' She stepped closer to him, anger in her normally calm brown eyes. 'I hope you rot in Hell.'
'Maddie, I tried to love you-' He started as she went to leave the room.
She stopped, turning back to him. 'You don't know what love is! It's being there for your child when they need a shoulder to cry on, it's being their rock and safe place. It was only after seeing how Walker is with his children that I realized it wasn't normal for a father to beat their child for breaking a plate. You always have to feel like you are in control-'
The sound of vehicles pulling into the drive cut off what she was saying abruptly, the man going to the window. Three trucks had pulled up outside, five men getting out and started to walk up the drive. 'Stay behind me.' Robert commanded.
'Oh Bruce-' A man's voice called out as he banged on the door. 'We're here to collect what's owing us. Open up.'
Maddie swallowed back the lump of fear in her throat, an uncontrollable shiver running down her spine.
'We can do this the easy way, or the hard way-
Robert opened the door, glaring at the men standing on the porch. 'I have three hundred grand here in this bag, take it and leave us alone.'
The man chuckled. 'You hear that boys? He's been holding out on us-' He looked at the teenage girl cowering behind Bruce, licking his lips as he looked her up and down. 'Well lookie here, she's even prettier than her photo. What's your name, sweetheart?'
'Just take the money...'
'Uh uh ah, a deal is a deal-'
Robert flipped the pistol's safety off, tossing the bag at his feet. 'Take it and get off our property.'
'Well, what do you know… Old gutless has finally grown some balls.' He sneered. 'I don't care how we do this Steinfield, but your daughter is coming with us.'
'Over my dead body-'
Shots rang out, mixed with Maddie's terrified screaming as her father dropped to the floor. 'No, no! Dad!' Horror seized her, seeing the blood seeping onto his shirt. Falling to her knees beside him she pressed her hands to the bullet wounds in his chest, trying to stem the bleeding. 'Stay with me, stay with me Dad!'
'I'm sorry…' He coughed. 'I-I… I let… you down… I… became the father… I vowed… to never… be like…'
'No, no, you stay with me. Don't you dare leave me!' She screamed at him. 'Don't you dare die!'
Blood trickled from his lips, struggling to breath as he looked into his daughter's eyes. 'I tried… to… love… you…'
Maddie watched with horror as he drew his last breath, his eyes gazing blankly through her. 'No! No! Dad-'
'Well, ain't this touching.' The man smirked, squatting down across from her. 'He sells his daughter and she is upset by his death? Way I see it, little girl, I've done you a favor.'
Tears streaming down her face, she glared at him. 'You bastard! You killed him-'
'Now that's no way to talk to a gentleman.' He chuckled, touching her cheek and laughed when she pulled away from him. 'Oh, so I'm the bad guy here? From what I've heard, your father wasn't a saint either.'
'Don't. Touch. Me.' She snarled, raw anger flickering in her eyes.
'Feisty too, I like that.' He turned to the four guys behind him, motioning for them to leave the room. 'Make yourselves at home boys, I'm sure there's beer in the fridge, let's all have a party.'
'Sounds good to me.'
'Hey, don't tell me you get the girl all to yourself-'
'You'll have your turn Chuck, I've gotta break her in first.' He grinned, turning back to the teen. 'I'd bet you ain't been with a real man before-'
Oh God no, no, this wasn't happening-
He stood, taking hold of her arm and forced her to stand. 'Which way to your bedroom darling?'
'Go to Hell.'
He squeezed her arm roughly, leaning down next to her ear. 'It will only be worse the more of a fight you give. Come on now, I can make it quite enjoyable for you.' Against her will he pushed her down the hallway, chuckling as he saw the pink bedroom. 'Well, this sure ain't old Bruce's room, rest in peace, so I'm guessing it must be yours.'
Maddie made no reply as he forced her through the doorway and closed the door behind them, locking it so she couldn't escape. No, no, this isn't happening…
'You sure are prettier than the photo your dad showed us.' He remarked as he walked a circle around her, looking her up and down. 'You know, I made him show us a photo of you before I accepted his bet. I didn't want to get some ugly chick but man-' He wolf whistled. 'You baby, are hot. Sure ain't from your Daddy's genes-' He spied the photo frame on the bedside table, picking it up. 'Well I'll be, he was married to Macey Stanton. What a lucky guy.'
He turned back to the girl, walking up to her and began to unbutton her shirt. 'I'd bet you're twice as hot without clothes on-' He chuckled as he slipped her shirt off, licking his lips. Bruises decorated her chest with more around her throat. 'Your Daddy gave these to you?' He traced one of them with his finger, the girl still frozen in place as he fingered the singlet she wore beneath her shirt. 'He wasn't a very nice Daddy, was he?'
Damn it to hell Maddie, you've got to do something! The feeling of his hands touching her breasts through her clothes brought her back to reality. If she didn't do something, this guy was going to rape her. As he ran his hands down her waist to her pants, she looked at the window. If she could get out, she could get away on Skylar… He was fumbling with her button and zip now- With all the strength she had, she bought her knee up into his groin, cracking his head on her knee as he went down.
'You little-'
She didn't waste time listening to his cussing, already frantically trying to open the window. As she climbed out, he was getting up and he caught hold of her leg as she tried to get away.
'Come here, you little bitch!'
Twisting out of his grip, she got to her feet and ran to the barn. Angry shouts could be heard from the house as she unlocked Skylar's stall, hurriedly clipping a lead to her halter. 'Come on girl, hurry.' Dragging the mare to the back door she pushed it open then grabbed a lock of her mane and climbed onto her back. The men came out of the house as she urged the mare into a canter, the sound of gunshots ringing out as they left the yard.
A sharp sting above her right hip following the shots almost made her lose her grip on the mare, the teen looking back for a moment. More shots rang out but they had slipped into the trees and out of their range. Her side was hurting, her fingers coming away wet when she touched it and it dawned on her after a moment that she had been shot. Crap… She held a hand to her side, the other holding tight to the leadrope. In the distance behind her she could hear the sound of trucks following after them and urged the mare on faster down the track.
Skylar willingly lengthened out into a gallop, Maddie clinging onto her as she headed for the ranch. The sound of the vehicles grew fainter the deeper they went down the wooded track, the girl knowing they wouldn't be able to follow her through the forest bordering the Walker ranch. The mare began to slow of her own accord and came to a stop at the old gate. With a glance behind her, she dismounted, winching in pain as she hobbled to the gate. After a struggle she managed to open it and brought the mare through, closing it again.
With effort, she mounted again, the mare trotting along the trail leading to the ranch house. No longer able to hear the vehicles, her heart slowed just a little. If she could get to the Walkers, she would be safe with them…
Finally, the darkened ranch house came into view and she rode her up onto the lawn out front. They had made it, they would be safe here. Skylar stopped off her own accord, the teen's blood staining the palomino's coat as she slid off her back. Not even bothering to secure the mare, she stumbled to the door and knocked on it loudly, praying someone would be home and hear her.
Abeline was woken by the sound of knocking on the front door, frowning as she looked over at the clock on her bedside table. It was after two in the morning… Who on earth could it be at this hour? She wondered as she turned on the lamp, the knocking continuing. Getting out of bed, she put on a robe over her pajamas then started to the front door, turning lights on in the house on her way.
'Abeline-'
'Oh my God. Maddie-' She exclaimed in horror, the teen collapsing into her arms in a sobbing mess. She held her, glancing out into the yard where Skylar grazed on the lawn. She guessed Maddie had ridden her over, something bad must have happened for her to be as distraught as she was. 'Come on sweetheart, come sit down.'
Maddie nodded, allowing the woman to help her into the living room. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry-'
'Maddie-' Her hand came away wet as the teen sank into the chair and she looked from her hand to the teen, kneeling down beside her. Her singlet was soaked with blood as were her jeans. 'Maddie honey, you're bleeding!'
'I was… shot…' She replied as she tried to catch her breath and stop sobbing. God, she'd just seen her father killed in front of her eyes…
Dear God… She stood, looking around for something she could use to stop the bleeding and after a moment found a cloth. 'Liam, Liam!'
'What's going on out here?' Liam questioned as he came into the living room, still half asleep.
'Maddie's been shot.' She said, looking back at him over her shoulder as she kept pressure on the wound to stem the bleeding. 'You better call an ambulance-'
'No, no ambulance.' Maddie hissed, wincing in pain. 'The hospital is the first place they will look for me.'
Liam was wide awake upon hearing the teen had been shot, his mind racing with questions. How had she gotten shot? Who had shot her- 'I'm getting Cordell.'
'What happened?' Abeline questioned, looking at her as her son hurried out the front door.
'My father was killed, they tried to kill me too.' At the thought of her father, fresh tears started down her cheeks once more.
Oh God.
'I-I'm sorry to cause all this trouble…' She apologized, trying to get her emotions back under control. 'I had nowhere else to go…'
'There's no need to apologize sweetheart.' Abeline consoled her gently. 'You'll be safe here, it's okay… You'll be okay…'
'I was so scared…'
'I know, I know honey.' She turned her attention back to the wound and it appeared that the bleeding was slowing, no fresh blood seeping through the towel. Removing it gently after a moment to look, she could see there was an entry and exit wound through her side just above her hip.
Maddie bit her lip, looking down at the wound. 'Doesn't look like it's too bad…' It sure stung like hell though.
'You can let us be the judge of that.'
Cordell hurried through the front door, Bonham and Liam close behind. 'Maddie, Maddie, are you okay?'
She nodded, biting her lip as he knelt down in front of her. 'I'm okay, it's not too bad.'
'Bon, would you fetch the first aid kit?' Abeline requested, holding the towel back to the wound as it started bleeding again slightly.
Cordell looked back at the girl as his father left the room, Liam hovering around anxiously. 'Maddie, what happened sweetheart? How did you get shot?'
'There were these guys…' She started, tears welling in her eyes again and she took a deep breath before she continued. No, she had to start at the beginning and so she back tracked. 'I was waiting up for Dad to get home-' Bonham returned with the kit and Abeline continued to tend to her wound as she relayed the events of the evening to Cordell. 'He'd been out, playing poker with these men and he lost… everything…'
'Your doing okay.' Cordell encouraged gently when she paused, placing a hand on her shoulder. The girl flinched from his touch but didn't pull away from him. 'Just take your time.'
She nodded, taking another deep breath then winched as Abeline poured saline into the wound. 'Dad sold me… He put me up, for his bet to try and win back what he lost. He lost the bet…' She looked up at Cordell, tears escaping down her cheeks again. 'My Dad sold me, what kind of father does that?'
His jaw tensed. 'I-I don't know. Maddie, I am so sorry-'
'The men, they came to collect their winnings.' She interrupted, staring off into the distance. 'Dad tried to buy them off, they shot him… They killed my father…' More tears slid down her cheeks and she had to take a moment to hold them back before she continued. 'The man who killed my father… He tried to rape me…' She didn't notice the look on their faces, the teen not seeing anything but the events replaying over in her mind. 'I-I managed to get away from him, they shot me while I was trying to escape.'
'Do you know who these men were?' Cordell questioned when she fell silent again.
She shook her head. 'No, I'd never seen them before.'
'Can you give me a description of them? How many were there?'
'There were five.' She flinched again as Abeline placed dressings over the wounds. 'Middle aged white males, I didn't get a real good look at them, I'm sorry.'
'It's okay, just tell me what you remember.'
'The guy… The guy that killed my father was your height, he had dark hair and a beard. Skull and snake tattoo on his right arm. He called one of the other men Chuck.'
'Would you recognise them from photos?'
She nodded. 'I could.' She flinched again, yelping softly.
'Sorry sweetheart.' Abeline murmured soothingly as she placed a dressing over the other wound. 'All finished now.'
'Thank you.'
'Your okay with her?' Cordell questioned, looking at his mother.
She nodded. 'I'll stay with her, you go Cordell.'
'I'll come with you.' Bonham added.
He stood, squeezing the girl's shoulder gently. 'Don't you worry Maddie, you're safe here. I will find these men, promise.'
'Let's get you into bed honey.' Abeline said softly, helping the girl up from the couch as Bonham and Cordell left. With her arm around her for support she helped her down the hallway, Liam opening the door to the guest bedroom for them and turned a lamp on. She helped Maddie to lie down, Liam whispering to her that he'd clean up the living room.
With her attention no longer focused on the teenager's gunshot wounds, she took a moment to look at the rest of Maddie's body. She was only clothed in a thin singlet and bra underneath but it was the bruises covering the girl's chest that made her catch her breath. 'Maddie, did you get beaten up?'
'Took a bad fall from Skylar a few days ago.' She lied.
Something didn't feel right with that answer but she decided the girl had been through enough for one night. She could ask her tomorrow about those bruises. 'I'll get you something to change into so you can get out of those bloodied clothes.'
'Thank you.'
Leaving the guest room she went back to the living room to where she'd left the folding to be done, grabbing one of Stella's long sleeved shirts and a pair of tights.
'She should be checked out.' Liam remarked as he returned to the living room.
'I know.' She replied. 'But it would stress her more going to the hospital after what she's just been through.'
'Then at least call Trey and have him come over. She trusts him.'
'I will.' She started back to the guest room then stopped, turning back to her son. 'You should go back to bed, I'll stay with her.'
'I think I'll wait up for Dad and Cordi to get back.'
Abeline nodded and continued back to the room. After giving the clothes to her she stepped out to let her change then went back in after Maddie had let her know she was finished. 'I'll wash these tomorrow for you.'
'No…' Maddie shook her head. 'I don't want to keep them. Throw them out.'
'Alright, I can do that.'
'C-can you stay with me?' She questioned as the woman placed her dirty clothes into the wash basket. 'I don't want… to be alone.'
'Of course, of course I'll stay sweetheart.' She replied, taking a seat on the bed beside her. Maddie started to cry again and she took her in her arms, rubbing her back as she held her. 'That's it honey… let it all out…' She soothed gently, speaking in soft tones to her. After some time, the teen's crying abated after she had exhausted herself and she rested her head on her shoulder.
'I'm sorry.'
'Don't be, it's okay sweetheart.' Abeline pressed a kiss to her head. 'I'm here, it's going to be okay.'
She nodded then laid herself down on the pillow. 'You won't leave me?'
'I'll be right here with you, you are safe here honey. You can sleep.' Maddie closed her eyes as she started to stroke her hair, the teen slowly drifting off to sleep. God Maddie... You poor girl.
