Screams and cries of one of the women echoed through the air vents in the ceiling. I winced when the unmistakable sound of the wind being knocked out of her filled the rattling vent.
A mumbled something, and I narrowed my eyes and turned my head slightly to the right to try to hear her.
“What’s that?” I asked, hoping she’d try to speak clearer.
Fucking drugs.She mumbled again, this time a little louder, but it was still unclear. I was hoping her voice would drown out the grunts of agony that sounded so close.
“What did you say, sweetheart?” More mumbles spilled from her mouth. “Hmm? Speak slowly so I can understand you,” I said.
“What … do … you …’ant?” she managed to ask me. Though she slurred most of the words, I could make them out at least.
“Are you asking me what I want?” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“I just want you to rest and relax,” I told her.
“You don’t want me for something?”
“No. I only want to watch you on the mattress. Please relax.”
A smile appeared on her face, encouraging me to believe that my questions and chitchat would hopefully lead to something I could use. But she was so high, I didn’t think I could realistically get anything out of her.
“You have a lot of needle marks on your arm,” I began. “Did you give yourself those marks?”
Her smile was still plastered on her face. I shook my head, knowing this wasn’t going anywhere tonight. She was barely cognizant of anything I was saying.
“Hmm? Did you give yourself those marks on your arms?”
“Yesss,” she slurred.
No, you didn’t. Why won’t you fucking tell me?
“Do you like it here?”
“Yesss.”
“Do you stay here because you want to?”
“Yesss,” she hissed. Her smile broadened and she added, “He loves me.”
Mhmm. Sure he does. You’re brainwashed, girl.
I was frustrated and angry at myself for another night in this fucking place being wasted. I should have waited for one of the other girls. The two who were sucking dick didn’t appear as strung out as A was. Another wasted opportunity.
I remained in the chair and watched over her while she relaxed on the mattress. If nothing else, she at least wasn’t being used and hurt by someone for a little while. As it neared the thirty-minute mark, I stood and looked down at her.
“Take care of yourself as best as you can, sweetheart,” I said before walking to the door.
She wouldn’t remember me. She hadn’t in the two years I’d been visiting her. None of them did, and they had no idea that I was trying to help them.
When I left the room, I kept my pace casual as I made my way to the party room. Getting out of here quickly would have drawn attention. After two years of this fucking shit, I didn’t want to mess anything up. Not that I was having much success with anything regarding the case, but I didn’t want to get sloppy. There was no purpose for that.
The other two girls had been separated, and each were entertaining a small group of men in opposite corners of the room. The male, S, had now taken the place of B, who had crumbled like a dry leaf.
Fuck, please still be alive.
From a distance, I paused my exit to watch S have his fingers smashed and broken with pool sticks. I continued my path to the stairs, but something pulled me back. I had to see if B was still breathing at least, because if they’d killed that kid, I would have my just cause to have the kink house raided.
