Shared by the Highlanders (2 page)

“A what?” This from the man in front of me. Robbie?

“A hiker. I’m doing a twenty miler. I’m expected in Glenridding tomorrow.” I clamp my mouth shout, immediately realising my mistake. I should have told them I’d be missed later today, or better still that the search parties are already scouring the fells for me. As it is, I’ve just informed them that no one will notice me missing for another day at least.

“You’re doing what? Did you say you were from Glenridding? Is that near here?”

“Yes, about ten miles north. On the shores of Ullswater. The youth hostel is expecting me. If I don’t turn up, they’ll report it and mountain rescue will be up here.”

“What are you blathering on about, lad? Why would you not turn up? And what is this youth hostel? Is that some sort of local laird?”

“A… what? No.” I peer at him, only now starting to take in his bizarre attire. He is wrapped in a combination of thick furs, and what looks to be tartan. His feet are booted like those of his companion, but his knees are bare. His hair is long, falling loose and tousled to his shoulders, and is a dark auburn colour. His head is uncovered, though he wears stout gloves. His face is handsome, in a harsh, untamed sort of way. Although he must have shaved in the last few days, his beard is making its presence felt again. His mouth is full, strong, and I catch the flash of perfect teeth as he grins at my discomfiture. But his most prominent feature is his eyes. They are a brilliant green, reminding me of the rich, lush grass of the lower slopes. He regards me in silence, and appears to be in some doubt now as to what his next move might be. His decision is made for him by the other man.

“It’s getting late. We can’t continue on in this, and we’re likely to lose the horses if we even try. We’ll make camp and keep the lad secure till morning. Then we can decide what to do with him.”

Robbie nods, the gesture curt. “Aye, good enough. Pass me your kerchief, Will.”

By the scuffling and grunting at my rear it seems that the second man is struggling to comply. Robbie gives a low curse and grabs my arm. He tugs me toward the horses, then leans past me to retrieve something from one of the saddlebags. He turns me roughly, hurling me against the worn leather of the saddle. The scent of the horse fills my nostrils, but I hardly have a moment to register that before my hands are dragged behind my back. I try to escape, but he ties my wrists together. The bonds are tight, not painful, but I can’t move.

Panic wells again. He’s hit me, and now he’s tied me up. This is not going to end well. My knees start to buckle.

An arm snakes around my waist, holding me up and hauling me back against his chest. “Now lad, don’t be fainting on us. If you give us no trouble we’ll let you be on your way in the morning.”

Why does that promise not inspire confidence in me?
“Let me go now. I won’t tell anyone, I’ve said so.”

“Who is there to tell? And why would we be letting ye go free, to rob us blind as soon as we’re asleep? No, lad, when we’re ready to move on, then ye can do the same. Until then, ye’ll stay put.”

“Untie me, please. I promise not to run away.” Again that tell-tale quiver in my voice

“And I don’t believe you. So there we have the dilemma. Ye’ll stay bound until we’re done with you.” He turns to squint through the gloom at his companion. “Can you manage the horses while I take him? They’ll be less bother, I wager.”

“Aye, I daresay. After you then.”

The auburn-haired giant places his palm in the middle of my back and gives me a shove. He’s not especially rough, but I know better than to offer resistance. I stumble forward, trying to pick my way across the uneven terrain, but unbalanced by the awkward position of my hands. I take a few steps, then manage to trip over a lump of rock and fall to my knees.

The giant steps around me and crouches at my side. “I can carry you, lad, if you prefer.”

I shake my head and try to regain my footing. Robbie shrugs and helps me to my feet.

“How far do we have to walk?”

“A few minutes, no more. Can you manage?”

“I think so…”

“Come on then.”

We continue to make our way up the fell, and I pay close attention to where I’m putting my feet. Even so, it’s not long before I go over on my ankle, giving the joint a painful wrench. I would have fallen face-first to the ground but for the strong hand grabbing my arm, steadying me. There is no further discussion. Robbie turns me to face him, then heaves me over his shoulder. I kick my feet and roll my torso about as I try to throw myself from his grip but his arm clamps tight around my knees. I’m going nowhere.

“Put me down. Now.”

“If I do, it’ll be to gag you. Shut up and keep still.”

“No, I can’t. I’m going to be sick.”

“If you puke on me, you’ll regret it, lad. Be warned.” His tone is a low growl. I can almost feel it rumbling through his body, that huge, solid body I now find myself in such close proximity to. I know when to stop arguing, and instead I concentrate on remaining calm. If I do nothing to provoke him, give him no reason to mistreat me further, perhaps even now I might emerge unscathed.

Who am I trying to kid? There’s no way they’ll just release me unharmed. The only saving grace in this whole nightmare is the fact that they seem to be convinced that I’m a boy. That’s bad enough, and has made me a target for a few casual blows, but how much worse might this ordeal become if they realise I’m a female? They are quite mad, obviously, and amoral. Who knows what they might do to a woman? Alone, up here. Miles from anywhere.

A few seconds later I’m dumped unceremoniously on the ground. The second man, Will, strides past me and secures the two horses to a tree a couple of yards away. Robbie waits until he is finished, then he shoves me back until I’m pressed up against the tree too. The horses snort behind me, their breath hot on my neck even through the quilted hood of my padded anorak.

“I’m going to tie you to this tree. You’ll be here for the night so you can stand or sit, it’s up to you. But you’ll not be moving till the morning.”

“No! It’s too cold. I’ll freeze. Please…”

“You’ll be fine. The horses will keep you warm. So will you be spending the night on your feet, or sitting?” He stands in front of me, arms folded across his powerful chest. His expression is implacable and I abandon any notion of appealing to him.

“I’ll sit.”

“Wise choice, lad. Make yourself comfortable then.”

I sit down and lean back against the trunk of the tree. Robbie digs in one of the saddle bags again, and this time produces a length of rope, He loops it around my chest, then around my waist before tying it off behind the tree. I’m glad of the thick bulk of my anorak, and the thermal fleece lining beneath that. Not only do they provide some protection from the cold but they also conceal the outline of my body. Not that he seems unduly interested in that, thank God. He stands back to regard me for several moments, his head cocked to one side as though something puzzles him. He turns and strides the two or three yards to where his companion is crouching beside a small pile of twigs. I watch as Robbie makes deft work of striking a flint against a rock to produce a spark, which he then nurtures into a small blaze. My gas lighter would do a better job…

Christ, my backpack! Where is it?

I rack my brain, my recollections of the last half hour or so are more than a little hazy and confused. I remember setting the pack down to check my position. I had my phone in my hand; I was searching for a signal when I was assaulted by these two maniacs. I remember dropping my phone, but I never gave a thought to my pack. It must be lying up there on the fell, just waiting for the next passing fell walker. The good news is that an abandoned pack full of gear is sure to alert someone to my predicament. No hiker would just leave his, or her, gear behind. The bad news is, when—if—these two deranged thugs eventually release me, I’ll have no supplies or equipment to help me find my way back to civilisation.

That’s not the end of the world though. I have a decent sense of direction. And at least I’m wearing the most important bits of kit, my boots and my all-weather jacket. I have a good chance. If they let me go.

The two men are talking quietly. Occasionally one or the other of them will cast a glance in my direction. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to study Will. He’s also a striking, handsome man, even if the pair of them are violent brutes. About the same height and build as Robbie, Will has dark hair, tied in a small ponytail at the back of his neck. I can’t make out the colour of his eyes, but his voice is softer. I get the impression he may be the gentler of the two, and I recall he interceded for me when Robbie was being especially rough. It was Will who asked Robbie to go easy on me, who pointed out how terrified I was. Maybe he would help me. If things don’t go well tomorrow.

As I watch I note that Will appears to be in some discomfort. He is breathing rapidly, and seems to be in pain. Robbie passes him a knife, which Will uses to prod something on the small fire. The smell of cooking reaches me. They must have killed a rabbit or something earlier.

Again, I long for my pack, crammed with chocolate, dried soup, cereal bars, and a pack of tuna sandwiches. Not the most appetising fare but good for the great outdoors. Whilst I’m out on the fells I always go for something light to carry and easy to prepare. I can eat when I get back.

If I get back.

The aroma of fresh cooked meat is tantalising. My assailants will eat well this evening even if I don’t. Maybe I can locate my pack in the morning and have access to my supplies again. If the mist lifts, and as long as no one else gets there first. Ever the optimist, I settle in to wait out this long night.

“Are ye hungry, lad?”

“What?” I come awake from a light, fitful doze and peer up at the shape looming over me. It’s Will, a battered-looking metal plate in his left hand. He lowers it to give me a good look at the generous helping of cooked meat. My mouth waters, despite the stiffness in my joints. I’m uncomfortable, and the bitter cold is seeping into my very bones. I can’t believe I actually managed to fall asleep when my body feels like it’s seizing up. I shift, try to find a less painful position, but there isn’t one. I want to cry, tears are pricking my eyelids but I blink them back. To surrender to a fit of sobbing would give my deception away. If they discover I’ve been pretending to be a boy, I don’t know for sure what will happen, but I’m reasonably certain it won’t be good.

“Some food. Do you want it?”

I’m surprised, but pathetically grateful. “Yes, please.”

Will kneels beside me and balances the plate on my thighs, stretched out in front of me on the hard, cold earth. He picks up a piece of the meat and holds it close to my mouth. I stifle any thoughts of rampant germs; this is no time to be fastidious. I open my lips obligingly and Will feeds me. The rabbit is remarkably palatable, succulent and juicy, the flesh permeated with the wood smoke of the fire. Will smiles as I chew it, then lick my lips.

“More?”

I nod, and he feeds me another piece, then another after that. In minutes the plate is empty. Will wipes it with his sleeve and places it on the ground.

“Will you be needing a piss then?”

“A…?” In fact my full bladder is reaching desperation stage, but I can’t contrive any way to relieve myself without betraying my secret.

“A piss. If you want me to untie you for a couple of minutes I will. But the first sign of trouble from you, lad, and you’ll feel my boot up your arse. Are we clear?”

I nod, still not sure how this is going to work out but short of any better options. Will moves to the other side of the tree and within seconds the ropes holding me fast loosen and fall to my waist. I start to attempt to push myself up into a standing position but my legs are useless, like jelly. Will seizes my elbow and drags me to my feet.

“I’ll free your wrists too, just for a minute or two. Unless you want me to do the honours for you?”

I back away from him. “No! No, thank you. I can manage.” Somehow.

Will grins, and gestures me to a dark spot a few feet from us, just behind where the two horses are tethered. “Do it there, lad. And stay where I can see you.”

“I, I need to… I need a private place.”

“My fine rabbit found its way through your innards so quick? Okay, you can squat if you want. But stay in sight.”

I sense no further concessions will be forthcoming and can only hope this vile individual doesn’t take it upon himself to inspect the site after I’m done. As it is, it takes all the determination I can muster, and a hefty dose of desperation, to shuffle the several feet to the edge of the clump of trees surrounding our camp and fumble to undo my all-weather trousers. My back to Will, I crouch and relieve myself, then deliberately wait a few moments longer to create the illusion I’m not quite done yet. I right my clothing again, with difficulty as my hands are frozen, and pick my way back through the fog to where he’s waiting for me, the kerchief dangling from his fingers ready to retie me.

I shake my head. “You don’t need to do that. I can’t move from the tree, and my hands are so cold. Please.”

He cocks his head to one side, then, “Your hands, lad. Show me.”

I hold out my hands, palms down. Will takes one in his and squeezes.

“Fuck, these are like lumps of ice. Ye should have said, laddie. Go warm them at the fire.”

I don’t need to be asked twice. I stumble over to the small blaze and stretch my hands out to it. The heat wraps itself around my numb fingers. It hurts, but feels so good too. I rub them together, the tingle in my fingers an indication that the circulation is improving.

A slight movement in the misty gloom beyond the fire attracts my attention. It’s Robbie, lounging on a pile of furs and wrapped in his plaid. His hands are also bare, his knees too, but he doesn’t appear cold. Maybe he’s more acclimatised than I am.

“You can sit if you want, lad, and get properly warmed up. I won’t bite you.” His voice is low, and were it not for the precarious situation I find myself in I might even consider it sexy, especially with that Scottish brogue to add a seductive richness to the mix.