Apologetically

After all she had been through, her body crying out in pain, her belly rumbling from hunger and her psyche all but shattered by her ongoing ordeal, Lisa could not find the fight to stand up to this new threat. Her voice came in a sob, "Please... wait. I'll do anything just, please... dont hurt me."

After a moment of silence, Lisa still cringing away her assailant grunted, "Hmmm, good. At least the slut knows her place..."

She grabbed Lisa by the collar and dragged her a couple of paces into the circle before pushing her down into the dirt. Lisa slowly rose to her hands and knees as the woman returned to her seat, effectively sitting over the now cowering cowgirl as she spoke.

"Yer lucky im feeling generous bitch, so here's how it's gonna be. You treat me with the proper respect an maybe I might just forgive ya fer what ya did. Gottit?"

Lisa couldn't control herself, this final humilation having sent her into a crying fit - her broken body racking with every sob as she replied. "Y-yes."

Lisa couldn't see the big woman's smile break out through her tears but the other women who watched on gleefully in silence could.

"Yes mistress!" the woman barked and flinching, Lisa immediately replied.

"Yes mistress. Please, forgive me mistress." the cowgirl blubbered.

"Better..." the woman hummed, kicking off her sandals before leaning back and extending a foot towards Lisa. "Now, ya can start by rubbing me sore puppies while I fill ya in on how things are around here."

Lisa looked up past the chubby foot to meet the woman's gaze, the stern stare carrying a warning of what might become of her, should she refuse. Reluctantly Lisa shuffled into a kneeling position before taking the foot in her hands and beginning to gently massage it. Her hands, much like the rest of her ached and she felt almost too weak to move, yet she pushed herself on, eager not to anger the woman further.

As Lisa rubbed, the woman told her about the camp and the gang - the women had mostly arrived against their will, taken in raids against one town or another. Once here many tried to flee only to be recaptured and subjected to brutal punishment or worse, disappear into the vast surrounding plains only for their dusty bones to eventually be discovered months later.

Lisa resisted the urge to point out that she was just here temporarily, until the gang successfully sprung big Bill from captivity. She knew that bringing up his name again would not please the woman who she learned was named Jane - plain Jane an unwelcome nickname evidently based on her reaction when one of the other women uttered it under their breath.

Jane it turned out was something of an unofficial leader of the group of surviving women, not least because she had been selected by the toughest brute in the gang to be his girl. It was with some pride that she described her connection to Bill and explained that all the smart women had latched onto one guy or another for protection. The less lucky remained at the mercy of the gang, passed around or simply used for sex whenever and wherever one of the bandits felt the itch.

"Who brought ya in?" Jane asked as she retracted one foot and replaced it with the other, Lisa diligently setting to work on it without thought.

"Nash, I think his name is." replied Lisa softly.

Jane chuckled. "Ha! That slimy little weasel? I bet he thinks his luck's finally come in. Don' worry love... yer with me now. I'll look after ya and keep his filthy mitts away from that skinny little ass o' yours."

Lisa gulped at the thought, uncertain whether Jane's protection would be any less dreadful than Nash's, but when she spotted Jane's expression she simply nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you..." she said lowering her head as she continued to rub the woman's feet, remembering her place and quickly adding, "mistress."

"Very good. Well it's gettin' late an' ya must be famished by now." said Jane with a sigh. "I'll take ya back ta mine now, get ya some grub an' a bed. But first ya gotta show all these lovely ladies that ya know yer proper place. Show me..."

With that Jane slid her foot from Lisa's aching hands and lifted it up before the cowgirl's face. She wriggled the toes slightly as she grinned down at the broken young woman leaving no uncertainty as to what she was asking for.

Lisa gulped, her dry throat catching as she eyed the pudgy foot. Fortunately it wasn't too filthy, she had been working it with her hands for what seemed like hours now after all. But the act itself, the show of submission before all these strangers. To capitulate to this mean, bossy woman. Where would it lead her?

As these thoughts played out in her mind Lisa found her body responding for her. She was so weak, so hungry. She knew she could barely keep herself upright without sustenance and rest, and right now, this was her only option.

When her lips met with the cool flesh of Jane's outstretched foot a giggle rippled through the onlookers, the odd hushed comment reaching Lisa's ears. Words like slut, whore and **** pierced her consciousness as she held the kiss, looking up to meet Jane's gaze, hoping to see satisfaction in the woman's expression. Jane took several moments before nodding down at Lisa and retracting her foot.

"Very well slut... come." she huffed as she stood, snapping her fingers at Lisa. The cowgirl rose slowly, painfully and as the crowd dispersed Jane called out. "T'morrow ladies. We'll show this 'un the ropes round here."

With that Lisa followed Jane closely through the camp, hoping againt hope that she might finally find some food and rest for the night.