I lie there on the filthy mattress with my eyes squeezed shut and a ringing sound in my ears. My heart’s pounding in my throat, my fingers, and against my chest. I think of Rebel and a tear rolls down my cheek.
The sound of my cell door opening makes me nauseous. I force it down and slowly open my eyes. Norah gasps and practically glues herself to my back, like she wants the floor to swallow us whole. God, I wish it would.
“Get up,” the broad bald man from yesterday barks at us.
We both jump up immediately. I’m shaking all over and staring at my toes.
“These are new, boss. And the ones across the room too.” A sickening grin appears on the bald man’s face.
“Take them,” he says emotionlessly. “The other two as well.”
What? Where? What are they going to do? If we leave here, Ballistic will never find Jen. Jen has to get home to Brandon. If I can never go home to hold Rebel in my arms again, then at least Jen has to get out of this mess. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. This is all my fault, not hers. It’s my fault and Connor’s if I never see Rebel again, but Jen…
Norah’s hand finds mine, and she squeezes my fingers gently. A feeling of solidarity washes over me. I squeeze back and breathe out shakily.
Then Baldie drags me by my arm and pushes me toward the cell door. “Hurry. You heard him, bitch.”
I stumble toward the door with Norah’s hand firmly in mine. Together, we step into the hallway and I lift my head.
“Keep going.” I get a push in the back and do as I’m told.
We go a little farther, then we’re told to stop—and we do. I still remember yesterday’s harsh treatment; if we don’t cooperate, we’re dead. A key slides into Jen’s and her cellmate’s cell door. They too, are yelled at to get out and walk in line.
Once they’re with us, we quietly head to the open door at the end of the hallway; that’s where the guy in the suit went. Less than five feet in, Jen’s fingers wrap around my other hand. I squeeze hers, hoping it will do as much for her as Norah’s did for me. Now I’m the one getting a squeeze back.
We walk ahead of the bald guy and end up back in the room where Jen and I were hanging from the ceiling like pigs yesterday. We’re lined up on the grate, and I don’t dare look down, afraid I’ll see blood.
Then Jesse walks in. My whole body seems to go cold when I notice his expression. He’s carrying a rope over his shoulder, and it doesn’t take long before we find out what it’s for.
“Hands together and put them in front of you.”
Taking a deep breath through my nose, and obey. I close my eyes and wait until the rope gets tied around my wrists. A second later, that damn chain rattles, and up we go, one by one. Thank god, the rope feels a little looser than yesterday; the pressure on my shoulders is a little easier to handle. I desperately need to use the restroom, so I’m clenching my legs, but I’m too afraid to ask. With wide eyes, I look over at the girls next to me, who look back at me with the same fearful expression. What’s going to happen?
Baldie walks to a cupboard against the side wall and pulls open the left side. A few seconds later, he reappears, this time with a knife in his hands, and my heart seems to stop. Paralyzed by fear, I stare at it.
Next to me, Jen pulls furiously at the ropes. “Let us go, you lunatic,” she screams.
A twinkle appears in the bald man’s eyes, and he steps toward Jen. “Let you go, girl? I don’t think so.” He puts the knife under her shirt. She immediately stops pulling and looks down.
My eyes widen, and I gasp for breath.
No, no, no. Panic sweeps through me.
Then he pulls the knife toward him and, in one swift motion, slashes Jens’ shirt in two, before he cuts open the sleeves. “Maybe after I see your lovely tits.” Finally, he cuts both straps, so the bra drops to the floor.
Jen closes her eyes, and her shoulders shake. My eyes burn as well, but I refuse to cry. The girl on the other side of Jen sobs loudly. She can’t be older than nineteen. Baldie works his way down the line, cutting the shirts and bras we’re wearing to shreds.
Shame covers me like a blanket and I squeeze my eyes shut. I bite my lip and try to focus on something else.
I barely get the chance, because a few seconds later the button of my pants is cut off and Jesse pulls at the denim. I squeeze my thighs together to make it as difficult as possible for him, but it’s to no avail. All that happens is that I rock from side to side, making my shoulders burn. I feel disconnected, as if I’m witnessing it all from a distance, once he tears through the fabric of my underwear, rendering me numb. I swallow, stare straight ahead, and focus on my breathing.Okay, Layne. This will be over soon. Hopefully. Right?
“She’s got some serious jugs, man.” With a broad smile, Baldie grabs Norah’s breasts in his hands and wiggles them back and forth. Then he looks at the blond man.
“Karl, hands off the merch.” He rolls his eyes and fetches a cigarette from his pocket. “Although I gotta admit, they’re nice. Whoever buys her will have a lot to play with.” He puts the cigarette between his lips and when he bends over to light it, I swallow the bile in my throat.
Sweat breaks out all over my body, even though I’m cold inside and out. When I cautiously look at Norah, tears silently stream down her cheeks.
Baldie, or Karl, as Jesse calls him, walks over to me. His eyes wander over me. I take a sharp breath and look past him. When he reaches out his hand, I brace myself. As soon as he places his hand over my vagina, a sob escapes me. I bite my lip as tears run down my cheeks. Why is he doing this? I tug fruitlessly at the ropes in an attempt to get away from him as my breathing quickens.
