Snowed In(manxman)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Will’s throat burned from the screaming he’d done and the tears he’d cried. His stomach ached as it bounced and jostled against the back of the horse that one of Thompson’s men had tossed him over.  His body had been beaten, hit and kicked so many times that there was not a single inch, from his head to his bare feet that did not hurt. The ropes on Will’s ankles and wrists had already rubbed his skin raw and blood dripped down his fingers, which, along with the rest of him, was freezing in the January air. 

Thompson whistled and the group of five men came to a stop on the snowy mountain trail, “Fred, Vince, you both veer off here and hide. I’m hoping Turner will have the good sense to realize he’s been beaten and not show his face in my town, however, if he heads down this mountain I want the two of you to be ready for him. Beat him until he can’t stand…” 

“What if he fights back, boss?” Fred questioned. 

Vince cackled, “He might just not take no for an answer.” 

Thompson’s thick black mustache spread as he grinned, “You defend yourselves with whatever force is necessary, boys. Men die in these mountains all the time. I can‘t see why Turner should be an exception.” 

“No!” Will cried. “Dammit, Thompson, you have me! Leave Turner alone! He has nothing to do with this!” Will’s voice was silenced when Thompson moved his horse closer and punched him in the mouth. Blood dripped between Will’s lips as he glared up at the man he hated so much. 

“Turner made his bed the day he lied to me, boy. I own this town and everyone in it and no one is going to lie to me and have it go unpunished! I’m willing to say we’re even after burning his home but if he tries to come after me--if he attempts to steal you from me a second time--” Thompson patted Will on the cheek, “Let’s just say that a bullet to the head as a way of changing a man’s mind.” 

Curses and insults flew from Will’s mouth as he began to struggle harder on the back of the horse. His struggles resulted in him slipping off and landing with a thud on the rocky ground. The breath was knocked from his lungs and Thompson’s laughter filled the midday air. 

“Creedence, why don’t you go ahead and gag our friend here. Can’t have that screaming causing all of us to have aching heads.” 

Creedence sneered and slid from the horse that Will had just escaped from. He clutched a dirty bandana in his meaty hand and Will tried to scoot away but it was to no avail. Creedence put a foot on his battered chest and held him still before putting the bandana tight against Will’s mouth and tying it in place against his tongue. 

Will slumped with defeat. It was over. It was done. He was now Thompson’s Caudill’s property once again. They had killed Beaux, beaten him to a pulp, tied him up, burned the cabin and soon Turner would be dead as well. Will knew that no one would help him. There were two lawmen in town--only two--and those men were bought and paid for and lived quite nicely in Thompson’s pocket. Everyone else in town feared the man far too much to cross him simply to save one man’s life or dignity. 

As Will felt himself tossed back over the horse and his bruised ribs screamed in protest, he felt everything inside of him die. His life would hold no more of the goodness he had found in that cabin. It was back to the brothel, the pain, the sweat, the hunger, the laudanum and the rape.