Chapter 3

“I told you before, missy, the road’s blocked ahead. You ain’t goin’ that way. I know these woods real good, and with the wind and the condition of some of them trees back the way you came, I reckon you won’t get far that way either. Just be real nice and let us take you to our cabin. We got plenty of firewood and grub, and some of the best moonshine you ever tasted to help you warm up. We’ll have a regular party.”

“My father will pay you very well if you would drive us home,” Tara said. “We’d much prefer to be home with our families.”

“You just don’t get it, do you sweetie? See, me and Ox don’t get to see many fine women around here. We’re gonna go to the cabin and have us some real fun. “You’d like to spend some time with this here pretty girl wouldn’t you, Ox?” Zeke said leering at Tara and grinning his broken-toothed grin.

“Yeah, Zeke, that would be real nice. I ain’t never had no woman that looks like her.”

“OK, guys, that’s enough,” I said.

“Boy, you need to shut the fuck up,” Zeke said, moving in front of me.

Now, I’m a pretty strong guy myself. I stand 6’1”, and weigh 225. I was a varsity tackle in high school, I do a lot of manual labor, I lift weights, I’ve never backed off from a fight, and I’ve won every one I was involved in since kindergarten. Still, I knew this wouldn’t end well. “You’re scaring her, and I don’t like what you’re saying either,” I said.

“You really don’t know when to shut up, do you, wimp?” Zeke said, his putrid breath in my face. “I guess I gotta show you.” With that, he lunged at me and grabbed me in a bear hug. With no effort at all, he picked me up and threw me against Tara’s car. My head hit the rear window frame hard. As I blacked out, I heard Tara scream.

The next thing I knew, Zeke had thrown a cup of water in my face. I sputtered awake, and realized I was tied to a chair in the brothers’ filthy cabin. There was a fire roaring in the huge fireplace. Tara was tied to a chair next to me. Zeke grabbed my hair and pulled me to look at him.

“Sorry I had to knock you out, kid, but you just wasn’t cooperatin’ and you was gettin’ real annoyin’. I thought you might like to join our little party, but I guess you’re just gonna have to sit there and watch the fun. We’re gonna keep you real comfortable, though. The fire’s makin’ it nice and cozy in here, and Ox is cookin’ up some real nice grub for all of us. I’m gonna go help him. When dinner’s ready, we’ll untie you so you and the pretty one here can get your bellies nice and full. I’d be happy to share some of that fine moonshine with you, then we’ll get the real party started.”