Atawna

Adventures in the Lost World

Episode 1

Atawna and the Lost World

Chapter 18 Ayashe’s Ordeal

Featherstone’s eyes swept over the Dene woman. That bloody half-Jap bitch and her Canadian friend seemed to have beaten him again, but at least he still had one of her companions. Once again his best plans had been sabotaged. He wanted vengeance and the dark-haired Indian girl offered it to him.

She was wonderful to look at. Even covered with sweat and dirt her lithe brown body was exceptionally erotic. Her small pointed breasts seemed to beg him to suck them and perhaps bite down on those taut dark-brown nipples. “Sweet as a cinnamon stick,” Featherstone thought. She would definitely do, just as soon as he was sure he had her someplace safe. He wasn’t finished with Miss Court yet. She had all the supplies he needed. Once he had enjoyed the Indian girl he would go back. With any luck his return would be unexpected. He could hardly wait to get his hands on that arrogant bitch.

“Help us to my tent,” Larra said. She and Melissa were wrapped in blankets, but were still in a lot of pain. Their injuries would take weeks if not months to heal if left to themselves, but Larra had a faster way.

Entering the tent, Larra frowned in dismay as she saw the mess Featherstone and Vishinsky had made of it. She slumped onto the bed. “Find my locket,” she said. Melissa sat beside her while James, Lin Yao, and Lisha scoured the tent.

“Here it is Mummy,” said Lin Yao, picking up the silver locket from where Vishinsky had tossed it. Larra took it from her daughter. It was an impressive piece of jewellery; finely crafted and a good two inches across. She thumbed the hidden catch and the locket opened, revealing a strange glowing blue stone. It was fortunate that Vishinsky and Featherstone were so stupid. They had been looking for the Eye of Thoth and had actually picked it up without recognizing it.

Larra levered herself up from the bed. In order for the Eye to work she had to be out in the sun. Stepping out of the tent she let the blanket fall and stood revealed in all her naked glory. Embarrassed, James turned away, but Melissa accompanied her. Larra gestured to her daughter. “You too, my little treasure,” she said. “I think you need a little help.”

Lin Yao stood beside Larra, Melissa, and Lisha. She had heard of what the mysterious Egyptian gem could do, but had never seen it in action. She knew also that her devious mother had managed to steal the gem away from the British authorities when she feared that they might misuse it. Larra and Melissa were the ones that had retrieved it after all, after removing it from the ancient but brutal lost civilization that had once owned it.

Larra held the stone up to the sunlight. At once she and the two women next to her were bathed in an intense blue light. Lin Yao groaned. She had been told that being healed by the stone was painful, but she had not expected such incredible agony. It was so painful that it took her breath away. And then the pain was gone and was replaced by an unbelievable euphoria.

Larra got to her feet. She had fallen to her knees while the light of the stone shone upon her, but now she was fully revived. Energy coursed through her and the marks of the torture Vishinsky and Featherstone had inflicted upon her were completely gone. She was still streaked with dirt and sweat, but a bath would have to wait. There were things she wanted to know, and the first was the whereabouts of Ayashe.

Lisha knelt at the edge of the forest. “They took Ayashe this way,” she said. “Two men and Ayashe. They have about an hour head start. If we move fast we can catch them.”

“We better move,” Melissa said. “It will be night in about two hours. After dark we won’t be able to track them.”

One of the wild-looking young women who had helped rescue them came up. She looked at the footprints. “Bad men,” she said. “Atawna find.” Without another word she and her sister scampered to the nearest tree and swarmed up the trunk like a pair of monkeys.

“No, Atawna,” yelled James. “Wait! It’s dangerous.”

The dark-haired girl grinned mischievously from about thirty feet up. “Find friend,” she said. “No worry.” And then she was gone.

“Dammit,” James swore. He looked helplessly into the treetops.

“Looks like your young friend has a mind of her own,” Larra said. “Perhaps you better tell me about her when you have time. Right now I think we better get after her before she gets into trouble.”

James nodded miserably. He had a strange feeling that the headstrong jungle girl might be heading into a situation that was out of her depth. She had little experience of firearms and a single mistake might be her last. He headed down the trail after his mother and her companions.

Featherstone relaxed a little as night settled over the forest. Even Larra Court and her friends couldn’t track him in the dark, and he had found a good place to spend the night. It was a small cave in a cluster of boulders just off the trail. Since it had a slight overhang he could even have a small fire as it could not easily be seen.

The problem was he was damned hungry. Neither he nor Antonov had thought to bring any food. There really had not been time. They had barely escaped from the camp. A few more seconds and he would almost certainly have been killed. But now he was paying the price for his hasty exit. Well, at least he had the Indian girl. It would help him to take his mind off his growling stomach. Fortunately, the Russian expedition had left caches of food and supplies behind them. If necessary he could make his way back the way the expedition had come and obtain access to food and other supplies.

He looked at the helpless Indian girl. She was almost completely naked now. He had helped remove the rest of her clothing so that she could attend to a call of nature. It was more convenient to simply leave her undressed, especially when he considered what he had in mind for her. He liked the way the helpless female watched him. Her fear was so transparent and she was trying so hard to be brave. He wondered how loudly she would scream when he took her and whether or not she would beg very much. The thought soon had him in a partial state of arousal.

The only problem was Antonov. He knew that the Russian did not approve of the way he and Vishinsky had brutalized that half-Jap bitch and the members of her expedition. Somehow he thought it was against the Marist-Leninist principles. That was a laugh. Didn’t he have any idea what went on in his own country?

He moved toward the girl. “Pocahontas and I are going for a little walk. Don’t wait up for me. I might be a little while.” He grinned and stared directly at the Russian.

Antonov opened his mouth as if to say something and then closed it. Resignedly he watched as Featherstone forced Ayashe to her feet and dragged her from the cave. The girl gave him one imploring look and then she was gone. The Russian swore. Damn that British bastard! If only he didn’t have orders that came directly from Beria. There was no reason for him to brutalize the Indian girl. It was doubtful she had any useful information. The son-of-a-bitch was worse than Vishinsky. At least the KGB agent was interested in questioning his victims. Featherstone raped and tortured them just for the fun of it.

Ayashe stumbled out of the cave. Featherstone pushed her down the path a short distance and then forced her to one side of the trail. There was a small leaf-covered clearing there. No doubt Featherstone had marked it as a possible place to take her when he had come up the trail earlier. She was exhausted from her ordeal of the last two days. During the entire time her hands had been tightly bound behind her and despite her best efforts, she had been unable to loosen the ropes that cut into her wrists and arms. Vishinsky had done a good job of binding her, lashing not just her wrists, but also tethering her arms just above the elbow. The ropes cut cruelly into her flesh, partially cutting off her circulation and leaving her wrists bloodied from her attempts to break free. Featherstone had kept her short of food and water, leaving her with on the edge of collapse. She knew what her captor intended. In a few seconds he would try to have his way with her. She had strength left for just one last effort.

Almost as if reading her mind, Featherstone spoke. “Getting ready to make your move, Pocahontas? Don’t think I don’t know how your mind works. I’ve fucked Miss Court and Miss Gallant a half dozen times. They always saved their best for the last. So make your move. Let’s see if you can catch me off guard.”

He pushed Ayashe into the centre of the clearing. “There that should give you plenty of room to maneuver. Let’s see what you can do.”

Ayashe eyed the British spy. She had never felt so helpless, but she could not just let Featherstone take her without a fight. She took a step back and measured her opponent.

Featherstone was a tall man, standing well over six feet. Now in his fifties and somewhat the worse for wear, he was nevertheless a menacing opponent. The gleaming hook on his right hand was a vicious weapon and he appeared fit and ready. She felt a dull fear in her stomach. Featherstone was playing with her, enjoying her helplessness. “Come on Pocahontas,” he taunted. I’m waiting.”

“Coward,” Ayashe panted. “Untie me and see how brave you are.” She spread her legs slightly improving her balance, and waited for the British thug to come after her.

“I like that,” Featherstone leered, fixing his eyes on the region between her thighs. “Very nice, but I’m getting tired of waiting.” He stepped toward her and pulled his hand from behind his back. In it was a stout cudgel.

“You are not worthy of being called a man,” said Ayashe, taking a backward step. Featherstone had no intention of actually fighting her. He just wanted to beat her until she couldn’t fight back and then rape her.

“Filthy skunk,” she said. “Have you ever had a woman without beating her senseless first?”

“Very good, Pocahontas,” Featherstone sneered. “Try and get me angry. Maybe I’ll make a mistake and you will have a chance.” He hefted the cudgel and stepped toward her.

Ayashe took another step backward. Behind her was a large tree. She had retreated as far as she could. Featherstone moved toward her, a maddeningly confident smile on his scarred face. She tensed her muscles and charged toward him.

She had no real chance. Not in her weakened condition and against an opponent who was expecting an attack. Her only hope was to get close enough to use her feet against him and Featherstone did not let her do that. The cudgel caught her on the shoulder and knocked her off her feet.

She lay stunned for a second; waiting for Featherstone to finish her off, but the second blow of the cudgel did not come. Instead as pain throbbed through her bruised shoulder Featherstone stood waiting, his arrogant features split by a sardonic grin. Ignoring the pain Ayashe managed to get to her knees. “That was fun,” Featherstone jeered. “Let’s do it again.”

Ayashe merely looked at him. She kept her features impassive. Featherstone wanted her to attack. The man’s twisted nature would not let him simply rape her. He wanted to abuse her first. There was only one thing she could do. Without replying Ayashe looked straight ahead and simply waited.

“Come on, Pocahontas,” Featherstone said impatiently. “I’m right here.”

Ayashe said nothing. Closing her eyes she sat silently. Featherstone would get no more pleasure from beating her.

“Bitch,” Featherstone said. Stepping close he brought the cudgel down across her shoulders. The blow knocked the breath from her and left her gasping on the forest floor, but she made no sound. Featherstone struck her again, and when she did not respond he cursed.

“God damn that Jap bitch,” he said. “She’s got you all trained. Have it your way then.”

Ayashe lay quiet as Featherstone pulled down his trousers and made no effort to resist as he rolled her over and forced her thighs apart. Eyes closed she acted as if she was asleep, not reacting even when he thrust the fingers of his left hand between the lips of her vulva.

“Fucking redskin whore,” Featherstone cursed. He slapped her viciously, repeatedly battering her head from side to side and then he raped her.

It was a lengthy and savage ordeal. Featherstone tired to make the rape as painful as he could in an attempt to elicit some response from his victim, but Ayashe kept her eyes closed through the entire episode, not opening them even when he drew the needle point of his hook across her breasts. When he finally finished he swore at her again as he climbed off her battered body.

Ayashe lay as if unconscious, only the steady heaving of her breasts giving any indication that she was still alive. Large purple bruises covered her from her head to her thighs and her raw vagina leaked blood. “Fucking bitch,” Featherstone said. “You can rot here for all I care. I’m finished with you.” Without another word he walked away.

Too weak to move Ayashe made no effort to escape. She suspected Featherstone was just playing a game with her in any case. Any attempt to crawl off would just get her a further beating, so she was not the least surprised when a few minutes later she heard footsteps.

She heard a muffled curse, but it was not in English, but Russian. It was the Russian commander, no doubt come to have his turn with her. Well, she would give him the same amount of satisfaction she had given Featherstone. She lay quiet and let him do what he wanted to her.

Surprisingly, the man’s touch was gentle. Even more surprising, he gathered her in his arms and picked her up. Ayashe felt herself being carried. A minute later she was lowered to the ground and then to her amazement she felt the ropes that bound her being cut. She heard Featherstone’s voice raised in anger and then that of the Russian as he replied. She could not tell what was being said, but it sounded like an argument. Finally Featherstone stopped speaking and she felt the Russian’s hands on her body again.

The gentle touch continued as she was raised to a sitting position. Something metallic touched her lips and she recognized it as the lip of the Russian’s canteen. Grateful for the water she swallowed, still not opening her eyes. The Russian spoke quietly to her and then let her drink again. He gently stroked her hair and face as she swallowed and then when she had drunk enough he lay her down.

Antonov covered the semi-conscious girl’s body with the fronds of a large plant. It would help to keep her warm. He looked contemptuously as Featherstone. “I am finished with you, Englishman,” he said. “I don’t care what you tell my superiors, I am through brutalizing women. As far as I am concerned you can go to hell.”

“You’re a fool,” Featherstone replied. “You’ve just shot your career in the foot. You’ll be lucky if you don’t end up in Siberia.”

“Better a Siberian labour camp than taking orders from you. I’m leaving this accursed jungle and I’m taking the girl with me. You stay here if you like.”

Featherstone laughed. “Good luck comrade. “It’s three hundred kilometres of hard marching back to the nearest village. I doubt you’ll make it.”

“I’m prepared to take that chance.” said Antonov. “Anything is better than working with you.” He looked down at the sleeping woman. She was breathing regularly now, a sign that she was indeed asleep. He was responsible for what had been done to her. Somehow he would save her even if it cost him his life.

Larra sighed. Night had come before she and her companions had been able to overtake Featherstone and Antonov. Even the two tree-swinging forest girls had not been able to catch up with them. Now all she could do was wait until morning. There was something she could do, however, she could find out what had happened to her wayward children. She summoned James and Lin Yao before her. “Now,” she said, smiling. “It is time for explanations.”

Despite Larra’s smile, Lin Yao and James felt distinctly uncomfortable. James felt like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar and his sister was subdued. There were some elements of the last few weeks she did not want her mother to know.

“You first, James,” Larra said, seating herself on a camp stool. She nodded toward Atawna and Chara who were squatting respectfully nearby. “Tell me who these two charming young women are.”

James did his best, but Lin Yao had to help him when it came to Atawna. Larra raised her elegant eyebrows. “So,” she said, turning her violet eyes on Atawna. “This is my prospective daughter-in-law. You’ve got very exotic taste, James.” She smiled at the wild-looking jungle girl.

Atawna took this as her cue. She had been waiting patiently while James told his story. All she understood was that this rather young-looking but impressive woman was James’ mother. That was good enough for her. In her matrilineal society the matriarch was all important and although Larra seemed rather young for a matriarch she seemed to be in command and was certainly the oldest female present. Stepping forward she presented herself.

“Atawna James’ mate,” she said. She made a rounded motion over her washboard stomach. “Atawna carry James’ baby.”

James turned bright red. He started to speak but could manage only an astonished stammer. Larra started to laugh, it was apparent that Atawna’s revelation was as much of a surprise to James as it was to everyone else. The only persons present who did not seem shocked by the statement were Atawna and Chara. They looked at her curiously wondering what was so funny.

“Apparently, you and Atawna have been very busy getting to know one another,” Larra grinned. She could hardly be angry with James, not considering that two of her children had been born out of wedlock. She got to her feet, and moving over to Atawna embraced the raven-haired girl. Atawna beamed. She had been accepted by the matriarch.

“You have excellent taste in women, James,” Larra said. “She turned to Lin Yao. “Now, let’s hear your story.”

“I think this is something for you to hear in private, Mummy,” James said. He had tried to keep certain elements of what had happened to his sister out of his account, but he could tell as he told his story that his mother knew he was holding something back.

Larra nodded. Moving over to Lin Yao she took her daughter’s hand. “Come my little treasure. Let’s go for a walk.”

An hour later Melissa looked up as Larra and Lin Yao returned. It was obvious that both women had been crying and Melissa could tell from the look on Larra’s face that her daughter had been through a painful ordeal. It didn’t take much guesswork to figure out what it had been.

Melissa looked at Lisha. Together they got up and went to mother and daughter. Lin Yao’s experience was one they had all shared. Without a word they embraced the teary-eyed teen. It was an emotional moment that soon had all four women in tears.

James watched, Atawna and Chara at his side as the four women comforted one another. He couldn’t help thinking of Ayashe. Would they be in time to save her from the fate shared by his mother and sister? He couldn’t help thinking that they were probably too late.

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