Flower of My Heart
1894
Caine's eyes narrowed. "What you plan on doing to her, I will accept in her place."
"Now that is most noble of you, Mr. Caine. But I cannot accept your offer," Mr. Crabtree stated. 'How do I know you will keep your word?"
"I am a Shaolin priest. I cannot lie."
"No, please, Caine, don't do this." Lilly pleaded.
Caine approached Lilly and caressed her cheek. "What they have planned for you, you would not survive. I must."
"How touching. Take him men, and make sure he learns his lesson well."
Two men took ahold of Caine's arms and applied shackles to his wrists. A long chain was attached to the wristbands. They pulled Caine through a door that led him to the livery stable next door. As Mr. Crabtree followed, he took Lilly by the arm.
"Shall we watch my dear? Just a little insurance in case you decide to defy me further."
Lilly watched as the men tossed the chain over a large beam. They pulled on the chain until Caine's feet were off the ground. After making sure he was secure, Lilly watched the men as they tore Caine's shirt from his body, exposing his back. Traces of old scars long healed could be seen.
"Well, I see you have been through this kind of thing before. Then it should be no surprise to you what we're planning on doing." Mr. Crabtree snapped his fingers and one of the men came forward carrying a whip. He tested the whip by snapping the air. Lilly jumped at the sound as it cracked. All too soon the man turned and began his work on Caine's back.
Stroke after stroke send pain seering through Caine's mind, but he did not utter a sound. Going deeply into himself, he road the pain as if it was a gentle breeze. Even so, he knew he would not be able to keep the facade up much longer. There was only so much pain a man could endure.
"Stop! Please, stop!" Lilly cried, tears streaming down her face for the man who was suffering for her sake.
Mr. Crabtree waited until a few more strokes were given then turned. "You may let him down. Place them both upstairs and prepare a crate," Mr. Crabtree stated then stopped for a moment and thought better of it. Caine could easily escape a crate. "Better make that a cage instead. They will both be sent to San Francisco tonight. There is no need to turn him over to the proper authorities when we can collect the reward ourselves and send our little songbird to her new home at the same time. They can keep each other company on the trip. But of course, in his case, that won't last long."
Two men again lowered Caine and he sank to his knees on the floor. Lilly tried to go to him but she was restained. Instead, she was led through the building and up a flight of stairs. She was pushed into a room with no windows. A single lamp burned on a table next to the only other piece of furniture in the room, a large four poster bed. Not long, the door was opened and Caine was tossed inside along with his belongings. He fell face first to the floor, but slowly rolled over. He arched his back as his skin touched the hardwood surface. Tears streamed silently down his face, the only other evidence that the pain he must have been feeling was excruciating.
Lilly rushed to his side as soon as the door was closed and locked.
"Let me help you."
Caine once again let Lilly help him to his feet. Not wanting to place all his weight on her, he tried to walk as much upright as he could, but his scarred back protested. He allowed Lilly to lead him over to the bed and had him lay face down. He let himself sink into its rich softness. He could hear Lilly rummage through his medicine pouch, looking for the small pouch of herbs that would help to ease the pain and speed healing.
Lilly looked around the room and discovered a pitcher and basin under the table. The pitcher was filled with water. She again searched through Caine's leather pouch and found a strip of cloth. She poured some water into the basin and dampened the cloth. She then used the cloth, and as gently as she could, began to wipe the blood from Caine's back. An intake of breath on Caine's part forced her to wipe his back more slowly and with more care. She worked in silence, but soon broke out in a gentle laugh.
"Haven't we've done this before?" she quipped. She continued to laugh until her own fears and the situation she found themselves in overwhelmed her and tears began to fall. She cried out her fear, shame, and anger. Images from the living hell that she found herself in coursed through her mind, from seeing Matthew shot, to being kidnapped by Carson, and finally nearly being raped. All came crashing down on her and the tears continued to fall, uncontrollably. Suddenly, strong, gentle arms were holding her, then rocking her. Lilly could hear Caine trying to sooth away the pain with quiet cooing sounds. She clung tighter to those arms like there was no tomorrow until her tears were all spent.
"Oh Caine, what are we going to do? How are we going to get out of here?"
"Perhaps there is a way."
End of Part 19
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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