Page 109 of Ruthless Beast

“Here goes,” I say, pulling the blanket gently toward me.

“Did it work? Have you got it?”

“Got it!”

I straighten the hair pin and gently push it into the lock. It makes a scraping sound as metal scrapes against metal. I know I can do this. I know I can.

“Shhh! Stop! I hear someone coming,” Maria says suddenly.

“Fuck,” I mumble, shoving the hairpin into my bra.

“Lie down. Pretend you’re still sleeping,” Maria whispers.

The door opens slowly. I keep my eyes closed, and I don’t move a muscle. Oh, please just go away! I can’t deal with this right now. I’m tired and sore from the fall, and quite frankly, I’m due for a fucking break!

Whoever is at the door stays in the doorway. The door closes. Is the person in the room or has he left? I’m not taking any chances, so I keep still. After a few minutes of deathly silence, I open my eyes to check. We’re alone.

“Who was that?” I whisper.

“I caught a glimpse. It’s the same man who brought us here.”

“Son of a bitch! Did he say anything back at the motel? Do you know who he is?”

“No. He just threw us into the car and told me to shut my mouth.”

“Such charming people, aren't they? I must remember to invite them to my summer house for a barbeque.”

Maria laughs hysterically at my attempt to lighten the mood. Laughter is better than tears, I guess, so I smile and retrieve the pin from my bra.

“Okay, let’s see if I can do this.”

“I think that asshole must have ripped a handful of hair out when he grabbed me. I’m so tired of men thinking that they can do whatever they like with us.”

“I tell you, Maria, I haven’t been here for as long as you have, but I feel like I’ve taken a lifetime of crap from bullies. We’re going to make these men pay for what they’ve done to us and to others like us. That, I promise you.”

“Agreed. How’s it going over there? Any luck?”

“Not yet, but it’s coming back to me. Tell me about your cousin’s place,” I suggest to keep our minds off the hail Mary pass I’m attempting with the hairpin.

“It’s beautiful. The resort is right on the beach. My family used to meet there for the holidays when I was a child. My cousins and I would play until it was dark outside. We’d swim and roll down the sand dunes for hours. Sometimes I wonder why we have to grow up.”

“Yeah. Adulthood isn’t exactly a walk in the park, is it?”

“Not from where I’m sitting, no. How about you? It must have been awful for you, losing both your parents like that.”

“It was. But David made it all seem bearable. I miss him so much.”

“I miss my mom. She was the one who kept the family together. My father is a bastard. He didn’t used to be.”

“Do you have siblings?”

“I have an older brother. I don't know where he is now.”

“Were you guys close growing up?”

“Not really. He’s much older than I am. He got involved in drugs after my mother died. I don't even know if he’s still alive.”

“That’s too bad.”

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