I wasn’t the perfect slave. Not yet. I thought I was trying so hard, though, to be what Sir wanted. He wasn’t one for words or actions, for that matter. He’d been harder to figure out for what he needed from me.
But still, I didn’t do it right. And now, it was too late to change how I behaved.
Trying to stop the tears, I took in a deep breath, only for it to get stuck in my chest. I coughed, bending forward a bit to get my body to do what it should do. Or maybe I’d choke on my tears and never have to worry about stupid things again.
“It’ll all be okay,” April soothed, patting my knee before taking her hand away again. “You’re safe, Dakota. I promise.”
I wasn’t safe. I was a lost cause. I was nothing. Not even a slave now.
Whatever April said next was unheard by my ears as I tuned everything out. Finally, I was able to cut off the emotions, even though the tears wouldn’t stop. They at least slowed, and I just sat there, breathing as she drove the car farther and farther away from Sir.
Before long, April pulled the car to a stop outside a house that had almost every light on.
“There are others here who you will get along with.” I kept my gaze on the house, fear and sadness mixing together. “Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have a few rules, which they will discuss with you. But they won’t lay a hand on you. You’ll be safe here.”
Again with that word.Safe. It held no meaning to me whatsoever.
I didn’t move as April got out of the car. I just sat there, hoping just maybe this was all a dream and I’d wake up and be back in Sir’s house.
Maybe I passed out. Yeah, that had to be it. I was passed out after he choked me, nearly killing me.
Men have done that before, so it was easy to try to believe that Sir would do the same thing, even if he hadn’t laid a hand on me in any sort of way.
“Come on, Dakota.” April stood waiting, my door open. It took my legs too long to work, turning and standing.
Keeping my head down, I had no option but to follow the lady up to the door, which was already opened before we ever reached it.
Whatever was said went to deaf ears. All I could hear was the rushing of my blood through my head.
“Welcome.” A new voice. I only heard it because of the hand that touched my arm, pulling me inside. “Thanks, Detective. We got it from here.”
“I’ll be in touch. He’s important to one of the cases we are currently working on.”
“Come along, dear.” Once more, my feet followed the woman. This time, through a too-warm house and up a flight of stairs. All the while, she heldonto my arm, which was probably a good thing. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to move otherwise.
“This will be your room while you are staying with us. Make yourself at home. The other boys will pop in at some point.” She paused, flickering on a light. My eyes stayed glued to the floor, not daring to move or look around.
I didn’t want to be here. I wanted Sir.
“There are not many rules here. Be respectful, no yelling, and no running away. There’s a chore list on the fridge, which you will be added to the rotation of what needs to be done around the house come Monday morning when I move names around. If you have any questions, feel free to ask at any time. I’ll let you get settled in.”
With that, she patted my shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Only then did I finally look up. A small bed, dresser, and a desk with a matching chair. There was a window, too. But there was nothing personal, which I should have expected. It was small, and I felt caged in. Instead of four barred walls where I couldn’t move or stand, it was walls. Empty.
Just like my soul.
I fell to my knees, gasping for breath, and tears stung my eyes.
***
Sleep didn’t find me.
I shoved myself into the corner by the dresser, hidden from the door if someone happened to peek in at me. Shivers racked my body randomly, and tears long dried up.
I could hear voices and footsteps outside the door. No one knocked, although there were a few times someone paused on the other side.
I knew I was in trouble for something I didn’t think I did wrong. It wasn’t the first time. Just, I never was sent away like this. Sure, I was beaten to an inch of my life many times over, but never anything like this.
