[center][h3]The Perils of Abigail Travis, Part 4 - “And Lido Makes Three”[/h3][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/pbH7tO4.jpg[/img] [/center] [i]”Please make it a dream,”[/i] Abby begged as Lido positioned hisself to take ‘er. Her mind near spun outta control ‘til she found ‘erself hangin’ on a pair ‘o’ voices. First come tha spy from Uncle Bob’s captures. [color=FFD700]”...when they think they’ve won, that’s your opportune moment…”[/color] [i]”Here’s how it is.”[/i] She could hear Cap’n’s voice next, that no nonsense way he had fer spellin’ out troubles an’ makin’ direct moves. [i]”Abigail, when a man starts thinkin’ with...other parts, his brainpan empties right out. True that you’re blind, but you don’t need eyes. You know right where he’s at…[/i] “Oh! Aaaabby! What a sweet little [i]pi gu![/i]” Lido exclaimed. [i]”...you know right where he’s at…”[/i] She took quick stock ‘o’ the moment. Lido had her bent over tha table. Her hands was still bound behind ‘er back. One ‘o’ his was holdin’ ‘er down while t’other had a grip on ‘er unders. That awful part ‘o’ him what nudged her hip come proof positive Cap’n was tellin’ true. [i]”... right where he’s at…”[/i] [color=FFD700]”...Your opportune moment…”[/color] Ever’ bit ‘o’ Abby’s terror and rage welled inta tha mule kick she sent up twixt his legs. AAAUUUUUGH!” Lido collapsed backward, cupping exposed genitals paid a forceful visit by the girl’s heel. A deep, sorrowful moan escaped his lips as he fell to the deck. Now’s ‘er chance. Abby rolled onta her back, kicked ‘er legs in tha air, and bent forward til she could work her wrists under her bottom. Movin’ quick, she bent one leg at a time tah get ‘em free of ‘er arms. Lido’s still moanin’ somethin’ fierce as she reached up an’ tore the bag from ‘er head. “You sumbitch,” the deckhand swore as she searched for his knife. And there it was, layin’ on tha table…right alongside a sawed off pump shotgun. Holdin’ that blade near back’ards tah saw through tha zip tie was a might cumbersome and took way too long. Time she freed ‘er hands, Lido’s risin to his feet, fat old body in a half squat as he reached out tah pul hisself up. “YOU SUMBITCH!!!” the girl raged as she landed one more vicious kick tah tha fam’ly jewels. Lido went down again, fresh agony curling him into a ball. “No,” it’s his turn tah whimper as Abby hefted the shotgun. “No…please…COTTONM…!” His cries for help silenced as the girl delivered a knockout blow with the gun’s handgrip. Abby looked down on ‘im, her chest heavin’ as she fought fer control. She jest wanted tah kick him an’ keep on kickin’. “An that Cottonmouth, too,” her voice quavered as she give the weapon a one handed pump. They had tah heard tha commotion in here…they’s only seconds til they come bustin’ in. She hauled ‘er unders back up an’ slid tha door open, seein’ fer tha first time a corridor. [i]Starboard side,[/i] the girl conjured at sight of viewports on the opposite bulkhead. She’d jest turned an’ started forward when her way’s blocked with a bunch ‘o’ bikers. “Keep back!” Abby snarled as the shotgun come up. “Hey!” one of the Headhunters smirked as they pulled knives on the near naked hostage. “Look what’s for supper!” Cottonmouth stood at their van, his knife at the ready. “Kid, you might get one shot, but what we do after that’s ten times worse than you’ve ever had.” She conjured that’s true. Close as they was, she’d not get a second pump afore they’s on ‘er with them knives. “So what yer sayin’ is I’d best make it count.” With a defiant lift of ‘er chin, Abby swung tha shotgun, one hand on tha grip as the muzzle touched tha viewport. Felt good watchin’ all them smirks become eyes wide an’ mouths hangin’ open. “No no no no no!” Cottonmouth’s empty hand rose in a cautionary wave. “You do that and we’re all dead!” “Instead ‘o’ jest me, huh?” she demanded. “Now it’s MY turn tah ask questions. Where’s my boat?” “I don’t know.” “My arm’s gettin’ powerful tired!” Abby warned. “I DON’T KNOW!” Cottonmouth shouted. “Whoa…WHOA!” Gang members turned at the command to see the MC president and his top lieutenant. “Put ‘em away,” Root gestured toward the knives. “Make a hole.” Folllwed by Nips, he stepped through the opening his gang provided. His first look at the girl Abby was a pitiful sight. There were bruises on her arms and legs, and a wicked bootheel mark between her breasts. Her face was a range of sickly hues with a puff to her lips and one eye swollen shut. Yet here she was, her presence both a reminder and a warning. “Did you kill Lido?” he asked in quiet tone. “He’s breathin’,” Abby scowled at the gang leader. “Where’s muh boat?” “Headin’ for Osiris,” Root answered. “We’re set to meet them tomorrow night.” “So yew can gun ‘em all down, I conjure,” she spat. Root shook his head. “Not if we don’t have to. Only one of your crew we want…the dark skinned one who killed one of ours. Blood for blood, kid.” “Usin’ me as some sorta blackmail? Lettin’ yer crew beat on me an’ try tah…” Abby loosed a single, gaspin’ sob afore finishin’, “take everythin’ from me as some kinda down payment?” “Not what I wanted,” he said. “But necessary. I wasn’t about to lose more of mine to a boat full of pissed off gun hands. Only person who made your life so tough here was you, kid.” “Yah need more gas fer them lights,” she retorted. “But,” Nips gave an appreciative nod. “She didn’t rat.” Root met his lieutenant’s eye. “No, she didn’t,” he spoke as unvoiced meaning passed between them. “You didn’t rat on your crew, kid,” he lifted a hand to his heart. “Respect,” He watched the blow strike the back of Abby’s head. As she collapsed, the shotgun was snatched from mid air by her stealthy assailant. “Nice work, Mouse.” The petite woman ejected the round. “What you want done with her?” She nudged the hostage’s limp form with the toe of her boot. “C-mouth,” Root ordered, “go check on Lido. So Nips,” he regarded the woman, “not that I’m counting, but wasn’t Lido number three?” Nips held four fingers aloft. “Four,” she offered a tight smile. “If you count Cottonmouth givin’ her the business. With three paybacks.” “Damn,” he shook his head, a wry smile forming. “Should we space her?” Mouse asked. The president chuckled. “Nips,” he said, “You got this.” The unspoken command issued, he turned to make his way forward to the table room. “Three paybacks,” Root laughed quietly to himself as he strode away.