Chapter 3 Long Night

Lo

"I think I heard something," Brian said and ran harder towards the stables. Richard knew it was Philip's voice.

He ran in and bumped into the portion of the stables where he had once caught him in the act.

He pulled the wooden door open and cursed out loud at the scene revealed before him.

"What a lunatic!" He groaned.

Brian heard Richard cursed. He bumped into the portion of the stable where Richard stood and staggered backwards.

His knuckles turned white and he looked like a tiger going for the kill. He pushed Richard out of the way and kicked Philip hard. He rushed after him and punched him repeatedly.

Lucy crawled around in the dirt awkwardly. She covered her breasts with one arm and searched the dirt with the other.

She was searching out for her blouse.

Richard was greatly moved. He pulled off his jacket and draped it over Lucy's shoulders.

Lucy shuddered. She lay sprawled on the floor and clutched at the jacket to conceal her breasts.

She fumbled with the buttons and tried to button up but her hands shook violently.

Richard couldn't not turn away. He squatted beside her but she flinched and drew away from him.

"Don't touch me," she whispered disgustingly as tear's flow freely down her cheeks and held tightly to the upper part of the jacket.

"I mean no harm... I just want to help with the buttons," Richard said softly. Lucy teared up. Richard tugged gently at her knuckles. She slowly let go of the jacket and Richard drew closer. He fixed the buttons one after the other and when he was down he carefully lifted her up.

He sighed at the blood stain revealed on Lucy's soiled skirt.

"I am sorry," he said in a whisper with his burning eye throwing daggers.

Brian turned around and saw Richard holding Lucy. "How dare you touch her!? You lunatics!" Brian yelled and rushed towards them.

He pushed Richard hard and held Lucy tightly. "You will pay for this!" He yelled and led Lucy out of the stable.

Richard watched them leave. He cursed out loud and kicked at his brother.

"You're a beast! You knew it was Lucy! Don't you!?" Richard yelled and continued to kick Philip hard.

He stopped Suddenly and bolted out of the stable. He ran down to the foreman's office and searched for some keys.

When he laid his hands on a bunch of keys he jumped into one of the shuttles used in the ranch.

Lucy was in pain. She was physically and emotionally battered.

She leaned on her brother and continued to walk slowly.

Each step was extremely painful as she cursed herself inwardly for leaving his brother's side at the party.

Brian's face remained expressionless in the darkness. He held tightly unto Lucy and continued to walk in her pace.

He stopped and turned around at the sound of an engine. It was Richard, he halted right behind them.

"It's an enormous distance.... Let her use this," Richard offered with uncertainty. He was without his jacket and he quaked badly as the freezing breeze sliced through him.

Brian was hesitant but with the situation at hand he had no choice, Lucy could barely walk.

He helped Lucy mount the shuttle disgruntledly and the engine roared back to life.

"Please don't tell mother," Lucy muttered and rested her head on Brian's shoulder. "What? You need to get treated!... We should bring the perpetrator to book," Brian responded.

"No! No, one must know about this," Lucy pleaded while Brian remained silent."

I have always wanted my first to be so sweet with lots of flowers scent left on bed while my charming prince pampers me thereafter but I guess that will never happen" Lucy thought to herself sharply realizing she was just raped out of the dark moon as hot tears saddled down her eye's.

Richard tightened his grips on the wheel and wheeled the shuttle carefully.

They made it out of the ranch and Richard drove them down home.

"We are good here!" Brian broke the silence. Lucy lifted up her head and glanced questioningly at Brian while she wiped her tears slowly with the back of her hands.

"You don't want mother to know... This thing makes a hell of noise," Brian answered Lucy's unasked question and helped her out of the shuttle.

Richard watched the two sadly as they disappeared into the dark night.

Brian made Lucy rest on the wall. He leaned on the gates and squinted through the narrow openings to survey the compound.

Light from the sitting room reflected through the window, it illuminated the compound fairly. It was all quiet and still.

Cautiously, he opened the gates and led Lucy in.

Lauren turned in her sleep at the rustling sound from outside. "Those naughty rats are finally back," she muttered and shut her eyes again. She fell into a peaceful sleep.

Brian ran a warm water bath for Lucy. He led her into the bathroom and stole into the cold night, he needed to get her some analgesics.

*******

"What!? Philip!?" Collins Edmund roared after he had listened to Richard's report. Richard couldn't cover up for Philip this time. Philip was beaten up so badly and their father demanded an explanation.

Philip grunted and limped painfully. His face was swollen and he was covered in cuts and bruises.

Collins could not believe his ears, he rushed at Philip and smote him hard on the face. He was obviously enraged. He raised his fist up in the air and aimed for another punch but his wife stopped him.

"Stop! Stop!" Patricia's voice roared from behind. "He is wounded already," she said tearfully and rushed towards her husband. She held Collins' arm from behind and pleaded.

Collins resigned. He jerked his arm out of Patricia's hold and stormed out of the living room.

Patricia was in tears, she sniffled loudly and she landed a hot slap on Philip's face without warning.

Richard kicked him hard on the legs and he fell on his knees. Philip groaned in pain.

"It seems you will never learn. I regret covering your tracks," Patricia said and gave both brothers a meaningful glare before storming out of the room.

******

It was a long night for Lucy. Her head throbbed and she groaned quietly in pain. She felt so sore down there and could barely walk perfectly. She cried all through the night.

Brian wasn't spared either. He turned from side to side in his sleep. His helplessness made him mad and consumed by rage.

He wanted to make Philip pay. Reporting to the police was the best idea that occurred to him but he had to respect Lucy's decision.