I have no money.
No identification.
Nothing but this white dress and bare feet.
Sarah's men would find me.
Or the police would find me.
Either way, I'd end up back here.
Or somewhere worse.
I'm trapped.
The realization settles over me like a weight.
I'm trapped, and there's no way out, and in a few minutes a man named Sutherland is going to walk through that door and I belong to him.
Two million dollars worth of belonging.
My hands are shaking again.
I press them flat against the window, trying to absorb some of the cold.
Trying to feel something other than this panic clawing up my throat.
At the Sanctuary, I knew what was expected.
Submission. Obedience.
A lifetime of cooking and cleaning and eventually bearing children for Elder Jacob.
It was horrifying, but at least it was known.
This? I don't know what this is. Don't know what happens next.
Don't know if Mr. Sutherland bought me for labor or companionship or sex or all three.
Don't know if he'll be kind or cruel or indifferent.
Don't know anything except that I cost two million dollars and someone thought I was worth it.
The door opens behind me.
I don't turn around.
I can't.
I keep my forehead pressed against the cold glass, my hands flat against the window, looking out at the boats I'll never reach.
"Eden."
My name.
He says my name like he knows me.
Like we're familiar.
