Chapter Two
Maeve
I’m not an idiot, at least I like to think I’m not.
The threat was real.But I also knew the threat hadn’t completely gone, even with this man taking me.I realized I didn’t know his name, but I had a feeling he knew mine.This wasn’t fair, which only made me feel childish.There was nothing I could do to change what was happening.We left that building, only this time I was not being sent there as payment.This was payment received.
My life was over.This was it.I was at the mercy of a man I had no knowledge of.He was clearly powerful.Powerful enough to need a human being as payment.
Staring out the window, I partly expected him to cover my head with a hood, but instead, I sat in the back with him.There is space between us, and again, I’m not sure if I like this or not.I’ve seen a lot of movies where girls are taken.It’s not like I know the drill, but this seems similar.
Wrapping my arms around the middle of my stomach, I look for anything to hold onto, to grasp with both hands.It was easier to look more defiant when there were other men and women.Now, I’m on my own.If I cause trouble, will I be dealt pain?
I didn’t fight him as we left the auditorium, or whatever the fuck that thing was back there.Nor did I try to escape as we made our way out and into the car.He had men with him, and I had already clocked the guns.
No words were spoken, and it was driving me crazy.I had no idea what to do or think.My mind was whirling with possibilities.What was going to happen next?I wanted to ask, but I also didn’t want to appear a fool.Would asking make me look weak?
Nibbling my lip, I tried to concentrate on anything else.
I felt my stomach growl, and I hoped he didn’t hear.Food was provided, but I was not going to trust the actions of strangers.They were not there to make us feel better.They were not friends.This was one big nightmare.
My owner tapped on the screen between us and the driver and gave the driver a list of instructions.I’m not sure where to or why.Did he want to kill me?
There were so many questions, but men didn’t want a woman who asked questions every day or nagged them.Was I even a woman now?Was I anything?
My stomach started to growl even louder.I was so damn hungry.Why was I even hungry at a time like this?I felt sick with fear and hunger.
And then, I saw the little neon sign of a burger drive-thru up ahead.
“Is there anything you’d like?”he asked.
I was a little taken aback.He was going to feed me?This seemed completely surreal.
“Yes, please,” I said.“A burger with cheesy fries, if they do them?”
Once again, he tapped the partition and ordered for me.He was feeding me, which meant he heard my stomach.I chanced a glance at him, only to find him looking right at me.He chuckled at my reaction, which was to quickly spin my head forward.
“You don’t have to be afraid.”
My first instinct was to ignore that, and I don’t know where I suddenly got this great vat of confidence.The truth was, with every passing second, I felt this fear like no other, and it consumed me.I was angry.I was tired.I was fed up, and I just wanted all of this to go away.
I hated my parents.I hated him.I hated this stupid fucking system that had deemed my life only suitable as a debt payment.
I wanted to scream.I felt like the world was swallowing me whole, trapping me, and stopping me from being able to breathe.I despised it all.
