ENSLAVED BY THE ALPHA

Four

(Darkness)

Lizzy

I woke up to a great throbbing. My head felt like it was being pressed against the top of my skull by a great weight and that pressure only grew until I found myself rolling to one side while at the same time attempting to sit upright. My stomach churned with waves of nausea and a strange metallic taste lingered in the back of my throat as I struggled to take another breath.

“You are finally awake” I heard Yolanda's voice.

I tried to look at her but the lights were too bright so I covered my eyes with my arm and squinted into the brightness. ‘Where am I?’ I wondered, looking around and trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Our room Elizabeth. I am so sorry for not doing anything and…” she began to sob.

I wanted to tell her that it was okay and that it wasn't her fault. But my throat felt hoarse and really dry so instead of speaking out loud, I coughed weakly and rubbed my hand across the bridge of my nose, causing a sharp pain to shoot down from my forehead all the way through my neck. When I opened my eyes again I could just barely see Yolanda crying into a tissue held between two fingers. I winced as I realized what must have happened.

“How bad does it look?” I managed to croak. She didn’t seem to hear me so I repeated the question. She looked up and I thought for a moment she might answer but instead, she shook her head.

“All that matters is that you will be fine. I was scared I was going to lose you. Water?” Yolanda said. She reached forward to pour a glass of water, holding it above my head. “It might help with your throat.”

I raised an eyebrow at her and then took the glass, lifting it to my lips and sipping it slowly until all traces of the liquid had been consumed. It helped clear my airways a bit and helped relieve some of the discomfort caused by the burning sensation in my chest. By the time I set the glass down, I could feel a little better and was able to speak almost normally.

“Thanks” I croaked. “Where is Sam?” I asked ignoring the fact that my heart was beating in an abnormally weird way. But I just needed to be sure that he was not around here.

“Maggie asked him to leave. I was glad she came in on time. He has been saying something about you using your “claws” on him. I am sure he is high on some cheap drugs”

Yolanda replied sarcastically. “He is probably lying now”. She sniffled loudly.

“Yolanda, why don’t you come over here?” I motioned towards the bed and she moved towards me. I tried to hide the fact that I was nervous.

“Did anyone believe him?”

“Of course not! that's silly” she replied matter of factly and hugged me.

I sighed in relief when her arms encircled me and felt myself relax into her embrace. She pulled away from the embrace and looked at me. “So, how are you feeling?” she asked.

I shrugged. “A bit dizzy and nauseous, I suppose. Nothing too terrible though. It’s just that, well… it’s just that”. I stopped.

Yolanda waited patiently for my answer. “What is it, Liz?” she asked in a soft voice. Her warm brown eyes stared at me expectantly.

I didn't know what to say. Fortunately, the door swung open and there was Maggie in her full glory.

“Glad to see you awake” There was no smile on her face, nothing. Just a blank stare that I couldn't understand. I looked over at Yolanda and saw her eyes fill with uncertainty.

“Can you leave us Yolanda?” This time she had a fake smile and she was staring right at her.

“Sure”

Yolanda’s retreating footsteps filled the room.

“How do you feel?” Maggie went on to pour herself a glass of water.

“Good” I answered honestly, still struggling to comprehend everything that had happened. I was sure that the whole situation seemed very surreal but it wasn't.

“You see Elizabeth, I have been helping girls like you. I give you the connections, introduce you to the richest men, and show you how it is done, and never, never have I gotten any issues with my business partner Sam over any girl”

I didn't know what I was expected to say to that.

“Girls like you come by once in a while and most times when they do, they cause chaos. I can handle it. That is how it works. It is business, Elizabeth. You have money, you have power. So, you have to work hard and play smart. And that is why I have to let you go”

My eyes grew wide in horror. “What!? No! We have to fix this”

Maggie ignored my words completely and turned away.

I wish I jump off the bed and follow Maggie. “Please! Maggie, please. Please. I… I paid the money. I don’t have anywhere to go, please” I pleaded.

“Now that’s where you are wrong. You can go anywhere. You have options. I will give you back the money you gave Sam. Then you will leave, go far away where he can't find you. I know men like Sam, they don't give up”

“Maggie, please” I sobbed.

“He will hunt you down and tear you into pieces when he finds you Elizabeth” she continued. Her voice grew softer and softer. “And he will enjoy every single moment of it”

“No…” I screamed, trying to get past the woman who refused to listen to me. But she refused to listen.

“NO!” I kept screaming, unable to control my panic.

Suddenly, without warning, the world seemed to fade in and out. I became aware of someone touching me lightly.

“Shhh… Elizabeth… it's alright. You will fall asleep now and when you do, everything will be alright” Those were the last words I heard before losing consciousness.