Had I been given a room that had belonged to someone else? I could sleep on the floor in the pantry for all I cared.
I slipped from the bed, sitting on the floor instead. Instantly, the hardwood floor’s temperatureseeped through the clothes I wore. I couldn’t stay in a bed, let alone a room that wasn’t meant for me to have.
Chapter 18
Dakota
When Nathen peeked his head into the room a little while after the sun had risen, he gave me a small, uncertain smile.
“Hey.”
I was still on the floor, blanket around my shoulders. I hadn’t slept much, just waiting for my time to be up. Tiredness threatened to pull me under fully, but I refused to let it have me.
I lifted my eyes to him, placing my chin on my bent knees. It took too much energy to speak, so I just watched him. This boy wasn’t a threat to me, and for some reason, he felt more like my equal than anyone ever had before.
“I have to get to school, but I thought I’d check on you.”
Oh, well….that wasn’t needed.
I just blinked.
“The others should be leaving soon, so you’ll be on with Mr. Meyer for most of the day. Helpyourself to food. Mrs. Meyer will be back around noonish, I think, today.”
“Kay.”
“Are you okay?” he stepped into the room, a school bag hanging off one shoulder.
No, I never was and never would be. I wanted Sir. I wanted to serve and do what I was trained to do. I didn’t want to be punished anymore.
Instead of saying any of that, I nodded my head once. I was okay as I’d ever be in my current state.
“Okay. Well, I gotta get going. Take a shower and get some food while everyone’s gone.”
“Kay.”
He gave me another small unsure smile before leaving, closing the door behind him.
There were other footsteps walking down the hallway, another door slamming, followed by the car doors outside.
In a matter of minutes, the house went from full of people to nothing.
I was used to the quiet as much as I was to the noise. I hated going from one extreme to another, but that was always out of my control.
I yelped as loud music blasted through the floor, causing the boards I sat on to vibrate.
I guess I wasn’t as alone as I thought I was.
The base hurt my throbbing skull, and I couldn’t help but place my hands over my ears. It did little to help block out the sounds.
Breathing to even out my racing heart, I willed the sounds to stop, or to at least lower.
This was one sure way to keep sleep at bay, I thought miserably.
What had I ever done in my life to get stuck in the life I was in? What could I have possibly done to deserve the punishments that I had?
Sure, lack of sleep and loud music was ten times better than being taken by men in every hole in my body.
Taking in a deep breath, I willed my anger at the world to dissolve. I could deal with whatever that came my way. I had to. It wasn’t like I could run off orend my life. I didn’t have the energy or guts to do it either.
