The Search for Will

Chapter 10

It pains me to write this, but here goes....

     Cole shook with tears and anger. His back hurt more than words would ever be able to describe. He was huddled in a small ball on the ground, trying not to make too much noise. The ranger hadn't come. And he never would.

     Cole was subjected to a life of misery. 

     He didn't dare move. Every twitch killed him. He tried to will his existence away like a feather in the wind. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. His cries turned to painful, shuddering hiccups. When they were finally gone, he stood and turned around to face the man that did this to him. He wanted him to pay for what he did.

     But Cole knew this was an unrealistic wish, for he could barely stand. He lightheadedly fell to the ground again. He stayed there for moments, breathing heavily. Then he used his strong will to try and stand again. He painfully straightened his back and winced as he felt the dried blood on his shirt crackle and separate. 

     The man walked to him with the rope he had used to tie him to the tree. "Hopefully that taught you a lesson. No more running away. I need you so I can sell you as a slave. A pity I had to whip you like that. You'll be worth a lot less now. But it was satisfying enough." He monologued as he tied the rope forcefully around Cole's wrists. Cole took a shuddering breath. He didn't know what the captor was planning, but he didn't like it.

     Cole seethed inwardly as the cruel man said it was satisfying to whip Cole. He glared at the kidnappers back as he was pulled across the campsite to the horse. A realization came to him, and Cole shuddered with fear. "No..." he mumbled. Then louder. "No! Please! Please."

     The man turned around, smiling. It gladdened him to see Cole broken like this. "Did you just say no?" A tear slipped down Cole's cheek. He didn't reply as the man stalked in circle's around him. "Do you want more?" He asked as he pranced his fingers on Cole's right shoulder. He tugged fiercely on the rope, causing Cole to trip and fall as it had been wrapped around his legs.

     Cole didn't say a word as the dirt hit him hard on the back.  Surely he would get an infection from this if the wounds weren't cleaned soon. He slowly rolled over and got up to his knees. He looked up with pleading eyes, but the man had already tied the other end of the rope to his horse and mounted. 

     Cole hurriedly tried to spring to his feet, just before the horse started off. He was half dragged through the forest, until he finally got his feet under him enough to jog behind. Thoughts blazed through his head as his back was wrenched apart from the movement of his legs. Then a voice interrupted them.

     No more crying, his mother told him. Be strong. He calmed down a bit, hoping things would be okay after this. The man had already lessened his price enough, surely. He wouldn't harm him any more, would he? To do so would only make him less money and slow down the trip. With these thoughts in mind, Cole's spirit lightened considerably. If the man was smart, he wouldn't hurt Cole too much.

     If he was smart.

    Cole willed the thought away. Where was the real him? He had become very pessimistic since his capture, which was unlike him. Where was the spontaneous, happy, energetic him? He sighed a cleansing sigh. From now on, he would change. He would be happy, even when the situation was dire. And the Baron and nurses would notice his disappearance.

     He jogged fiercely behind the brown horse. He wouldn't let his captor see him be weak. He wouldn't give him that satisfaction. He would run until he was told to stop. The trees whipped along past him, sometimes stinging his arms. He was still barefoot from when the man pulled off his shoes, and the thick underbrush scraped at his feet. But at least they weren't traveling through rocks. The plants were relatively comfortable to run on despite some of the pokier kind. He smiled. There's the optimism. 

     They ran for a few more minutes before breaking through to a meter wide rocky path leading perpendicular to the direction they had been heading. They turned from east to south. Aand... here come the rocks. He sighed. Looks like thing were taking a turn for the worst.

     "If anyone on this path sees you being dragged behind, it could raise some questions." The man said, startling Cole. "So hop on the saddle." Cole's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it. He was actually being invited to sit on the saddle? "Don't just stand there, get over here before I change my mind!"

     Cole thought that sounded like a great idea. He scrambled up to his captor, who loosened his bonds. Then Cole jumped up into the saddle in front. Things were squishy, which neither of them liked, and Cole's back rubbed into the man behind him, which hurt, but it was much better than walking through the rocks with a rope around his wrists.

     Cole smiled again. He loved being on horse back, even in the current conditions. The horse picked up the pace, cantering through the day. Cole turned around to face the man behind him. He had a short black beard and startling blue eyes. Cole sensed a history there, and wondered how he had become what he had become.

     "What are you lookin' at?" He asked gruffly. But Cole didn't turn back around.

     "Thank you." Cole stared deep into his eyes.

     He just grunted and looked at the road up ahead. Cole faced south again and smiled. Then a thought hit him. While he was in a good mood...

     "What's your name, by the way?"

     "Foldar."

     Sorry for the short chapter! But the last one was relatively long. I hope you are thoroughly intrigued by the story line! Vote and comment any conventions please!