by P. Roper
“Scream or struggle, and I’ll kill you right here,” rasped in my ear. Tears sprung to my eyes as I was pulled away from any source of light. When we were completely in the shadows, he released my waist but I immediately felt a prick on the side of my neck. I barely had time to press my hand over the sharp pain there before everything went black.
I had experienced some brutal hangovers in my life but even before I opened my eyes, I knew this one was going to be a doozy. My mouth felt as if it was full of cotton balls and the pounding in my head rivalled an out of sync marching band. I tried to stretch but it was almost as if my limbs weren’t getting the message. I tentatively wiggled my fingers and the movement felt like treading through molasses.
Slowly, I was able to move more and more. What the hell did I do last night? I questioned myself. Once I confirmed the function of my extremities, I focused on prying my sticky eyes open. But when I only found darkness, I shot upright.
My hands felt for surfaces around me, finding a stiff cot with nothing but a sheet on it and a concrete wall. Standing, my bare feet hitting more concrete told me that my shoes were gone, but I could feel my dress moving against my body. I took a tentative step away from the cot with my arms stretched out in front of me. Hitting nothing, I continued until my hands met another wall.
Eight short paces, wall to wall. I turned to the side, with one hand still on the wall and the other out in front of me. Meeting another wall, I pressed my back to it and did the same, this time counting. Nine steps. My eyes should have begun adjusting but with no discernable light source, there was still complete blackness. I ran my hand along the wall, walking the perimeter slowly, knowing there was a cot somewhere in here but there also had to be a way in and out of wherever I was.
Sure enough, my shin bumped the cot and after walking around it with my fingers still brushing the wall, I found what felt like a door. But there was no handle on it. At least not on my side. I hit it with my flat palm and let out a visceral scream in frustration before making my way back to the cot. Lowering myself onto it, I racked my brain. Tears ran down my face as I rubbed my bare arms, finally realizing how cold it was in the room.
Feeling the torn lace of the short dress I wore and the mats beginning to form in my tangle of hair, a sob broke from me. The dress triggered a memory. It was Memorial Day; we were hosting another party at the estate. At least it had been. If my hair had been any gauge of time, it had been at least a day since brilliant fireworks lit the sky. At that thought, my breath caught and my hand shot up to my neck.
A hand around my waist. Another over my mouth. A needle. And a voice I will never forget as long as I live. “N,” I whispered, unable to quell a new onslaught of tears. “What have you done?”
Eventually, my tears tapered off and numbness replaced them. I pulled the sheet around myself. It smelled like it had been long forgotten and it was too thin to lend much warmth, but it was better than leaving my skin bare. My eyes wanted to close more than once, but I couldn’t let them. Not until I had some bearings. Occasionally, I would yell his name into the dark. The sound echoed through the space, but I didn’t know if anyone would hear me.
What felt like hours later, as my eyes threatened sleep again, I heard it. Echoing in the silence, a lock clicked and a door creaked open. Light poured in from the doorway, blinding me momentarily. “Well hello, Dee. It’s been a bit. So good of you to finally join us.” He chuckled to himself menacingly.
“N, what have you done?” I repeated my earlier question, my voice barely capable of a whisper.
“I did nothing. This,” he gestured around us, “is a direct result of your actions, my dear.” At my silence, he seethed. “You had me exiled and I have been more than patient. I let you play house with my baby brother for months, yet you clearly did not heed my warning.”
“You fucking kidnapped me,” I rasped out, wishing I had the energy to do something more.
“Sweet Dee, I liberated you. You never would have fit into that life. Everyone knew it; you were only allowed to stay out of pity. The poor little working girl plucked out of the streets and dropped into luxury. And of course you lapped it up, but it was little more than a farce. A statement. Now you can be yourself again.” I could hear the wickedness coating his words.
“You’re delusional. Locking someone in a basement is not liberating them.” I started to sway, my body clearly done with fighting for the moment.
“I can see that you need more rest. I will wake you in two hours and we can continue this conversation.” Then without a backward glance, he pushed through the door and the lock clicked again. I pounded a fist against the cot but sleep took me before I could react any more significantly.
A sweaty palm running up my leg woke me and I kicked out but my actions were met with bitter laughter. “Time to wake up, Dee.” He stood, pulling me to sit in front of him. A single dim pot light shone from the ceiling, casting odd shadows across the room. He slid a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. I met his face with vacant eyes.
“What,” I croaked at him, grimacing.
“Hmm, sounds like the pretty thing needs some hydration. Well, lucky for you, I’m in need of something too. And I’m willing to trade you a need for a need.” His eyebrow raised and an evil grin spread across his face. “Let’s make a deal, shall we? You participate adequately, to my satisfaction, and you can have the water I have outside the door.”
“No,” it seemed I was limited to one word answers. My throat burned, even at that.
“Do not force me to remove the choice, Dee,” he spat out, rolling his neck. His jaw ticked in frustration at my defiance. Staring into his eyes, I slowly shook my head. His hand came up, gripping my chin hard between his fingers. “Listen, bitch, I own you. And you will be the pretty little showcase you were always meant to be in life. Or you and my siblings, who seem to believe you hung the moon, will suffer the consequences.”
Tears I knew my body couldn’t spare welled up in my eyes. By the unhinged malice in his stare I knew I would need to comply, in order to survive him. Resigned, I blinked hard once before sealing my fate. “Fine,” I bit out.
He nodded once. “Now, on your knees,” he said, releasing my face. His hands went to his pants, undoing and pushing them down to his thighs in one movement. His erect dick stood between us and I almost gagged, knowing what was next. “Be a good girl and let me fuck your face. But remember, sweet Dee.” He stroked himself slowly. “Only if you acceptably fulfill my needs will yours be met.”
He grabbed a fist full of my knotted hair and lined my face up with his cock. “Lick it,” he demanded. I flattened my tongue against the underside of his shaft, dragging it up and over the tip. This wasn’t my first rodeo and I needed water so badly. Plus, I was pretty sure he may kill me if I didn’t do as I was told.
I opened my mouth, sucking him in. But the moment my lips closed around his dick, he thrust forward, hitting the back of my throat. I gagged and he laughed, pulling my hair back then repeating the motion. “That’s right, take it all. And move your tongue.” Thrust. “I’ve watched you suck someone’s dick, wishing it was mine. Show me that you’re worth all the fucking money I’ve spent on you.”
My hands met my knees, bracing me. I knew better than to actually touch him. He had been a zero contact client. He could touch but we could not. I sucked and moved my tongue, as instructed, while he practically tore my hair out repeatedly filling my mouth. His movements sped up and became erratic before he shouted his release, pulling out of my mouth and coming down my neck and chest.
“On an empty, dehydrated stomach, you probably would have vomited. And I can’t have that right now. But next time, you will swallow like a lovely pet.” He tilted his head, “clear?” I nodded. “Good.” He walked over and pushed the door, just wide enough to reach the bottle tucked beside it. He tossed it to me. “There. Don’t say I never gave you anything,” he stated, leaving the room and locking the door.
&
nbsp; I looked at the bottle, realizing it was only maybe half full, before the lone light flicked off and I was plunged into darkness again. I uncapped it and relished in a few sips before using the sheet to clean off my sticky skin. Drinking a bit more, I recapped the bottle and lay down on the cot hoping sleep would claim me again quickly
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Chapter 21
Nate
I returned to where I had left Deliah, just minutes before, but she was gone. She must have wandered off with Noelle or had gone to get a drink. I stood, watching the bright explosions in the sky. This may well be the best year I could remember ever having since Andover. Smiling to myself as the sky quieted, I turned toward the house.
“Great light show, Nate,” Noelle came up behind me looping our arms.
“Hey! Thanks. Did you have a good day?” I asked. I knew that Mother had set her up on another arranged date. At least this time the guy was a little more social than the average sweater vest. Watching them earlier I noted that, though she shrugged off any attempts at physical contact, he could hold a lively conversation. A stark contrast to any of the other previous set ups.
“It wasn’t terrible,” she shrugged. “Declan is nice. But I think mom is slipping on her matchmaking.” A giggle escaped my little sister as her eyes narrowed.
“Why do you say that?” I asked, stopping a moment to let many of the guests go through the doors first.
“Nate, Declan is gay. Like, out of the closet, leader of the Alliance Club, has a steady boyfriend of at least a year, gay.”
I busted out laughing. “And she hasn’t the faintest, I bet?”
Shaking her head, she laughed with me. “Not a clue. Pretty sure she’s already picked out the font for our engagement spread in the paper, because she saw me actually interacting with a suitor for a change,” she surmised in a mock of our mother.
“Oh shit,” I ran a hand down my face. “Her disappointment is going to be monumental.”
“Right? Anyway, he headed home so I’m probably going to head up to bed. But where is Deliah? I need to tell her about it,” she looked around at the thinned crowd.
“I’m not sure, actually. But if you say goodnight to mom and dad then go wash your face, I’ll send her up as soon as I find her.” I smiled at her and she nodded.
“Alright, goodnight then. It really was a lovely party, Nate,” she added before turning to say her goodnights.
I spun, looking in every direction for Deliah’s dark curls, but still not spotting her in the crowd. Thinking, I headed for the kitchen. She often ended nights like this sitting on the counter, eating cookies or leftover cake with Ellen. A quiet kitchen was not what I had expected but Ellen was there alone, putting away what looked like the last load of glassware.
“Ellen?” I really didn’t want to startle her into dropping the tray of crystal so I announced myself gently as I entered the room.
“Oh! Nate, hi. Can I get you something? I have some canapés left over. Ooh or, I made some cheesecake for dessert tomorrow. I also have some fresh cookies,” the woman bustled about before I touched her arm, stopping her.
“I don’t need anything tonight. I was just wondering if you had seen Deliah.” She shook her head. “She usually ends her nights in here while I’m clearing out guests.”
“No, dear. I haven’t seen her in... Oh, must be hours now? Want me to take a look around? She’s been known to hole herself up in places with a stash of cookies to get a moment of quiet.”
“Nah, it’s alright, I’ll find her.” I smiled at the woman who had been more like a mother to me than my own mother. “You can go. I can put the rest away, if you wanted to call it an earlier night?”
“Nonsense, boy. You go find your girl. I only have a handful left to put away anyways. Anything else remaining, the crew will deal with when they show up to do the teardown.” She smiled and shooed me before turning back to her task.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket, taking the stairs two at a time. When I reached the landing, I hit send on Deliah’s number. It rang forever before cutting to voicemail. Running a hand through my hair, I pushed through the double doors to our room. The bed was still made, and the bathroom was empty. I changed quickly out of my suit, pulling on an old Harvard hoodie and sweats then made my way down the hall. I knew she wouldn’t be in many of the rooms, but there was a chance she needed something from her boxes of things stored in one of the spare bedrooms.
I pushed that door open, but it was dark. Where are you, pretty girl? I stalked back down the hall, calling her number again. Straight to voicemail. What? Her phone is never off. I made my way down to the foyer, where Noelle was shutting the door.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked, eyes widening.
“You haven’t seen Deliah yet, have you?” I questioned in return.
She shook her head. “Not since a couple minutes into the fireworks. Why?” Her eyes searched me. “Nate, what’s going on?”
Uneasiness pooled in the pit of my stomach. I scrubbed a hand down my face and sighed. “I can’t find her. And her phone rang before but now it’s just going straight to voicemail.” As the words left my mouth, colour drained from my sister’s face.
“Um,” she cleared her throat, looking at the floor before squeezing her eyes shut like she always did when she was racking her brain. “Have you checked outside? I mean, with a flashlight? She can’t have gone far, Nate. Right? She’s here somewhere, right?” Her final word came out, laced with panic.
“Yeah, Noe. I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe she went for a walk on the beach and her phone died. I’ll grab a flashlight and check outside.” I pulled her into a hug and ran my hand down her hair. “Run upstairs and change. Wash your face. If you feel like it, come down after. I’m sure we’ll be in the kitchen by then and I’ll make you some tea before bed. Yeah?” I released her, pulling back as her arms loosened around my chest.
She nodded and headed to her room. Okay, pretty girl, time to come out. I found a flashlight in the kitchen and headed to the yard. Taking the long way around, I made sure to cast my light wherever there were shadows, before making my way back to where I had left Deliah to go deal with the fireworks. Shining the light around the area, there was a glint of something in the grass. It could have passed for dew, if it hadn't been an exceptionally dry spring.
I squinted, advancing on the sparkle. Bending to pick it up, I recognized it. The tennis bracelet I gave her at Easter. The clasp had been undone, so it hadn’t simply fallen off. My blood ran cold. She took it off on purpose. I spun around, searching again for a clue. My hand shook, when I noticed the gate to the yard. It wasn’t latched. Approaching it, I bent to pick up Delia’s hastily discarded flower crown. The gate had been latched when everyone originally filtered into the yard. I thrust my fingers through my hair again, frustrated. I should never have left her side. Jeff is a qualified pyro technician; he didn’t need me overseeing his work.
I ran back into the house, almost knocking my little sister on her ass. “Nate, no.” Tears filled her eyes, seeing my face and the things I held lightly in my hand.
Gripping her shoulder with my free hand, I levelled my face with hers. “I need to go up and pull the security footage from the front gate. Can you call Audrey, get her back here?” She nodded. “Okay. I’m just going to grab my laptop. I’ll be back in the kitchen in a couple minutes.” Her breath and shoulders shook. “Noe, it’s gonna be okay,” I tried to reassure her. Then with a nod, I headed up to my office. I only needed my laptop, but I also stopped by Noelle’s room to grab her robe from the back of her door. I had a feeling it was going to be a long night.
“..H-he just said to get you b-back here.” Noelle’s tears ran down her face as her voice hitched its way through the sentence. She turned to me as I entered the room and I held out my hand for the phone.
“Audrey?”
“Nate, what the hell is going on? It’s the middle of the night!”
I sighed, “I
know what time it is, I still need you here. Preferably before the police, and they’re going to be my next call. So I reckon you have about twenty minutes.”
“Dude, the police?!” I could hear both her exhaustion and exasperation. But I also heard her shuffling around a minute before the distinct sound of keys jingled through the line. “I’m just at the summer house, I’ll be there in five minutes,” she said, hanging up with a yawn instead of a goodbye.
I put the phone down and opened the computer on the counter around the same time Noelle appeared back at my side with two steaming mugs in hand. “It’s not a tea night,” were her only words as she handed me the hot coffee.
Nodding, I opened up the security software. “Can you make Audrey a triple latte? She’ll be here soon and will definitely want caffeine.” I smiled at her when she nodded and headed back to the elaborate coffee maker. “And Noe, prep the machine for another, just in case?
Running back through the footage, I saw exactly what I dreaded. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” I hit my palm on the counter as Audrey walked into the kitchen, causing her to jump.