Face the Truth

Our Destination?

I felt the surface beneath me start to move gently and I slowly opened my eyes. It took me a moment to realize what was going on but as soon as I opened my eyes to darkness I remembered. I felt the man get off of the horse and tried my best to keep my balance but was having trouble since I couldn’t use my hands. I felt the man’s large hands steady me on the saddle for a moment before he lifted me off of it, carrying me on his shoulder as he walked away from his horse. I could no longer see, so I had to try and use my other senses to determine where I was. The only thing I could hear was the sound of the wilderness around us and the only smell was of pine needles.

    “Wh-where have you taken me?” I asked with a shaking voice as I struggled a bit, attempting to free my hands. He held me tighter, hard enough against his shoulder to make me feel uncomfortable. I whimpered frightened as he continued walking, his silence more ominous than a threat. He sighed as he heard this but this time held firm, not showing any signs of pity. I heard his boots now shift from the cobblestone to a wooden surface and he knocked on a door softly. The door opened with a small squeak and a small voice spoke, sounding a bit young.

    “Mister? May I help you?” She asked, sounding a bit nervous by the figure in front of her.

    “Is your father here? I must speak with him please.” He said softly with a kind tone towards the child and she dashed off, her light footsteps making it sound like my assumption was correct. In a moment I heard heavier footsteps heading towards the door and a man sigh as he reached it.

    “What are you here for?” The man asked, his voice similar to my captor’s in many ways. I thought that they must be brothers for them to have such similarities, not to mention the man didn't seem to be the least bit surprised when he saw me on the man’s shoulder. I remained silent, patiently waiting for them to talk.

    “I must stay here for tonight brother, I fear this lady will fall ill in this weather.” I was confused, wondering why someone who had kidnapped me would be concerned for my health but decided to brush it off for the moment as I waited for my captor’s brother to respond. Now that I thought about it, I didn’t feel the best. I could tell that I was warmer than I should be under my cloak and my throat felt tight.

    “There is no room in my house. The best I can offer you is the loft in the barn.” The man said quietly, as if he felt bad he couldn’t offer more for the man.

    “That will do, I must get her out of this rain.” My captor shifted his arm, probably tired of holding me at this point. I felt him nod before he turned and started off in an unknown direction to me. I heard the door shut and then the silence again, only the rain now and my captor’s footsteps sloshing through the mud. I closed my eyes tiredly, not sure if it was just the fact my captor had mentioned it or if I was truly falling ill due to the rain. It wasn’t long before I felt the rain cease as we stepped into the barn slowly. The only sound in the barn was the many different breathing animals as they all slept nustled up together.

    “I can’t carry you up to the loft.” He murmured quietly as he shut the barn door after his horse had walked inside. “Can I trust you to climb it yourself if I undo your binds?” He asked as he slowly set me down.

I stumbled a bit, having not stood on my own two feet for several hours. His gentle hands steadied me before he started to untie me, as if he already knew my answer. Once the rope was off my wrists I pulled them to the front of me to rub them, opening and closing my hands as I tried to restore the blood flow. I felt him pull my hood down and and reach up to take off my blindfold. His slender fingers untied the knot and I slowly opened my eyes to look at my surroundings. We were indeed in a barn, surrounded by horses and then smaller animals, including sheep and a couple chickens. I started to turn to look, wanting to see my captor, but he quickly gave me a nudge towards the ladder up to the loft.

    “Don’t look at me.” He stated emotionlessly as he waited for her to climb the ladder. I trembled as I climbed the ladder one step at a time, feeling my pulse remain rapid as I did. Hay was piled up in the loft, providing a little warmth and at least more comfort that what was to be expected. Once I was up I quickly shuffled over to a dark corner, frightened at what the man would do. I shivered both from the cold and fear as I heard his heavy boots start up the steps of the ladder and I curled up, pulling my knees to my chest as I shut my eyes, not wanting to see him coming.