I feel sick. This has been the worst day of my life, without a doubt.
The shame washes over me like an angry sea. What have I just done?
Mrs Evans wasted no time and set up the video. Then she made me do things no person should ever have to endure. I had to watch her ‘performing’ for the camera and felt sick as she explained the type of people who were watching from behind the lens. Men that pay to see a show no other channel would ever broadcast. This is depravity at its worst, and I have just signed my life away.
The full horror of my situation unfolded in this room and I am past the point of no return. Once I had confirmation that Mr Evans was heading home and my dad is safe, she made me honour my side of the bargain.
I closed my mind to respectability and did what I was told to do. Telling myself it wasn’t so bad, it’s just me and Mrs Evans in the room. But I’m deluding myself. There are many pairs of eyes observing my personal shame. It’s out there for anyone who wants to see, and I can never undo what happened here today.
As the camera stops and Mrs Evans belts her robe tightly around her, I cower in the corner of the bed, chained and damaged both mentally and physically.
Mrs Evans is happy though. “There now, that wasn’t so bad, was it? It gets easier over time and you’ll soon learn to enjoy it. It’s easier than being with a punter but that will happen. We have a party booked in a few days’ time, I think you’ll make your debut at.”
“A party?”
I stare at her in confusion and she grins nastily. “Yes, it’s not far and they have asked us to provide the entertainment. Charlie wasn’t sure you’re ready, but I think after that performance you’re a natural. I expect you’ll be in demand because of your age and lack of experience. Yes, I think now is the perfect time.”
Although I want to vomit, I see an opportunity present itself. A party, this could be my chance to escape, maybe I can, maybe I’ll escape what she has planned by breaking free and alerting the police. Mrs Evans heads my way and grips my face hard between her painted talons and says harshly, “If you think you can escape, think again. Security is tight and I’ll be watching you. The men who are paying for you will watch you and the house we are going to is in the middle of nowhere. If you run, they will hunt you like a dog and rip you apart, so banish any thoughts of escaping from that pretty little mind because we own you now and you don’t have a say in the matter.”
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door makes us both jump and Mrs Evans pulls back and releases me. The tears brim in my eyes as I feel the sting of where she drew blood and she moves across to the window and groans.
“Just what I need, the fucking cops.”
My heart lifts as she rushes away from the window and snarls, “I’ll deal with them, but just in case you try anything…”
Reaching in the drawer, she pulls out a gag and stuffs it in my mouth, tying it so tightly it bites into my lips. The pain is almost unbearable and she snarls, “Not a sound, do you hear me, I’ll get rid of them.”
As she slams the door, my heart sinks when I hear the key turn in the lock. I strain to hear any sound but can only hear her footsteps as she races down the stairs and opens the front door.
A gentle murmur of voices reaches my ears but no actual words, and I look around me wildly for any opportunity to cause a disturbance.
Frantically, I wriggle against the handcuffs but they just bite into my wrists causing them to chafe. The gag is painful and limiting and it’s hard to even breathe against the panic attack that’s tearing through me.
I struggle to kick out, or rock the headboard against the wall, anything to aid my escape, but there is no sound at all, just the muffled sobs of my own stupidity in ever thinking I had a chance.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps approaching and my heart lifts as I sense there’s more than one person heading upstairs. Who is it? Is it the police, are they coming for me?
The sound of the key in the lock raises my spirits because I hear two sets of voices and I prepare myself for freedom. It’s happening, they’ve found out. The neighbours saw my cry for help and raised the alarm.
As the door swings open, I look eagerly at the person who follows Mrs Evans into the room and as I see the uniform of authority I almost weep with relief. Then my dream is shattered as a familiar voice whispers, “Hello again, Lola.”
Good cop, Jason.
Mrs Evans laughs and sneers, “I bet you thought you were safe, think again.”
Dropping to his knees, the officer reaches out and removes the gag and I gasp as I gulp for air and he shakes his head.
“Oh Lola, you only had to play along and now you’ve ruined everything.”
I feel the panic set in as he says in a low voice, “Apparently she tried to alert the neighbours by waving something out of the window. They’ve been doing some digging and hit the nail on the head. Luckily, I was working when the call came in. Lucky for us, anyway.”
“Fucking busybodies, what can we do?” Mrs Evans is furious, which spells danger for me.
“You must move out.” Jason is cold, brutal and harsh as he rubs his thumb against my lip and stares at me through lust-filled eyes.
“Where, the other house isn’t available yet, it won’t be for another few weeks and I’m not taking her to our house.”
“Well, she can’t stay here. One of those neighbours is a hot shot lawyer. She knows everything about you and Charlie and it won’t be easy stopping her from poking her nose in and asking for a progress report. If she contacts the station I’ll try and push them off the scent but I could be discovered and under investigation before you know it and then where will we be? No, you move today and that’s the end of it.”
“Bloody hell, Jason, this is a major setback. Do you have any idea where we can go?”
“My girlfriend’s parents have a place in Cornwall, a holiday home. I’ll get the keys and hand them over at the usual place.”
“Cornwall, Jesus, Jason, that’s miles away, we have a party booked next week, isn’t there anything closer?”
“No, this is the best option. You’ll be far enough away and will have to make the trip the day of the party; we don’t have a choice.”
“How long have we got?”
“Hours possibly. If that lawyer suspects anything, she could be calling the station now. I’ll help you get her in the car, then just pack everything and I’ll meet you in an hour. I think we have a spare set of keys at home, I’ll go and get them and meet you at the yard.”
“What about Lola, she’ll scream?”
“No, she won’t.” I hate the look in his eye as he snaps, “Have you got any more of that Temazepam, that should do the trick and I’ll help load her in the car. The back seats lower down, don’t they? Put her in the boot and pull down the middle armrest to give her air. She can sleep through the journey and no one will know she’s there.”
“That’s bloody great, but what about when I get there? How am I supposed to get her inside with no one seeing us?”
“They have a garage like this one. Just drive inside and she should be awake by then and eager to get out.”
“Fine but just so you know, I’m not happy about this, Jason. Make some other arrangements because I’m not staying in Cornwall any longer than I have to.”
I watch in terror as Jason takes a pill from a packet and forces it into my mouth. I struggle so hard, but he holds my head firmly and pours some water down my throat. Helplessly, I feel the tablet go with it and then he holds my mouth closed and growls, “Swallow.”
As he continues to hold my mouth shut, he snarls, “Get packing, I only have a few minutes before I must leave. I’ll put her in the car, but you don’t have long.”
Then he pulls back and the last thing I feel is a sharp blow to my head and then nothing.