Apocalypse Eden

Chapter 2

Several hours into the journey and the caravan was finally putting the outskirts of the ruined Chicago suburbs behind them. Vance rode at the head of the hundred strong riders, several dozen wagons took up the road between the riders, carrying much needed medical supplies and provisions for the coming months. Already they saw signs of the deprivations of raiders.


A group of twenty or more people lay dead at the side of the road; it seemed they had been executed on their knees. There was little left to even cover the now decaying corpses, all had been stripped of their possessions and much of their clothing, he dreaded to think of what they may have gone through before they were killed. There was nothing they could do except pass by, even buried they would be dug up by scavengers, such was the way in the Waste Lands.


Titus and Marcus rode alongside their father, both men were in their mid twenties, both veterans, like Vance of numerous conflicts.


“If we make good time father, we should be back in time for Lara’s wedding.” Marcus reminded his father, eager to return for the celebrations. A McGregor wedding was not something any of them wished to miss, they were renowned for going on for at least a week of merriment until the last of them could take no more.


“Unless we run into any problems, Marcus, we should be back in plenty of time for your cousin’s wedding. And I’m ready to see your mother; this damn trip always grates on my nerves. I’d be glad if we never came back to this god forsaken place.”


“Titus will have his own problems when he returns, father. Francesca’s expecting another child; she’s been nagging him to build them another house.


“Another grandchild, Titus?” Vance asked with a hopeful look, he already had six grand children by his eldest son, almost one a year since Titus and Francesca’s wedding when they were both only eighteen years of age.


“Yes, father. The last one hopefully.” Titus replied with a weary look.


“Nonsense, boy. Although it’s about time your brother and sister were married, not to mention that cousin of yours.” Vance replied, as he looked across to his eldest son.


“Do you mean Leon, father.”


“Damn right I mean Leon. If he’s ever going to lead the clan, then he should be settled, not chasing a woman around he knows will never accept his life among the tribes.”


“It’s his choice, father. I don’t think he wants the responsibility of leading the tribe. I think he’d sooner let Titus take the responsibility so he can do what he likes.” Marcus replied, remembering a discussion he had had with Leon on the journey to New Chicago.


“Balthus is getting old, we need a new chieftain, otherwise how do we keep our position among the other tribes.”


“What about you, father, haven’t you ever considered becoming chieftain.”


Vance laughed at the idea of becoming chieftain, he simply couldn’t help himself, he was a warrior, perhaps the finest warrior of the McGregor clan, but he was not a willing leader. He knew Leon was the obvious choice, and then his own son Titus, Marcus was still too young and headstrong.


“I’ve no interest in that, boy. But it needs to be decided and decided soon. I doubt Balthus has more than a few winters left in him, and we need a strong leader, one who is respected among the people and the tribes.”


“What if Reno was to return, father, he would claim it for himself?”


“My brother is dead to us, Marcus. He is a traitor and outcast, a filthy murderer; he murdered your uncle Jonas, for that he will never be allowed to return. We shall not speak of this again, and never again mention that dog’s name.”


“Sorry, father.” Marcus replied sheepishly, seeing the rising anger in his father’s expression.


The caravan continued on, most of the men were eager to return to their families, most were looking forward to the week long celebrations that were held whenever one of the clan was married. The fact it was one of Vance’s nieces, meant that the well respected family would attract many of the other tribes to the wedding. Such unions only helped to strengthen the people of the tribes, and with the many threats they faced, the people of the north were in need of such bonds of family and friendship.

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Henrietta reluctantly allowed Leon to leave the bath, she lay back exhausted and slightly frustrated that Leon belonged to Maria and not her. She thought about that for a moment, belonged, because in truth Leon was as much a slave to her mistress as the rest of them. He may have been a free man, but people were rarely ever themselves around Maria Giovanni, she had a way about her, a way of controlling people, of manipulating them no matter what the circumstances to her advantage.


Sometimes she hated Maria for what she had, for what she could do, but others times she loved her, perhaps the only person ever to show her any kindness after being abandoned as a child and sold into slavery. She watched with interest as Leon approached the bed and couldn’t help but wonder what he would do when he reached Maria and the new girl. The girl remained terrified, Henrietta would have felt sorry for her, but New Chicago was harsh and she knew from personal experience that she would have been treated far worse in the slave camps.


Maria could barely contain her amusement, Leon was obviously excited, or at least aroused by the sight before him, and yet she knew he would have to save the girl from her wicked mistress once more. In truth, she cared little, this was supposed to be their time together, and if he didn’t want the girl, she would satisfy his needs, and her own.


Maria ran her hand through the girl’s long blonde hair, down her cheek and neck and stopping at her breast. She took the girl’s nipple between her fingers, leisurely massaging it then leant over and took it between her lips. Leon felt outraged at the violation of the girl, but couldn’t help thing there was nothing whatsoever stopping him simply climbing onto the bed and taking her at his leisure. Wasn’t that the whole point of this little exhibition? Wasn’t that the very reason Maria had bought the girl for him.


Kayla for her part, refused to shed another tear. She promised herself one day she would have revenge on this witch, and maybe the man as well, if he so much as touched her. She was of course unlikely ever to be in such a position to take revenge, but if hatred and anger were all she had to hold onto then she would make do with them. The thought of being returned to such men as Morgan wasn’t a pleasant one and god help her if she were ever returned to him or forced into the slave camps. She would sooner die than be owned by another master, for now she would play along.


Kayla gasped in protest as Maria parted her legs, entering her once more, her fingers working inside her. Leon looked on; he couldn’t pretend the sight of the young woman wasn’t at least pleasing. And besides, he knew Maria, and knew that whether he was here or not, she would do with her own slaves as she pleased. He wondered if he was trying to justify what he thought he was about to do, or trying to find a reason to untie the girl and simply leave with her.
“Is she mine, Maria?”


“I’ve already told you, she’s my present to you, but I’ll still own her.”


“Then untie her, let her go to her quarters.”


“Why, isn’t she pleasing?”


“It’s not the point, Maria; you know how I feel about this, let her go.”


Kayla looked across at Maria; she saw that defiant look in her eye that told her it wasn’t going to be that easy. She let out a little cry, as Maria continued to play with her, she hated the woman for it, but she could barely help herself. Maria seemed pleased and laughed at the ridiculous situation, Leon, bloody Leon trying to be moralistic after just being watched by a roomful of people fucking one of her slaves. Who did he think he was kidding, sometimes he just annoyed her, and she wasn’t about to let him off so easily, not when she had bought the girl specifically for him.


Leon barely noticed Henrietta walk up behind him, her arms around his waist, “Come back, Leon, let Maria have her fun, if it’s not her it will be one of the others, so what difference does it make.”


Leon could have spent the day with the pretty red head, but he still found himself wanting to let the girl go free, at least once he got her home she could live as a free person and however she liked. Either that or he would return her to her people. Much to Maria’s displeasure, he turned back to Henrietta and took her in his arms, she didn’t like him getting this familiar with her girls, a fuck was one thing, but this, who knows where it could lead.


She untied Kayla’s wrists and ankles allowing her to sit up, but not before kissing her full on the lips, her tongue inside her mouth. In truth she wanted the girl for herself, but no more than she wanted the rest, she was merely satisfying her own lust.


“Go then, for now.” Maria said to the young woman, Kayla grabbed the towel and wandered over to the side of the room, as far as she could get away from them.


Maria reached up and pulled the two onto the bed, Leon falling backwards with Henrietta on top of him. Kayla looked at them with disgust; it wasn’t that she found them repulsive, just the whole idea of being someone’s property, to be used at their pleasure whenever they felt the urge to do with her as they pleased. Kayla noticed the youth, Ronan staring at her, the look in his eyes told her, he had seen more of her than she was comfortable with. She looked away, slightly embarrassed, although her modesty was quickly becoming something she realized no one else would care much about, in fact only the man, the one they called Leon seem to give a damn about anything that happened to her. Perhaps she would be able to appeal to his good nature, if he had one. She wasn’t certain that once they left New Chicago he would simply take her for himself, perhaps he simply didn’t wish to upset the mistress, although she doubted much could manage to do that.


She watched through the corner of her eye, her face turned away as the three of them performed for the onlookers, the red haired woman, the mistress and the man, Leon.


By midday the three of them simply lay back on the bed, although none seemed eager to get up.


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By midnight the room was empty of all but Leon, Maria and Kayla. The others had either returned to their own quarters or were working in the saloon. Leon lay on the bed barely awake; Maria was resting in the bath while Kayla washed her.


“What is your name, girl?”


“Kayla, mistress.”


“Do you like being here, Kayla, or would you sooner return to …”


“I would like to return to my people, mistress. Otherwise I would prefer to stay here.”


“Do you not wish to leave with Leon when he returns home, perhaps he will return you to your people.”


“Perhaps he only wishes me for himself, mistress.”


“And would that be worse than if I wished you for myself, Kayla?”


“Yes mistress, I would prefer to stay here.”

“Why, Leon’s a good man.”


“I saw the way he looked at me, when you were …, he …”


“Most men would have taken advantage of the situation, Kayla. He did not.”


“Will you send me with him, mistress?”


“Not if you don’t wish to leave, he was only doing it to protect you.”


“I think I’ll be safer here with you.”


Maria laughed out loud, the thought that Kayla regarded her life here as safe only proved her naivety. In truth Maria wanted her to stay, without Leon interfering she would do with her as she wished, if the girl was too foolish to see that, then she really was foolish indeed.


“Then you’ll stay here, Kayla.” Maria replied, taken the soap covered cloth from the girl and proceeding to wash her as she had done to Maria only moments earlier.


Maria stepped out of the bath and offered Kayla her hand, pulling her up. Kayla couldn’t help herself and began tracing the outline of one of Maria’s tattoos with her fingers. She stopped at Maria’s waist; Maria took her hand and moved it down until her legs were parted.


“Not here.” Maria said, as she took the girl by the hand and led her to the bed. As far as Kayla was concerned there was no point in fighting her new mistress.


Kayla lay back on the bed; Leon barely registered them as he rolled over and continued to sleep. Maria rested on her hands and knees above Kayla. The young woman looked up at her wondering what she could expect. She kissed her on the cheek and then rolled over onto her side, next to Leon, wrapping her arms around him.


“Goodnight, Kayla.” Maria said with a slight giggle.


Kayla could barely believe it, after all that had happened and the woman was going to simply go to sleep. She was herself asleep moments later.

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Leon opened his eyes wearily, his arm moving around who he believed to be Maria, the girl let out a slight shriek as he did so. He backed away immediately, Kayla turned to face him, Maria was nowhere to be seen. Light flooded into the room through the gaps in the curtains, he must have slept all night.


“I’m sorry, I thought you were Maria.”


“She said she was going down to the bar, she left about an hour ago, she told me to stay here, just in case you had changed your mind.”


“No I haven’t. Now we’re alone, I’ll take you back to your people if that’s what you want.”


“I can’t go back there, I want to, but I’m to be married to an older man from one of the local clans, he’s a cruel man by all accounts.”


“Then you can stay in with my clan, you’ll be free.”


“I’ve already told the mistress I wish to remain here.”


“But I thought …”


“I don’t like being used, but I think the mistress will keep me safe here.”


“It’s your choice …”


“Kayla, my name’s Kayla.”


“I won’t force you to leave Kayla, just remember the offer remains, if you ever want to leave this place, then I’ll take you with me.”


“Thank you, but for now, I’ll stay.”


“You know what Maria’s like, she’ll use you.”
“And you wouldn’t, if I have to choose her or you, I’ll take the mistress.”


Leon had to think about it, would he really use her like he knew Maria would, he doubted it, but then again, alone on the trail home, perhaps … He couldn’t understand why he was now doubting himself, maybe he had spent too long around Maria, he already felt tainted simply by knowing her and what she was capable of.


“No I wouldn’t.” Leon said as he got up from the bed, Kayla watched as the naked man walked over to the pile of clothes neatly folded onto one of the old oaken chairs. She couldn’t help be slightly drawn to his body, the heavily tattooed and scarred physique, the well defined muscles and his semi erect penis, perhaps he was thinking about her. She shifted slightly on the bed, pulling the covers up to cover her bare breasts, wrapping it around herself, and then standing.


“Would you like me to help you dress?” She asked, surprising herself at her own forwardness.


“No thanks, I think I can manage.”


Kayla watched as he dressed himself, minutes later she suddenly felt a little underdressed as he finally put on his leather jacket.


“What … What should I do now?” Kayla asked, unsure of what was expected of her.


“I don’t know, Kayla, maybe just wait here until Maria returns.”


Leon walked out of the room, it was only moments before a door opened and Henrietta stood in the doorway, naked to the waist. She held out a hand and Leon unsure of how to respond simply took it and was pulled into her room.


“I want you to take me with you, Leon.”


“What, are you crazy, Henrietta, do you know what Maria would have done to the both of us if she ever found out it was me who helped you get away from here.”


“You’re scared of her.”


“I’m being realistic, she’s got more than two hundred hired guns, now I’m pretty good, but I’m not that damn good.”


“I could meet you, outside the city; I can get away from here easier on my own anyway. But I want to come with you, back to your home.”


“Henrietta, we’ve known each other for eight years now, what’s suddenly brought this on.”


“You need to ask after yesterday, why should Maria get to have everything, including you. She’s got hundreds of slaves to keep her company, why should she get you as well.”


“Because I choose to be with her, if you’re that desperate to leave, Henrietta, then I’ll help you, but know that once you leave you can never come back. She’ll have you killed or worse, and god only knows what she would do to me for helping you.”


“Then you’ll take me?”


“If you’re that insistent on leaving, yes, I’ll take you with me ....” Leon replied.


Henrietta pulled him in close, kissing him hungrily.


“Today?” She questioned hopefully.


“Yes, I’ve got to return for my cousin, Lara’s wedding, you understand what you’re doing, right, I always thought you two, were you know, friends, at least friends.”


“I’ll always be grateful to Maria, but I can’t stay here forever. I want my own life; maybe once you know me better, you’ll want me around too.”


How are you going to get away without being noticed?”


“Don’t worry about me; I’ve got the run of this place. Are you taking the girl with you?”


“She seems to think she’ll be better off here with Maria, so it’s her choice, I was only doing it to protect her.”


“I’ll meet you at sundown, beyond the last guard checkpoint out of the city, be ready alright.”


“I just hope this isn’t going to get the two of us shot, Henrietta.”


“If were going to be travelling together, I’d prefer you called me Luci, its short for Lucia.”


“Lucia?”


“It’s my middle name, and my mothers name, I just prefer it.”


“Alright then, Luci, I’ll meet you tonight, but understand I can’t wait longer than a few hours.”


“If I’m not there by sundown you can leave, I’ll have probably been caught.”


“You know I don’t like betraying her like this.”


“The moment you leave here that youth will be in her bed, do you think she’s going to give you a second thought once you’ve returned home?”


“I guess not, seeing as how you put it so gently.”


“Tonight then, Leon, don’t let me down.”


Leon left moments later, his head swimming with the implications of what they were about to do.


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