Thaddaeus*Bishop

Bishop tossed his dark head in exitement. He recognized the path they were taking. Thad gave the animal a rare, almost gentle pat on the neck, knowing that the stallion was thinking exactly the same thing he was. As they pulled to a stop in front of the shack, he switched his grip from Hallie's hair to her left arm, saying, Get off that waste of fur and air. Now. He waited for her to dismount, not caring about the awkward angle it put her arm at. If she didn't get down, he could always pull on her arm and get her down, and might even dislocate it at the same time.

Hallie

She whimpered but got off her mare slowly. But she got off.She bit her lip. What would she do now? God she wished she had stayed with ashlin.

Heaven pawed the ground

Bosco stood next to heaven.

Thaddaeus*Bishop

She obeyed, and he wasn't sure whether to be pleased or disappointed. He rather liked to watch her face as he inflicted pain on her body. Well, nevermind, he'd get some of that fun soon. He dismounted Bishop with an easy grace that almost could have made you forget how drunk he was. Keeping a bruising grip on Hallie's arm with one hand and holding Bishop's reins in the other, he clicked to his stallion and began to head around back to the stables. When they arrived, he released his daughter's arm and almost threw both lead reins at her, saying, Stick those two in stalls, adjoining, and brush their coats out before you do. I won't have dirty horses in my stalls. And stick some sweet feed in Bishop's trough. He's earned it. And put that mutt away. His eyes were hard on her, and even as she began to move he grabbed the front of her shirt and dragged her up off of her feet until they were nose to nose, his foul breath strong in her face. And if I catch either of 'em loose, or you feedin' em... you'll regret the days any of you three were born, get it? Just as suddenly, he released her shirt, letting her fall the extra foot to the ground in emphasis. Finally, he settled back against the wall to supervise her work.

Hallie

She just stood there and then let her face go back at his breath.She just nodded. She took the two reins of both horses and called for bosco to follow and then headed toward the kennels first.Bosco inShe said and then closed the gate.She hated not being able to feed her animals.She then made her way to the stable. She tied both to a tie ring and then untacked both and put the tack away. She took out a brush and went to Bishop first and brushed him off and then let him loose in the stall.

She sighed and brushed heaven tears still running down her face. She brushed her clean and then put her in the stall as well. She got sweet feed and gave it to bishop. If he wasn't watching her she would of given heaven alittle but he was so she just finished up and then moved back out reluctantly.

Thaddaeus*Bishop

He watched in satisfaction, seeing that she remembered that Bishop always came before that mare. So, I see you remember a few things. His grin was ugly, but it showed that, for the moment, he was pleased with her. Soon's that nag starts doin' summat useful, you can start feedin' 'er. You start plowin' the back garden tomorrow. If ya get half the plowin' done before lunch, I might let ya give 'er summat. He said nothing about Bosco, because the dog did nothing useful. Sometimes, if he were drunk enough, he'd let the girl feed her dog, but he never noticed when she snuck him half of her meager dinner.

There was a large garden behind the house that Thad wanted plowed up for vegetables, and the horse would be hard pressed to get half the plowing done before lunch, especially on an empty stomach. It was possible... but difficult. That was the key to Thad's cruelty: he put victory just within your reach, and then made you kill yourself to get it.

Hallie

She stopped and listened. Well he definityly hasn't changed and would neve change.yes papaShe said. She didn't move or saying anything

Heaven snorted and shook her dial and just began to doze off

Bosco.He gowled and limped around his enclousure.

Thaddaeus*Bishop

Bishop began to much his meal, making sure to be quite noisy about it so that Heaven could hear every bite and envy him.

Thad watched his horse for a few moments, and then turned his cold eyes to Hallie. Now get your ass in the house. Bathrooms, sweep, and laundry. You want supper you'll get em done before dark. After dark... then he'd teach the girl pain.

Hallie

She listened to him.Yes PapaShe said and moved off for the house.She put he hair up fully revealing the bruise. She grabed the boom and began to sweep. It took her only ten minutes to fully sweep the two bathrooms. She then grabed the dirty laundry ad braught it to the washer.She Folded the dry stuff and then placed wet stuff into the drier and then placed dirty cloths in the washer and started both machines and then went to put away the clean cloths.

Thaddaeus

He followed her into the house, dogging her every step. He'd put new locks on both the doors: a combo lock on top, a dead bolt in the middle, and a padlock at the bottom whose key he kept on a string round his neck under his shirt. This time, the girl wouldn't get out at night. And get me a drink while you're at it, wench! The cabinets might have been nearly bare of food, but the small kitchen was nearly overflowing with alcohol of various types. Not being very original, the only thing he could think of to make her do when he hadn't the energy to beat her was to have her do maid's work, and so their tiny house was almost always clean despite his lack of interest in its keeping.

Hallie

She heard him and after she finished the clothing she moved to what they called the kitchen. She grabed his favoite drink and opened it and then baught it back to him. Her life was hell again and she couldn't change that.

Thaddaeus

He took the drink from her gruffly and made sure that as she turned to go his hand wandered to her butt-cheek, giving it a good squeeze as a pre-cursor to what he had in mind later. He knew she would expect it now, but he didn't care. He wanted to see the anticipated fear in her eyes. When she'd done all he asked of her, the sun was just barely over the horizon. Another few minutes and she'd have been too late. But, as it was, she'd made it. So he moved to the kitchen and removed the string from under his shirt and used the key to unlock the one cupboard that still served its originial purpose. Dragging out what might have once been cereal and milk, he banged it down on the table and indicated with a wave of his hand that she was welcome to eat it. She probably suspected that he'd put something in there to make her vomit. It was a common tactic of his, and he never tired of watching Hallie wretch over the toilet. But that was beside the point. It was a cinch that she wouldn't pass up the food, and even if she did, he could always force it down her throat, anyway.

Hallie

She felt him and her eyes shut now fearing what was gonna happen tonight..She knew his trick and today she just didn't feel like hurling her insides out. Why eat when it would just come back up? Then you would have othing in your stomach.She shook her head and just stood where she was.

Thaddaeus

He'd expected her defiance, and his voice came soft and dangerous. You would presume to defy me? Not a smart move, my girl... He aimed a feirce back-handed slap at her cheek with all his might, enough to knock her down if it landed. But as it was he staggered a bit, and if it even connected it would only be a glancing blow. I'm giving you one more chance, miss, coz I happen ta be in a good mood. You know I can make ya sorry, too. And his eyes spoke of dangerous things, holding hers like a coil of hot iron.

Hallie

She yelped and her head turned along with she staggered.She caught herself and glanced back ove at him.She closed her eyes.She then looked at the cereal and moved over to it very reluctantly and she sat down and ate some of it not all that she was given. maybe if she only ate alittle it wouldn't affect her.

Thaddaeus

He watched her turn it over in her mind, and was about to "help" her make a decision when she sat and did was she was told. He didn't really care how much she ate. It was more to have the power of knowing she feared him enough to do as she was told. Satisfied, he moved away, locking down both doors for the night before coming back and deliberately bumping the table so that the cereal would go sloshing down her front. Get outta my sight til I call you, filth. I don' wanna know you're alive for the next couple hours, hear?

Hallie

She saw this comming but had no time to dodgei t. She felt the cereal go down he front. She nodded and left . She went into her bedroom which was actually the walk in closet of her fathers room seeing as thee was no where else for her to go. All she had for a bed was a couple of blankets and a pillow.She changed her cloths and then layed down.

Thaddaeus

He grunted as she left, and returned to the "living room" portion of the small dining area, sitting down as the ancient armchair groaned with his weight. He reached forward to push the power button of a tiny 12 inch television, an object in the house that, like so many others, was off-limits to Hallie. In boredom, he sat and flipped channels, sipping his drink for just under an hour before barking caught his attention. It was decidedly not Bosco, but his bellow held all the fury he could muster. Hallie! Get your butt out there and shut that mutt of yours up before I do it the permanent way.

Truth be told, there was an unknown dog barking at Bosco from the safety of the brush, but Thad neither knew, nor cared.

Hallie

She growled alittle herself and then stood up and moved to the door that was closest to the kennel.She looked outside and saw that bosco was sleeping? She looked around a bit worried.If it wasn't him barking then what was.She knew thad wouldn't care and would hurt bosco anyways.So grabbing a stick as she went outside she took a deep breath and threw it in the direction of the barking to hopefully scare the dog off. She steped back inside and shut the door just in case it came running at her.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

Thaddaeus scowled as he let her out, and did not seem to notice or care that Bosco was thoroughly asleep. He simply heaved himself back down again, one eye on the girl.

The dog gave a whimper-growl as the stick make contact quite forcefully with his sensitive nose, and he pawed at it painfully. Finally, the growl faded, and he stepped forward out of the brush to give Hallie an offended look. His stubby little corgy body was still tiny: he was barely a month old, walking around on short, fumbly legs. His enormous ears made him look almost comical as he stared up at her, that hurt look on his face. Why did you throw that at me?

Hallie

She looked at the pup which showed her sadness and the hurt but then she held a hand up to her mouth to tell the pup to be quiet. Then she went back t o her room.She bit her lip. Just laying down in her room was torture.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

The pup gave another, softer yip as the girl left, but when the door closed and she was gone, he retreated to the kennels, laying down silently by the door to Bosco's prison. She'd looked so sad...

The evening passed slowly, and as the night wore on toward two a.m. Checking the locks one more time, Thad moved back into his daughter's room and shut the door against the silence of the night, taking a good long time about teaching her what he wanted. Finished, he left her alone to huddle in her room and collasped onto his own bed. Soon his snoring shook the house.

Hallie

She just let him do his thing and then she huddled in a corner her arms across her legs. She let the tears fall down.

Bosco opened an eye to stare at the pup.

*Dog*

The little dog looked up at Bosco, tail waving, grinning ear to ear. HI! he yipped. And then, suddenly, remembering that the sad girl wanted him to be quiet, he sunk down a little, ashamed of himself. When he spoke again, it was in a much softer voice. Who're you?

From his bed, Thad stirred for a moment, and then turned over and snored on.

Bosco

He looked around as the little dog yiped and then back to the dog.you shouldn't be here, Leave now while you still can pup!WAs all he said.

She finally got to sleep but would wake in two hours time to start the plowing.

*Dog*

The pup's face became quite confused, and he barely remembered to keep his voice down as he questioned. What? I mean, the girl hit me with a stick, but I don't think she meant it really. I guess I scared her. his tail waved, for his nature was truly forgiving, and he had never met a human he didn't like.

Bosco

He looked around again.She threw it because her father thinks its me barking and he don't care if its another dog. So she needed to quiet you before i was killed, I suggest now while you still can!

*Dog*

The pup cocked his head, still more confused than before. But... I don't sound like you. You're a lot bigger'n me. But Bosco's words brought a hint of alarm to his face, and the waving of his tail slowed. But...but humans like puppies... This was a fact: a steady thing in the pup's life. Humans loved small cuddly things... didn't they?

Bosco

He shook his head.Not her father, Her father starves me, The only food i get is when he is too drunk to care, Now please scramHe said.

It was now 6 in the morning. She awoke and dressed immediatly but stayed where she was waiting.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

The little dog shook his head. Bosco had to be mistaken. Humans loved dogs.

Thad woke with the sun, and hurled open his daughter's door without asking if she was dressed. Pleased to find she'd already gotten up and dressed, he pointed a fat finger at the door and unlocked it, using his hand to cover the numbers of the combination lock. Once they were unlocked, he stepped aside and opened the door, give her a not-so-gentle shove to send her out.

Fortunately, the little corgi had some sense for survival, because he ducked behind Bosco's pen just as Thad came toward it. Sitting a chair near the dog, but far enough that the dog could not savage him through the chain-link, he hefted an old rifle into his lap, eyes pointedly on his child. If'n it gets to be noon and I don't see ya comin' back, you'll be havin' dog for dinner. Get me? Insurance, so she wouldn't think to run away and come back afterward for Bosco.

Hallie

She got up as he opened her door and then shoved her out.She stumbled and then watched him fear in her eyes.She nodded and then moved off to retreave heaven. She got her suited up and then began to plowing. It took her till 11:30 to finnish and then she placed the mare back in the stall.She was now comming back toward the duo

Bosco growled licking his chops as he watched himfearfully.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

Thad had fallen asleep in the time it had taken her to finish, but as she came back toward him he sat up straighter and eyed her work. Well, he had to admit, however grudgingly, that he had taught the lass to work. Wordlessly, he went into the stable and grabbed the cup that he kept in the horsefeed. Bishop usually consumed about three cups full per meal, and Thad gave him his full ration, but he dumped only a cup into Heaven's feed-bucket as he passed her by before putting the cup back where it went. Finally, he turned back around to Hallie. Well, what are you standing there lookin' useless for? Clean up this pig-sty of a barn, and as soon's your nag's finished with that feed it's back out you go.

The little dog cowered behind Bosco's pen. This man didn't sound nice, and he didn't treat the girl nice, either. Maybe... could Bosco be right?

Thad headed back to the house, no longer concerned with his daughter's doings. He had only made the show of power to remind her who was boss. She'd have never left without the mutt anyway. He fell back to his old habits, flipping channels and going through a six-pack steadily as the afternoon wore on.

Hallie

She looked at him and as soon as he disspeared she placed alittle bit of meat in Bosco's kennel for him. then went to the barn and began to clean it.She would run a gain but not now.

Bosco:he watched them and then turned in his kennel.He ate the food as fast as he could.

*Dog*

As soon as the angry man disappeared, the pup came out from behind Bosco's pen, tail waving up at Hallie. He sat near one wall and watched silently as she worked, head turning with every motion she made. He had a huge puppy-grin on his face, trying to make her feel better.

Hallie

She looked around smiled at the pup and then grabed another cub full of feed she placed it in her hand and let heaven eat that. She wasn't about to work her horse to death. She then bent down at the puppy.You should be here little oneShe said pet the pups head and then stood up. As soon as heaven was done shetook her out again and began to finish the work.

*Dog*

His entire back end wriggled as she pet him, a little, happy whine escaping him. As she went to head outside, he followed her, staying out of Heaven's way but walking alongside, up and down each row as she plowed, tail waving like a banner. In places he stepped high, short legs making him tumble about as he attempted to look fancy. Then he'd find something imaginary to chase, and take off after that, patting cat-like at his imaginary prey when he caught it. But he always came back, trotting a few spare feet from Heaven's hooves, grinning up at Hallie.

Hallie

you need to leave puppyShe whimpered as she urged heaven on.Her mind set on the plowing.

bosco finnished his food and then yawned and lapped up some water. That was the only thing he allowed the dog was water.

*Dog*

The pup whimpered up at Hallie, not really understanding why the girl was so sad. His little brain couldn't quite make the connection between the father's cruelty and the girl's insistence that he leave. He hopped up to place a little lick on her hand, whining as his eyes asked, Why? A favorite question of pups.

Hallie

She soon finished the rest at 3 pm and placed heaven back in her stall and gave her half a cup of feed and then changed both hers and Bishop's water buckets and refilled them. She now went out and checked on bosco.hey boyShe said and then changed his water and soon went back to the house ignoring the pup.Maybe she should just let bosco run away but then she bee in troule.She entered the house.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

Oh... she was going back inside... where the pup couldn't follow. So he settled back down by Bosco's pen again, voice a little sad as he spoke to the dog. She's nice... but... doesn't she like me? Did I do something wrong?

Back in the house, Thad looked back at Hallie as she came in, and snapped another order. You're makin' supper. And no more as he rose and unlocked the food cupboard, pulling out a few random things before shutting and locking it tightly again.

hallie

She listened and went to making supper right off the bat. She took what was given and began to make what ever.

bosco:Oh she likes you but for your own safety you need ot leave. Come back in a month and see how well i amhe said.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

The pup smiled and waved his tail again, voice soft and sure. Alright then. I will go. But I will come back whenever the man is not around. And I'll bring you something if I can, okay? With a last grin, he scampered off into the bushes. He would save the girl and her friends.

Thad moved over into the dining area and ate his fill of what had been fixed. When he was finished, the were a few scraps of food left in the pots and pans, and he waved his hand at them, indicating she should wash them. He then moved back to his usual entertainment, leaving the girl alone. It never occured to him that she might eat the things, but who cared if she did, anyway? There wasn't a lot left, though it was more safe food than the father had ever given her.

Hallie

She watched him and then when he left she ate what was left and then cleaned the the dishs and saved two pieces of the meat that was in it for bosco.She went to her oom where she changed into clean cloths and placed the pieces of meat in her storage.She then sat on her bed.

Thaddaeus

Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored, and also... bored. Thad rolled his eyes... there was nothing good on TV, there wasn't anything to do... Finally, he got to his feet. It was only 8, happy hour hadn't yet begun... he banged on Hallie's door. I'm goin' out. See to it the house is spotless before I get back. And with that, he saddled Bishop, shutting the top part of the halved door to Heaven's stall and padlocking it to keep Hallie from getting any ideas. But he was soon gone into the night, leaving Hallie alone in the house.

Hallie

She watched him go. She knew she couldn't escape nor heaven but bosco could. Biting her lip she braught the tow pieces of meat out and gave them to him then opened his gate.Bosco go get out of here save yourself now! I mean itSaid as she stood and pointed to the woods.Then she went back into the house and began to clean it.

Bosco whimpered at this but then took off.

*Dog*

Wait a minute... that was! And wait, he'd said... but what about? Zillions of thoughts ran through the pup's mind as Bosco ran by him, but he wasn't really able to say anything until the dog had already disappeared. So instead, he ran up the steps to the tiny porch and scratched at the door, whining. He'd seen the father leave, so it was okay to come, right?

Hallie

She looked out and down at the puppy.She opened the door and went out.pup i thought i told you to leave. I am already gonna be in deep shit please leave pup i don't want to see you hurt"

*Dog*

The pup scrubbed his head against her leg, whimpering a little but firm. The man wasn't here, and Pup would be long gone before he returned. For now... Sad Girl needed comfort. He pawed up at her, brown eyes meeting hers and saying, It's okay, I'm a nice doggy, see? I'm a good boy.

Hallie

She patted him but shook her head.You must go please dogSoon she stood up and moved back into the house to finish her cleaning.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

The pup stood there for quite a while outside the closed door, whining because he knew Sad Girl liked him, but she wouldn't let him be her friend. He sat there for a long time, but she steadfastly remained in the house, and so he finally turned away and trotted back into the trees.

It wasn't too much later that the father returned. It was about midnight, and he was once again quite thoroughly drunk. He did not, however, say a word to his daughter as he came in. He only locked the doors tightly again and rumbled over to his bed as if in a daze. His sleepy mumblings could be heard for a while before snoring shook the shack again.

Hallie

She bit he lip she could not believe she was gonna try this. She went and grabed the butcher knife and took a deep breath and moved toward her drunken sleeping father.Her hand raised and then she went to bring it down on him. Though somethin told her that he had a sixth sense.

Thaddaeus

Pain flashed like lightning through his shoulder, and Thad sat bolt upright, hurling a fist into his attacker's face, bellowing rage and pain. Fortunately for his bodily safety, he'd rolled in his sleep just as she'd started to drive the knife down, and she hadn't met her true target. He reached up a hand to cradle the injured shoulder, and when his hand came away red, the eyes that turned toward hers held death. A swiftly aimed kicked was hurled at her abdomen, and before he had even finished the movement he reached to grab her by the shirt to haul her toward him. It was as if he couldn't decide how best to take his revenge: beat her, or rape her?

Hallie

She let out a scream as the fist met her face and she dropped the butchers knife.She swallowed hard as he grabed her shirt. She had failed and hse knew she was in for it now whether it be beating or rape she would be hurt badly.

Thaddaeus

Which which which? Finally, his body seemed to decide upon both, and he hurled her back into her bedroom, making this one of the most violent types of thing he had ever done to his daughter. When his rage had finally calmed, he left her there, and spent the next hour installing a lock on her door, which he then locked and attached the key to his string. If it's up to me, you'll never see light of day again, girl. Then he tended to his wound and lay back down, soon asleep once more. It was 4 a.m.

Hallie

She yelped and glared at him as he left.She shivered in fear.She closed her eyes.

Hallie

She now fell asleep blankets pulled up.

Thaddaeus & *Dog*

The blush of dawn flickered into the windows of the small shack, and the light awakened the sleeping man. With a groan, he heaved himself out of the bed, one hand clasping painfully at the shoulder his daughter had stabbed the night before. A glance to the closet confirmed that the padlock he had placed the night before was still there on the door, and so he gave a grunt and headed out of the room, ignoring his daughter for the moment. Moving forward into the second small room, he gathered up a few things, panting as the pain from his shoulder grew more intense. Finally, with a curse, he gave up trying to do things. He needed to see a doctor, much as he hated to admit it. And in this town, it wasn't all that unusual to get stabbed, so there wouldn't be any uncomfortable, suspicious questions.

He flung open the door and stalked out, saddling Bishop with a vengeance that surprised the animal. But the smell of blood reached his sensitive nares, and he understood instantly. So he kept still, not really out of concern for his master, but more knowing that his master was sure to be more irritable since he was wounded, and more likely to cuff him for any suspected disobedience.

Finally, Thad got the stallion saddled and struggled up across the broad back, digging his heels in and soon disappearing from sight, leaving the door standing wide open.

The pup had watched all of this from the bushes, and the smell of blood had alarmed him. Had the Mean Man hurt Sad Girl? The door was open, so the pup put his nose to work, tracking her smell into the house and following around a bit before finally coming up against her locked closet door. With a whine, he pressed himself against it, making a small noise to ask, Are you there?

Hallie

She had awoken when she heard her father storm out. She bit her lip now.She heard the dog.Go away dogWas all she said and then with a heave she pulled away a part of her floor. She got into the whole then pulled the piece back ove rit and crawled outside.Quickly she saddled Heaven and ten jumped on.Off we go girl!She said and the mare took off.

*Dog*

The little pup was confused. Why did Sad Girl not let him in? She liked him, he knew it. But... wait, the scent was receding... where? He dashed outside just in time to see Heaven and Hallie go kareening away. With a whine, he sank down in the trees by the dirt driveway. My gracious, humans were confusing.