Chapter 11
Dawn
As the weeks went on,Elijah went back to work. He made sure to wake me before he left, letting me know who was downstairs. Most of the time, it was Joslyn. I liked her. She never pushed me to talk, but talked to me as often as she could. She’d talk about volunteering at the women’s shelter and about her hobbies. I was finally starting to feel like I belonged here as a person, instead of aslave.
Emily had only been there a few times. She helped me get the laundry done, saying it kept her mind busy. She never talked about her past, but more of the future, and what she hoped to be able to do someday. She was currently taking online classes to get a website design program going. She’d ask me things here and there, but never really tried to keep a conversation up once I answered her questions. She was a private type of person, which I could understand. I didn’t want to talk about my past,either.
I’m sure I wasn’t much help. The list Elijah had given me to do was easy and didn’t take much energy to complete. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to make sure everything was as expected. I didn’t know how to make the two women who kept watch over me understand that I wasn’t the type to talk. I liked to stayunseen.
Joslyn had brought over some books, but none of them held my attention. Sure, they were better than those Elijah had, but I wasn’t a fan of romance or thriller novels. I did enjoy the puzzles she brought. Elijah even ordered a puzzle table for me to use that fit nicely underneath the couch when I wasn’t working onone.
I didn’t get to see much of Elijah, since he seemed to work late or was in his office most of the time, and I didn’t want to disturb him. I’d keep the TV on whatever channel was last left on, not really watching it, but more for a background noise. I did wonder if I had done something wrong because Elijah seemed to be so distant after returning to work. I couldn’t help but think maybe he just wasn't attracted tome.
The nights he would come to bed, he’d pull me to his chest and hold me safely all night long, as I’d taken to sleeping in his bed. But the nights he didn’t come, I hardly got any sleep, as I was worried about what he wasdoing.
One windy night, the trees blew leaves against the side of the house. I had given up on sleep. I was planning on going to Elijah in his study and just kneel by him, letting him know I was able to please him in any way he’dlike.
I was shocked when I heard voices in the office from the bottom of the staircase. The only lights that were on were in the study, so I stayed in the shadows so I could see who wasthere.
Keeping my back against the wall, I quietly made my way towards the office. I could see Elijah leaning against his desk. He wore the same jeans and a gray shirt he’d had on when he came home. Since the chairs were facing him, I couldn’t see who it was he was talking to. His face wasn’t happy—he was scowling, and he looked tired andstressed.
“So why did you have to come here?” Elijah sounded agitated. “I have more than enough to dealwith.”
“I didn’t know who else I could talk to. That woman is getting some sort of idea in her head that you can get her daughter to her without being found out,” I heard Morgan say. His voice sent shivers of fear through mybody.
“I could, but I won’t risk my job to do that. Plus, I’d be out money. I don’t spend my money on things I don’t intend to keep,” Elijah seethed. His voice held a dark promise I knew never to test. “That woman knew what would happen long before itdid.”
“But she’s changed. She quit her job and turned her life around. Doesn’t Joan deserve a chance to see her daughter again? I can pay you for your trouble, Eli,” Morgan almostbegged.
I covered my mouth, trying to stop any noise that mayescape.
“I ain’t gonna sell my girl,” Elijah laughed, letting his heavy accent slip through. “You know, you’re being watched, so I really would advise you to not have her thereanyway.”
“I’m not worried about being found out,” Morgan replied easily. “But at least let me see the girl so I can take a pic of her to show hermother.”
“Absolutely not,” Elijah huffed, standing upstraight.
“Fine,” Morgan grumbled, rubbing his jaw where the fading bruise no doubt lay. “But don’t be surprised if Joan shows up wanting more help. She knows you can get hersomething.”
“But I won’t,” Elijah said. “Now, I think it’s best youleave.”
“If Idon’t?”
“Then you can meet my fist again,” Elijah said without abeat.
Having heard enough, I made my way back up the stairs, just as quietly as I came down. I reached the landing at the same moment Elijah and Morgan entered thefoyer.
It wasn’t long before Elijah came up and took a shower before making his way to bed. I wasn’t sure if he knew I was awake or not. I stayed still as he slid in behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and burying his nose in my hair. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. His breathing evened out, and I closed my own eyes, hoping his presence would calm me enough to allow some sleep formyself.
* * *
The room wasdim as I was shoved from behind. I wore the thin dirty white gown I was forced to put on when I was brought to this place. I wasn’t sure how long I had been here, as there were no windows or clocks. I had to squint to see into the room, and hope to not injure myself on anything. My body was already sore due to the hits and kicks for not wanting to obey the men’s every command. I was sure my ribs werebroken.
The room was small but held a small stained mattress in the far corner. The ugly yellow paint was peeling off thewalls.
“All yours, buddy,” Morgan laughed with another push on my back. He blocked the doorway so I couldn't try to run. None of these rooms had doors, so anyone who was walking by could watch the happenings in eachroom.
I finally looked up and saw the one man I had hoped to never see, let alone be in the same room with. His dark eyes were clouded by whatever drug he was on. His overly long dark blond hair was pulled back into a neat and clean low ponytail. He wore a low-riding pair of blue jeans that were stained and ripped in places, along with a black shirt with a lot ofholes.
