SIX
1393 Words
PRESENT
I was ushered into a room where I promptly fell asleep. I would never feel safe so I locked the door and pushed a chair across the door.
Hurrying into the bathroom, I dumped the contents of the bag on the counter and looked at the pregnancy test.
I needed to do this; I couldn’t just trust the word of some homeless girl I had known for two weeks.
I took three tests while we were on the run, one said negative, one said positive and the third was inconclusive.
It wasn’t like I could just walk into a clinic and ask to have my blood drawn.
There was a knock on the door and my hand stilled as it hovered over the test.
“Excuse me, but Violet said you would need some clothes and food. I will just sit it down outside the door. Just put it back outside the door when you are done.” I hurried to the door and waited until the person left.
Pulling the chair away and opening it a crack I saw that there were some clothes, a basket with toiletries, and a tray of food.
Looking up and down the hall I grabbed the items and closed the door again.
Steadying myself, I had to relax, tonight I was safe.
The food was a thick stew and it smelled heavenly but the shower called to me and I was bone tired.
Hurrying into the shower I let the hot water needle my skin and I let out a groan.
The old bruises that Evan had inflicted before I fled were still visible on my skin and the pain was still there.
“It appears I can’t heal anymore. Unless that was because of the pack.” I mused as I soaped up my hair.
I really should cut and dye my hair as well.
I was growing drowsy and decided it was time to step out of the shower before I fell asleep.
Glancing at the pregnancy test, I decided that it would be better to leave it until tomorrow.
Maybe it was better that I didn’t know the truth. Ignorance is bliss.
I looked at the soup and sniffed it again. I pushed it away and decided to put it back outside the door in the morning.
I was ravenous, but what if it was a trap and someone was poisoning me? It happened when I was with Evan. A few of those times I was pretty sure it was Evan trying to kill me. That was one of his sick games.
Evan had many sick games he would like to play. He would also lock me up in a closet for weeks on end with no water or food.
I was glad to be rid of him. The emptiness in my soul from where the bond was is something that takes getting used to.
There was also the physical pain of having your soul ripped apart. I heard mates had it much worse than I did.
Slipping into a troubled sleep I woke abruptly, my stomach growling in protest and my mouth full of cotton. Kicking off the blankets I blinked several times to get my bearings.
I saw the tray with the cold stew on it and thought that it would be better if I could have some toast. I should go and find the kitchen.
As I moved the chair away from the door, I thought I heard footsteps in the hall and I froze. Panic caused my heart to slam against my chest.
I saw no one around and crept out into the hall carrying my tray and stopping at every noise I heard.
I reached the end of the hall and heard voices.
“What are you doing back here Violet? You know that Evan doesn’t like his playthings to run away.” My blood froze and I debated running back to the room.
“Are you afraid that I will tell Father that you made a deal with the Alpha to pay off your debts?” Chewing my lip I crept closer.
“How dare you! I did no such thing.” The sound of glasses being slammed into the sink made me cringe.
“Yes, keep telling yourself that Mary. I was fifteen. Just because he liked what he saw doesn’t give you the right to use me as a pawn to get what you want.” I put a hand to my mouth and my heart wept for the poor girl.
“You didn’t even stay with him for a year! I heard you ran off as soon as you could and now here you are. With some other ragamuffin behind you.” Anger flared in me and I wanted to teach that insolent brat a lesson.
“I’m sixteen, do you know what he did to me? No, you wouldn’t care. She is also a victim of that monster. Don’t worry as soon as I secure a ride from Jared I will be out of your hair.” I dropped the tray and both women stared at me.
“I guess you heard everything. I was hoping to tell you some other time but I was also one of Evan’s mistresses.” I sniffled and didn’t care.
Evan was a monster and this girl had everything stolen from her as well.
“Are you another of the Alpha’s sluts?” I turned my attention to the woman, she looked to be in her forties and she had lines creasing on her face already.
She looked tired and worn down from life.
I slammed the tray down on the counter and glared at her.
“You need to apologize to your sister. I don’t care what you call me but she is not a slut. You have no idea what that man is capable of.” My hands trembled as I fisted them at my side.
I expected the woman to be cowed instead she smirked and moved into my personal space.
“I have a feeling neither one of you should be here. I could just call him and tell him two of his playthings are here.” My eyes went wide and I heard Violet curse under her breath.
“Or maybe I talk to one of his enemies, he has a lot of those. They will pay a pretty penny to get their hands on you.” Fear spiked my pulse.
“Mary! What are you talking about?” We all turned to the newcomer and he looked appalled at the three of us.
He was wearing a police uniform and he looked beaten down as well. My eyes flicked to the badge on his arm. I breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t part of the city’s police force; I don’t think Evan’s reach made it this far.
“Violet, we looked everywhere for you. Is it really you?” He dropped his bags and wrapped his arms around the girl. She tensed up and I knew that was because of the beatings she took.
“Honey, you’re home early.” The man glared at her and she shrunk back.
“I heard everything. Did you make a deal to sell your fifteen-year-old sister?” I glanced down at my feet and shuddered.
“It wouldn’t surprise me; I was sold to that monster at sixteen.” They looked at me and understanding dawned in Violet’s eyes.
Her brother-in-law let out a sigh and turned his attention back to his wife.
“You two please go to bed, you will need every ounce of strength you have for the journey ahead. Lock your doors.” I put the tray down, all thoughts of food forgotten.
Violet grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hall to the room I was in before. Standing on the threshold of the room, I didn’t want to be alone.
The fear and paranoia were still clawing at me and I knew I wouldn’t sleep.
“Can I stay with you tonight? Madison?” Her voice was small and I realized she really was still a child.
“I was going to ask you the same thing.” We smiled at each other and just like that a bond grown out of trauma was born.
- Writer
