Page 27 of Trust

“She’s quite a sight,” I say, stating the obvious.

Stix shoots me a glance, one of those tight-lipped ones meaning careful, but I grin anyway.

“She’s striking. Even now.”

There’s hardly any reaction, so I try once more.

“Don’t act like you’re blind. You noticed.”

He doesn’t flinch.

“Oh, I have noticed,” he says tilting his head. “She’s also eighteen.”

Heavy on the eighteen.

“So? Ten years isn’t that much of a difference. She’s an adult. Wanna tell me you’re not intr—?”

“She’s a job.”

How determined.

Who is he really trying to convince here?

“Yeah, right,” I snort. “What the hell happened to your face?” I ask, referring to the gash and bruising on both sides of his nose.

He doesn’t say anything. He just hands me his empty can.

I’m tempted to test how far I can take this before he takes a swing at me.

“Who would’ve thought it’d only take a little girl to take you down?”

His glare turns into an eye roll.

With a shake of his head, he returns to the shed.

“Be nice!”

Watching him go, a dash of worry snags at me.

No, he wouldn’t, I tell myself, then climb back into the truck and drive off.

My job’s done.

For now.

CONSEQUENCES

Sara

Never thought I’d miss the cabin cell. Then again, that place didn’t look like it was designed by a sadist. At least it appeared like someone could survive in it, with a window letting in light and a temperature to suggest comfort. But this? This is a step sideways into some depraved prison fantasy.

My stomach churns as I take in my new cage. The smell of dust, metal, and freshly cut wood surrounds me, along with all the furniture that had been in that little room before. The bed, the chair, and the table are all crammed into this small space. An old sink and a boiler huddle in the corner alongside a bulky appliance that might be an electric heater. A portable toilet sits behind a freestanding screen. A single fluorescent tube buzzes overhead, way too bright and cold. There’s no switch.

I sit hunched on the folding bed, arms locked around me, breathing in and defying the urge to break. While I was out there fighting my way through the thicket, he didn’t even bother to come after me. Instead, he set up my punishment. What a sicko!

Consumed by the impulse to escape, I gave no thought to what awaited me should I fail. I thought I was clever or even brave, actually believing my attempt to get out would lead me somewhere.

Now my feet are shredded. Every part of me aches. Cold seeps into my bones despite the heater that obviously hasn’t kicked in yet. I should’ve seen this coming. I did, but I didn’t care enough to stop myself.