Chapter Three

Brand: 

James dragged Alice’s limb body across the front yard and dropped her just in front of the porch. Sarah was standing there waiting and when she laid eyes on Sarah’s limp body she looked concerned for a second.

“Did you kill her?” Sarah whispered, her voice cracking a little as she spoke, her eyes searching for Karl.

“No, she’s just passed out.” James said, rolling his eyes. 

“Ok good.” Sarah said relieved, she didn't know how Karl would react if Alcie was dead. 

She knew he was fine with sending her away but mostly because it made him not have to see his dead wife every day. Alice looked exactly like her. Her long raven colored hair, golden color eyes and sun kissed tan skin. She was gorgeous, even malnourished and dirty. Sarah would never tell her that. James' eyes wandered over Alice’s unconscious body. A small groan escaped her and made his body react. Sarah shot him a glance and he stepped back from her. 

“Don't look at her like that. You have to have eyes only for Eliza.” Sarah growled.

“I wasn't, she's disgusting.” James spat and then looked over his shoulder as he heard movement. 

Karl was coming back with one of the farm hands. He was carrying a red hot brand. The farm hand looked confused as he saw Alice on the ground unconscious. Karl stopped suddenly, his eyes shooting to Sarah for an explanation. Worry in his eyes for a split second.

“She’s fine, unconscious. That's all. Probably better. If you care for her so much. You should probably hurry up and brand her while she's out.” Sarah said in a voice bitter.

“Sir we are branding Ms. Alice?” The farm hand said confused, he figured it was new cattle but when he saw Alice laying there he froze.

“You will brand what we ask or we will send you to the pack house as well.” Sarah said her voice was threatening as she pointed her finger at him. 

The farm hand back down, he might be considered help here but he could come and go as he pleased. He wasn't a slave. He handed the brand to Karl and walked over to Alice and placed his hands on her shoulders. He decided that if they wanted to brand her they were doing it. He would hold her down. Karl looked down at the glowing brand in his hand and Sarah could see him debating with himself.

“You better hurry if it stops glowing red. We will have to do it again.” Sarah said in  a sing-song voice.

Karl swallowed and walked over to Alice. He snapped at James who looked at him confused and offended that Karl snapped his fingers at him.

“Hold her arm out.” Karl growled at James. 

James looked at Sarah to see if she was going to say something or object on his behalf but she didn't say anything. He knew it was because she caught him looking at Alcie’s body. 

“Now.” Karl growled. 

James dropped to his knees and pulled Alice’s arm out. He watched sweat bead across Karl’s forehead. He never had hurt Alice before; it was mostly Sarah who laid hands on her or ordered a farm hand too. Karl shut his eyes and pressed the brand into Alice’s soft skin. The smell of burning flesh flooded the air as the sizzling was heard. Alice went to bolt up right, a blood curdling scream pierced the air. The farm hand pressed her shoulders back into the ground, James held her wrist tightly as Karl rocked the brand back and forth ensuring the numbers would stay. 

“No please!!” Alice screamed one last attempt but she knew it was too late.

 Once Alcie realized there was no reaction from her father she realized what was happening, she went silent and she stopped fighting. She went completely numb. She shut her eyes and didn't move. James was confused by Alice's reaction, his stomach twisted a little bit. Her reaction for some reason made him nervous. He looked at her and actually felt bad for a movement 

Karl pulled the brand off and stood up. He didn't say anything, he tossed the brand down on the ground hard, as if it was the branding irons fault. He then walked away without saying a word. James slowly let go of Alice’s wrist and stood up. He backed away slowly watching her. 

“Come on James.” Sarah said quietly but it was direct.

It seemed to snap James out of it and he walked up the porch, he walked past his mother. He felt a tinge of something growing inside of him. He needed to get away from Alcie; he didn't need to feel sorry for her. Everything that has happened to her was her fault somehow. He walked into the house and heard the sound of a cap twisting off a bottle. He knew Karl was hitting the booze again. IT was early but the task he just completed had him kicking things off early. 

“Mistress.” A small voice came from behind Sarah.

Sarah turned to see one of the maids with the mail. She held it out to Sarah bowing her head before she took off as quickly as she came. The maids' eyes flashing to the scene. Alice was still aying in the dirt; the farmhand still had his hands on her shoulders. He was in shock at what just happened. His thumb was stroking her shoulder as if he was trying to comfort her

“Henry, you can let go of me now, I am fine.” Alice whispered, raising her hand and patting his hand.

“Alice, I am so sorry.” Henry whispered to her. 

“It will be fine.” Alice said not opening her eyes, her voice hollow.

Sarah saw the package  had come in. An evil cruel smile came across her face. She tore open the package and a bright red shimmer back at her. She pulled out the collar and walked down the porch steps. She walked over to Henry and Alice.

“Put this on her.” Sarah commanded Henry as she held the collar out to him.

He took it with his hand shaking a little bit the adrenaline and fear rushing through him. He couldn't believe what they were doing. He took the collarin his hand. The red of the collar was bright and looked like the color of blood. 

“Alice remeber you take this off and they will kill you. You are now property unless the Alpha decides to remove your collar. Any removal of it results in death.” Sarah said her voice full with happiness as she said it. 

Alice didn't respond. Sarah became angry and kicked Alice in the side. Alice flinched just from impact of the blow but no noise came out of her, no whimper. She was just there. Sarah was getting angrier by Alice not reacting. Suddenly lots of noise and the sound of glass breaking came from inside the house.

“Mistress, I will make sure Alice understands. I think Mr. Karl might need your help inside.” Henry said, trying  to save Alcie from anymore pain. 

Sarah nodded quickly as the sound of  breaking things became louder. James came walking out of the front porch looking for his mother. He motioned towards the house.

“We gotta get that shit under control all we need now is the Alpha knowing and it could fuck up things for me.” James sneered.

“I’m going to go fix it, don't worry sweetie. Why don't you go pick up some flowers and cigars, Alpha Leon likes cigars and bring them to their home.” Sarah smiled hurrying up the porch stairs, passing James as she patted his shoulder. 

James nodded and mumbled to himself as he walked to his car.  Henry let out a sigh of relief as everyone was preoccupied. He looked over the brand on Alice’s arm. She was still not reacting to anything.

“Alice came by my cabin. Loretta has a salva that will help with the pain and make it heal quicker.” Henry said, touching her arm lightly.

Alice let out a slow breath and then slowly sat up. Branches and twigs all stuck in her hair. The backside of her clothing stained with dirt and slightly ripped from being dragged. Henry frowned deeper seeing more wounds on her back. Alice went to stand but she was dizzy and Henry caught her. Alice looked down at his hand and saw the blood red collar. Henry felt her body shiver and she squeezed her eyes shut.

“I was told to put this on you. I won't if you don't want me to.” Henry whispered.

“It's fine, why not. What’s one more thing?” Alice chuckled, holding her hand out for the collar.

“Maybe it will look fabulous on me.” Alice said, laughing harder as tears started to come to her eyes, as she looked at the collar in her hand through blurred vision. 

“Alice, this is wrong of them.” Henry whispered.

Alice ignored him and fastened the collar around her neck. As the latch clicked into place she felt her heart go cold. She was done with this existence. She couldn't believe that this was what was happening but if she let herself feel this right now she would break. She would crumble and she couldn't not now. 

“Alice, come back to my cabin, let Loretta take a look at you.” Henry said softly. 

Alice glanced at the house and heard the yelling and the continuing of break things. She nodded to Henry, they wouldn't be missing her right now anyways. She needed to get away. He smiled at her as she started walking. 

We can still leave. Lenore said to her quietly.

Yeah in a casket. Alice said back to her quietly.

We run. Leave this collar and just keep the brand covered. We can still go. Lenore said, trying to give Alice hope.

Maybe. Alice said, trying to think if it was possible.