I leaned close to her ear so the spies couldn't hear me.
I whispered, "Don't lose your shit. You need to trust me and stay calm. I am sure Atlas will find us. Just do whatever these people say. They are dangerous and violent, and just so you’re aware, you are going to be naked shortly, too."
She clasped her hand over her mouth, stifling a scream.
I grabbed her arm and gave her a stern look.
There’s no time for hurt feelings.
"Don't freak the fuck out. I can't explain because there are cameras everywhere. Just keep your shit together."
She swallowed hard, fear etched across her face.
"Shit Kit. What's going to happen to us?"
Given the situation, I smiled the best I could and raised my brows, my voice still a whisper.
"I am not sure what will happen, but please do as they say. They will hurt you if you don't."
My friend turned on her side, curled into a fetal position, and started sobbing. I knew she was terrified, but if we were getting out of this alive, she needed to grow a pair. I reached out and rubbed her back.
"Becca, sit up. Two people will be coming to take us to shower and clean us up."
Her face turned white. "Cleaned up for what?"
Given the fact that the crackpots who dropped us off here were most likely violent assholes, I assumed we were being prepped for them to sample.
I heard Atlas talk about how horrible it was to be human trafficked, and I didnotwant to be here for it. I was sure we were going to be raped and tortured many times, and I was terrified for both of us. I didn't want to say anything to Becca. Let her have a little more peace until our world comes completely apart in a few hours.
The sound of footsteps assaulted my ears. The hair on my neck stood up. My body shook. They were coming for us. I nudged Becca, still whispering.
"Sit up! They're here. Remember, do what they say, or your life could be at stake."
Becca's eyes widened, and she trembled. I looked at her with a warning: "Calm down and do what I tell you!" She was still crying, but obeyed.
The two men who came for us were also tall and of Mexican descent. They both wore jeans. Each had a whip hanging from their belt loops.
They each held a thick metal collar attached to a short chain-linked dog leash. I felt my temples throb as I realized they were going to put those collars on our necks and possibly beat our asses bloody if we didn't comply with their demands.
They weren't discreet in hiding the bulges in their pants as they both hungrily stared at my nudity.
Although I felt embarrassed and violated, I was more focused on surviving this nightmare.
One of the men came at me, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me close to him. He brushed his crusty lips against my ear.
"Don't give me any shit, little lady. I have permission to whip you if you disobey, so be a good little whore and get on all fours like a dog."
His voice was deep, and he also had a Mexican accent.
I felt drool drip in my ear, and it made me want to vomit. I wasn't going to challenge him because I knew he would whip me until I bled. Even though I could handle a whipping, I knew there was no way I could withstand this man's cruelty if he beat me, so I got on all fours. I needed to keep myself in one piece if I wanted to get out of here.
He kneeled behind me, taking in my naked backside. I jumped when his hand caressed my ass, then pinched my cheek hard. I yelped from the excruciating pain shooting across my bottom. He stood up and leaned over me, grabbing a fistful of hair, holding my head still.
His breathing was heavy as he snapped the cold metal collar around my neck with his free hand, then pulled tightly on the leash, causing my head to snap back.
He must have done this many times because he did it so effortlessly. I panicked because it felt like the collar was choking me. I took a few breaths to calm myself and focused on staying relaxed.
Now was not the time to go into a full-blown attack and pass out. Once I settled down, I adjusted to the tightness around my throat.
