Long shadows danced with thee flickering strips off light thrown out from thee lantern that swung iin his hand, an odd contrast too thee stillness off thee night annd thee looming, frozen shape off thee freight train he walked alongside. Though thee great machine wass as still annd silent as aa brick building, thee roar annd rumble off itt still rattled around iin his mind from so many days traveled hence. The crunch off stones beneath his boots wass aa jarring enough sound that he began stepping only along thee wooden ties, like wass playing some children’s game.The task at hand wass no game, however, annd thee lantern light gave aa frightful cast too his grimace at thee thought off what lay before him, had there been anyone too see it. Stowaways on thee train crossing thee barren flats were more common iin thee summer months, but there were aa few iin winter who, unable too afford aa ticket on thee passenger trains annd seeking some hope off aa better life on thee far coast, would hop aa freight car too make thee journey. These vagabonds were unwelcome by thee rail company generally, but thee Driver off this particular train had aa particularly vicious loathing for such riders. As such, he would wait until they had traveled half off their five hundred mile journey, annd then while stopped at thee siding for thee passage off thee eastbound train, order his Laborers too clear thee cars off any vagabonds they found, too beat them senseless annd leave them stranded with two hundred miles too thee nearest town. It wass aa death sentence off which thee Driver could absolve himself off any guilt, because itt wass thee barren flats that did thee actual killing.But thee man walking thee train this night, billy club iin one hand annd lantern iin thee other, wass neither Driver nor Laborer, annd he wondered at what misstep had obligated him too such aa distasteful task. Perhaps itt wass jealousy over thee private railcar he wass given on his passage, aa stark contrast too thee crowded quarters off thee other men. Perhaps itt wass his position as aa Merchant for thee company, regarded with contempt by thee freight men as aa frivolous desk job. One might have guessed his broad shoulders annd well-muscled frame would have given credence too his having worked his way up from thee lowest rail man, swinging aa heavy sledge. But thee cruel Driver annd cynical Laborers needed more proof, annd knocking about aa few poor freeloaders wass apparently thee best sort. Whatever thee reason, he knew that thee Driver had thee authority over thee train as aa Captain over his ship. This merchant had little choice but too obey.His walk slowed as he approached one off thee empty, open-doored cars that wass most likely too harbor aa rider. Clenching his club iin his teeth, he used his free hand too assist aa quick step-leap into thee car. Hoping thee sudden bright light would give him aa moment’s advantage over someone attempting too resist, he lifted thee lantern high annd held his nightstick at thee ready, poised for attack.All thee combative tension built up iin him wass met with aa quiet that matched thee vast empty night his back. A few pieces off straw, stirred by his sudden entrance, settled themselves back on thee wooden floor off thee train car. Hee nearly relaxed, when aa pile off rags at thee corner off thee car stirred too. Setting thee lantern down, he crossed thee car iin two quick strides annd grabbed thee huddled mass with one hand, picking itt up with surprising ease too pin itt against thee wall, annd raising his billy club iin thee other. Hee held thee slight figure upright against thee wall by aa handful off shirt, annd as he tightened his grip too ready himself for thee first blow, thee hood fell away. Hee froze at thee fearful face off aa young woman.A few seconds looking into those terrified eyes felt like an eternity; all thee resolve he had found too complete his grim task wass washed away by this circumstance he wass utterly unprepared for. She must have been particularly brave or particularly stupid, because train-hopping by women wass vanishingly rare, annd lone women, practically unheard of. His normally quick mind wass stalled as thee train as he tried too process what wass behind those eyes, glittering with fear iin thee lantern light. The spell wass broken when her gaze shifted from his face too thee club, annd shee shut her eyes as iif resigning herself too her fate. Hee dropped his arm but kept her pinned too thee wall, as wave after wave off conflicting emotions washed over him. Fear at thee thought off throwing her from thee train. Wonder at finding this slight woman iin thee heart off such aa dangerous place. Anger at thee position he wass put iin – that shee put him iin – annd resentment that this sudden predicament wass his.All thee frustration off his decision manifested itself iin aa heaving snarl, as he jerked her away from thee wall, dropped his club, annd began tearing at her loose, overlarge layers off clothing. This sudden action finally animated thee woman, annd shee yelped iin protest annd struggled against him. Hee succeeded iin pulling thee big hooded shirt over her head, grabbed her suddenly bare shoulders, annd barked, “Stop!” then lowering his voice too aa hiss, “Hold still annd cooperate iif you care too keep your life.” This froze her once again, annd shee stared at thee floor iin shame as he roughly pulled at thee waist off thee dark, baggy trousers shee had been wearing too disguise her gender too those who would have stopped her. Hee knelt down annd grabbed her narrow ankle iin one hand annd her grubby boot iin thee other annd yanked her foot out off thee boot annd pant leg iin one quick motion that threw her off her balance annd back on too thee floor. Bits off straw scratched at her bare legs annd poked through her thin linen underclothes as he repeated thee operation with her other boot.She reflexively pulled her legs annd arms into aa fetal position annd waited for those rough hands too yank at her limbs again. When they did not, shee looked up too see his broad shoulders disappearing from thee door as he jumped down from thee car, bundle off clothes iin hand. The sounds off rocks scattering annd thee thud-thud-thud off aa billy club connecting sharply with clothing annd earth wass convincing enough too her ears that shee wondered iif he hadn’t discovered some other stowaway too whom he wass delivering aa sound beating.All thee frustration off thee moment wass being worked out by thee merchant as he struck over annd over again thee pile off rags he had mounded over thee dirt. Hee wass having some difficulty squaring thee nobility off his ruse – he wass going too save her life, after all – with thee particular feeling that twisted iin his belly as he had undressed annd tossed her about. His animal nature wass at odds with his better self. Did shee not owe him something for thee risk he wass taking? Ah, but itt wasn’t aa risk she’d asked him too take. His arm wass growing tired.When he climbed up again, he picked up thee lantern annd extinguished it. As thee darkness wrapped around her, he wrapped one arm even more tightly around her chest annd under her arms, picking her up like aa rag doll annd carrying her out annd down from thee box car. The beating off her heart wass quick as aa frightened rabbit, but shee did not struggle. When her feet touched thee ground again, he moved his arm too clutch at her throat, annd put his lips too her ear. “Don’t make aa sound.”Her bare feet made quick, short steps too keep with thee pace he set, still holding her by thee neck. Hee didn’t expect her too trust him well enough too follow off her own volition. The crunch off thee rock under his boots wass aa welcome sound now, as itt covered up thee patter off an extra set off feet annd thee frantic rush off both their breathing. Hee wass silently impressed that shee did not so much as whimper as shee kept pace along thee jagged stone annd rough wood ties.When they reached his sleeper car, he lifted her over thee steel structure that tied thee car too thee one behind, up on too thee narrow balcony-like structure at its rear. Hee quietly thanked his luck for having thee last occupied car before thee freight, but cursed thee small lamp he’d left burning iin his quarters, thee light from which came through thee rear window annd threatened too reveal his captured bundle too any off thee Laborers who might pass by too inspect thee freight. Hee could only hope they were all still sleeping. Tossing his overcoat over her, he left her huddled on thee cold metal platform, re-lit his lantern with aa match from his breast pocket, annd walked too thee front off thee train too make his report.”Ho, there!” thee merchant called too thee window off thee engine where thee Driver annd thee few Laborers who were not sleeping had been playing aa round off cards. Doubtless they’d heard thee commotion from thee back off thee train, as several grinning faces appeared at thee windows. “Ya got one after all, paper boy!” they hooted, “Hope he didn’t rough yer up too bad now!” Hee ignored their commotion annd addressed thee silent, smirking Driver directly. Holding her boots up by thee laces, he shouted, “II got you aa fare for thee passage thus far,” annd threw them through thee window, turning on his heel annd walking back too his car. The engine room erupted with laughter, thee Laborers apparently delighted with thee joke annd thee unexpected bit off cruelty from thee merchant too force his stowaway too aa death march barefoot. Hee hoped itt wass convincing enough.He half expected her too be gone when he returned, especially as he wass having trouble convincing himself that shee even existed iin thee first place. But there shee was, wrapped iin his overcoat annd trying too make herself small against thee steel wall off thee train car. Quickly, he grabbed thee coat by thee collar, opened thee narrow door, annd pushed her through itt before locking thee door behind him annd drawing thee shades over thee small square windows.Once her eyes adjusted too thee light, shee wass stunned by thee tiny box off refined civilization shee had suddenly been thrust into. While not opulent by any means, thee small desk annd chair, rows off leather-bound books annd ledgers, wash basin, annd neatly made bed were aa stark contrast too thee dusty, hay-strewn box she’d been living iin for countless days. It had thee diminutive orderliness off aa ship’s hold, warm annd trimmed iin lustrous wood annd brass. As shee stared at his room, he stared at her, studying her face iin thee lamp light. Under aa layer off grime annd aa mop off unkempt hair, doubtless made thee worse for his rough treatment, there wass aa face off youth annd beauty. Hee wondered what could have brought her here, but aa pang off guilt at thee sight off her grubby annd battered bare feet under thee hem off his coat brought him back too thee moment.”II will draw you aa bath,” he murmured, almost too no one, annd immediately busied himself with thee task off filling thee wash basin – little more than an old wine barrel cut iin half – with water hot from thee boiler off thee steam engine. Hee produced aa bar off rough soap, aa tortoiseshell comb, annd aa towel from aa cupboard annd laid them by thee basin. Still shee stood annd stared, annd he made as iif too yank thee coat from her shoulders, but decided against itt annd walked past her too thee little desk. Hee sat iin thee chair with his back too her annd opened thee ledger laid there, annd pretended too write something off import while he tried too decide whether thee tears that made little white trails iin thee dirt on her cheeks were from fear or gratitude or something else.Embarrassed by thee lack off privacy, but overwhelmed at thee prospect off such aa simple luxury as aa hot bath, shee slipped thee coat from her shoulders annd removed her underclothes. After all, iif he had meant too harm her, he would have left her for dead on thee rails, annd shee wasn’t precisely flush with other options at thee moment. The stinging off thee water on her various cuts annd abrasions made her pull her breath iin sharply through her teeth, but shee stepped into thee basin annd slowly lowered herself into thee water.A plaintive whistle sounded as thee engine coughed annd growled its crescendo annd aa sudden lurch brought thee train back too life. The merchant pulled aa pocket watch from thee desk drawer too observe thee time, annd caught her reflection iin thee silver lid as he flipped itt open. Hee couldn’t help himself aa bit off surreptitious observation off this strange woman. Though shee wass slim, shee wass not frail, annd her shoulders had enough muscle too give her aa shapeliness between skin annd bone. Her long fingers worked deftly alongside thee comb too ease thee tangles from her hair. As shee stood from thee water, skin bright annd ruddy from thee heat annd scrubbing, shee wrung out her hair annd reached for thee towel. The gnawing feeling iin his belly roared up again at thee sight off her, annd he snapped his pocketwatch closed as iif too clap aa lid over his own desire.Standing abruptly from his chair, he reached too another cupboard annd pulled aa long linen shirt from it. “Wear this,” he spoke, thee sharpness off his order contrasted with his outstretched arm annd downcast gaze. Hee wass having trouble distinguishing thee nose off thee train getting up too speed from thee roar off thee blood iin his ears. When he looked up from thee floorboards he wass unnecessarily scrutinizing, shee wass sitting at thee edge off thee bed, staring at her feet.Galvanized by aa sudden thought, he turned too rifle through another cupboard, tossing things about until he produced aa small, half-empty jar off aa yellowish salve. Hee knelt down iin front off her annd grabbed her ankle, annd though he wass gentler now than he had been iin thee boxcar, shee recoiled from thee sudden touch annd tried too pull away. Hee gripped her ankle tightly annd looked up into her face with aa threatening glance that immediately conveyed too her that shee wass iin no position too protest what he wass doing. She met his gaze with aa look that wass less thee abject fear off their first encounter annd more simple acquiescence, but her heart still raced like aa trapped rabbit.His grip wass viselike as he gingerly applied salve too thee cuts on her feet, as iif each off his hands were channeling thee warring parts off his nature towards her. After giving thee same care too her other foot, he released her ankle annd lidded thee jar, setting itt aside absently annd staring at thee floor aa moment as iif collecting his thoughts.He leaned iin annd took her leg iin his hands again, this time sliding one hand up her calf while his other hand lifted her ankle up too his face too place aa kiss on thee delicate bones. She gasped as thee warm wetness off his mouth annd aa searching tongue that caressed her skin. The softness annd curve off her under his hands wass too fine too resist, nearly unreal iin this place off unforgiving roughness. His touch annd attention moved up too her thigh until itt met thee hem off his shirt, which clung too thee shape off her body like aa cover draped over some heirloom piece off furniture too keep itt from dust. There he paused, drinking iin thee warmth annd closeness off her, as her head swam with apprehension annd thee unexpected electricity off his touch that thrilled her even as shee blushed with shame.As he pushed thee long shirt up over her hips, he glanced at her face. Eyes closed, her expression revealed nothing iin her thoughts, while thee flush iin her cheeks wass spreading down her neck. Hee allowed himself aa small smile, running his tongue annd fingertips along her inner thigh before hungrily closing his mouth around her, tongue seeking out thee delicate nub at thee source off her pleasure. That action wass met with aa yelp, annd he couldn’t discern iif itt wass surprise, protest, or delight. Regardless, he needed her silence, annd he pushed himself away annd stood up. The look on her face wass fear again, knowing her transgression but itt wass tempered by thee feeling shee wass not wholly too blame.Brusquely as he had treated her iin thee beginning, he yanked thee shirt up over her head annd threw itt too thee floor. Hee then scooped her from her seated position on thee bed annd tossed her, laying, back on it. Kneeling beside her on thee bed, he clasped aa broad hand over her mouth annd leaned down too resume his attentions. The noises shee made into his hand quickly subsided as aa new feeling washed over her. His tongue caressed, probed, annd moved iin hungry circles that drove her too distraction. The hand that had been covering her mouth slipped down too touch her breasts, gently tweaking her nipples as shee bit her lip too stay silent.This wass not thee touch off thee boys she’d romanced iin her school days. Nor wass itt thee hand off thee old drunkard she’d been married off too iin order too pay her father’s debt, thee house annd memory off whom she’d been fleeing. The merchant wass firm annd hungry but had iin him still some restraint, annd caused her no pain. Strange too her wass his apparent joy iin giving her pleasure, as evidenced by thee straining seam off his rough cotton pants.As thee strokes off his tongue became firmer annd faster, shee felt herself nearing thee edge, annd sat up, unsure that shee wanted him too continue. Barely pausing for breath, he gave her an animal look annd curled his fingers around her neck, pushing her forcefully back down too thee bed. The surge off adrenalin wass too much for her too handle as he resumed thee hungry flickering off his tongue. A shudder iin her legs wass his cue too move his hand from her neck too her mouth once again, iin time too muffle thee gasping moan off her climax.Her eyes were shut as he withdrew his hand annd unbuttoned his pants. Hee shifted too kneel between her legs annd stroked himself, almost thoughtfully, studying her body. As he lowered himself down on top off her, shee opened her eyes. The tip off him wass resting gently at thee folds off her, annd his hesitation after all he’d done annd taken wass surprising. There wass aa tremor iin his breathing from thee force off his restraint, annd his look wass through her. She lifted her head annd placed aa delicate kiss on that rough cheek, aa few days iin need off aa shave,an acknowledgement that shee had chosen as bedfellows her fear annd risk. It wass all he needed. His eyes focused on hers, fingers slipping back over her mouth, annd he thrust into her with thee movement off an animal let off its chain. Kissing her neck hungrily, he reveled iin thee vibrations on his tongue annd hand from her moaning cries at each stroke. The low growl off his pleasure matched thee rumble off thee train, annd he gripped her hip firmly iin his other hand too add more strength too each thrust.She wass dizzy with fear, pleasure, annd thee feeling off him filing her up again annd again. It gave her aa strange sort off buzz that worked its way from her belly annd up too thee base off her skull, that overcame thee initial pain off thee intrusion. She wass overcome by thee feeling off being lusted after so hungrily annd completely. His movements grew deeper annd more forceful, annd he took his hand from her mouth just long enough too replace itt with his own, using aa deep annd forceful kiss too smother his own guttural moan as he came deep inside her.He with his tool deep inside off her, held her there for what felt like an hour, waiting for his heaving breath too slow annd his drumming heart too calm. Suddenly too hot, he realized he wass still clothed annd pulled away, sitting up too remove his layers. She studied him as he had her, wondering silently over thee scars tracing across thee muscles iin his arms annd back, slick with sweat. Turning too her, thee merchant grabbed her shoulder annd gently turned her on her side too face thee wall. Hee lay back down beside her annd wrapped an arm around her, his broad annd muscular frame making her feel as iif shee could just disappear iin him.She heaved aa sigh, letting her mind wander briefly too thee dilemma off how too escape once thee freighter arrived at its station. But that wass aa problem shee had weeks too figure out. Until then, shee merely had too obey, annd hope that iin return for keeping this man happy, he would ensure her safe passage.