I hurt all over. I can taste blood in my mouth and the pain all over my body is almost too much to bear. The silence gives me a sense of safety, although as soon as I open my eyes, my worst fears are confirmed.
I’m in trouble.
I’m lying on the black sheeted bed with my arms secured to the bedposts, the same as the girl was when Mr Evans dragged me in here. I’m naked and any clothing I had on is now a distant memory because there is not a scrap of fabric touching my body. My wrists and ankles are cuffed and the camera is pointing right at me. I try to curb the panic because that won’t get me out of here. I need to think, and fast.
I’m alone. I know that without even looking because of the silence in the room and the fact I hear movement on the floor below me.
How long have I got before she—they return and make this nightmare a reality?
My lips are dry and I feel weak from thirst and hunger. What did she give me? Whatever it is, knocked me out and has left me feeling dehydrated and slightly out of my mind. It all feels fuzzy and as if I’m in a bad dream, waiting for things to happen that have no place in normal life.
The windows are covered, shutting out the light, and I wonder what time it is. Straining to hear anything, I just hear the dull sound of traffic from the road nearby. No children playing and no birds singing or dog’s barking. Is it night time? How long have I been unconscious, hours, days, weeks?
I hear footsteps approaching and prepare myself for the full horror of what lies ahead and as the door opens, I hear the light sound of laughter as Mrs Evans appears beside me, wearing a silk robe and carrying a mug of tea. She sips it while looking down on me, her sharp gaze stripping me of any dignity I once had and showing me she is most definitely in control.
“Good, you’re awake, I was wondering when the drug would wear off.”
“What did you give me?” My voice sounds weak and pathetic, which is exactly how I’m feeling right now because the entire time I’ve been here, I’ve just accepted my fate with no questions or fight.
I’m a fool. A weak, gullible fool, who deserves everything coming to her.
But I don’t.
Nobody deserves to be treated this way. It’s cruel, inhuman and wicked and that describes Mr and Mrs Evans perfectly because there has never been any humanity in their eyes. They are monsters of the worst kind, and they have me right where they want me.
Crouching down beside the bed, Mrs Evans brings her face in line with mine and whispers, “Cheer up pretty doll. You’re going to make me and my husband a lot of money. In return, we will look after you. If you don’t cooperate, we’ll make it harder on you. Play the game and you’ll be treated well.”
“Do I have a choice?”
I feel bitter and not prepared to just go along with what they want, and she laughs softly. “Not really, the only choice you have is whether to do this the easy, or the hard way. I’d opt for the easy way because you’ll be doing this a long time. Your daddy’s debt is large and the interest is mounting by the hour. If you start work sooner rather than later, who knows, one day we may set you free. Stranger things have happened.”
Swallowing the bile her words create, I have only one question, “Is my father ok?”
“For now.” Her voice changes and bears the threat of something I know I won’t like, and I think fast.
“What if I say I’ll do anything you ask if you let my father go? Let him live and I’ll repay his debt in full. Promise me you’ll set him free and I’ll do whatever you ask. My life for his, it’s a fair exchange.”
She looks at me thoughtfully, and I can see her mind working fast as she contemplates what I said.
“Sounds interesting, what did you have in mind?”
I think fast because now I’ve said the words, it makes perfect sense. It will buy us some time and if I have to suffer a little to save my father’s life, I will in a heartbeat. Maybe I’ll have to sacrifice myself until I can escape, but I’ll need to know he’s safe before I agree to anything, so I say carefully, “I want you to promise you’ll forget about my father. Let him recover and be free to live his life without fear. Then I’ll do whatever you say to pay back the debt. But I want a date on when the debt will be paid. When I know how long I’ve got, I’ll honour my side of the bargain. But you have to promise me first that you won’t go back on the deal we made.”
Reaching out, Mrs Evans traces a path down my face towards my lips and inserts a freshly manicured nail into my mouth. I flinch but let her and her eyes gleam as she whispers, “I like the sound of that. I’ll put it to my husband. Maybe this is the best all round because the last thing I need is a husband in nick again. You’re a smart girl, your father should be proud. He doesn’t deserve your love though because he sacrificed you as quickly as he could think up a way out of the mess he’s made.”
She straightens up and reaches beside her, lifting a glass of water to my lips, which I’m grateful to receive. As I feel the cold crystal liquid burning a trail inside me, she laughs softly. “Does that feel good, Lola, would you like me to show you how well I can care for you?”
I nod fearing the result of the deal I just made and her face transforms into one of excitement.
“I’ll call my husband and let him know everything’s changed. Then as soon as I call him off, I’ll set up your first client. Prepare yourself for a crash course in prostitution, honey, because I’m keen to get started. Excellent choice by the way, you may as well make this work for you, so I think we’ll start by setting up your audition recording.”
“My audition?”
She nods and heads across to the camera. “Yes, may as well drum up some interest. As soon as Charlie gives me the go ahead, I’m sending you viral. Prepare to be in demand honey because I’m expecting a busy few months ahead.”
The click of the camera sets my heart racing.
The sound of the computer starting fills my heart with fear.
But it’s the look in Mrs Evan’s eyes as she turns to face me before she picks up her phone that strikes terror in my heart.
I’m scared of Mrs Evans for a very good reason.
Why do I feel as if I just sold my soul to the devil?
What have I just done?