Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Ten:
"The late Nick Barkley, part 3"
After being dragged into the alley, beaten, and having her dress ripped off, Stefania feared the worst would happen to her at the hands of Seth McMahon and his gang. However, Seth had seemingly left for a while and bickering ensued between Orville and the rest which provided the perfect getaway for Stefania. She managed to make her way to and later inside the saloon without anybody seeing her. Albeit, she was in the back and hiding behind barrels. She spotted a paper and pen lying around & wrote a quick cryptic note, before chopping off a lock of her hair, taking an earring off, ripping a piece of her camisole off, and tying all of it together. She then encountered Harry the bartender, barely talked with him, and handed him the contents before Seth and his gang showed up, knocked Harry unconscious, and took Stefania away. Meanwhile, Jarrod, Heath, and Nick looked everywhere and couldn't find Stefania. Nick put two and two together and deduced that Leonard had something to do with it, before riding off. Upon hearing Nick voice his suspicions, Heath started piecing everything together and coming to the same conclusion only for Jarrod to try and debunk the possibility & go on about "not jumping to conclusions". Heath quickly reminded Jarrod of what he did during the aftermath of Beth's murder which struck a nerve, as Jarrod got fire headed for a brief moment, before thinking about what Nick and Heath said. Jarrod would came to the same conclusion before riding off. He stopped by the saloon and talked with Harry, who told him about his encounter with Stefania although he never said her name as she never told him before handing Jarrod the note with the earring and hair. The Barkley brothers would meet up about three times and on the third time, Jarrod handed Nick the note. Nick saw the earring and lock of hair and almost immediately knew there was something wrong, as a note with a lock of hair and piece of jewelry with it meant trouble. He and his brothers would ride off again in order to save Stefania before the unthinkable happens. Now, Stefania was being held in an abandoned barn somewhere and after having her camisole taken off and being touched inappropriately, Dodie was in the process of doing...well, you know. The questions that remain are as follows: Is Dodie going to complete his mission on violating Stefania? Or will the Barkley brothers arrive in time? Will Stefania be spared? Will Seth and his gang be stopped before it's too late? Will there be divine intervention? What's going to happen? Oh, Nick, Jarrod, and Heath, where are you? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. This is the third to however many parts as this is a multi parter, so to speak. As I previously stated, this was originally part of Chapter 7, but seeing as it would overcrowd Chapter 7, I divided it up into many sections/parts. How many? Well, you'll find out :D
WARNING/TRIGGER WARNING: There's going to be some graphic & violent moments in this chapter plus offensive terms, s***al assault, and r**e. If you can't bring yourself to read/stomach it for obvious reasons, I understand and urge you to go back now! I do NOT condone such offensive terms to be used or such ungodly actions like...well, you know. Don't say I did not warn you. Rated 'T' for a reason.
(Flashback to part 9)
Heath and Jarrod had arrived back into town and were looking everywhere for Stefania and Nick. Now, Nick was nowhere in sight or so it seemed until after Heath and Jarrod got off of their horses and were about to go into the saloon to check on Harry when they heard the sound of hoof beating, yet again. They looked up and much to their delight, it was Nick.
"Any sign of her?" Nick stopped the horses and got out of the carriage faster than he usually did.
"No, but Jarrod found out something that you need to know." Heath put his hand on Nick's forearm.
"You did?" Nick turned to Jarrod.
"Yes, I did, Nick and-" Jarrod was cut off.
"Well, where is she? Is she hurt? Is she alright? Is she at Dr. Merar's office? Is she at the ranch? Where is she?" Nick started walking around very fast and looking everywhere.
"Well, if you would stop moving around like a butterfly and stand still a minute, I can tell you." Jarrod, along with Heath, followed Nick and gently grabbed his arm in order to get him to stand still.
"Stand still. First, it is 'don't jump to conclusions'. Now, it's 'stand still'. You didn't stand still when Beth was murdered. You did not, not jump to conclusions either!" Nick pounded his gloved fist on a barrel.
"Nick, I don't need a reminder, because we're not going to delve into that particular time. It's painful enough when the anniversary comes." Jarrod looked as if he was about to cry, but that quickly changed after he cleared his throat, "Anyways, putting that painful time aside, there's something I need to tell you."
"Well, out with it!" Nick raised his voice.
"I went by the saloon earlier and found that Harry had been pistol whipped by somebody as he had a nasty bruise. Long story short, he saw a girl who had an accent and looked as if the devil was on her tail. They talked and she gave him a note, saying that once you got it, you would know. Then-" Jarrod was cut off.
"A note? Where is it? Do you have it?" Nick asked in a very urgent tone.
"Yes, I do." Jarrod pulled it out of his pocket.
"Give me it!" Nick grabbed for it.
"Ah, ah! Not until you listen to everything else I have to say, Nick." Jarrod shook his finger, gesturing 'No'.
"I'll listen later! Hand me the note!" Nick grabbed for it, again.
"No, Nick! You must listen to what I'm about to tell you." Jarrod shook his head and put the note back into his pocket.
"Alright, but hurry it up. I want to see that note!" Nick reluctantly relented.
"Well, before I was so rudely interrupted, what I started to say was that after Harry and the girl talked, she handed him the note that I have and then, Seth McMahon, Zebulon Williamson, and their gang showed up, exchanged a few words with Harry, knocked him out by pistol whipping him, and took the girl off against her will." Jarrod finished.
"Oh my God! I-I-It's Stefania! I knew it! She's in trouble!" Nick ran back to the saloon and started to get into the carriage, but was stopped when Jarrod caught up to him and grabbed his arm, "Jarrod, what the devil are you doing?!"
"Nick, Heath and I believe it is Stefania, too, but we're not going to start any brawls, shoot places up, or the likes. We're going to go look for her and try to get to her before God knows what could happen." Jarrod firmly told him.
"Unhand me, Jarrod!" Nick growled.
"Nick-" Heath, who had caught up to them, started to say something, but was interrupted.
"Look, maybe you two don't want to start anything, but Stefania is MY good friend and by God i'm going to find her. If she's hurt, Seth McMahon and his gang will answer to me! Plus, while I am on the subject of McMahon and his gang, I take it the governor pardoned them, right?!" Nick gritted his teeth.
"Yes, Nick. The governor pardoned them and they were released from San Quentin just a few days ago." Jarrod nodded.
"If they laid one finger on Stefania, there's going to be hell to pay!" Nick yelled.
"We understand, Nick but you never act like this in regards to any of your friends, even your "good friends". Now, there's something more going on between you and Stefania, so spit it out." Jarrod still wasn't buying the whole "good friends" facade.
"Whatever is going on between Stefania and me is our business & by our, I mean my business and her business. Good God, you're starting to sound like mother and father, may he rest in peace." Nick gave Jarrod a look.
"Nick, you've never been protective of your friends before, especially not like this." Heath pointed out.
Nick didn't say anything and groaned out of annoyance.
"Nick, you've been dodging this for a while now. Look, if you and Stefania are more than friends, well we support you." Jarrod told him.
"That's all swell, but she and I are good friends and we want it to stay that way. Now, how about that note you were talking about?" Nick held out his hand.
Jarrod didn't say a word and gave Nick a high five just for fun.
"Jarrod, I'm in no mood for games!" Nick was clearly annoyed by Jarrod giving him a high five. Normally, he wouldn't be, but seeing that there was no time for jokes as of this moment, well, who could blame him for being teed off?
"I'm sorry, Nick. Anyways, here's the note." Jarrod lightly chuckled, before getting serious again, taking the note out of his pocket, and handing it to Nick.
Nick took the note and after untying and unfolding it, his eyes got big when he spotted the earring and a dark lock of hair.
"What is it, Nick?" Heath asked.
"This is a lock of Stefania's hair and the same earring she wore yesterday." Nick held the earring and lock of hair.
"What do you suppose it means?" Heath asked.
"It means trouble. Whenever someone sends a note with a piece of jewelry and hair, it means trouble. Usually a kidnapping or being held hostage." Nick said, before reading the note to himself.
"What does the note say?" Jarrod asked.
"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It says: 'If anyone finds this, please give it to Nick Barkley. He will know. Signed, S.M.'." Nick read the note aloud.
"S.M.?" Jarrod had a confused look on his face.
"Her initials. Stefania Mangano. Plus, the way she wrote it, you can tell she was in distress." Nick folded the note and put it along with the earring and lock of hair into his pocket, "She's in trouble and we have to find her & fast!"
"Knowing what Seth McMahon and his gang are capable of, let's get while the going is good." Jarrod got onto his horse and grabbed his horse reins, Heath following suit.
Nick got into the carriage, grabbed his horse reins, and sighed.
"We'll find her, Nick. We'll find her." Heath tried to ease his brother's nerves.
"I hope she's unharmed. If not, McMahon and his gang will answer to me & I'll dish out justice...Barkley style!" Nick looked him dead in the eyes and tapped the horses, "Let's go. Giddyup. Hyah."
Jarrod and Heath watched as Nick rode off and followed suit, but went off in different directions. Oh, you guys, please find and save her!
*Meanwhile, with Stefania*
In an abandoned barn somewhere, Stefania woke up sweating with bruises all over her face, arms, and legs plus dried blood on her now torn camisole, nose, and mouth. It was obvious the poor girl suffered a horrible beating that rendered her unconscious.
"Ohhhh...where am I?" Stefania wiped the sweat off of her forehead and looked around, "Nick? Nick, are you here?"
Soon enough, a whiskey bottle came flying at her only to hit the wall behind her and shatter, causing her to scream and jump.
"The pretty dame is awake!" Dodie said, as he approached her and grabbed her by her chin, "How dare you fall asleep on us?! That is very disrespectful!"
"Please, let me go! Please! I won't tell anybody!" Stefania pleaded.
"Oh no, the party isn't over!" Dodie pounced on her and began to rip at her camisole, yet again.
"No! No! No!" Stefania tried to pry Dodie's hands off, despite being a little overcome with exhaustion, but to no avail as he overpowered her plus Seth and the others restrained her legs and arms.
"Let's get this camisole off of this beauty!" Dodie managed to get Stefania's camisole off and threw it aside, exposing her breast region.
Stefania gasped in horror and started breathing heavily. She had tried so hard to protect her modesty and was known to be a very modest and innocent lady, but now, little by little, much to her horror, her innocence was being taken away.
"Man, you are more beautiful than before and you have such a big chest. I love me a woman with a huge chest!" Dodie caressed Stefania's breasts much to her discomfort and wolf whistled, "My goodness gracious, your heart is beating up a storm. I knew women loved me, but not to this extent. Wow!"
"Dodie, you only got her camisole off. Don't you think we should...you know?" Zeb pointed at Stefania's bloomers.
Dodie didn't say a word, as he started sucking on Stefania's neck much to her chagrin. After a few moments of sucking on her neck, he started kissing her neck for a little bit before sliding down to her breasts and eventually, her midriff. Stefania squirmed as best as she could, considering that Seth and the others were holding her down. This was turning from horrible to nightmarish within seconds.
*Stefania's POV*
'Why is this happening to me? Why? What did I do to deserve this? All I did was meet Nick Barkley!'
I look up at the ceiling and think of Nick.
'Oh, Nick. Nick, where are you? Please, come find me! Please!'
I look down.
'Father God, please guide Nick to me! Please, guide Nick to me or intervene! Please, do something! Anything to make these filthy rats go away and leave me alone. Please!'
I sigh.
'Then again, maybe God is punishing me for not saving Dominique?'
I get wide eyed.
'Yes! Yes, God is punishing me for not saving precious Dominique! Oh, Dominique, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Father God, please forgive and save me. Please!'
I feel something and gasp, before looking down.
'Ohhhh! This filthy rat is touching me...touching me down...down there now! No! No! Not this!'
*Outside of Stefania's mind*
Dodie was indeed touching Stefania in her unmentionable area. Much to her horror, he had moved from her chest and midriff to that private area. As she made fearful noises, he smirked and laughed the whole time, before getting slightly aggressive in this inappropriate touching. Who did he think he was?! He had no business touching her!
"No! No! Stop it! Stop it...please!" Stefania wanted this to end.
"Oh, but if I stop now, you'll be missing out on all of the fun!" Dodie continued to touch her.
"This is not fun! This is a nightmare! Ohhhh, when Nick finds out, he'll have all of your heads!" Stefania shot back.
"Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick! If that Barkley boy cared so much about you, why he would be down here or better yet, he wouldn't have let you out of his sight. That's if he cared about you, but look around, I don't seem him here, so that means that he doesn't care about you." Dodie scoffed.
"Besides, even if he did care about you before, after we get done with you, he won't want anything to do with you, because to him, you would be damaged goods." Orville chimed in.
"And we all know that the Barkleys don't go for damaged goods." Jeff smirked.
"That's not true! Nick would still care about me! He's not a filthy rat like you guys!" Stefania spat at Jeff.
"Don't you dare spit at my friend!" Dodie backhanded her in the face, causing her to scream.
"That ought to keep her quiet for a while." Orville chuckled.
"It would, but why would we want her to be quiet when in a few moments, she'll be singing for us." Dodie winked at Orville.
"Singin'?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah, because...we'll make her sing. After all, we can't play with her knockers or her down there area forever, now can we?" Dodie slowly stood up.
"No...we can't." Seth spoke up, before looking at Stefania and getting a creepy grin on his face.
"Her camisole is off, now it is time for the bloomers." Dodie took off his gun belt and tossed it aside, before unbuckling the belt for his pants, taking it off, and throwing it to the side, making it land next to his gun belt.
"Dodie, I hope we get our turn." Jeff sounded a little impatient.
"You will, you will. Just hold them horses of yours!" Dodie took off his pants and started to lower his long johns very slowly.
"Oh no! No! No! Don't! Please! Please! I won't go to the sheriff! I won't tell anybody!" Stefania, knowing what was about to happen, pleaded as best as she possibly could, hoping Dodie would somehow change his mind.
"Oh no, sweetness. It is time for some fun. Real...fun!" Dodie exposed himself, got back on top of Stefania, and forcefully turned her onto her stomach, before grabbing at her bloomers.
"No! No! No! No!" Stefania shrieked.
"Yes, yes, you pretty little thing!" Dodie started to pull her bloomers down.
"Hail Mary, full of grace...the Lord is with thee. Blessed art...thou among women and...blessed is the fruit...of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary...Mother of God...p-pray for us sinners...n-now and...and...and at the...at the...hour of our death. Amen." Stefania prayed the Hail Mary, albeit very understandably shaky.
"She thinks the Virgin Mary will save her!" Orville laughed.
"Okay, I'm all ready to go and you will be thanking me after you sing, of course." Dodie positioned Stefania and himself, then before the blink of an eye...
(Now)
Before the blink of an eye and despite Stefania's great effort to fight Dodie off...it happened. She let out a blood curdling scream as Dodie thrusted in, a bit aggressively. As Stefania yelped and moaned, Seth and the others were laughing up a storm.
"You're getting to her now, Dodie!" Orville chuckled.
"Yeah, but please hurry, because...well, the rest of us would love what you're having!" Zeb tightened his grip on her right arm.
"Why it wouldn't be fair for you to get everything and we get nothing." Jeff protested.
"Oh, will you simmer down? You'll all get your turn just as soon as you let me have my turn." Dodie gave them an annoyed look before focusing back onto Stefania and what he was doing, "You know, honey, you were supposed to start singing."
"Yeah, you promised you would sing to us! Now, don't you think it is a bit rude for you to not sing after you made a promise?" Seth laughed.
"Ratti sporchi sporchi! (Dirty filthy rats!)" Stefania yelled in Italian.
"We speak English here! How many times do we have to say it?!" Seth pulled at Stefania's hair managing to rip a clump of it out.
"Owwww! You are bad men! Very bad m-Ohhhhhhhhh! Ohhhhhh! Oh dear God! Owwwwww!" Stefania shut her eyes tightly and bit down on her lower lip, groaning and grunting as Dodie shoved in harder than before which resulted in blood coming down her legs.
"Ooh! Ohhhhh! Honey, this...feels...wonderful! Now...start...singing us...a little song." Dodie groaned and moaned in pleasure, even grinning like a shark and rolling his eyes.
"Siete uomini cattivi ! Molto molto male! (You are bad men! Very very bad!)" Stefania had tears streaming down her face due to the horrendous pain, despite her efforts of trying to tough it out, "Nick lo scoprirà ! Non andrai via con esso ! Tu senti?! (Nick will find out about this! You won't get away with it! You hear?!)"
"What did she say now in that foreign tongue of hers?!" Seth asked in an aggressive way.
"We speak English here, you swarthy scum!" Zeb bit her on the right shoulder.
"Ouch! I said you won't get away with this...Nick...will...fi-Ahhhhhhh! Owwwww!" Stefania howled in agony.
"You think that Barkley boy is going to save you?" Orville asked before bursting into another round of obnoxious laughter.
"No Barkley would save damaged goods! I mean when we get done with you, little missy, that's all you'll be...damaged goods and garbage." Jeff added.
"And we know the Barkley family, especially Nick, don't settle for garbage! He has a great taste in the women folk. Women must be pure in order for him to pay them a glance and you won't be pure for much longer. You'll be like...like us." Seth nodded.
"That's right and you'll...belong...to...me! You're my...property...no-ow!" Dodie cooed and ran his fingers through Stefania's hair before kissing her ear and nibbling on it.
Stefania tried to ignore what Dodie & the others were saying and despite how horrific this had turned, started to somewhat get used to the pain and not think about it as much or at least, she was trying hard to get her mind off of it, figuring the less she focused on the pain, the better and it probably wouldn't hurt as much. She moaned when Dodie grunted, breathed with Dodie's thrusts, ear nibbling & ear kissing, and grunted when Dodie pushed in and slid her body on the ground. However, the effort of trying to block it out of her mind would fail as the pain went from horrendous to extreme when Dodie started to get more aggressive than before, causing Stefania bite down on her already split lower lip so hard that the skin broke causing it to bleed some more. While this happened, everything Dodie and the others said in regards to Nick started echoing in her head and the thoughts of what would happen once her family and the Barkley family found out, if they found out and if she survived.
*Stefania's POV*
'What if it's true? What if Nick won't accept me after this? What if his family doesn't accept me and thinks of me as dirty?'
I feel fresh tears pour down my face.
'I wouldn't blame them for thinking of me as dirty. That's just what I am now! Just filth! I'm filth like these men are!'
I look at the wall and start thinking of my family.
'Oh my family! Oh, if my mama finds out! Ohhhhh no! If my papa finds out!'
I look down.
'My own family may cast me aside! They won't want me anymore! I won't be pure anymore! I won't be...anything anymore except filth!"
I think of Dominique.
'Then again, I probably deserve this! I probably deserve this...for not protecting Dominique and saving her from drowning! I'm so sorry, Dominique!'
*Outside of Stefania's mind*
With this thought and the others crossing her mind plus the extreme pain on top of it all, Stefania started to openly cry. This of course caught the attention of Dodie and the others.
"Well, well, look at this, the little missy here has decided to start cryin'!" Orville pointed out.
"She's probably cryin', because she probably got a good look at your mug, Orville!" Jeff joked.
"Nah, she's crying tears of joy! You see, a man is finally making her happy, ain't that right, honey?" Dodie stroked Stefania's hair some more and kissed her ear, again.
Stefania, unable to get a word in edgewise at the moment, just kept crying her eyes off.
"I asked you a question!" Dodie punched her in the middle of her back.
'Oh, Nick. Where are you? Please! Somebody make this end! Somebody save me! I know I'm being punished for not saving Dominique and I deserve every bit of it, but not like this!' Stefania thought.
*Meanwhile, with Nick*
Nick had been riding around and combing through everywhere imaginable, but still saw no sign of Stefania. This was starting to worry him as there were two possibilities of why Stefania was nowhere in sight; One, she could be held someplace against her will and being tortured or two, she could be dead. Anxiety in overdrive and anger beginning to surface, he rode off into some brush, hoping maybe inside the brush, he would find her. After combing through the brush, he spotted a dark haired woman sitting on the ground and picking some flowers. Believing it to be Stefania, a smile formed on Nick's face and a sense of relief ran through him. He got out of the carriage and ran over to the woman.
"Oh, Stefania! Thank God you're here! I've been so worried!" Nick grabbed the woman from behind and hugged her tightly, before kissing her neck.
The woman screamed the moment she felt Nick's lips on the side of her neck.
"Now, Stefania, is that any way to-" Nick was interrupted when the woman turned around, revealing herself not to be Stefania at all which caused him to get bug eyed and nervously laugh, "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am! Terribly sorry. I-I-"
"You pervert! What was the idea?! Who do you think you are?!" the woman backed away from him.
"Look, ma'am, I'm sorry. I truly am. I thought you were my lady friend Stefania." Nick tried to clarify, but was having a hard time as his voice was a little shaky.
"Well, I don't know who this Stefania is. My name is Gretchen and you had no right to grab me like you did!" the woman grabbed a stick.
"Listen, Gretchen, I'm sorry. You look so much like her that I thought you could be here. I'm terribly sorry." Nick tipped his hat.
"Go away! Go away!" Gretchen started hitting Nick with the stick.
"Ow! Owwww! That's just what I'm doing! Ouch!" Nick walked back to his carriage and got in almost immediately.
"I don't ever want to see you, again!" Gretchen threw the stick at him, missing by a hair.
"Don't worry, you won't." Nick grabbed his horse reins, tapped his horse, and grumbled to himself as he rode off away from Gretchen.
Once he was away from Gretchen, Nick went back into search mode and was about to continue when he heard hoof beats approaching, yet again. He looked to his left and it was Heath.
"Any luck?" Heath asked as he approached Nick.
"No luck in finding Stefania, but I had a brief encounter with a woman and her stick!" Nick was clearly annoyed at being hit with a stick.
"Now, why would someone want to hit you with a stick?" Heath tried his best to stifle any laughter, but was failing.
"I thought she was Stefania and-" Nick was cut off.
"And you pounced on her and probably kissed her, right?" Heath nodded and smirked.
"Oh, have some maturity, will you?" Nick shot him a glare.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. Nick, you need to learn to talk to a woman before you pounce on her like a wolf pouncing on its prey." Heath laughed.
"Get back to searching!" Nick, really annoyed now, pointed to the direction off in the distance and snapped his fingers.
"Ya gotta learn, big brother. Ya gotta learn some manners." Heath, still laughing, shook his head.
"Ohhhh! You're getting as bad as Jarrod now! If you don't get going, you'll learn a thing or two!" Nick snapped his fingers again, "Now, git!"
Heath, not wanting to "learn a thing or two" from Nick, but still laughing, tapped his horse with the horse reins and rode off.
"And I thought Jarrod was immature at times! Note to self, remind Heath not to hang out with Jarrod too much. Anyways, back to searching for Stefania." Nick said to himself, before riding off again.
*A few minutes later*
As Nick continued riding around, he spotted a group of people out on a walk. Thinking they may know where Stefania was and wanting to warn them of Seth McMahon and his gang being released from San Quentin, he rode up to them.
"Whoa!" Nick stopped the horses.
"Who are you?!" one of the group members asked.
"Howdy. Name's Nick Barkley. Look, I haven't time to make this social, but have any of you seen a girl, dark haired, tan complexion, very beautiful, and with an Italian accent?" Nick asked.
"What's her name?" another group member asked.
"Stefania Mangano. Does the name ring any bells? She's a good friend of mine and I haven't been able to find her. We were supposed to meet up." Nick explained a little.
"No, we haven't, Mr. Barkley." the first group member replied.
"What are you doing with an Italian anyhow?" a fourth group member chimed in.
"Yeah, don't you know that they're a plague just like the Mormons, Sheep Herders, and many others who aren't good pure people?" a fifth group member added.
"Hold your tongues! Both of you or you can continue this walk alone!" the leader scolded them, before turning to Nick, "My apologies, Mr. Barkley. They're narrow minded, as you can see. Well, if we see her, we'll find you, let her know, and take you to her."
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that. Well...good day." Nick nodded and started to ride off, only to stop himself, "Ummm, wait a minute!"
"Yes?" the leader of the group asked.
"I just want you to know that Seth McMahon and his gang have been released from San Quentin. My advice is that you all get back to your homes immediately or go somewhere safe. With them roaming around, you never know, because they're very dangerous." Nick warned.
"Those monsters are loose?" a woman in the group asked.
"Yes, ma'am. If I were all of you, I'd turn around and go back." Nick nodded, again.
"Thank you, Mr. Barkley. Thank you!" the leader turned around and started to go back, everyone else following suit, "Thank you, again and I hope you find your friend."
"I hope so, too and don't mention it." Nick sighed, before riding off.
*Back in town, with Jarrod*
Jarrod had rode back into town and was at the sheriff's office. He figured Fred would go out with him to search for Stefania plus he wanted to inform him of the release of Seth McMahon and his gang just in case the sheriff wasn't fully aware of it as of now.
"Hmmmm." Jarrod looked around and paced back and forth.
Pretty soon, the door opened and in came Fred.
"Hi, Jarrod." Fred greeted as he walked in and sat down at his desk.
"Hello, Fred." Jarrod nodded.
"I see this isn't a social visit, because I can tell that there's something on your mind." Fred replied.
"Yes, Fred. There is something on my mind and before you ask, I wanted to know if you've heard the latest on the release of Seth McMahon and his gang?" Jarrod put his hands on the edge of the desk.
"Yes, I have. In fact, I was hoping to see you, because I just got through talking with Harry the bartender who was being tended to by Dr. Merar. Poor guy suffered a terrible blow to the head after having an encounter with McMahon and his gang plus a young lady who was scared to death." Fred leaned up in his chair.
"This young lady, did he tell you-" Jarrod was cut off.
"He told me that she was of Italian descent or something. Looked as though the devil was on her tail. She gave him a note that he said he gave to you. Where is it?" Fred clasped his hands together.
"I don't have it on me. Nick has it." Jarrod replied.
"I figured, because Harry also mentioned that-" Fred was interrupted.
"Fred, I don't mean to interrupt, but could you join my brothers and me on a search?" Jarrod asked in an urgent tone.
"Of course. However, I'll need to get a posse and-" Fred was interrupted, again.
"No posse. Just you, Heath, Nick, and me." Jarrod shook his head.
"Alright, but why no posse?" Fred asked.
"Come on, Fred. You know why. It would create attention and some of them may be...narrow minded, if you will." Jarrod pointed out.
"Narrow minded? Jarrod, would you mind filling me in on why you and your brothers need me for a search when I need to search for a girl who was kidnapped by McMahon and his gang & is probably at this moment experiencing God knows what." Fred stood up from his chair.
"That's just it! The girl McMahon and his gang took is the girl we're looking for! She's Nick's friend. Her name is Stefania Mangano and well, long story short, she and Nick were supposed to meet up and well, we haven't been able to find her. Nick has the note Harry talked about. In the note was a lock of hair and an earring. Now, we know what that indicates, don't we?" Jarrod turned around and faced the window.
"Of course, we do. It indicates trouble and you believe this Stefania is in trouble?" Fred walked over to Jarrod.
"My brothers and I know she is in trouble. Which is why I figured you would want to join the search, so that way if we do encounter McMahon and his gang, we would have the law on our side and there would be a better chance they would let Stefania go without a fight, if they have her which my brothers and I believe they have her somewhere around here." Jarrod explained before taking a deep breath.
"You have a point there, Jarrod. However, I still don't get the whole narrow minded thing and no posse." Fred scratched his head.
"Fred, a lot of people in Stockton are very intolerant towards non Americans, sheep herders, Mormons, you name it. If we got some of them mixed into a posse of good God fearing people, well...there's just no telling what would happen if they saw her and knew she was a friend of Nick's let alone our family." Jarrod ran a hand over his face, knocking his hat off.
"In that case, it's for the best we don't have a posse." Fred understood what Jarrod said completely.
"Exactly. Now, let's get a move on it and find Stefania before lord knows." Jarrod made a move to the door.
"Right behind you and Jarrod?" Fred picked Jarrod's hat up.
"Yes?" Jarrod opened the door and turned around.
"Your hat." Fred handed it to him.
"Thank you." Jarrod put his hat back on and got on his horse, Fred following suit.
"We'll find her, Jarrod. I know we will." Fred put a hand on Jarrod's arm before riding off.
"I sincerely hope so." Jarrod said to himself before following Fred.
*A few moments later*
After a few minutes of riding around, Jarrod and Fred stopped in their tracks when they spotted an abandoned run down barn just up ahead of them.
"That barn is still abandoned after all these years?" Jarrod raised an eyebrow.
"Apparently so. Let's give it a look and see if Stefania is in there." Fred said, before heading towards the barn, Jarrod following close behind him.
*Inside the barn*
Stefania was still experiencing the worst attack of her life except now it was Zeb who was violating her while Orville, Jeff, and Dodie held her arms and legs down & Seth stood by the doorway with a loaded shotgun.
"Ooooh! This feels good! You know...I have-en't had an experi-ience like...this...in...a...long...time! Been a while since...I was...passionate with a woman!" Zeb said while thrusting in and out of her aggressively, before whispering the last part into her ear.
"Please...stop! Please! Please...make this end!" Stefania cried and gasped, before looking up at the ceiling once again, this time praying, "Father God, I have tried to be good. I have followed your teachings. I know I didn't save Dominique, but please, forgive me for that and save me. Save me...p-please."
"No God can save you now!" Dodie said in a very nasty and sinister way.
"Oh, but we're all getting started, baby! Hate to just abruptly end such a passionate moment you will never forget." Zeb ran his hand up and down her back.
"Ohhhhhhhh." Stefania groaned and shivered as another round of fresh tears rolled down her face.
"Ooh, a little shiver. I love it when pretty girls shiver!" Zeb purred.
"Zeb, are you almost-Uh oh!" Jeff started to ask something only to stop when he heard a noise.
"Jeff, what is it and make it quick!" Zeb barked.
"I hear someone approachin'!" Jeff's eyes were the size of plates.
"Don't you worry none, I've got this here gun for a reason." Seth cocked the shotgun and walked outside.
"Good thinkin', Seth." Zeb told him before turning to Stefania, "If anybody sets foot near here, you keep quiet, understood?!"
Stefania didn't say a word and just sighed.
"I asked you a question!" Zeb pulled her hair, lifting her head up a little.
"Yes." Stefania whispered.
"Good! Now, back to our...passion." Zeb gently set her head back down and let go of her hair before going back to thrusting and making her body slide on the ground.
*Outside of the barn*
Seth stood outside and was ready to shoot whoever came near the barn. After hearing the hoof beats get closer and closer, he drew up his gun and aimed it outward in order to get the passerby. Once he saw it was Jarrod and Fred, who were approaching, fired the first shot in the air in order to send a warning of sorts.
"The first one was a warning. The next one will be fatal." Seth said to himself as he dispensed the spent shell casing and cocked the shot gun, again.
"Fred, that was gunfire!" Jarrod could be heard saying from a distance.
"Yeah and it wasn't just ordinary gunfire, Jarrod. That one was a warning shot." Fred was heard saying from the same distance.
"Let's go see what's going on at that barn." Jarrod replied before instructing his horse to keep going.
Seth went to fire the second shot only for the gun to jam. Frustrated, he threw the gun down in a huff and ran back inside the barn.
"Seth, what in the devil are you doing back in here?" Zeb looked up, sporting an angry look.
"That Jarrod Barkley fella is here and has the sheriff with him!" Seth whispered.
"You did go off and tell the sheriff, didn't you?!" Zeb turned to Stefania and gritted his teeth.
"No! No, I didn't! Honest!" Stefania replied.
"You're a filthy liar and a heathen! After the nice things we did for you, you go and do that?!" Jeff stomped his foot in anger, "And I didn't get my chance with you!"
"Neither did Seth and me!" Orville protested.
"Get out of her, Zeb!" Dodie ordered after walking over to Stefania and Zeb.
"Why, Dodie? You had your fun with her!" Zeb slapped the ground.
"I said...get out...of her!" Dodie gritted his teeth.
"Alright, but after you do do what you're about to-" Zeb was cut off as pulled himself out of her.
"Silence!" Dodie held up his hand before turning to Stefania and getting a murderous look in his eyes, "You betrayed us! You...betrayed us and...you're going to pay!"
"Dodie, what are you doin'?" Zeb asked.
"You're going to pay, honey! Pay...dearly!" Dodie flipped Stefania onto her back, got on top of her, and held his hands over her.
"What are you going to do that you haven't done already?!" Stefania was breathing heavily, again and shaking.
"This!" Dodie put his hands on her throat and tightened his grip.
"Dodie, are you nuts?" Jeff asked, as he, Orville, and Zeb let loose of Stefania's arms and legs & slowly backed away.
"You idiot! That's how we landed in Quentin in the first place! Do you wanna go back after we were set free?" Seth grabbed at Dodie's arms.
"I don't care! This Italian hussy must pay!" Dodie continued to choke Stefania.
Stefania gasped and tried to fight Dodie off, but lost consciousness after just a couple minutes of fighting and squirming.
"That'll teach you!" Dodie got off of Stefania and turned to Seth and the others, "I just killed her! What do we do? I don't wanna hang for this! She made me do it!"
"It's too late for that now. I'd say that we all go into town and get shovels." Seth instructed before going off.
"Right!" Jeff nodded and along the others, followed Seth.
After a few seconds had passed, Stefania, having faked the unconsciousness, opened her eyes, and looked around. Once she saw no sign of Seth and the others, she put her camisole back on before standing up, pulling her bloomers back up, and running out of the barn through the back door. Unbeknownst to her, she stepped in what appeared to be a torn sand bag and made a footprint in some sand.
It wouldn't be too long until Jarrod and Fred made their way inside the barn and looked around.
"Well, whoever was here is gone now, Jarrod." Fred looked around some more, before walking back over to Jarrod.
"It sure-" Jarrod paused when he spotted a footprint in the sand from the torn sand bag, "Hello, what's this?"
"What is it, Jarrod?" Fred asked.
"It's a footprint in torn sand bag. Well, in the sand from the torn sand bag. That means whoever made that footprint ran out the back door." Jarrod told him, before running out of the barn and getting back on his horse.
"Jarrod, where are you going?" Fred followed him out of the bar.
"Go find, Nick and Heath. I'm going to go the way that footprint and the person it belongs to went. This might lead us to Stefania." Jarrod replied before riding off in the direction where the person who made the footprint ran off to.
"On it." Fred got back on his horse and headed off to find Nick and Heath.
*With Stefania*
Stefania had switched from running to walking once she was away from the barn. It wasn't until she heard the sound of hoof beats that she started to speed walk. She was clearly afraid that Seth or one of the others had discovered she left the barn and was on her tail.
'I won't let them take me, again! I won't let them take me, again!' Stefania thought as she kept speed walking.
"Stefania!" a familiar voice called out.
Stefania, in a panic, went from speed walking to running for her life. While she was high tailing it, the person, who called out her name, came within a good distance behind her and revealed themself to be Jarrod.
"Stefania, wait!" Jarrod called out.
Stefania ignored him and kept on running, picking up the pace a little. This caused Jarrod to ride a little faster in order to catch up to her. Pretty soon, she disappeared behind some brush. Seeing this, Jarrod stopped his horse, got off, and followed Stefania on foot. Hearing footsteps approach, Stefania ran through some more bushes before finally reaching an area that seemed pretty far out in the open.
"Father God...protect me." Stefania looked up at the sky and put her hands in a praying motion before looking behind herself and fainting.
"Stefania, where-Stefania!" Jarrod ran over to her, picked her up, and carried her over to the nearest tree. He laid her against the tree in an upright position before sitting beside her and holding her hand, gently tapping it while waiting for her to come to. It wouldn't be long until he got a good look at her bruises and split lip.
'What in God's name happened? Who was it? What did they do you?' he thought.
*Three minutes later*
Stefania came to and looked around, before seeing a man's hand on her hand. In order to see who this person was, she looked up and locked eyes with Jarrod.
"Oh, Stefania. Thank God you're okay." Jarrod breathed a sigh of relief.
Stefania screamed and tried to push Jarrod away, before beginning to attack him.
"Stefania! Stefania, wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Jarrod told her while trying to grab her hands.
"Leave me alone! Please...just leave me alone! I can't take it anymore!" Stefania continued to attack Jarrod.
"Take what? Stefania, time out! It's me, Jarrod!" Jarrod got a hold of her hands after a while.
"Jarrod?" Stefania slowly started to realize it was Jarrod.
"Stefania, it's me. Nick, Heath, and I have been looking all over for you." Jarrod told her.
"You, Heath, and Nick have been looking for me?" Stefania had tears in her eyes, only this time they weren't tears of pain or fear. They were tears of relief.
"Plus, Fred." Jarrod added.
"Fred?" Stefania got a confused look on her face.
"He's the sheriff. Anyways, Nick has the note from Harry the bartender and well, he, Heath, and the sheriff should be here at any moment." Jarrod told her.
"Then, you already know." Stefania's voice was starting to break.
"Well, we found out what happened from Harry's point of view, but now, I want to hear your side." Jarrod looked away when he saw that she was in her unmentionables, but not before taking his jacket off and handing it to her, "Here you go."
"Thank you." Stefania put the jacket on and started crying, again.
"Stefania, what happened? You're bruised up and your clothes were torn off plus that note for Nick." Jarrod had a sympathetic look on his face.
Stefania put her head in her hands and cried louder than before.
To Be Continued...