Chapter Fifteen: The Road to Recovery

Assembling our new charges and starting the preparation to get them to Valentine was both taxing and anticlimactic. These girls and women had been raped, brutalized, and kept in fear. They were prone to spells of crying and frequently shied away from me, the only male.

Locating enough cold weather clothing proved the least problem, as the thugs had thrown their captive's clothing into one of the outbuildings. We warmed all the clothes while the former captives took long showers. There was no hurry, and they needed to try to wash away the smell and horror of their captivity.

While they were busy getting clean, Rachel and I tacked blankets over the two shattered windows to minimize the entry of cold air.

Once all our new charges were clean and clothed, my ladies gently assembled them in the large great room. Most huddled together hugging each other, fear remaining in their eyes. Not wanting to stand over them, I pulled up a kitchen chair and straddled it backwards.

I began, "Ladies, I can't begin to imagine the horror you've endured these last days. You've survived, and you have nothing to fear from me or my ladies. I pledge to you that you are under our protection until you choose to leave us, and no one will touch or harm you as long as we have the ability to prevent it.

"After we make sure we are fully prepared, we'll be moving on to Valentine, where medical facilities should be available. My ladies and I are an experienced combat team." A little, almost lie there, "and I see no reason to think we will not arrive safely. Further, Cathleen is an experienced trauma nurse. You should make her aware of any medical issues you may have."

Another concern had been nagging at me. "I want you to know that nothing that has happened during your captivity is your fault. Your job was to survive and to help your fellows to survive. Here you are. Well done. You also need to know that you are not sullied and no less desirable than before. Each one of you is a beautiful woman and should stand tall and proud."

I continued, "I do not know much that I can do to help you heal, but without your express permission, I will only touch you to protect you from danger. I have three lovely, willing wives, and I am definitely not on the prowl. If you need a hug, ask, and I will give it happily. Do not interpret my lack of touching as a sign that you are tainted. That is definitely not my motivation."

Our Pixie stepped forward and spoke. "Some of you know me and wonder if what Michael says is true. It is. Yes, I married into this wonderful family, this partnership. My time with them has been short, but I can't say enough about their caring for me, for each other, and for you who have been hurt so deeply. I encourage you to think and then tell Michael whether or not you need a touch, a hug, or a kiss. You have my permission and that of my sister wives."

Our charges fell to talking among themselves, and I quietly withdrew.

I decided to take a risk, and that night I took one of the Parsons' cars and drove back the way we had come until my cell phone indicated that I had coverage. First, I called in to Sheriff Naile and gave him a report, including the names of those rescued and those the liberated women knew to be dead at the hands of their captors.

"It's too late to move them tonight, but tomorrow I plan to take them over to the Masters' place to let them adjust to freedom. They have been severely brutalized, and I plan to let them rest a couple of days before getting them on in to Valentine."

Naile was enthusiastic. "Great job. Marshal Pope was exactly right in placing his faith in you and your team. There's an escorted repair crew out to get those cell towers working. I'm going to assume that there was only one gang working this area, but you need to stay alert.

"Listen!" he continued. "We have not had any reports of Sa'arm ground attacks much past the one you reported near Chadron. They are around, but not yet in large numbers. I think I'd still advise you to hike in with the women. A bus load of food just might be too tempting to any roving scout ... . We might be able to give you a warning, but maybe not. Let me know when you move out, and I'll try to make sure there is a mental health trauma team available when you get here."

I agreed, signed off, and called Marshal Pope. He answered on the first ring. "Don't you ever sleep?" I asked when I heard his voice.

"Not lately," he replied. I laughed and gave him the same report I had given the sheriff.

"Are you shitting me?" he choked out. "I'm going to need to deputize another ... ? Do you know you are the ONLY deputy running around with an armed harem?!"

Then I explained that Hannah was sixteen. "How does that affect her eligibility? She's the smartest of our bunch, has the reflexes of a cobra, and is Olympic material with a bow and pistol. Oh, and she is so beautiful she'll make you weep."

Stunned silence for several pregnant moments, then, ""I'll research her and let you know. Give me her vitals and her cell number, then get your ass in gear and move those women to safety."

I signed off and headed back. It took close to an hour to drive back with my lights off. In the dark, I almost missed the turn back to the Parsons' place.

It was quiet and dimly lit when I entered the house. I assumed everyone was asleep, but there was a small figure on the sofa weeping softly. I approached and found Hannah with a huge smile and tears running down her cheeks.

"You really do want me!" she said, sniffling. "Marshal Pope just called and deputized me. He told me I was to be on your team, and that he'll email the documents to me in the morning. Oh, Michael, I'm so very happy!"

I kissed her and had her lead me to where her sisters lay sleeping lightly. They stirred as we entered, made room for us, and then we all slept.

The next morning, breakfast was a high caloric farm breakfast using up everything in the refrigerator and freezer. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, pork chops, bacon, toast, hash browns - everything. We cooked and ate in shifts until everyone was satisfied. Then I gathered the women together again in the great room and explained what we wanted to do.

"Today, we want to move you from this painful place and over to Hannah's home - the Masters' place. We'll rest there a couple of days until we are sure that all of you are fit to trek into Valentine. We can rest along the way, but it will still be strenuous."

There were a few smiles, and I proceeded. "Anyone who wants a weapon from those we captured is welcome to take one. If you feel competent in using one, let me know. In any case, I ask that you do not shoot unless you are directly threatened. You are not used to working as a team and would be almost as big a danger as an outside threat."

Nods of agreement - I was grateful.

"We should be safe on the road, but we need to spread out some. Hannah will lead and walk a little way ahead. Rachel will take her usual position on the right and Cathleen on the left. I'll bring up the rear, watching over you all. Carole, I'm assigning you as den mother to help anyone in need. Keep us reasonably together but spread out, and let one of us know of any problems." I added, "This is a pretty short walk and should help prepare us for the longer journey into Valentine."

On the way out, our new friends insisted on lining up to spit on their former tormentors. There had been an earlier discussion about 'removing gonads,' but no one wanted to touch them again.

As expected, the move to the Masters' place went smoothly and without incident. I confess, bringing up the rear was something of a challenge. Even bundled against the cold, it was quite clear that I was looking at the loveliest group of women since the last 'Miss America Pageant.' Damn! Good thing the walk was incident free, because I was significantly distracted by bounces and jiggles.