Ella lost track of the day as they traveled onwards, it seemed that the horses they rode upon were very fast, she felt as if she were going at a great speed she had never experienced before, she knew it was most likely the fear that caused the feeling, her heart seemed to constantly beat too hard in her chest. The persistent heart tugging wails of the children didn't help matters, sometimes Ella thought if they would just be quiet she'd be able to think, that her heart rate would return to normal and she'd see a way out, but the children did not stop, their fear was even greater than Ella's, they were young and wanted their mother's comfort, nothing else would stop their tears.
The man that held her she soon learned was called 'Quick Jimmy', Mox Mox barked his name at him whenever he wanted a question answered or an opinion given. Ella listened to the conversation with interest, she knew anything they spoke of was to lead to her own fate and she quickly came to learn that they were headed for a small canyon. Ella assumed the children were for burning, Billy's tales kept coming back to her of how the 'Manburner' liked killing children, relished in it. But she held some hope for herself, Quick Jimmy seemed to have taken a liking to her, perhaps he didn't get to spend much time with women being in such a well known gang, towns would not be somewhere these men would want to linger. Ella had not failed to notice the way his hands had softly wandered, she felt slightly sickened by the touch combined with long riding and the thought that she might be dead in the next few hours, but it was her only chance, if she could somehow appeal to this man, somehow make him want to keep her alive perhaps she would live to see another dawn.
She allowed his hands to smooth over her curves, he even became a little braver in his caresses lingering over her breasts. Ella thought that she sensed an uneasiness in him, perhaps he knew Mox Mox would not take kindly to him forming any kind of attachment to his sport, but what did Ella care for what that ugly, squat man thought, she just had to play her part and invoke Diamond Stella from where she now rested deep inside herself and hopefully Jimmy would play his part too.
When they finally stopped for a short rest, Jimmy allowed Ella to dismount and get the feeling back in her legs, she'd never cared for riding two to a horse, it was always uncomfortable. The children were dragged down and forced to sit upon the ground, their cries had become no more than pitiful whimpers. Ella could finally get a good look at them, there was a young boy with light hair, he looked to be no older than seven or eight years old, he was skinny and tall for his age. Beside him sat a small girl, Ella instantly knew they were siblings, their facial features bore a striking resemblance but the girl's hair was copper in colour, she could be no more than four years of age. She wondered how this band of men had found them, surely such young children would be with or near their parents… the awful thought that perhaps Mox Mox's gang had killed the children's mother and father entered her head and she shuddered. She decided she would help them if she could but she knew she may only be able to save herself, the thought made her feel harshly guilty but she was an unarmed woman with no skills to aid her in such a situation, she did not want to die with them just for the sake of being noble, it was not a quality she had ever claimed to possess.
She felt a rough nudge to her shoulder and turned to see Jimmy offering her his canteen. Ella's mind kicked back into life and the plan she had formed began to unfold. She gave him a curl of a smile that hinted with sensuality, she glanced up at him through her eyelashes, the look coy but beckoning. She felt as though she had just donned a tight, uncomfortable mask as she worked her old ways of luring a man to her upon Jimmy. She hated it, hated herself for doing this, she wanted to know what Maria would do in this situation, but Ella wasn't Maria… she was Ella and she could only grasp at the things she knew. The thought held some small comfort, to survive was the only important thing right now not what was morally right or wrong.
"Thank you." She said in her softest, sweetest voice.
Jimmy seemed more than pleased by the looks she sent his way, in fact she had the distinct feeling that if Mox Mox had not held some order to his men, Jimmy would have taken her right where they stood. She could see the lust and desire shining clearly within his eyes, like a hungry dog looking at a fresh piece of steak, it was a look she had seen many times before. She pushed back the bile that threatened in her throat.
"Where were you travelling?" Jimmy asked, his voice was smooth.
Ella knew this would be easy, he already liked her more than he should and if she had to she would bed with him, the thought was not appealing she had not whored herself for many years, but she would do it if it meant her life and at least Jimmy was not a bad looking man, quite young, perhaps no older than thirty five, he had all his teeth and didn't smell quite as foul as the other men. Ella supposed she should count herself lucky it was this man that was showing interest and not Mox Mox, she didn't think she could force herself to bed down with him even if it did mean her life.
Ella took a long swig from the canteen before looking at him again.
"Home." She said with the same hint of a teasing smile.
"Where's home?" He said giving her a tell-tale smirk that signified she had him, he wanted her badly.
"A ranch just outside Laredo." Ella said picking the first thing that popped into her head.
"You're far away from home." He said with a sly smile. "What are you doing out here alone? There are bad men in the plains." If it had been a safer situation Ella would have laughed in his face, his words and manner told her that he wanted her to think he was a 'bad man'.
"Bad men can be… good." She said a little huskily her eyes holding his.
He grinned at her words. "Seems you got into some trouble." He gestured to the swollen flesh at her throat.
Ella's eyes widened for a moment as her mind raced to find an explanation to ply him with. "I guess my Pa didn't like the fact I was going back to my Ma."
Jimmy nodded as if this was all he needed to know of the matter, all he really cared to know. "I expected you to start cryin' once we stopped, most women cry when they know Mox Mox has them."
Ella smirked at him and licked her lips making sure he saw the small gesture. "I don't cry easy, besides if I'm gonna die I guess I could be in worse company."
Jimmy looked slightly startled but pleased, Ella guessed not many women seemed so calm in this situation and if this man could see inside her he would know it was true for her too, she wasn't calm, inside the fear was screaming and clawing at her, she'd just always been good at hiding it when she needed to, when she had to.
"You may not die." Jimmy said and Ella had to push back the smile that wanted to burst from her, instead she gave him a doe eyed look. "Perhaps we could go somewhere while he burns them." He indicated to the children. "If you want to stay with me, maybe we can have some fun."
Ella lowered her eyes as if she was embarrassed, men always seemed to like it when you acted shyly and embarrassed… that was most men apart from Joey, with Joey she'd never hidden her fear either, she wondered why that was… the thought of him nearly made her lose her composure but she regained it quickly and looked up at Jimmy.
"Well, I don't think I could agree to such a thing."
Jimmy's face fell.
"But you sure are a handsome man, I think I'd be a fool to turn you down." She gave him a small grin.
Jimmy grinned back at her. "I'm Jimmy." He said extending his hand out to her, it seemed far too gentlemanly a thing to do in the situation but Ella played along.
"Anna." She said thinking of the first name that came to mind and taking his hand, shaking it lightly making sure her touch was light and a little teasing.
"Nice to meet you Anna." Jimmy said still grinning, his eyes hungry again.
They were soon mounted once more and again Jimmy's hands wandered, she felt his lust pushing into her back as they rode and knew he would fight for her life to an extent, desire was a powerful thing and she knew this fact full well. It was strange what lust would make people do, she'd seen many a man and woman lose their lives over no more than want of the other. As they neared the canyon they intended to stop and make camp in, Ella found the situation and what may happen with Jimmy made her bitterly miss the desire Joey had brought her, somehow in those moments she had felt safe in his arms, but then she had always felt safe with Joey, maybe not from Joey himself but from other people and even after what had happened between them she wished that he was with her now, he'd easily have killed every last one of this gang and he wouldn't even break a sweat doing it. She wondered if he'd care if she died, if he'd feel sad she was gone or would he just shrug his shoulders in a careless manner and say it meant nothing to him… she guessed either way she would never know.
---
Once they had dismounted Ella and the children's hands were bound behind them while a fire was lit and meat stew boiled upon it along with a pot of coffee. The smells made Ella's stomach rumble and the children too looked as if their minds thought of nothing else, perhaps it had been even longer than half a day since they had eaten. While the rest of the gang was occupied with other chores Ella looked down at the young boy beside her, the girl was still whimpering but she was tired and half asleep.
"Boy." She whispered and he looked up, his dirty, pale face betraying the fear that was clutching at his core. "You okay?" She felt she had to at least ask him if he was alright, to give him some comfort that someone cared.
He sniffed, his eyes were watery from unshed tears. "I'm real hungry Ma'am."
Ella gave him a small smile. "But you ain't hurt, nor your sister?"
"No, Macey and me are okay." He said with another sniff forcing the tears back. The conversation seemed to be quelling the fear at least a little.
"What's your name?"
"Bobby, Bobby Fant Ma'am."
"Nice to meet you Bobby, wish it was in a better place though." She smiled and he smiled too, glad of the friendly words. "Bobby I want you t' do somethin' for me, I want you t' be brave, can you do that?"
"Yes Ma'am." He said his face becoming brighter as if he had been given a great honor.
"You be brave for Macey too, don't cry, don't let them see you cry neither of you, they like it when you cry." She glanced about making sure it was safe to continue. "We might still make it out of this."
She didn't believe her words, not even a little she knew these children would die as soon as Mox Mox felt like killing them, but perhaps the hope would help them get through these next few hours or minutes until that time came. She wasn't even assured of her own life, not yet and looking at these poor, scared children she felt bitterly guilty of even thinking of getting herself out and leaving them behind.
Soon the time they had dreaded came, Mox Mox walked in hobbled steps over to them, he seemed to rock as he walked, perhaps because he was so squat. He grabbed the children by an arm each and dragged them towards a stack of brush that had been gathered.
"Get the woman Jimmy!" He called after him and Jimmy came to her side and helped her to her feet, she was marched towards the brush, her heart beginning that same unpleasant hammering of fear.
"Mox." He said coming up behind Mox Mox.
Mox Mox turned after he had forced Bobby and Macey to their knees among the brush. "What?" His tone was rough or perhaps it was just always the way he sounded.
"I want the girl." Jimmy said nodding towards Ella.
"Well you can't have her, she's my sport." Mox Mox said eyeing Ella with hungry eyes, but not in the same way Jimmy looked at her, Mox Mox looked at her with an insane hunger that wanted to see her squirm in pain.
"You got the brats, let me keep her, we don't go into towns and I miss women!" Jimmy said pulling Ella towards him.
"Stop thinking with your pecker!" Mox Mox roared and reached out towards Ella grabbing her harshly by her upper arm, he wrenched her from Jimmy's grip and forced her down with the children.
"Fine Mox!" Jimmy said annoyed. "But the next woman I'm keepin'!"
Ella stared after Jimmy, she knew from the look upon his face that he didn't want to leave her, he'd rather have her keeping him warm later on and taking pleasure from her but it seemed he would only go so far against his leader before he backed down. She'd lost her chance and now it was over…
Mox Mox turned back to them and without warning he hit Ella hard, his fist connected harshly with her jaw and she instantly tasted blood as the pain from his blow spread through her head.
"That's for turnin' my men against me you little witch!" He said his face twisting into an expression that made him look even uglier.
Ella spat out the blood that had seeped into her mouth from the large cut on her lip but it was only a moment before he hit her again, this time with his small stocky horse whip. Her cheek suffered the worst of it and she knew she had a nasty flesh found upon it. She tried to quell the burning agony that the two new injuries caused. The little boy, Bobby, had made a startled noise as she had been hit the second time and Mox Mox turned upon him, hitting him twice, Ella closed her eyes as the boy yelped in pain and Macey began to cry.
The killer fetched a bottle of whiskey and began to pour it over the brush and over each of them, laughing a little manically under his breath as he undertook the chore. Ella tried to keep her eyes closed, wishing and hoping that it would be quick, she remembered hearing that if you breathed in enough smoke it would kill you before the flames got to you, she hope it was true and this is what happened to the children and her. The whiskey filled her nostrils with its warm, bitter smell. She could feel the liquid trickling through her hair and some ran into the cut upon her cheek, making her eyes water at the painful contact.
It was in this darkest part of her despair that she felt it, that familiar feeling that she had so resented when she had lived at Maria's, that had sent shivers of discomfort up her spine but now she could have laughed with glee at the sensation. She knew Joey was nearby, that he was watching her. She opened her eyes and looked around the canyon, her gaze searching with desperation, for a glint of spyglass or rifle… anything. But she saw nothing and with a creeping dread of fear she became fully aware that she was alone, her fear had made her believe that he had come for her, Joey would be miles away by now, there was no reason for him to have followed her, to have wanted to follow her. She was nothing to him.
Ella closed her eyes once more and waited…