The evening seemed to drag its feet into the night as the light in our room dimmed. My body sprawled on the mattress beside Squeeks, drifting in and out of sleep. I kept my hand on her back, so that she knew she was safe.
Around two, maybe three in the morning, I pulled myself from the mattress as I needed the bathroom. A subtle click of the lock sounded in the room as I looked back at Squeeks; she stayed unmoved as I slipped out the door. I let out a sigh instantly as I caught Danny leaning against the wall—shirtless and swaying. The shadow of something smug curled at the corners of his mouth. He had been waiting for me.
Danny shifted, taking a step towards me. “C’mon, just a sec. Won’t take long.”
I didn’t move, just looked at him with confusion, but before I knew it, he had grabbed my arm. Pulling me firmly, as if I were a suitcase he needed to drag downstairs.
“I said, come on.” Giving my arm a final yank as his pace quickened.
Light from the telly was glowing across the walls, blaring some late-night reality show. Mum was on the stained sofa; her legs tucked under her like she didn’t belong to this world anymore. Probably off her face on some shit Danny had given her.
Across from her, in the chair, sat a man I didn’t recognise. Well-dressed, with greasy, slicked-back hair and a thin, creepy smile. He stood to his feet as I entered, adjusting his clothes. I didn’t speak, my eyes wide as Danny pushed me forward.
“Go on,” he said, “stand up straight.” I stayed where I was, furrowing my brow at the man. He took a long look, head to toe, like I was a piece of fucking meat on a shelf. The way hislip tugged at the corner of his mouth put me on edge. His hands tucked together tightly in front of him.
Danny leaned in, slapping his hands on my shoulders. “Well, here he is. Quiet, but not soft. Strong little thing.” A dirty chuckle left Danny as if that was a desirable credential.
The man raised an eyebrow, “How old?”
“Fourteen in two months, but he’s clever. Learns quickly.” My fists clenched as the man circled me, feeling the weight of his eyes. The judgement. The hunger. He didn’t touch me, but I still felt it. I looked at my mum as she still hadn’t spoken, still hadn’t looked at me. Just riding the high and chain-smoking, one after the other, like she could disappear into the smoke.
“She’ll agree,” Danny said, pointing towards her. “Won’t even remember come morning,” giving an obnoxious snort as the man glanced her way, agreeing slowly. I couldn’t breathe, I felt like I had turned to glass, and if I made one wrong move, I would shatter.
“Price?” the man asked. Danny licked his teeth, crossing his arms.
“Be a pretty penny to take the V, my friend. But I’m sure we can come to some arrangement for discounts after that.”
The words twisted in my ears, curdling as their meaning settled. “Take the V.”
That was when I knew.
My skin didn’t just crawl, it tried to escape me.
I wanted to unzip myself and flee this body, this room.
The way Danny smiled, lips slick with greed, teeth gleaming with something feral.
His hands, still warm on my shoulders, gripped me in place.
I looked at my mum once again, my eyes pleading for her to stop it.
It was useless; she was still staring at nothing, fogged in her own poison.
And that man, watching me with empty eyes.
There was nothing there, no conscience or fear in his words.
Just the suggestion of ownership, of deals struck in smoke and silence.
But that was enough.
Enough to make me want to scream, tear the walls down with my bare hands, or claw through my chest to rip out whatever trust I’d ever had in anyone.
“I’ll kill you,” I whispered as the room froze.
Danny leaned in, “What?”
I turned to look at him over my shoulder.
