Author’s Note: This is another of my Jane Thompson ‘what if’ stories that’s been hounding me night and day, demanding it be written. The issues within this story are much darker than in any of my previous stories, told by a seventeen-year-old boy who witnessed the horrible treatment of the children by two families, if said children made it known they would not participate in any forced marriage. Reader beware, while what takes place is not told in great detail, it nevertheless can be disturbing. Also, there are flashbacks throughout the story, which may seem a bit confusing at times. ~ Jamie Lee ~

The Webster and Dorman families were brought together by the rescues first by a Dorman young man of a Webster young girl, then two years later a Webster young man of a Dorman young girl, and ensuing love which led to marriage when they each turned eighteen. Because of the first two marriages, other marriages, because of love, occurred between the Webster and Dorman families. But a little over one hundred and fifty years later, the then head of the Webster and Dorman families believed everything told of those first marriages to be lies. They were lies because no one married because of love, only opportunity, so those first two marriages had to have been forced. And it was at that point the love that had blossomed as a result of two rescues, that had brought two families together, was perverted, and a little over one hundred years of hell began for the two families. A hell that was Family Punishment for any Webster or Dorman child who failed to comply with the Family Obligation of marriage when they turned eighteen. And love be damned.

Seventeen-year-old Stephen William Webster and his nanny, Better Wilcox, finally blow the whistle after the murder of thirteen-year-old Rachael Dorman because she refused to be forced into a loveless marriage. Stephen and Betty must be hidden because people from the Webster and Dorman families are hunting him, thinking he is running away from a forced marriage. Betty makes contact with three of her former University sorority sisters, and together they formulate plans to hide Stephen at the one place unknown to either the Webster or Dorman families, the Winsome Girls’ School for Wayward Boys. Jane Thompson’s home.

“Over the next several weeks, and months, the Websters and Dormans got to know each other, Mary and Jasper most of all. They’d each invite the other over for dinner, the Webster first since it was their daughter Jasper saved. It wasn’t long after the two teens turned eighteen that Jasper asked William and Sarah for Mary’s hand in marriage, Mary viciously nodding her head at her parents as she stood next to Jasper. William and Sarah loved to pull the other’s leg, and their childrens’. So they planned beforehand to act as though they couldn’t possibly let their daughter marry some boy who was still wet behind the ears. How was he going to support her, and their children. Mary had tears running down her cheeks, and Jasper looked down crested, hearing what Mary’s parents just said. Seeing the two before them, William told Sarah they may have picked the wrong time to try and pull one on the kids. It was then Mary realized what her parents were doing, and told Jasper, who then wiped the tears off Mary’s cheeks before doing the same to himself. The parents apologized and told the two, yes, Jasper could have Mary’s hand in marriage, and yes, they loved him as well. This is how the very first marriage occurred between the Websters and Dormans. And it was a love that lasted until Jasper died at the age of 60 and Mary at the age of 85.”

“Is that all there is to the story of the first marriage, Stephen?” He was taking another drink when Jane asked, so he simply shook his head, no, and after finishing the drink, told her, “No, there’s one more the journals talked about. This time it was a Webster boy who saved a Dorman girl--those two people were made for each other. At times reading about them, it was even funnier than reading about Mary and Jasper.”

“It was two years after Mary and Jasper married, Timothy Webster was out riding and heard a girl screaming, ‘help’. He followed her voice and entered into a mucky, mire area, already known for claiming the life of a nine-year-old boy some years ago. Moss, his horse, picked her way carefully through the area, as Timothy kept her on something of a trail through that area. It wasn’t long before he came upon the girl, stuck in a mire pit, holding onto a tree root which had grown down into the muck. As he sat on Moss and looked down on her she got real snotty with him, asking ‘if he was going to sit on that old nag all day or help get her out of this muck’, she used more colorful words, Jane, but knowing how you hate those type words, I changed them a bit.” Stephen caught a smirk on Jane’s lips before he continued.

“Timothy got rather huffy at her calling Moss an old nag and told her, ‘you do know it’s this ‘old nag’ that will get you out of the mess you stupidly got yourself into, right?’ Oh, Jane, it was funny reading what she then said to him. It was equivalent to many of the more colorful words used today. And he just smiled at her as she ranted at him for doing nothing. He even told her, ‘you’re rather cute when you’re mad.’ Jane, I won’t even begin to tell you what she said when he said that, but it was funny. Timothy kept Moss a good ways back from the edge of the mire pit the girl was stuck in, got off Moss, took the rope off the saddle, and as he walked towards the edge of the pit, opened up the loop so it would fit around the girl’s chest. He told her what he was going to do, and told her she should continue holding onto the tree root with one hand, and take the other arm and bring it up through the loop. So the loop was under her arm. After getting one arm done, switch hands holding the tree root and move the other arm the same way. He told her he’d then tie the rope off to the palmal of his saddle, and slowly back up Moss. When the rope was taught, she could then hold onto the rope and he would then back up Moss until she was out of that pit. Again, Jane, I won’t use the exact words she used in telling Timothy to hurry up, but she was stomping mad at Timothy taking his sweet time.”

“He just stood by Moss as she gave him another tongue lashing, letting her rant, before asking her, ‘do you want help getting out of there or not? I have another rope at home, so losing this one won’t be a problem.’ As she lit into him again, Timothy started walking toward her, coiling up the rope as he walked. It didn’t take the girl long to realize what he was doing and that he was her only hope of getting out of the mess she got into. She apologized, profusely, and Timothy accepted her apology and stretched out the rope before tying it off to the palmal of the saddle. He got on Moss’s right side and slowly had the big horse back up until the rope was tight. The girl grabbed the rope and ever so slowly, Moss backed up until the girl was several feet away from the edge of the mire pit. And then she lit into him again.”

“So instead of having Moss walk forward to slacken the rope, he had the big horse continue walking backwards, dragging the girl along on the ground. When she’d had enough, she again apologized and Timothy had Moss walk forward to slacken the rope so the girl could stand up and take the loop off. Then she lit into him again, just after he coiled up the rope. He didn’t say a word, but climbed up on Moss, turned her, and began to walk off. Jane, this girl just didn’t learn the first few times, and let him have it again, for leaving without her. He was about twenty feet from her, turned Moss around before asking, ‘do you always bad mouth those who save your behind, or is that just a habit you have?’ Sorry, Jane, I can’t tell you everything she said, but you’ll get the point when I tell you Timothy turned Moss around and started walking off again. She then went totally nuts, calling Timothy everything under the sun, before she collapsed and dropped to the ground, crying. Timothy turned Moss around, again, and walked her up to the girl, before getting off her, kneeling down and hugging the frightened girl. She latched onto Timothy so tightly he actually had trouble breathing. When she finally calmed down, he told her in a gentle voice, ‘let’s get you home, okay?’”

“Timothy helped the girl to her feet, remounted Moss before helping the girl climb up and sit behind him. It was at that point the two introduced themselves, him Timothy Webster and her, Stella Dorman. She was so tired, with her arms around his waist she laid her head against Timothy’s back and fell asleep. She didn’t wake up until Timothy told her she was home, seeing her parents coming out of the house. Timothy explained what happened to her parents, Tony and Charlotte Dorman, as her father helped her get off Moss. Just as Timothy was turning Moss around, Stella told him thank you and would she see him again. Timothy asked if he’d get a tongue lashing every time she got mad, and turning a bright red, told him no in a very soft voice. Several months later Timothy asked Tony and Charlotte for Stella’s hand in marriage. Both were quite old when they died a week apart, their love became that strong.”

Stephen opened his water bottle and took a long drink, his throat was dry after all the talking. He looked out over the wooded area, forming his thoughts for the next part of the story. He took another drink, and started with, “The last part of the second journal and all of the third journal are dark, explaining how two true love marriages were perverted because the then head of each family couldn’t believe in the true love stories. Neither the head of the Webster or Dorman families believed those first two marriages were anything more than obligations for saving each daughter. They had to be forced. And that’s what they started making their children do when they turned eighteen, marry the boy or girl of the other family when they turned eighteen. And it was horrible what they did to their children in order to make them comply. The third journal even talks of several children of both families getting killed because they refused to follow their parents orders. And that perversion continues to this day.”

Stephen had to stop and wipe his eyes several times before he continued. Jane squeezed his shoulder to let him know she understood. When he started again he told her, “I was three when I witnessed my first Family Punishment, where they gather everyone from each family in one of the families’ basements. When I had my third birthday, Betty gave me this cute dragon pendant to wear; I always liked the dragon stories we read together. She told me it came from a friend of hers who was a genius when it came to making miniature cameras and microphones. She told me to not say anything about the pendant, other than it was a birthday present. I didn’t know it at the time, but that guy had also incorporated a transmitter into that pendant which could send a signal back to my rooms where Betty had hidden a recording device. She also started wearing a pendant, which also had a camera and microphone in it. For the next fourteen years, we both recorded every Family Punishment that occurred, including the murder of my ten-year-old brother, Charles, twelve-year-old Mark Dorman, and Rachael Dorman at thirteen years of age.” Stephen wiped at his eyes again, Jane knowing his telling of the story would help him start dealing with all the pain he had buried.”

Jane suggested they start walking again, while Stephen continued with his story. There was a catch in his voice as he told what he witnessed over the last fourteen years. He almost lost it completely when he told Jane about Rachael’s torture and death.

“The families were called to a gathering in the basement of the Dorman home, for a Family Punishment. Jane, what those monsters call ‘punishment,’” and he used air quotes when he said punishment, “are actually torture sessions. Devised to force the child or teen, and it’s always a child or teens, to comply with the Family Obligation of marriage. Rachael had always been an outspoken young girl, never one to mince words. She would say exactly what everyone was thinking but didn’t have the courage to say, for fear of punishment. She made it quite plain she would not marry anyone she didn’t love, and that started it all for her. First her ‘parents’ used spanking, beatings with a belt, withholding food and privileges, and keeping her awake for hours. She still told them where to go. So, a family gathering was called and we all met in the basement of the Dorman home.” Stephen got real quiet as they walked, Jane putting her arm around his waist, telling him, “Take your time. You’re safe with me at my home.” Stephen wiped his eyes yet again, and was still quiet for a short time more as they walked before he continued.

“I don’t know how many years ago it came about, but an apparatus was designed and built to be used in the basement of each family house for Family Punishment. It was nothing more than a giant ‘X’ built out of steel, which could articulate 360 degrees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. It was supported from the ceiling by heavy chains that ran in tracks cut into the ceiling. Heavy chains held the bottom portion and they too ran in tracks cut into the floor.” Stephen let the tears run down his cheeks this time, not bothering to try and hide the pain he still felt for Rachael. Jane pulled Stephen in tighter to her as they continued walking, knowing Stephen needed to get all of this out of his system.

“When everyone was gathered in the Dorman basement, three young men came down the basement stairs, dragging a resisting Rachael with them. She’d seen these punishments before, and knew what she was going to face. At one point all three young men had to pick her up and carry her, she was resisting that severely. Rachael was forcibly held as the four stood a short distance in front of everyone; she was a strong willed young girl. Her ‘father,’” and Jane heard the venom in Stephen’s voice as he said ‘father,’ but said nothing, he had to tell the story his own way.

“That pig stood in front of her and asked, ‘Will you comply with the Family Obligation?’ He must have been surprised when Rachael spit in his face, but he sure was angry. He wiped the spit off his face before nodding his head and the three young men started undressing Rachael. She was fighting so hard that one of those boys had to hold her while the other two cut her clothes off her. They then dragged a naked Rachael over to the apparatus, where it took two to hold her arms while her wrists were secured to the top arms and her legs secured to the bottom arms. One of those boys calmly walked over to the control panel, and when her ‘father’ nodded his head, that boy pressed the power button and brought the apparatus to life. And as everyone watched, doing absolutely nothing, he operated a lever which raised the apparatus until it was completely vertical. I’ll skip what Rachael was saying the whole time, Jane, you wouldn’t like it. ‘Father dear’ then nodded his head again and the boy at the controls started operating levers until Rachael’s arms and legs were pulled in opposite directions, leaving her screaming bloody murder because of the pain of almost having her arms and legs pulled out of their sockets.” Stephen shuddered at the actual memories of what he saw and heard, more tears following others. He opened the bottle of water and drained it, before Jane gave him another one.

“Jane, she was left in that position for two solid hours, while everyone was upstairs having dinner, acting like it was just another Webster/Dorman gathering. People were joking with each other, someone told a story, but not one word was said about Rachael and the terror she was feeling being stretched as she was. Even though the basement door was closed, her muffled screams could still be heard for a while. She must have screamed herself horse, because after a while only muffled moaning could be heard. And when two hours were up, ‘father dear’ told everyone it was time to return to the basement. That pig showed as much emotion at what was happening as a rock. Everyone followed him back down into the basement, where Rachael’s moans were louder; she’d wet the floor directly where she hung. When everyone was there, a man, this time, was standing at the controls, and those three young men came out of a side room wearing white robes. The man operated two levers and the arms and legs of the apparatus moved in towards the middle, releasing the tension on Rachael’s arms and legs. He then moved another lever which repositioned the apparatus until it was horizontal, about waist high, and Rachael on the bottom side of the apparatus. Those three young men, the ones who dragged Rachael down the basement stairs and secured her to the apparatus, came out of a side room dressed in white robes. They calmly walked over to the apparatus and took positions where two were at Rachael’s feet and one stood at her head. The man at the controls adjusted the height of the apparatus a bit, before moving a lever which caused the lower section of the apparatus to rotate 90 degrees; Rachael attempted to scream when that was done, but her voice couldn’t manage it. ‘Father dear’ nodded his head again and the three young men dropped their robes, showing they were completely naked and more than aroused.”

Stephen stopped so abruptly the force actually spun Jane until she was standing in front of him. He was looking up at the sky and asking, “Why? Why Rachael?” He dropped his head onto Jane’s shoulder, wrapped his arms around her and wept. Stephen didn’t see the tears sliding down Jane’s cheeks. They stayed like that as Stephen told the rest of the story.

“It was horrible, Jane, her ‘father’ nodded again and those three boys...Jane they showed her no mercy. They went at her for over an hour, and no one did a thing to stop it. They each pulled out of her after that time, calmly picked up their robes and walked back into that side room. The man at the controls operated levers until the apparatus was horizontal again, Rachael was a mess. Blood was running down the inside of both legs, cum, spit, and vomit was running out of her mouth and down her chest.” Stephen choked up as he then said, “Her ‘father’ calmly walked over to her until he was standing off to the side and asked her, ‘Will you now comply with the Family Obligation?’ It wasn’t hard to see her trying to speak but found it hard after what that bastard did to her orally. But she found enough to moisten her throat and told her ‘father,’ ‘You better sleep somewhere else tonight, old man. Because when you go to sleep I’m going to slit your throat from ear to ear, then cut off your balls and dick and stuff them in your mouth.’ Jane, if that girl had lasers for eyes, her ‘father’ would have been reduced to very small pieces, the hate in her eyes was that powerful. Oh, gawd, Jane, it hurts so much remembering all this.” Stephen was silent for a while before he finished Rachael’s story. “Jane, in the Webster and Dorman families, anyone eighteen or over is considered an adult; employees aren’t counted. That bastard looked at everyone there and those considered adults just nodded their heads at him. Oh my God, Jane, oh my God what he did to her.” Stephen’s legs suddenly gave out, causing him to drop to the ground.

Jane couldn’t support Stephen’s weight and she dropped to the ground with him, still holding him and allowing him to hold her. It was longer, this time, until Stephen had cried himself out and could continue telling Jane the story. In a muffled voice, though loud enough for Jane to hear, he told her, “Jane, that bastard calmly walked over to the control panel, opened a drawer beneath it, took out a revolver, walked calmly back over to Rachael, and...and...THAT BASTARD SHOT HER IN THE HEAD!” There was no consoling Stephen now, as he broke free of Jane’s arms, stood up and started running further into the wooded area. Jane knew Stephen would soon find himself at a small pond, with nowhere else to run. She also believed she’d find him sitting on the bench there at the pond. “I’d like to have that bastard to myself for a few hours,” she said to herself as she followed Stephen.

As she believed, Stephen was sitting on the bench at the pond, crying, or trying to. She quietly walked over to him, sat down next to him on the bench, put her arm around his shoulders, pulled him into her, and let the tears flow down her cheeks as Stephen continued crying. Chester lied to her at the station, he did bring a lot more baggage with him on that train. He brought seventeen years worth.

Neither one of them paid attention to the time, or how long they sat on that bench, before Stephen spoke again. “Betty had seen more than I had, but for some reason Rachael’s death really affected her. Affected her enough for her to do what we’ve done, handed over all the thumb drives to someone she trusted in law enforcement. They had to be stopped, Aunt Jane, stopped before another Rachael was murdered.” Stephen took several shuddering breaths then told Jane, “I think I’m all talked out, Aunt Jane. Maybe we should go back, maybe that roan would like another apple?” Jane wiped the tears off her cheeks before agreeing with Stephen about going back, and maybe seeing if that roan would like another apple. Thinking to herself, she thought, ‘It will take a lot of time for him to start dealing with everything he’s seen. I hope I’m up for the challenge.’

While walking back to the stables, Jane asked Stephen, “Have you given any thought to exploring your feminine side and helping Jenny?” Jane saw Stephen start to answer but went on with, “Before you answer, perhaps by exploring your feminie side and helping Jenny you also help yourself. You are carrying so much baggage Stephen, baggage which is causing you so much pain and not allowing you to move forward. By helping Jenny and exploring your softer side, you can learn how to deal with that baggage and start to move forward.”

They were silent as they walked the rest of the way to the stable. Once inside, Stephen walked over to the basket of apples, picked out one, walked over to the big roan, offered her the apple, without holding it in the palm of his hand. The big horse gently took the apple Stephen offered, then pushed her big head into the side of Stephen’s head, causing him to wrap his arms around her muzzle. The two stood like that for some time, until Stephen released her head, and told her he’d be back to ride her. She seemed to like the idea because she nodded her head and whinnied at Stephen. Stephen turned to look at Jane and said, “I hope you’re a good teacher Aunt Jane, because I know nothing about being a girl. Plus, I’d like to hear more about Jenny’s interests. Maybe Jenny and I could take some walks sometime and she could show me what she knows?” Jane could see a great burden fall from Stephen’s shoulders after what he told her. She knew he had to come to the realization that he needed help as much as Jenny, and that he could also help Jenny if he wanted to. He was doing both now.

They were silent as they walked back to the house, going back inside through that same door. Once inside Stephen was surprised to see Venessa and another man he didn’t know. Jane had allowed Stephen to walk inside first, so she was behind him when he saw Venessa and the man. He slowly turns until he’s facing Jane and asks her, “You knew I’d say yes to your suggestions before I said yes? Or was it a guess on your part?” Jane had just seen Stephen angry, and how hurt he is, so she recognized his questions to be only questions, asked with a neutral attitude.

Jane measured her answers before telling Stephen, “I will answer your questions, Stephen, but it would be better done in the Library, where all four of us can be comfortable.” Jenny had also been there with Venessa and the man, talking to Venessa about this and that when Jane and Stephen came back into the house. “Jenny, please bring tea for four into the Library, and remember what you have been told.” Jane cocks an eyebrow at Jenny who replied, “Yes, Aunt Jane.” With Jane leading the way the four go into the Library, where Jane guides everyone to the couches. Not long after everyone was seated, there’s a knock on the Library door. Jane calls, “Enter,” and Jenny comes in carrying a tray holding a teapot and four cups and saucers. There’s also a creamer, bowl of sugar cubs, and lemon wedges. Jenny sets the tray down on the Library desk before asking everyone how they liked their tea. After fixing everyone’s tea, and handing them out, she leaves the Library, making sure to close the door behind her.

Jane takes a sip of her tea before telling Stephen, “Yes to both of your questions, Stephen. And no to both,” which causes Stephen to frown at her second answer. He was about to ask another question when Jane held up her hand, and said, “When you were talking with Venessa, before Betty came to collect you, you seemed so sure you did not want to explore your feminine side. But Venessa picked up on what you did not say, that you would NEVER want to explore your feminine side. Venessa also told you you’d make a very pretty young girl. And she should know, she has been in the makeover business a very long time, she knows what will work and what will not work.”

“People at the station heard Chester Thorton came to me for the purpose of possible employment. Our plan was to have this gentleman here,” and she pointed to the man sitting next to Venessa, “be made over to resemble Chester Thorton. I would then take Chester back to the station and make a show of my apologies that the job prospect did not work out for him. He would get on the Southbound train and anyone who asked about a man named Chester Thorton, would be told he took the Southbound train and left the area. For obvious reasons, Stephen, this man will remain nameless to you, but suffice to say he would meet Venessa somewhere and Chester Thorton would vanish as suddenly as he appeared. However…,” and all three tured their eyes to Stephen.

“It all depends on you, Stephen, and whether what you told me in the stables is really what you want. As a young girl you will be as safe here as Chester has been traveling here. I doubt anyone in those monsters’ families have enough of a brain to even conceive of the idea of you exploring your feminine side. And if Venessa said you would make a pretty girl, as the saying goes, ‘you can take it to the bank.’” Six sets of eyes follow Stephen as he gets up off the couch and walks to one of the Library windows. He’s quiet as he looks outside, then turns around and asks, pointing to the man next to Venessa, “Will he be safe? If they catch him and discover he isn’t me, they will kill him on the spot. They’ll make sure his body is never found, no one of his family will ever learn what happened to him.”

It’s the first time the man next to Venessa spoke, when he told Stephen, “Stephen, son, please come and sit back down.” It wasn’t a commanding voice, but it was a command anyway, only gentler. Stephen walked back to the couch and sat back down next to Jane.

“Stephen,” the man began, “it’s kind of you to think of my safety before your own, that shows a level of maturity not often found in someone your age. More years ago than I care to say, I was one of those boys sent to Jane for her special education. I won’t tell you why because it isn’t germaine to the decision you must make. I went to University, got my bachelor’s and masters, then went into the military; I won’t tell you which branch. Stephen, the military taught me things your two families have never heard of, or dreamed possible. I can spot a pickpocket long before they apply their trade. I can spot a tail quickly, and a killer in an instant. Stephen, if they do find me or come after me, it won’t be my body that will never be found. Those two families will be short whatever number attempts to take me.”

Stephen looks into the man’s eyes, and sees steel staring back at him. Stephen stands up, walks over to the man, offers the man his hand, and says, “Mr. Thorton, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you have a safe, and pleasant trip.”

Jane looks at Venessa, just as Venessa looks at Jane. Both give the other the ‘I’m glad that worked’ look, before Venessa tells Stephen, “Stephen, let’s go and get you out of that Mr. Thorton facade, shall we?” Jane had walked over to the Library door, opened it and called Jenny. “Jenny, please take Venessa and Stephen up to Stephen’s room. I will see to our other guest.” Jane receives a, “Yes, Aunt Jane,” before stepping out of the way to allow Venessa and Stephen to follow Jenny. She steps back into the Library, closes the Library door, turns, smiles, and asks, “Parker, it has been a long time. How have you been?” She hasn’t seen Parker Meadow in over twenty five years, but remembers every moment when he was with her. They hug before walking back to the couches, sitting down and begin to talk, Jane learning everything Parker is allowed to tell her.

Jenny leads Stephen and Venessa up the stairs and to the bedroom that will be Stephen’s for as long as it needs to be; things will have to settle down before it will be safe for him to leave Jane’s home. She shows them the bathroom, with all the lotions, shampoos and conditioners, the closet, chest of drawers, causing Stephen to blush a bit when he sees what the drawers contain. Once she’s done all this, she leaves the two alone and goes back downstairs to see what she is supposed to do next.

Venessa walks over to the vanity, sets a bag down on its top and begins unpacking several items, one being a bottle of liquid. She picks up the bottle and walks over to Stephen sitting on the bed, hands him the bottle and tells him, “This is my special mixture to remove all of the coloring, built up material and the beard I put on you. Don’t worry about it hurting your skin, it’s been quality tested for the past fifteen years. Everything will simply dissolve and go down the drain. When you’re finished removing everything I applied to your arms and face,” she hands Stephen a small tube, “wash that wig with the cream that’s in this tube. It will loosen the adhesive that holds that wig on,” and she pointed to his hair. “Once you’ve washed the wig with that cream, it should be easy to remove. Then wash your own hair with it again, followed by using whatever shampoo and conditioner in that bathroom. You need to get all the adhesive out of your own hair before shampooing it. Also, once you have all of my work off you, you will find a razor and shaving cream, or some type, in that bathroom. Use them, shave your face, your underarms, and your legs--twice.” She sits down next to Stephen before continuing.