Tacoma Falls: Wild Horses

Coming home

Grayson

Beau and Mary arrived early to pick up Amber and take her home.

I loaded Amber's stuff into the truck before cupping her face, kissing her, and pressing my forehead against hers. "Give me time, Wild Filly. I'll fix this mess so we're never apart again."

"I know you will, Gray."

I kissed Amber again before releasing her and stepping backward. She climbed into the truck with Mary and Beau following her. I hated watching her leave without me. It was like a hole filled my heart.

I climbed into the truck and headed home to town. It was time to clear the confusion and right a wrong.

******
Amber

I sat in the backseat with my elbow on the door and my face in my palm while I stared out the window. It didn't seem real that I was coming home after being away for a few months.

Beau and Mary left me to my thoughts while Beau drove. I wasn't in the mood to chatter with too much noise swirling in my mind. I sat and thought about everything that happened. I spent months living with a monster—one who abused me in every way possible. But Satan never broke me.

"He didn't break me," I muttered while looking out the window.

"Who?" Mary asked.

I turned my gaze to see Mary looking at me. "Rusty. He didn't break me."

Mary looked at me and nodded in understanding. I turned my gaze to the window and watched the scenery passing by in a whirl.

*******
Grayson

I drove down the road while thoughts flooded through my mind. I reflected on seeing the rat manhandle Wild Filly and the other incidents after that day. We waited with bated breath for Amber to bolt from the rat. We weren't sure if she would make it.

When I got that phone call, I didn't hesitate to go to her. I stood watch that night while she slept, making sure she was safe. I didn't care if I stayed awake the entire night. I didn't want anything to happen to her.

After leaving Tacom Falls and arriving at the cabin, I saw the full extent of the rat's damage to Amber. It broke my heart. He starved and beat her, trying to get her to submit. He wrecked her physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. When you see the aftermath of domestic violence, it shocks you to the core.

But the rat never broke Wild Filly. Her spirit still fought to run free.

I rolled into town, pulled in front of the Sheriff's office, and exited the truck. I took a deep breath and released it before entering and speaking to Sheriff Tate.

I sat across from Sheriff Tate and waited for the arrival of two people. A few minutes later, Judge Heart and Maury entered and sat in chairs.

"Sheriff Tate and Judge Heart, I'm here to represent Grayson Fuller as his attorney," Maury said.

Sheriff Tate nodded in response.

"As Grayson's legal counsel, I want this on record that he isn't implicating anyone in a crime but telling the truth."

"I agree to those terms," Judge Heart said.

Maury nodded and looked at me. "Go ahead, Grayson. As your attorney, I advise you that the truth won't implicate you in a crime. The judge has agreed to grant you immunity in exchange for the truth about Rusty Miller."

I nodded in response before speaking. "Rusty Miller abused Amber Heart physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. He held her hostage in his house and locked her in the basement without light. He would starve her, beat her, and criticize her. He brought other girls home and engaged in sexual relations while he locked Amber in a closet to listen."