"See you later, Kayla." Jarrett smiled before leaving.
"All right, you can relax now." She put a hand on each of my shoulders. "I'm sure you've been through a hellish experience getting here, but you are safe now."
I nodded. "Thank you."
"Your name is Kayla?"
"Yes."
"Okay. The girls are all sleeping. We'll have some privacy for a while. How about we start by letting you shower?" Her eyes were kind yet sad. She didn't want to be here any more than I did.
"That would be nice."
"It's right this way. You should find everything you need in there. But let me get you a fresh razor."
"Thanks." The mention of a razor reminded me this wasn't just a shower for my own good. This was to get me ready for Mason. I shuddered.
"You okay, sweetie?" Johanna returned with a pink razor.
"Yes. I'm fine." I accepted the razor and a thick pink towel.
"We'll talk clothes when you get out."
I stepped into the bright white bathroom. The only contrast from the white floor tiles, white walls, a white tub, shower, and toilet, were the pink shower curtain and plush mats. Several towels identical to mine hung from bars, and it provided a reminder of the other girls currently sleeping. What were they like? Why were they Corded to the club?
I turned on the shower, taking a moment to figure out the settings. I was used to our very basic shower at home, but this one had all sorts of different settings. After fooling with the buttons, I made it work. As I stripped off my sweaty, dirty clothes, I was reminded of the dirt my father lay in when he died. The tears I'd so carefully kept in suddenly broke free.
I stepped into the shower, hoping the strong stream of water would mask the sound of my sobs. I needed to get it out. Holding in tears always backfired. They found their way out at the worst possible time.
I found shampoo and washed my hair, following up with conditioner. I scrubbed my body, wanting to get rid of every reminder of the traders and what happened with Bolton. He wasn't innocent I reminded myself. He only met me because he was working with the traders.
Finally I shaved. I tried to be careful, but I still nicked myself. Watching the red blood flow down the drain once again brought me back to the sacrifices of my father and brother. I leaned against the wall for support.
"Kayla?" Johanna's voice echoed in the now steamy room.
"Yes. I'll be right out."
"Are you okay?" She opened the curtain. I used my arms to cover myself.
She reached over to turn off the water. "No need for modesty here. You'll get used to it. You cut yourself." She took a tissue from a box beside the sink and pressed it against my leg. "Oh, you must be cold." She handed me my towel, and I graciously accepted it. Wrapped up in a towel I felt slightly better.
"We'll put a bandage on that cut, but it should be fine later."
It was just a nick. Why was she so bent out of shape? That's when it hit me. Once again she wasn't concerned with me, it was whether I was in perfect condition for Mason. Good thing my emotional condition didn't matter. I was a mess in that department.
She put an adhesive bandage on the cut. "Let's get your measurements."
I squeezed out some water from my hair and stepped out of the shower.
Johanna tugged away my towel and proceeded to measure me while I stood there completely naked. Still a little bit damp, I shivered from the cold.
"I'll go find you something to wear. You'll find a brush and some moisturizer on the sink. Start getting ready."
She left the room, and I wrapped the towel around me again. I used the lotion and brushed out my wavy hair. Satisfied I'd done what was asked, I left the bathroom.
"I'm in here," Johanna called. I followed her voice into a room completely surrounded with clothes.
Johanna handed me some lacy undergarments. "These should fit well."
Still wearing the towel I slipped into the tiny fabric.
"Let me see." Johanna adjusted the bra so that a small amount of cleavage spilled from the top of the cups. "Perfect."
Perfect? What was the point of wearing a bra when it didn't even cover you fully? I only hoped whatever I wore on top would provide more coverage.
"Mason loves green." Johanna held a stretchy, sparkly green shirt in her hand.
"Are the pants green too?"
Johanna laughed. She laughed so hard she had to hold onto a rack for support. "You really are from the Rurals. This is a dress, honey."