Stopping dead in her tracks, Lois realized that something was going to happen. It sounded like the man was threatening the girl with a beating. Confirmation of her impression came in the next moment.
"OH, NO! GOD NO!" There was fear in the girl's voice.
An involuntary gasp escaped Lois' lips. Oh, God! He is going to beat her… with a belt!
Horrified, she listened, against her will, as the girl pleaded, "P-PLEASE… DON'T… MARK ME…?"
Then, clearly, in the still, night air, Lois heard the unmistakable crack of leather on bare flesh. She found herself re-coiling with each of the three blows. My God…!! What can I do?
She thought of running back to tell Stan… try to get him to report it… but there was only a moan from the girl. It must have hurt her… terribly! She didn't leave; instead, she crept closer, her curiosity getting the better of her, and she wondered: What kind of a man… would beat a woman l-like that… and what about the woman who would take it… without crying…?
The man rasped, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" There was silence for a few moments, during which Lois tried desperately to tear herself away and go back to the camper, but now, she had crept close enough to see the outlines of motorcycles. Oh! No wonder… It's those awful people… from that motorcycle gang! There was a terrible feeling of slashing, unreasonable fear that gripped her belly. Dear God! What if he hears me… e-eavesdropping on them…? She didn't want to be involved, but the fear of being heard… the possibility of getting caught held her immobile.
"WELL… MAMA… THAT OUGHT TO BE A LESSON TO YOU!" The man's voice had a tone of self-satisfaction in it.
Lois knew that she couldn't sneak away without being heard… at least while the couple were silent, so she waited in self-conscious discomfort for them to start talking, again. Her eyes strained in the darkness, until she was barely able to make out the forms of the man and woman. They were on the ground, lying on a sleeping bag. Then, she saw another figure, bulky in leather jacket, sitting on the table, feet on the attached bench, and whoever it was… was watching the couple on the ground… too! From the bulk, the manner of lounging at ease, Lois decided it must be a man. If she moved, now, made any noise… that unknown watcher would see her, from his vantage point on top of the table. God! Now, she was trapped. She couldn't leave… without being seen or heard!
The man's voice came to her, softer this time.