We’ll just disappear.
Eric killed Cathy because she wouldn’t bend over so he could have his way with her. They just burned her body, like she was nothing but a piece of trash.
I’m dropped to the floor but Garrett doesn’t let go of me, not until my ankle is chained again. My eyes flit around the room and I realize he didn’t bring me back to the same room I was in earlier. This one is bigger and it’s not empty.
My fluttering heart stops and sinks to my stomach as I look at the flimsy mattress in the one corner. Next to it is a bucket and on the other side of the room is a cross of some sort, huge and nailed to the wall with cuffs hanging at the end of each of the beams. I shudder to think what it’s used for.
“Don’t ever try that shit with me again!” Garrett shouts. He stalks up and down in front of me a few times. When he stops in front of me, his boots are a few inches from my face. I flinch back as I anticipate a kick. He kneels down and grabs hold of my hair, yanking my face to his.
“Do you understand me? Don’t ever fucking do that again,” he hisses. His jaw is clenched tight with anger.
He drops his hand to his side, a flash of impatience crossing his chiseled features. I thought he was an attractive man, now I don’t know what I saw in him to begin with. He’s a monster, that’s all he is now.
He stalks out of the room and I hear a lock click in place.
I look around the room again. I don’t know what the bucket is for. I won’t use the dingy looking mattress. I’d rather lie on the cold hard floor. Refusing to use the little he gives me feels like in some way I’m rebelling. In some way I’m winning.
Remembering how Eric beat me, and then killed Cathy for disobeying, I start to cry. It’s been eight months since a guy touched me. I’ve only had sex with two guys.
I’ve tried to walk the straight and narrow. I tried to be good. I had dreams of a house I could call home with my dream man. I had dreams of having children with the man I love. I had dreams of being successful.
I had dreams.
They’ve been stolen from me in a matter of one day.
Now all that’s left is this nightmare.
~*~
Chapter Nine
Garrett~
I don’t know if I can do it! Feeling her tremble under me, seeing the horror in her eyes! It’s all too fucking much. This is not who I am. I’m not a rapist. I don’t hurt women. I don’t need to. Women throw themselves at my feet.
Why can’t Kristine be like that, easy, a slut? She’s anything but. Her face turns crimson when I touch her. Fear drowns those grey eyes.
I know I’m doing this to find my sister, but fuck …
Andrea’s my little sister. She is trusting in me to find her. She knows we are searching for her and that we’ll do anything to save her. I can’t let her down. I can’t fail my sister.
Kristine is a stranger. She’s a means to an end.
The house is surprisingly quiet. I guess Justin and Chase are busy with their girls. I’m glad we got all three and one didn’t escape.
I know I have to get it over with. Sooner, rather than later. The quicker she’s broken, the less fear she’ll feel. But I’m too tired right now. I walk to the living room and settle down on a couch. I need to sleep. I’ll feel more up for the task once I’m rested.
A kick to the couch wakes me up hours later. It’s dark in the room. “What?”
“I’ve made sandwiches. You might want to feed her,” Justin growls and leaves me alone.
This whole thing is taking its toll on him. I should have gone on this mission to save our sister alone. Justin isn’t cut out for this.
I decide to first check on her, before taking her food.
The first thing I see when I open the door is an empty bed. She’s lying in the opposite corner, curled with her back to me.
I close the door and go to the kitchen to get her food. When I go into the room again, she’s still in the same spot. Not sure if she’s sleeping, I whisper, “I brought you food, a sandwich.”
She doesn’t stir. I walk closer and set the plate down next to her head. I’ll allow her to feed herself today, but from tomorrow I can’t show her any sympathy.
I leave her be, giving her time to recover from the beating, or so I tell myself. I’m not ready to force her. I need to go for a run and get my act together. I need to only think of Andrea. No one else matters.
Three days pass. A doctor came to check on the girls and made sure they’re on birth control. The last thing we need is a pregnant girl. The only contact I’ve had with Kristine so far is when I bring her something to eat. Every time I enter the room she’s in the same position. She doesn’t eat any of the bread I take. The water disappears.