Chapter 3: Punishment
"...and not in the way she wanted to be."
"Now children, before I continue, why don't all of you grab a bite to eat. And when you're done eating, come back and I will continue on." I watch as the children go off to the lunch room to grab a bite to eat and something to drink.
"You. Yes you reader. I assume you've been paying attention and that you are old enough to hear this section of the story. It's not meant for younger listeners."
P.O.V.
It had been four years since Charley was taken from her home in Gaia and she spent every chance she had trying to escape. It also cost her every time she escaped. The old and new welt marks across her back told the tale.
Today, though, was different. She had made it further than before. She had almost climb up the side of the crater and about made it to the top before the drug her back down. Now, they were dragging her down the hallway to the leader's room. Obviously, he finally planned on killing her. Charley struggled and fought hard against the guards as they attempted to bring her to their commander.
Her bare feet became scratched and bruised every step. Her now waist length red hair contained several mattes in it from lack of brushing. Her skin caked in sweat and red dirt. Her clothing was merely a brown shredded shirt and matching pants.
Charley knew, deep down, that she no longer resembled the seventeen year old hopeful mechanic's daughter. She didn't even know how long she had been a slave. All she cared about was getting out of the compound and finding help.
County road 233, under my feet
Nothin' on this white rock but little ole me
I've got two miles 'til he makes bail
And if I'm right we're headed straight for hell
"Well now. I see you're at it again" the commander stated as he watched his guards toss the human girl onto the floor. They refereed to her as a Hell Cat and he agreed that she had earned that title. She barely looked like the terrified human who had be taken from Gaia. She looked menacing and far more dangerous than anyone he had ever seen in his life. He knew that if looks could kill he would be dead right where he stood.
I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what little girls are made of
Gunpowder and lead
"Go to hell" Charley seethed through gritted as she was held down to the floor, her back partially exposed. Her chest rose and fell with each heavy breath she took. She stared at him with a piercing turquoise gaze that was deadly in appearance.
Well, it's half past ten, another six pack in
And I can feel the rumble like a cold black wind
He pulls in the drive, the gravel flies
He don't know what's waiting here this time
"Tsk. Tsk. This is getting old" he said as he stared at her. He could see the untamed rage brewing in her eyes. It wasn't the first time he had to face her death stare but, after today, he was going to make sure it was her last.
Hey! I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what little girls are made of
Gunpowder and lead
"I don't care" Charley continued to glare at the portly Plutarkian as he strode by her. She had looked death in the face day after day and waited for fate to play her final hand. But, it never happened. Each day she hoped for an end to all the loneliness and despair that she was feeling. They beat her, separated her from the others, and even tried to starve her. She had proven that she was a force to be reckoned with and survived despite the odds being stacked against her.
His fist is big but my gun's bigger
He'll find out when I pull the trigger
"You should" the commander continued to look at human girl. Not the least bit concerned about how she was feeling. He knew that he was going to have to break her will. Nothing else had worked before but, he was sure that this final act of desecration would break her wild spirit. He had run out of options on taming her.
I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
If he wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
He slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what little girls are made of
Gunpowder and, gunpowder and lead
"Why?" she growled as she attempted to get up but, found herself immovable due to the two guards holding her forcefully to the floor. Her only focus was on thinking of a way out of her latest situation that she had placed herself in.
Gunpowder and lead
She never involved the others in one of her schemes in order to keep them safe from harm. It was just her working alone. She had gotten so used to it that she wasn't even sure if she did escape that she would be able to acclimate back into society. But, it was thought of getting back home to her mom and dad that drove her.
Hey!
She didn't want them to believe that she was dead and that it was Jack's fault that she was no longer there. This was her doing. If she hadn't decided to walk through the park that night then she would be home right now working on another greasy motorcycle. Or, she would be elbow deep into an antique car that needed an overhaul. She knew she would be anyplace but here in this Hell-hole.
"I've run out of options with you!" he shouted as he pointed a grotesque finger at her. He knew nothing affected her anymore. She had become numb to all his abusive tactics that, under normal circumstance, would have and should have broken her by now. But, they didn't. They only made her more aggressive and even more determined to escape, which made her dangerous to the compound.
"Then go ahead and kill me!" Charley screamed and meant every word. She was tired of constantly fighting but, she refused to go down without a fight. As tired as she was, she wasn't about to allow them to see the utter exhaustion she was feeling. Charley felt like a shadow of her former self. She became someone that she never wanted to be. She prayed for death every night and came up with new ways to escape every morning. Her life was right now running in a vicious circle that she wished would end without her having to give up everything that she was fighting for.
"Can't" he answered as he signaled for his guards to stand her up. He then signaled for them to tie her up to the whipping pole in the center of his office.
"Why not?" Charley snarled as they tied her up.
She knew this room all too well. It was a square room with one large window that allowed him to see out and others to see in. This room was meant to showcase what happened to those who broke the rules. In the center of the room was the whipping pole that went from the floor to the ceiling and had a hook on it to hold the chains in place.
"I'm being paid very well to keep you alive and not ask questions as to why" he stated as he then signaled his guards to leave the room.
"Huh!?" it was then that Charley noticed the guards leaving. He had never done that before. She became curious as to why.
"You've left me with no alternatives but this. Blame yourself for what I am going to do to you" he whispered into her ear. He felt a shiver run down her spine as he slid his hand down to the waist band on her pants. It was the first time in a while that he saw her afraid and he planned to make sure that this memory would stick with her.
"Get away from me" Charley tried to move away from his roaming hand but was unable to get away due to her being chained up. Involuntarily, she shivered in fear. She knew, deep down in her gut, what he was planning to do. She tried to take her mind somewhere else as he shoved her pants down to the floor.
"Too bad you made me have to do this" he murmured against her cheek as he he slid his hand between her long legs, forcing them apart.
Charley did everything she could to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. She nibbled on her lower lip to avoid screaming out as she heard his pants fall to the floor. Leaning her head against the pole, Charley prayed that she would be saved from this fate. She tried not to breathe as she felt his cold, clammy hand on her bare hips.
"Remember, this is all your fault" he grumbled as he forced himself into her.
"NO!" Charley screamed as she felt him tear into her. She struggled against him until he grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back. Each stroke to her felt like a death sentence in her mind. It was the most painful thing she ever had to endure.
She was grateful that he didn't take long. She felt him practically rip her apart as he withdrew. She barely felt him grab her chains off the hook and then tossed her nearly limp body onto the floor. Looking up at him through strands of dirty hair, she saw that he already has his pants back on. He kicked her pants over to him and she grabbed them up with shaky fingers.
"Guards! Take her back to her cell" he called and the guards quickly snatched her up and drug her, half dressed, back to her cell.
"Served her right" she heard them snicker as they left the room. She touched between her legs and then looked at her hand. She saw stickiness and blood in the moonlight. She was raw and sore from the brutality that she had just endured. Charley pulled her pants back on with hands that almost refused to coordinate.
She looked around her cell before curling up into a ball on the floor. It was the first time in a long while that she cried. It wasn't a normal, sniffling cry. This was a gut-wrenching cry that was filled with agonizing pain. It was uncontrollable anguish and loss the she felt as she dug and then dragged her ragged nails across her arms.
It took her almost thirty minutes before she calmed down long enough to pull herself somewhat back together. Shaking, she got onto her knees and clasped her shaking hands together and prayed for a miracle. After she prayed, she curled herself back up into a ball and fell asleep sniffling and whimpering out of pain.
P.O.V.
"As I said earlier, this part was not something for the little ones to hear me tell."
"We're back!" I watched as the little ones bounded back into the room and then settled down.
"Hey, who's that?" Lily asked, pointing back.
"Oh, that's someone who also wants to hear the story. They're actually the reader." I must admit, I think you caught them off guard with you presence.
"Cool" Max stated looking at the reader and then back at me.
"Tell us more of the story" Vega inquires as lays down on the pillow.
"Alright. Let's see..."
I hope everyone is still enjoying the story. I know this chapter was pretty rough and not for the faint of heart. I do want to thank Yankee71 and jackswoman for their continued support from the story I just finished up into this new one. As far as her blowing stuff up...I got something that will hopefully be a little better coming up in the next chapter. MERRY CHRISTMAS readers.
