We spent the next few hours talking. Even Becky was unnaturally subdued and friendly. Thankfully he didn’t ask some of the more personal questions. Maybe he didn’t want to know about the man that would take me. Most of his concern was if he would see me again. From what I understood, family was allowed two visits per year at first.

Christmas should be interesting...

Hell, I don’t even know what my future in-laws are like.

I got tired of… being observed for lack of a better word. Becky wasn’t as mean as she had been in my bedroom, but we exhausted most of our conversation. Pa wouldn’t say much after that. Either he didn’t want to embarrass me or couldn’t think about his son and his upcoming pregnancy.

I went outside where we used to have our long talks. Those talks were over but at least I could burn the sight into my mind. It was just past sundown with enough ambient light to drip everything in murky grey. A few days ago, the biggest problem had been unsold cattle. After that, saving our farm.

Then, it was finding a way out of my situation. Just problem after problem. Chances dwindled that I could get out of this.

At least things can’t get any worse.

I stayed there against the wooden fence taking in all the country sensations I could. The smell of the cattle and hay, even the cold against my smooth, gooseflesh skin. Normally I wasn’t chilly, but this body got cold easier.

And a lot of other things.

My eyes closed for over a minute, before a thick, yet soft hand sealed over my mouth. Several small, sour pills pushed over my lips. A familiar raspy growl whispered in my ear. “Take it. Swallow it or I swear I’ll kill you.” I shook my head as best I could, but I couldn’t fight against the strong man who held me tight. It was like trying to move against a vise.

He held my nose and covered my mouth while my lungs grew hot. In my instinct to breathe, I swallowed the bitter pills even as I chastised myself for doing so.

“That’s a good girl,” whispered Nate. “Here’s what’ll happen. We’ll wait until the pills hit. Then, you and I will have our fun.”

***

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

PETER

Nate held me in a near chokehold while the fog within my brain grew. The effect from the pills and loss of air wasn’t unlike few shots of whiskey. Enough to make me feel sleepy but still aware even if there was a sense of unreality. Part of me wondered if he had previous experience with this.