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“Be a good girl, and you might get out of here,” the guy carrying me said.
“Where is my mom?”
“Already inside.”
A door was opened, and we were bathed in a harsh yellow light. I shut my eyes instantly. My eyes burned after being in the dark trunk for so long.
“Boss, what should we do with her kid?” the bald man who had my mom asked.
“Let my mom go!” I pounded my little fist against the guy holding me back, but it was like hitting a brick wall. There was no budge. Hot tears spilled free, and I called out for my mom.
“Put her down.”
When my feet hit the ground, I found my mom and jumped in front of her. I was still growing, and by no means could a twelve-year-old take on a bunch of grown men. I wouldn’t let them hurt my mom.
“You got spunk, kid,” the boss said. His hair was shiny, pushed back, and his clothes looked something we couldn’t afford on a good month.
“What do you want with my mom?” My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep track of all the men in the room.
“Well, you see, do you know Barney?” the man asked.
I racked my brain and finally nodded as I recalled mom’s latest ex-boyfriend.
“He owes me a lot of money—”
“He broke up with my mom, so there is no need for us.” Fear clogged my throat, making every word I forced out shaky and high-pitched. “Please just let us go.”
The man smiled, and I flinched away. Fear made me tremble from head to toe, but I locked my knees to keep from collapsing. Mom hadn’t said a word. When she got into her depression episode, she rarely checked in, let alone talked.
Right now, I wished she’d pay attention. I needed my mom more than ever.
“Come sit down.” He patted the cushion next to him. I glanced down at my mom, but she didn’t budge. Her eyes were open, but no one was home. I swallowed the ball of nerves clogging my throat and moved closer.
Sitting down, I left space between us. I was pulled closer until his thigh touched mine. The smell of beer and cigarettes burned its way up my nose. A shudder worked down my small body, and I attempted to make myself as tiny as possible.
“Don’t be afraid.” He reached forward and grabbed the open beer off the table. The wood was splintered on the edges, with multiple scratches and burn marks littering it. I counted each one trying to stay calm. No other twelve-year-old has to deal with this.
“I’m not afraid,” I forced out, my voice wavering with my words. I squeezed my eyes shut. Rough fingers brushed along my cheek, and I jumped.
“Scared little thing, aren’t you? I don’t see how you will pay me back my money.” He leaned back. “Come sit down.”
Please, mom, help me. I stared at her, begging for her to do something to say something. She glanced my way. A heavy sigh left her as she turned her head and rested her forehead on the floor.
My chest felt like someone had punched me, and I rubbed at it.
“Well, are we going to talk business?”
I clenched my fist in my shirt and gave a curt nod. Mom was in no state to handle this. I was certain once she woke up and was herself again, she’d help me. She was my mom, after all.
My legs refused to listen to me, and it took two tries to sit back down next to the man. I stared ahead, avoiding the other men’s eyes in the room. Once again, focusing on the table and counting the damage on it.
“Girls can only earn money one way.”
“Mom,” I whispered, unable to keep myself from calling for her.
“Oh, we can use her. She’s still fairly pretty, but I’m afraid she wouldn’t be able to make the money up fast enough.” He snapped his fingers, and one of the men near the door marched over to my mom and grabbed a fistful of hair. The cry that tumbled free from mom had my heart beating even faster.
I jumped off the couch, but I was forced back down. “Stop! let her go.” I tried to shake free, throwing a punch. I landed a few, and I was let go.
