“This wipes my debt clean?”
He used me to pay his debt. Selling me like I’m a piece of meat.
Tears well in my eyes.
Sweetmeat. That’s what the crazy one called me. The name makes so much more sense now.
Once I’m in the hallway, I run, faster than I’ve ever run before, straight to my room and shut the door behind me. It’s not much, but at least it gives me a sense of safety. Of security. And once I’m in my nest with my blade, I can take away the pain I’m feeling.
Chapter 5
River
Once I’m in my room, I go straight to my nest and hit the button on the tiny battery operated light I have on the wall inside. I pull the door shut and scoot back as far as I can into the corner. I didn’t lock my door. There’s no reason to. My father would just take it off the hinges if I did, and I’d never have a barrier from him. It’s a small price, but at least if he comes in, I’ll hear him.
“This can’t be happening.” I sniffle. “How can a father sell his own child to pay his debts?” I wipe away the tears falling. “Why me? Did I treat someone horribly in another life? Is this my penance?”
With each thought, my heart races, and I pray Storm can find the items I need so we can run. Far away from here. Even if he doesn’t, staying here isn’t an option for me any longer. Those men are dangerous and vile, and I haven’t even met the third one yet. The one who knows how I smell. I shudder just thinking about it.
Sweat beads on my forehead, and I gasp for air. I need to escape, and I only have one way to do it right now. Pulling backthe carpet, I find my razor blade, holding it tightly between my fingers. I breathe, needing to calm down just a little so I don’t cut too deeply. This takes control. It’s the only control I have in this wretched house, under my father’s wrathful eye.
I pull my dress up, letting my legs fall apart, exposing my creamy thighs and the raised white scars they hold.
Just one cut, maybe two. It’s all I need to just calm the turmoil raging within me. To quiet the pain I’m feeling and replace it with something else.Relief.
My hand trembles as I place the sharp blade against my flesh, pressing down, gritting my teeth as I pierce my skin and dragging it downward as blood runs down my thigh. A calm begins to take over, but it’s not enough. I need more. I repeat the steps until all my anxiety has drifted away, and I let my head fall back against the wall.
“Storm, please hurry and come home.” I whisper to the wind, before cleaning the razor blade and storing it back in its hiding place. If those men are my future, then I firmly plan not to have one if I can’t escape.
Sliding down in my nest, I pull my blanket over me and roll to my side, pressing my stuffie close to my chest and drift off to sleep.
“River, wake up.” A firm hand shakes my shoulder as Storm’s gravelly voice fills my ears.
My eyes open slowly. “You’re home.”
“I am, but we need to go. Come on. I have your bags packed already.” His smile beams at me, and I take hold of my stuffie and crawl out of the closet.
“Dad’s selling me to a pack,” rushes from my mouth, but with the way he’s looking at me, his brows furrowed, eyes full of sadness, it’s clear he knows.
“That's why we’re leaving. I’m not going to let that happen.” He grips my hand in his as he leads me from my bedroom. I canhear Dad’s snores from here. Storm turns to face me, placing a finger over his lips, warning me to be quiet.
We tip-toe past him, and it’s not until we’re outside that I realize I’ve been holding my breath.
“Where are we going?”
“Far from here.” We rush to his car, and he opens the passenger door and helps me inside before heading to the driver’s side and getting in. “I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“I found my pack. We’re going to meet them now, and they’re going to help me keep you safe.”
He found his pack. We’re leaving. Finally, life is going the way it should.
“Where are you bitch?” My father’s angry voice slices through my dream, waking me.
It was a dream. I’m still stuck here with the monster I call my father.
I could stay quiet, hoping he’d tire and go look for me somewhere else or drown himself in a bottle of whiskey.
