AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I wake up again, I’m sitting in a chair with the bag already off my head. There’s a man sitting across from me, also in a chair. I study the apple in his hand—red. Sweet. Once, I would’ve turned it down, preferring green. Now, the thought of any food sends my stomach into a frenzy. I’ve never been so hungry in my life.
He slices into the apple, cutting a huge chunk off and dropping it into his mouth. He chews with an open-mouthed smile on his face.
When he’s done, he drags the back of his arm across his lips. “Morning.”
I don’t bother replying. He stands, dropping the apple onto the ground. I flinch. The thought of it going to waste makes my eyes water. He lifts a foot and stomps down on it, smashing it to bits. Yellow pieces of the apple’s innards splatter in every direction.
He walks toward me with a smug grin, still holding the knife. When he nears me, he bends down, using a finger to wipe a bit of apple off the toe of his shoe. He raises it to my mouth. “Want some?”
It’s embarrassing to admit how tempting it is to open my mouth, but I don’t. More out of spite than disgust. He holds the knife to my chin. “Come on now. Open those pretty lips for me.”
My eyes flick to the knife, then move to meet his. The darkness inside his gaze is startling. There’s no life there. No humanity.
The tip of the knife presses into my skin, and I open my mouth instantly. He shoves his finger between my lips, running it along my tongue. I taste the salt of his skin, the sweetness of the apple, and something metallic, like the scent on Blake’s skin when he’s been working outdoors.
After what feels like too long, he pulls his finger out, wiping it dry against my cheek.
“Now then, Mae, don’t you feel better?”
My brows furrow. How does he know my name?
He chuckles, seeming to read my mind. “Oh, yes. I know who you are. We all do. You’re quite the little celebrity around here. Our guest of honor, so to speak.”
“What do you want from me?” My voice is so hoarse it doesn’t sound like my own. The only proof it came from me is the sandpaper feeling at the base of my throat.
“Idon’t want anything from you. I’m just the delivery boy.”
“We don’t have any money,” I say softly. “Whatever you think you’re going to get, you’re wrong.”
“Oh, no need to worry about that. He’s interested in something much more”—his gaze rakes over my body—“funthan money.”
“Hewho?”
He turns to walk away from me, moving slowly back to his chair. When he sits down, it’s with gusto. He kicks out a leg, crosses it over the other, and leans back in his chair with his arms folded over his chest. “Your new owner.”
“My…” I can’t finish the sentence. What he’s just said is impossible. And yet, it’s not.
“New. Owner.” He draws out each word, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek. “That’s right. You, my dear, were sold today. We made a pretty penny on you, too. You’re going to meet him tomorrow, so I’m in charge of getting you cleaned up today.” His upper lip curls. “No offense, but you reek.”
“What are you talking about?” My voice trembles. I don’t want to know the answer.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll take great care of you…as long as you’re a good girl.” He looks down, laughing under his breath at his own joke. “You are a good girl, aren’t you?”
My body feels as if it’s suddenly liquid. I want to die. I’d rather die than this. Anything but this.
“It’s just the two of us for a while,” he whispers. “What do you say we find out how good you are before your bath? Trust me, I’m a lot nicer than your new man.”
I shudder as he moves toward me with a look I recognize well.
Suddenly, I realize I know him. Memories flash through my mind. He’s the bartender from the ship. The one who served me that last glass of water. The one who brought me the jacket at the elevator after Zach left. The one who followed me onto the elevator.Benny.
“You did this,” I mutter, piecing it together. “You drugged me. You brought me here.”
He doesn’t confirm anything, but his smile is confirmation enough. “Come on, honey. I prefer it if you don’t talk.” He reaches for my face, and I launch myself out of the chair, falling to the floor. I struggle to stand, to make my legs work, but they’re like jelly and he’s faster. He grabs me and I kick, trying to make contact with anything at all. With a second kick, I do. My foot slams into his ankle, knocking him off balance. He stumbles, reaching for his calf.
“You bitch!” he shouts, red-faced. I kick him again, this time in his knee, and he goes down. When he does, he grabs my leg. I cry out as I feel his teeth dig into my thigh.
BANG.
