Walking Tall

Walking Tall(book one)

The mans dry hands fumbled for the zipper of Claires jacket. Claire cried, pleading with the stranger. "Please don't do this. Please." He hit her then covered her mouth with his hands. He wished the bitch would just shut the hell up. He needed to fulfill his need, his desire and she just so happened to be the first one he spotted. Claire screamed into the mans hand, but it was no use. Her screams were muffled from his hand. Her bare chest exsposed, she knew she only had a few moments before the unthinkable would happen. She kicked him and he fumbled off of her. She stood and turned, almost taking her first step before he tugged on her jeans, pulling her face first into the mud. He wasnt about to let this bitch get away before he even got started. He crawled back on top of her, hitting her face until she had little fight left in her. Finally. Peace. He pulled her jeans off, revealing the boy shorts underwear Claire was wearing.Claire sobbed at the mans smile. He yanked off the thin underwear, quickly unzipping his jean zipper and joining his body with Claire's. She kicked, screamed, squabbled as best as she could to make it difficult for him to get his sick kicks. The man just laughed at her efforts. Her resistance only turned him on more. He screamed. The force of a blade entering his back crippled him. Claire noted a tall man standing close to her. "Please. Be calm. I am here to help."He stated sternly. Claire nodded, giving him the permission to procceed. He picked her up bridal style, set her on the back of his horse before mounting and placing her back in his strong arms amd bare chest. She felt calm in them, warm even with the rain hitting her cheeks. She could not help, but drift into a deep exhausted sleep.

***

Claire awoke screaming, her body covered in sweat. She looked a around the strange place, a small little tent. The ground covered by wool. She rolled over her stomach, taking in its feel amd smell. 'What is this place?' She wondered. She remembered her rescuer and rushed to her feet to find him, thank him for all he had done.She stopped, remembering she had no clothes. She searched around the tent in hopes her clothes were with her, but instead she found a robe like dress. She put it on, imagining herself from the outside.She imagined how odd she must look, looking like an indian. Long black hair and a dress like their own. She was only missing the tan skin she admired since reading about them in history books and seeing pictures to go along with her history class. She shoved the robe-dress onto her body and rushed out of the tent. In her hast she slammed into a broad, bare chested man. He turned to face her.

"Are you alright?" The man asked. Claire looked at his face. 'He is beautiful' She thought. The man had high cheek bones and a strong narrow jaw. His cheeks were slightly skinny and his lips were full, surrounded by stubble. He had bright blue eyes and Claire had there full attention. 'He is beautifully sculpted. In every way.His chest, back and his face. He is gods gift to women, but does he know this?'

"Please," the man stated. "I will not hurt you."

"I'm in a lot of pain, sore if that is what you mean." The man looked angery. He spoke in a language she could not begin to understand.

Claire was puzzled. What was he so upset about? He did not know her, so why did he care? "I'm Claire and you are?"

"Just call me Tall." He said. She raised am eye browl. He chuckled.

"When will I be returning to Woodsburrow?" Claire asked. Her parents must be worried. She wondered if the rapist had died. Tall showed no mercy for him. He had left him there to die.

"I have a phone. You may want to call your family and tell them what is going on and that you are safe." He said. Seeming to read her mind. She took the phone. Said thanks and re entered the teepee. The phone rang twice before her father had answered.

"Hello, Dad?"

"Claire we were so worried about you. Where are you at?"

"I'm 21 father and some things have come up, but I'm fine. I'll be home soon."

"Are you sure you don't want us to come get you, kiddo?"

Claire smiled, but rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure. I love you Dad.Bye!"

She hung up the phone just as Tall was walking in.

"Why did you not tell them the truth?" Claire began to cry. Tall came and held her. He pulled her close. "I did not mean to make you cry, Claire. You know you cannot hide this from them for to much longer. It will only hurt you." He pulled away, lifting her chin so she her soft golden brown eyes are looking into his. "I will not let you go home until i hear word about his whereabouts, whether he is dead or alive,but if he is alive I will not leave your side until he is where he is supposed to be. Dead or in a cell somewhere." She gave him a look, a look of pure love and wonder. Claire never had a sense of this kind of love. Was he in love with her, she wondered.

"What is it?" Tall asked in response to her gave.

"I..I'm wondering why you care about someone you don't even know none the less found being raped. A dirty filthy person...why do you care?"

"Listen to me, Claire. What that man has done does not make you dirty. You are a beautiful women, in mind body and soul. Do not allow yourself to think you are tainted because of that sick mans needs." He leaned in, placing is soft lips on hers. Claire let a soft moan escape from her. Tall pulled her into his lap with either knee on each side. She moaned again. The continued kissing like this for some time before Tall broke her trance.

"Come. I want you to meet my people."