Dawn

As the weeks went on, Elijah went back to work. He made sure to wake me before he left, letting me know who was downstairs. Most of the time, it was Joslyn. I liked her. She never pushed me to talk, but talked to me as often as she could. She’d talk about volunteering at the women’s shelter and about her hobbies. I was finally starting to feel like I belonged here as a person, instead of a slave.

Emily had only been there a few times. She helped me get the laundry done, saying it kept her mind busy. She never talked about her past, but more of the future, and what she hoped to be able to do someday. She was currently taking online classes to get a website design program going. She’d ask me things here and there, but never really tried to keep a conversation up once I answered her questions. She was a private type of person, which I could understand. I didn’t want to talk about my past, either.

I’m sure I wasn’t much help. The list Elijah had given me to do was easy and didn’t take much energy to complete. I was lost in my thoughts, trying to make sure everything was as expected. I didn’t know how to make the two women who kept watch over me understand that I wasn’t the type to talk. I liked to stay unseen.

Joslyn had brought over some books, but none of them held my attention. Sure, they were better than those Elijah had, but I wasn’t a fan of romance or thriller novels. I did enjoy the puzzles she brought. Elijah even ordered a puzzle table for me to use that fit nicely underneath the couch when I wasn’t working on one.

I didn’t get to see much of Elijah, since he seemed to work late or was in his office most of the time, and I didn’t want to disturb him. I’d keep the TV on whatever channel was last left on, not really watching it, but more for a background noise. I did wonder if I had done something wrong because Elijah seemed to be so distant after returning to work. I couldn’t help but think maybe he just wasn't attracted to me.

The nights he would come to bed, he’d pull me to his chest and hold me safely all night long, as I’d taken to sleeping in his bed. But the nights he didn’t come, I hardly got any sleep, as I was worried about what he was doing.

One windy night, the trees blew leaves against the side of the house. I had given up on sleep. I was planning on going to Elijah in his study and just kneel by him, letting him know I was able to please him in any way he’d like.

I was shocked when I heard voices in the office from the bottom of the staircase. The only lights that were on were in the study, so I stayed in the shadows so I could see who was there.

Keeping my back against the wall, I quietly made my way towards the office. I could see Elijah leaning against his desk. He wore the same jeans and a gray shirt he’d had on when he came home. Since the chairs were facing him, I couldn’t see who it was he was talking to. His face wasn’t happy—he was scowling, and he looked tired and stressed.

“So why did you have to come here?” Elijah sounded agitated. “I have more than enough to deal with.”

“I didn’t know who else I could talk to. That woman is getting some sort of idea in her head that you can get her daughter to her without being found out,” I heard Morgan say. His voice sent shivers of fear through my body.

“I could, but I won’t risk my job to do that. Plus, I’d be out money. I don’t spend my money on things I don’t intend to keep,” Elijah seethed. His voice held a dark promise I knew never to test. “That woman knew what would happen long before it did.”

“But she’s changed. She quit her job and turned her life around. Doesn’t Joan deserve a chance to see her daughter again? I can pay you for your trouble, Eli,” Morgan almost begged.

I covered my mouth, trying to stop any noise that may escape.

“I ain’t gonna sell my girl,” Elijah laughed, letting his heavy accent slip through. “You know, you’re being watched, so I really would advise you to not have her there anyway.”

“I’m not worried about being found out,” Morgan replied easily. “But at least let me see the girl so I can take a pic of her to show her mother.”

“Absolutely not,” Elijah huffed, standing up straight.

“Fine,” Morgan grumbled, rubbing his jaw where the fading bruise no doubt lay. “But don’t be surprised if Joan shows up wanting more help. She knows you can get her something.”

“But I won’t,” Elijah said. “Now, I think it’s best you leave.”

“If I don’t?”

“Then you can meet my fist again,” Elijah said without a beat.

Having heard enough, I made my way back up the stairs, just as quietly as I came down. I reached the landing at the same moment Elijah and Morgan entered the foyer.

It wasn’t long before Elijah came up and took a shower before making his way to bed. I wasn’t sure if he knew I was awake or not. I stayed still as he slid in behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and burying his nose in my hair. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. His breathing evened out, and I closed my own eyes, hoping his presence would calm me enough to allow some sleep for myself.

* * *

The room was dim as I was shoved from behind. I wore the thin dirty white gown I was forced to put on when I was brought to this place. I wasn’t sure how long I had been here, as there were no windows or clocks. I had to squint to see into the room, and hope to not injure myself on anything. My body was already sore due to the hits and kicks for not wanting to obey the men’s every command. I was sure my ribs were broken.

The room was small but held a small stained mattress in the far corner. The ugly yellow paint was peeling off the walls.

“All yours, buddy,” Morgan laughed with another push on my back. He blocked the doorway so I couldn't try to run. None of these rooms had doors, so anyone who was walking by could watch the happenings in each room.

I finally looked up and saw the one man I had hoped to never see, let alone be in the same room with. His dark eyes were clouded by whatever drug he was on. His overly long dark blond hair was pulled back into a neat and clean low ponytail. He wore a low-riding pair of blue jeans that were stained and ripped in places, along with a black shirt with a lot of holes.

He smirked as he looked me up and down. “How old is this one?” he asked as he began to rub his crotch with his palm.

“Fourteen,” Morgan replied. “She’s feisty.”

“A young one.”

“Yeah. Galvin plans to keep this one. The money she’ll bring in will be great,” Morgan said. “I offered to do the deed, but he insisted you had to be the one.”

“Now, girl, you behave and let me do as I wish,” Erick said, not taking his eyes off me.

“You’re not gonna touch me,” I said, with as much anger as I possibly could, while I tried to find a way out of this small room, my heart pounding in fear.

Erick just laughed as he slowly stalked me around the room. I ended up falling backward onto the bed as he caged me in with his body.

“That wasn’t hard, now,” he said as he advanced towards me. He towered over me. I scooted back to the wall as much as I could.

He easily grabbed my ankles in a tight grip and jerked me down the bed. I screamed in fear. His knees pushed my own apart as far as they would go. I tried to hit and kick him, push him away, but it only made his eyes darken before he pinned my hands above my head.

“Just relax and don’t fight me. It won’t hurt . . . much,” he smiled as he undid his pants.

* * *

I sat up in bed, gasping. It was light out and there was no Elijah in bed beside me; his side was cold. I was sweaty, my hair sticking to my neck. I hoped a shower would calm my panic.

I took my time, knowing that whoever was on company duty wouldn’t mind me taking a little extra time. I almost wished, in a way, that no one was there. I wanted to be alone, but at the same time not.

The shower helped some, even though the remains of the nightmare were still on the edge of my thoughts. The nightmares seemed to be coming more often than I liked. I could still feel Erick’s hands on my body, no matter how hard I scrubbed my skin.

I made my way downstairs to where the smell of bacon and eggs was coming from. I left my hair down, as I wasn’t good at doing anything with it like Elijah could. I was tempted to ask if I could cut it, but wasn’t sure if he would approve.

I was disappointed he didn’t wake me up that morning. The house was quiet, but I figured Joslyn would be waiting in the kitchen for me. I was surprised when, instead of Joslyn sitting at the table, Elijah was. He was reading the newspaper and still in his pj.’s. A plate of bacon and eggs sat at the spot beside him.

“Good morning, kitten,” he smiled over the paper. “Come eat.”

I slowly made my way to the chair beside him, confused as to why he was home. I slowly ate the food, noticing it had just been made shortly before I came down the stairs, as it was still warm.

“How did you sleep?” he asked, laying the paper down.

“Fine, Sir,” I lied. It was better sleep than I got in the cell, so I couldn’t complain—even with the nightmares.

“Hmm. You slept later than you have all week,” he replied, looking at me with those brown eyes. “Do you feel unwell? You’re a little pale.”

“Had a bad dream,” I whispered with a shrug. “But I’m fine.”

“I’m here if you want to talk,” Elijah said, taking his empty plate away. “I’m sorry I haven’t been home much. I’ve been trying to get this case closed as soon as possible, and because of that, I’ve slacked on my duties to take care of you. Emily said you haven’t been doing well because of me not being here?”

“I’ve been fine,” I said. I usually always got lost in my mind; plus, Emily hadn’t been here much.

“If you say so,” he said, giving me a look that said he didn’t believe me. “Anyway, Kaleb and his wife will be by in a little bit.”

Not knowing what to say, I chose to stay quiet. I was worried Elijah may have heard me last night. And if he did, would I be punished? Would Kaleb’s wife be nice, or expect anything from me?

“Something’s bothering you,” Elijah said, kneeling so he was eye level with me, while I sat still in my chair. His eyes were probing my own.

I vaguely remembered a boy with the same colored eyes, and the same look, telling me hundreds of times that my eyes were the window to my soul. The boy was older but seemed to help me get what I was feeling out in the open with just that one look. This time, although it was no different, I changed the subject.

“We did know each other; I remember small things,” I said, tilting my head to the side. I knew him, but how well was that?

“Of course, we did,” Elijah replied as his look softened. “You used to follow me everywhere, and would pretty much do anything I wanted you to do…except for going away.” He smiled.

“I can remember your eyes,” I said, looking up at him through my eyelashes.

“You would get upset a lot when Zack and I didn’t want to play with you. I was fourteen at the time. Zack didn’t like the idea of you being seen by our friends when we played with you. I always convinced you to wait until later. You had me wrapped around your finger; you still do,” Elijah said tenderly. “I’ll have Joslyn bring some pictures over, and she can tell the stories that go with each one.

“Now, I’m going to go get dressed. You may go do whatever it is that you do after you eat breakfast.”

“Yes, Sir,” I said, glad I had been able to get out of answering Elijah for the time being. I was sure he’d bring it up again at some point.

“You don’t have to keep calling me ‘Sir’,” Elijah demanded.

“Sorry,” I mumbled with a small blush.

He gave me a smile before heading upstairs. I tidied up the kitchen before making my way to the living room, checking everything was clean and put away.