Malevolent (Tex Sawyer)

Malevolent: 7

When morning arrived as did the Sawyers plan of action. Alfredo had left early, the heavy stomps of a tantrum being audible until he reached his truck which wasted no time skidding off. It was almost as tedious as the burning light in the vision of my blurry eyes. It ought to be a crime that on such a beautiful looking day came with nothing but ill will and intentions. It was mocking, taunting even in contradiction for no days with this family were as sunny as it appeared. Pain was coming, death for unsuspecting or gullible travellers on their weary way. It was sickening and that was all I felt in the pit of my stomach. Entering the kitchen was done at a reluctant pace, something which Tex did not try to usher faster. In the mornings he too liked to take his time and that was without the threat of harm.
"Morning sunshine, sit your ass down."
Tex instantly pushed me down on a chair as Tinker rolled a small pouch out onto the kitchen table. An assortment of rather sharp looking objects that could be used for amputation. I originally tried to turn away in an attempt to ignore the glare each one reflected with sunlight as it peaked through the crochet curtains. The longer I looked at them, the more real the situation became. Tex however just tutted and leaned down behind my seat and placed a hand at the back of my neck keeping me from avoiding the assortment of weapons. Ranging from knives to cleavers, every one of them looked deadly and ready to maim as needed and required. I squirmed unwillingly, my teeth gritting as I dared myself to be brave no matter what came. It was easier said than done.
"You were told to be a good girl." He whispered in my ear as I squeezed my eyes shut. Despite trying to be tough I could hear each beat of my heart through my ears, my breath trapped in my throat making it difficult to breathe. "And then you were a pain for Tink, lessons need to be learned one way or another sweetheart."
"Damn right." His older sibling agreed with a nod of his head. "Though this is only if luck isn't in your favour. There's a chance you won't have anything cut off today. Or perhaps just not a piece in its entirety. Might be below the knee or elbow and really, what do you need to be able to run for anyway?"
"She doesn't." Tex stated simply, "do you Lori? You know you're staying right here. Anything you had to lose is already gone so you need to stop being so dumb." Patting a hand on my shoulder, I swallowed knowing that this wasn't a situation I would be able to talk or kick my way out of. Dealing with one would be troublesome enough, let alone both. Then there were the others and my guilty conscience knowing that within Junior's barn was a victim who still breathed. I did not know what state they were in, if they could run but I knew I would falter in my attempts at the thought of her at the mercy of those who had none. She was in the same position I was and it made me question if I could just leave her without looking back. No one deserved this life. To lose everything was devastating enough but to be defiled and humiliated time and time again was a deep and unforgiving hole in its own right.
"Especially when we know you ain't. You have a brain in that head of yours." Tink said the outsoles of his boots tapping as he stepped closer awaiting a response or backsass. When he received neither  he sighed heavily, "you know you could be a useful asset to have on our side, if you weren't so damn stubborn but until then, what will it be arm or leg?"
"You're insane if you think I am actually going to choose." I whispered raspily. Though an answer came to mind no matter how grudgingly. With my legs I could sprint, I could kick and walk and climb. If I was to be amputated then it could only be an arm. Verbally stating it however was an arduous task. How could one so casually state which part of them would be up for cessation? Squeezing my eyes shut once more, I ignored the hum of amusement from behind me and another strenuous exhale from the elder of the two brothers. "You're both insane."
"You want us to choose Missy?" Tink challenged impatiently. "Pretty big commitment you aren't really putting your mind to. Really breathe it in, think about it for a second."
"We all know if we pick something, you'll have another little strop, don't we?" Tex declared. "It's a big commitment you know."
"Knowing the both of you, you would do the opposite regardless." Mustering what resolve I could find, I allowed my eyelids to flutter open once more and clenched my fists. They had never given me any reason to think otherwise. They were not trustworthy or reliable, not friends or even notable characters. "So it's not like I actually do have a choice, is it? I say arm, you take my leg. I tell you leg and you'll take my arm. So what you're asking me to do is bullshit. All of this is bullshit."
"Bullshit, is that right?" Tex chimed playfully. "You think we'd be so cruel to you Lori? That depends really." Patting down on my shoulder again, he tilted to the side from his crouched position. I wanted to strike him when he came into my focus and glimpsed the widespread grin lighting up his features. It was no surprise, this is what they fed on.  "You think she's right on the money, Tink?"
"Well maybe the next time it will be the case but something tells me you won't be wanting a repeat." Tink answered nonchalantly walking back to the potential weapons. "You'd be hopping about the place like a damn frog. Know what use that would be? Nothing to no one. So this once your opinion counts for shit, the next time it's right up your tight city ass."
"Oh and it is that." Tex sniggered childishly, his tongue moistened his teeth as I glowered at him. "You get so precious when it comes to bedroom talk but you heard Tink next time and the time after."
"But not this once." The brunette confirmed, reaching his hook out, he examined the choices thoughtfully. "Hell if you are a good girl I'll make it as quick and as painless as possible. Arm or leg?"
"Arm." I answered immediately. Courage was difficult to cling to. It was an emotion that had long since abandoned me in larger doses but there was no point trying to stall. It was what it was. They were going to take something as payment for defiance. I bit my lip and sucked gently on my lower lip. My legs trembled so I wrapped one over the other trying to make it less noticeable. If they saw, they didn't point out the blatant sign of weakness. Holding my head up, I allowed my auburn hair to glide gently against my face and upon the wound Alfredo had given me. At the slightest brush it burned and itched but it was nothing compared to what was coming. This would feel like a walk in the park. Defiantly, I sat up against Tex's hold the sooner this started, the sooner the dread was gone and the healing process and grief of being divided from what was taken.
"That's a good girl." Tex praised. My nose wrinkled in disgust at his approval.
"Left or right?" Tink pressed nodding to himself as the kitchen door creaked and opened. Junior had emerged, his ever faithful skin mask hiding his own from sight. "Well lookie here, you're just in time." Junior gave a begrudging noise, his much heavier steps coming closer before I turned my head sharply at what I noticed in his hands. I had seen his chainsaw skills up close but to see it and hear it as he dropped it on the counter with a heavy thud hit me in the chest and winded me. I didn't wish to be severed from my arm this way. A cleaver would be fast enough and didn't come with the thunderous applause of the saw. Tink however didn't seem to notice the noise and merely stood still awaiting an answer. "Left or right missy. There ain't no way out of this."
"Left."I shuddered. I was right handed and not fortunate enough to be ambidextrous. Whatever slither of hope was still present in this despondent situation relied heavily on the use of my fingers and coordination.
"You sure?"
"No, I'm fucking with you." I breathed back harshly through my teeth as Junior stepped closer before a hook held him at bay.
"She's just scared." He assured his cousin not to take it personally. "It's how she learns so don't you threat, just be ready to make yourself useful in a minute."
"If I wasn't certain I wouldn't have said." Tex chuckled as Tink just nodded, refusing to bite.
"Intricate choice, I get it."
"I doubt that." Despite having a hook in place of his hand, it was incredulous to even assume that he had lost it in the same way I was about to. Different circumstances for sure were at play at the time he lost his. Rather than argue or linger, he dug into the denim of his shirt and held up a small coin.
"Last question." He said simply as Tex readjusted his position, the snapping of his belt came before the tight grip he wrapped it around my upper arm. A tourniquet. "Will it be heads or tails?"
"Just in case."
"Fuck you." I whispered as he laughed dryly in response.
"I'll hold you to it."
"Go to hell." Choosing my words more carefully, I gritted my teeth at the frustration and fury I held at him.
"Meet you there." He shrugged unphased.
"Will it be heads or tails?" Tink interrupted impatiently, hitting his sibling, "stop playing her games or else she ain't gonna learn shit."
"Tails." I answered ignoring Tex as he winked in my direction trying to irritate me further. It was hard to bite my tongue but bowing my head I flexed the fingers of my left arm just to remember how it felt. I decided not to watch and focused on my finger tips, on the scars from the breakages they had suffered. Rubbing a finger against my thumb, I heard the way Tinker's hand smacked against his hand clearly catching the coin. My heart sped faster as I closed my eyes trying to focus on my breathing, to take a deep enough breath and refuse to cry as my eyes burned. Junior's steps came closer and I grasped against the chair with my right arm ready for the cut, the pain and the dreaded cauterising.
I wouldn't cry.
I promised myself I wouldn't but it was difficult to keep repeating it in my mind. My left arm was lifted, hands cupping at my shoulder and the other at the wrist.
"Yeah, right there." Tinker instructed simply. I prepared myself for it. Tensing in the seat, I refused to look but felt my arm as it twisted in the grip of the one holding me and heard the elastic like snap that came as it went disjointed.
Screaming out, the pain rushed to my senses, my eyes instantly opened to see Junior keeping my limb in the position he had it. A visible deformity of the bone was clear through the blankets of flesh, his heavy breaths raking in the moment of agony before letting go. My hand instantly folded in my lap. I couldn't move it, my palm refused to twist or turn. The slightest move alone was agony. With just his bare hands Junior had broken my arm as easy as he would a twig. Beads of water trickled down my face as Tex leant against the table smirking in enjoyment while Tink stepped closer brushing his cousin away.
"Next time, I let Junior rip it off." He warned as I glowered up at him. The flesh was already darkening into a bruise from the trauma. I didn't doubt that Junior would be able to snap it completely off. "It's your lucky day Missy."
"More like yours." Tex interjected idly, "if we made a mess of the floor, Mama would have made you clean it."
"More like Mama would make our little lady here lick it up." Tink disagreed. "Now, you can ask her the questions." Gesturing with his hook for the blonde to come closer, I turned my head in the opposite direction. The pounding of my heart pulsated and rippled, the volume of each one audible and rumbling in  my ears. There was no doubt my arm was broken, it swelled from being twisted and turned by the brute force that Junior wielded. The pain was unbearable and despite having made an oath, I couldn't stop the tears or ragged breaths. It was worse than the lashings of Tex's belt.
"Yes sir." Tex answered leaning against his knees as he lowered himself to my level, his fingers coiling against my tear stained flesh. "What don't we do with visitors?" He questioned slowly.
"Fuck you." I whimpered furiously.
"Lori, Lori." He sighed heavily before gripping at the broken appendage. Shrieking at the pressure, my stomach clenched but he kept his fingers pressing down on the area. "Let me ask you again. What don't we do with visitors?" Applying further pressure I flinched and thrashed. "Last chance sweetheart."
"Don't let them escape." I squeaked meekly. Tex grinned.
"Atta girl." He praised gleefully. "Now next question, who don't we fight in this house?"
"You lot. God, let go!" There was no turning my arm manually while he turned it, his fingers drumming against my skin as if making a song through the trauma.
"Not yet honey, who are 'you lot.'"
"You fucking maniacs!" What more was there to say? There was a long list of explicit words to describe each and everyone of them.
"What are we Lori? Should I give you a clue?" Lifting my head up and down through his grip on my chin, I watched through teary eyes as he smirked."We're a family aren't we?"
"You are." I agreed, "just let go."
"Not 'you are'" Tex tutted, "we are. Say it. Say it and I'll let go." Junior made a small noise as I groaned at the discomfort and pain, Tink just took to smoking and leaning on the kitchen counter watching. There was no aid coming, it never did. Help was scarce if not at all available. Breathing in, I held my breath trying to steady my voice, the wetness of my face clinging the auburn locks to my cheeks. "Say it sweetheart." He coaxed softly.
"We" I corrected myself feverishly.
"Are." The blonde prompted as I hung my head wanting to be anywhere else but he kept me still and focused. "We are?"
"Family." I shuddered.
"See now, that wasn't so hard." He was wrong, there was a vile taste that came with submitting to his orders. "Good girl."
"Now, let's put you outside so you can have a little think about what you did to deserve this." Tinker instructed.

When it came to meeting someone new, first impressions were important. Or at least there was a time when they had been. The female who was already out when I was taken to the yard was sniffling, bruised and naked and tensing against the thick frayed rope that held her still.
"Morning." Tex greeted simply at the weeping female who turned her head in retaliation and held her knees up against her chest. "Nothing I wanted to see anyway. Lori, Junior's girlfriend. Junior's girlfriend, Lori." Girlfriend for sure was not a term the woman agreed with as she curled up into more of a ball unwilling to acknowledge or speak. I didn't blame her, when each word could be cause for a belt or break it was sometimes better to be silent. "Right, time to sit you down. You need to elevate that arm of yours so we'll just tie one today."
Keeping my lips sealed, I sucked in a breath as he pushed me down on my better side. Sitting down, I raise my right arm knowing the drill. Sit and think was what this area was for. They had hammered more sturdier stakes to the ground to ensure it wouldn't give way, perhaps they had done the maths that with two people connected that they could use their strength in teamwork. Flinching as he leant over me, I couldn't help but scoff as the bandaged material draped over my shoulder and tucked my surely broken arm into the sling. Pushing my other hand back against the wood, the handcuff ready and waiting with a small click before Tex felt reassured enough to straighten up and step back.
"I'll see you later honey." I held my tongue, the urge to shout and scream at him was being taken over by the fatigue that took over my body. My head was spinning and pounding from the crying and the pain. It was better to say nothing. Watching as he left, I pushed my head back resting on the other side of the woman who continued to cry gently.
"It makes them worse." I breathed gruffly whimpering as I stretched out my legs. It was hypocritical but true. "When you cry, they enjoy it more."
"I don't want to die." The quiet and broken voice of the girl replied. Frowning gently, I turned my head slightly, she was still tucked away trembling from what I could see and I didn't blame her, not for a second. Still the release of death was actually a blessing not the life they forced you to live alongside them. It made sense for her to want to live but in her mind it wouldn't be in captivity but miles away from anyone with the name Sawyer. I had been there, I had dreamt and hoped but help didn't come and escaping was no easy feet alone.
"Being alive is worse." It was something I knew well, a thought I dwindled on each day. The pulling and stiffness from my arm had me resisting shrugging. It was the truth, despite already being through hell things could only get worse. "I'd happily be dead."
"How long have you been here?"
"Longer than you." I pointed out unsure whether she should find comfort in knowing it. The length of time didn't make me stronger or necessarily wiser, it just made me more scarred and injured under their tyranny.
"There'll be people looking for you." Whatever attempt of reassurance she was making, I couldn't help but laugh dryly.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Maybe my daddy would notice, maybe someone would report our disappearance when we didn't come home." Law enforcement had only come by once, there was no reason for them to permanently scout the middle of nowhere.
"We?"
"We." I confirmed with a small nod. "Though now there's only me." Kicking at the gravel, I sighed and tilted my head to try and deflect the glare of the sunlight.
"I'm here."
"I guess you are."
"So you're not alone." She promised in a whisper as I closed my eyes. For now I wasn't. I didn't want to know how long they intended to keep her alive or here. They had made it known that she was only being used for a child and it was a grim thought. Nine months of carrying something you knew was destined to turn into the rest of them. A murderer, a cannibal. It was no life. I kept my lips sealed, small sobs were still catching in the back of my throat and adjusting myself with difficulty as I sat, I stretched my legs out further.