On My Wedding Day, They Tried to Leash Me Like Cattle

I glanced down at my phone.

Just as I'd feared, the signal bar was empty. Not a single line.

Egbert took the animal leash from one of his relatives, wadded it into a ball, and shoved it through the gap in the window.

Only when the rope came close did I see it clearly. There was a black-brown filth crusted along the hemp, and the stench of it hit me.

Vivian gagged in the back seat, clamping both hands over her nose and mouth.

"Lucy, lean your head over here and let me slip it on."

"It's just for a video, so the elders back home can see. After this, I swear I'll do everything your way."

He'd switched back to that gentle voice all at once, soft and coaxing, like he was talking down a child.

Somehow that tone turned my stomach worse than the filth-caked rope.

I jerked my head away, my stomach heaving.

Egbert's face went dark in an instant.

"So you'll take the hard way instead of the easy one? You think you've got any other choice?"

He rammed the leash harder through the gap, bits of it flaking down onto my wedding dress.

Vivian reached up from behind to shove the thing back out, but Egbert caught her wrist and wrenched it outward.

"This isn't your business."

Vivian cried out in pain.

That set him off completely. His face twisted, the veins standing out on his forehead.

"Today you walk into my house, or you get carried in. Your choice."

He said it, then went vicious.

He threw half his weight against the window gap, forcing his arm through the crack by sheer strength.

His fingers spread, seized my hair at the crown, and hauled toward the window.

The pain tore through my scalp, so sharp my vision went black.

Hairpins flew loose, a few strands ripped clean out and tangled between his fingers.

His forearm was jammed in the gap, veins bulging, his face flushed dark from the effort.

"If I don't lead you in there today, my name isn't Swanson."

He lifted the filthy rope above my neck, about to drop it over my head.

Vivian threw herself forward, crying, and bit down on his arm.

Egbert flinched at the pain, then drove his elbow back and slammed her into the rear seat. Her head struck the door handle.

"Little slut. Once I'm inside, I'm dealing with you first."

She let go, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, but she still gripped his sleeve for dear life.

"Lucy, think of something, tell me how to help you."

The rope had already gone under my chin. A little higher and it would drop over my whole head.

Outside, the villagers pounded on the roof, egging him on.

"Almost got it, one more pull, drag her out of there."

My temples throbbed, the edges of my vision going dark.

But the pain sharpened my mind to a fine point.

I couldn't yank free now. He had my hair, and the harder I fought, the more it tore.

I shot Vivian a look, signaling her to start the car.

Then I stopped struggling and pushed my body toward his hand, closing the gap myself.

Sure enough, the pain eased, and my head cleared.

Egbert thought I'd given in. His grip loosened, and a smug smile pulled at his mouth.

"See, wasn't that simple. Saves you all that suffering."

Right then, Vivian started the car, and my hand found the window switch.

The motor kicked in instantly, the glass rising fast.

The Porsche's one-touch window ran on a special motor, strong enough to crush a carrot.

Egbert's wrist and half his forearm were pinned tight by the glass. The pain made him let go.

Then he screamed.

"You little bitch, put it down, it's killing me, smash it, smash the glass, now."

He kicked at the door over and over, his knee banging the metal panel, thud after thud.

The villagers froze, then caught on and raised their hoes to swing at the windshield.

I didn't look at them again. I reached into the armrest console beside the driver's seat.

Inside sat a two-way radio for the motorcade, one handed to each of my cousins before we set out.

They'd meant it as a precaution, the roads out here were complicated, and if anyone got separated they could stay in touch.

I hadn't imagined it would turn out useful for something else.

I pressed the talk key, and the radio gave a short beep.

"Douglas."

I steadied myself, holding back the urge to cry.

"The Swansons are trying to break me in like an animal. This wedding is off."