Bought to be a Tutor?

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

We walked up the steps to the door of that intrepid house. It was large, but not well maintained. The outside had chipped white paint which made it look more brown and dirty than anything. There was a floorboard missing on the front porch, and there were cobwebs in every corner. I had to be extremely diligent as I navigated Lia around the dangerous spots in order to get to the door. I hated that we had to be here. We tried calling the cops, but they didn't take us seriously. They never have when it comes to us. Part of me thought they never took anything seriously, but Lia insisted that could not be true.

 We’ve been through a lot, Lia and I. From the attack all those years ago, to what we have now. The cops are very convinced we just want attention, the morons. They even told us as much.

When that call came in, we both froze. Her mom never calls you see, not unless she needs something. Even then the actual call usually came from someone else. She’s always getting into trouble. The last time she called it was because she had OD’d. If I recall correctly it was off cocaine, but I'd have to go over the medical records again to be certain. We had to rush to the hospital and figure out how to cover the medical expenses… again. This time the problem was different though. This time, she was going to get herself killed by someone else. 

“Why don’t we just go home? Even if we help her now, she’s just going to get herself in another situation just like this. Maybe worse! Sooner or later she needs to stand on her own and face the consequences of her actions! Why don't we just leave her! She has never once done anything for us anyway.” 

“Because I can not just leave her Chelse, I can’t. You know that.”

“After everything she has done to herself and even worse, to you, you still come to her rescue.” I shook my head. I have so much respect for Lia’s willingness to help people, but I also think it’s her greatest weakness. Especially when it comes to her horrible mother. 

Lia sighed. I could tell she was trying to think through her words carefully as she often does. “Regardless of what she has done, even if she is my mother and not my mom, she is still a person. No person on this planet deserves to be subjected to such trauma as she will endure if we simply leave her here. I mustn’t allow another to suffer, simply because I can’t be bothered, How would I sleep at night knowing that I left her to such a fate? How would I be any better than those who have tormented us? How have you felt these last years about those that stood by when we asked for help? How can risk that we might become like them?”

“Alright then,” I said with a sigh. I composed myself and held my head high as she did the same. “In we go then?”

She nodded. “In we go.”

I opened the creaky door and we walked in. It was so dark, nothing more than the moon shining through the windows. It was hard to ensure that she could walk safely. With how bad the porch was, I had little faith that the inside of the house was going to be much better. 

“So, you are the beautiful daughter that my friend here has sold to me.” A man said. He stepped forward and I took him in. He looked strong like he was used to taking care of himself. Not overly muscled, but certainly fit. His dark brown hair swept slightly over his eyes in a way that almost looked classy. He reminded me of a dike. His clothes were simple but clean. A simple plain vest over a long sleeved shirt. Then I took in what he said.

“Wait, did you just say that she was sold?!”

“She didn’t tell you? Your friend’s mother sold her to pay off some debts.”

“And how do you know I’m not her daughter?”

“Because I’m not stupid. I got a picture before agreeing to such a ludicrous deal.”

“Lia, let’s just go, now. If we leave he can't come after us. He could never enforce something so insane.”

Lia was quiet for a long moment. She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders even more, and held her head high. She looked as regal as ever, and as always, I admired her brilliance and bravery. “A bargain was made, and a bargain shall be upheld. I would very much like time to discuss the details of the agreement you made with my mother. And I shall have your name, sir.”

“Call me J.”

“Lia come on,” I shook her arm. “You can’t be serious. You can’t stay here.” As I looked at her, I saw the determination on her face. She wasn’t going to back out. She didn’t have much to lose after all. “Fine. If you're to stay here, then I will too. The two of us, together. Just like always”