Page 8 of Living Without

When I woke, it was to a dark and cold room. As I dragged my hands around me, I realised I lay on a mattress on the floor. My heart sped in panic and my hands shook as I sat, frantically patting myself down to make sure I had all of my clothes on. I did. My jeans were still buttoned and my tee was still on, with my cardigan over the top. The only thing missing were my shoes. Touching the space around me, I discovered a wall to the right of the mattress and a gritty floor to the left. Whatever else was in the room, I had no clue.

Fear was present, turning my stomach over and over. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around my bent legs and leaned against the wall.

What were they going to do to me? I’d been stupid, absolutely stupid to go into the car park alone. Apparently bad guys didn’t care if there was a crowd; they still took what they wanted. I guessed when it came to money, they got desperate. I banged my head back against the wall angry with myself and my foolish move. I should have walked out with people. I should have had Jerimiah there with me. Josie even. I should have gone to her late class and waited for her so we could have walked together. At least Billy would have crowded us, and everyone knew not to screw with him.

I should have. I should have. I should have.

There were so many and yet I got nowhere wishing for a different outcome. I was still taken, tasered, and stuck in a dark room.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. “They’ll come. My family will come.”

“T-they won’t find you.”

My body stilled at the small, shaky feminine voice. “Who and where are you?”

Shuffling started in front of me, and then a hand lay over my arm. When I jumped from surprise, it was removed.

“S-sorry… I’m… my name is Kelsey.”

With my heart in my throat, I said, “My name’s Nary, Kelsey. How long have you been in here?”

She snorted. Her movements scraped on the floor, and then I felt the mattress sink beside me. “Can I sit here?”

“Yes.”

“The floor, it’s cold, and when they came in, they placed you on the only mattress in here.”

Was she avoiding my question? I blindly reached out and found her close, next to me. I moved my hand down her arm to her hand and took hold of it in mine. “Kelsey, please, how long have you been in here?”

She cleared her throat. Her cold hand felt so small and it shook in mine. “I-I don’t know. I was taken on the 16thof January. I remember the day because it was just after my birthday.”

I gasped. Eight months ago. “How old had you turned?”

“Thirty.”

“Kelsey… that was eight months ago.”

Her hand squeezed mine. “It feels longer.”

“But, I thought they sold people.” I was confused and sick to the belly with concern, not just for myself, but Kelsey. What would be her state of mind? Living in the dark for eight months… and yet, she seemed okay.

“T-they do. They have. Many women get thrown in here and then leave a few days later. B-but me. He won’t sell me.”

“Why?” I whispered.

“I’m his… plaything. The only one he’s kept for himself.”

My nose crinkled and lip curled in disgust. He kept his woman caged like an animal. I gripped her hand tighter and promised, “When my family comes, I’ll get you out. He’ll pay for what he’s done.”

Her voice was low, in hope maybe. “What makes you so sure your family will come?”

“I just know. They’re fierce in everything they do, love, protect… hunt and kill. They’ll come, and when they do, hell will rain down on everyone who’s involved in this sick business.”

“I-I hope so, for your sake.”

A thought occurred to me. “How many women have you seen come through, Kelsey?”

I felt her body move. Her shoulder brushed against me when she shrugged. “Over five, I think.” She sighed. “I should have kept count, took names and dates… but I don’t have a good memory on those sort of things. And I-I’m not allowed pens anymore, not when I stabbed one in one of his people’s eye.”

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