Angels & Sinners: The Motor City Edition

by Ashley Suzanne

  I got up, stretching my legs, and walked back and forth, the concrete’s coolness stinging my feet urging me to quicken my pace. This was the only form of exercise I could get and I found it to be more of a struggle every day, some days I couldn’t even bring myself to do it. Lack of food, water, and sunlight would do that to a person.

  I’m not sure how long I was walking before I noticed a sliver of sunlight peek through the window and heard footsteps above my head, and realized that they must be starting their day. Did they really just go on about their day like normal people, having their morning coffee and breakfast, talking about the weather and plans for the weekend, all while I was held prisoner in their basement? How did they carry on as if that were normal?

  My feet stopped when the voices above me grew louder, and I craned my neck, trying to get a better listen. They were shouting and I heard mention of The Whore before a chair skidded and something thumped the floor above me. A door slammed, followed by the faint sound of crying.

  I assumed it was her, or Ma’am to me. I didn’t know her as anything else. I couldn’t feel bad for her though, not even an ounce of me did. She had never shown any compassion for me and she certainly didn’t help me.

  I drifted off into a daydream, something I often did to pass the time, collapsing onto the hard floor and crisscrossing my legs. I could only assume by the door slamming soundly that he was gone.

  I started thinking about Austin again, how attentive and sweet he was, and then I began to wonder what he was doing. Was he still looking for me? A heavy weight settled in my stomach, worried about what kind of toll my disappearance took on him and my family. It wasn’t the first time and it probably wouldn’t be the last, but the thought of what they were going through too made me sick to my stomach.

  I groaned, pressing my fingertips into my eyelids. I couldn’t think about that. The jiggle of the doorknob made my eyes pop open and I shot to my feet, going on high alert when I realized it was her not him. She rarely came down and the bowl she was holding in her hands made me even more suspicious.

  “I brought this down for you.” She fidgeted slightly on her heels, causing her modest, apron-covered dress that she always wore to swish back and forth, before setting the bowl on the floor, the steam still rising from it. My nose went into overdrive, used to nothing but stale bread and water. Whatever was in there smelled better than anything I’d ever had in my life.

  “Why?” I asked quietly and she stiffened, her nose turning up slightly as she tucked a piece of her graying hair back.

  “Well, I had plenty of leftovers and figured you were hungry. I know he hasn’t been down here to feed you.” She pushed the bowl toward me, and I held my hands out, looking down at the contents. I couldn’t tell what it was but it looked like some kind of casserole. “Go ahead, eat up, girl. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.” She tapped her foot twice and I continued to stare at the bowl. Everything in my body was telling me to eat every scrap in that bowl, except for my brain. There was some nagging feeling, telling me that there was no way in hell she was being nice to me for no reason. I picked up the fork to poke at it and she huffed loudly. “Just eat it! You would think a malnourished person like yourself would be thankful, but no. Ungrateful is what you are!” She huffed one more time before turning back in the direction of the stairs. “I’ll be back to check on you and get the bowl, so finish it up quickly.”

  I was still staring at the contents of the bowl when the door slammed, the lock clicking back into place, and I dropped the fork, the metal clanking against the white dish. I pushed the bowl back and forth across the floor where I had dropped down to sit. Something didn’t feel right about it and all of the different possibilities ran through my head, my mind settling on the most likely.

  She was trying to poison me.

  Now, I needed to decide if I wanted to eat or not.

  Was I ready to give up? Would this be the easiest way? Was she actually helping me without even knowing that I was ready to end my time here the only way I knew how?

  I slid the bowl closer, picking the fork back up to stir the contents before blowing on it. Why was I worried about a burnt mouth if I wouldn’t be here much longer anyway?

  CHAPTER 7

  Then

  “Emmy, come back to me. Please, come back to me.”

  I jolted awake to find Austin sitting next to me, his gaze trained on his phone. I rubbed at my eyes before glancing at the clock to see that I should really be getting ready before we went out for the night.

  “Hey, baby, did you have a good nap?” His eyes flicked to mine before going back to his phone.

  “Yeah.” I stretched my arms above my head, letting out a big yawn. “But someone just had to wake me up. Is there a reason I needed to come back to you? I was lying right here.” I playfully shoved him in the shoulder and he dropped his phone on the bed before turning back to me, his eyebrows twisted together.

  “What are you talking about, Emmy? I haven’t said a word. I figured I would let you sleep since the sun drained you today.”

  “Oh, I must’ve been dreaming or something then.” I pushed myself off the bed after dropping a kiss on his cheek. “I’m going to get ready and then we can go.”

  I dug through my bag and found a white dress that I brought along because it wasn’t something I would normally wear. The dress hung around my neck by a single strap, leaving my back exposed, and it hugged every single one of my curves that sometimes I wasn’t so sure about, but Austin seemed to love them. I guess that was all that counted since he was my fiancé and all.

  I fluffed my hair, deciding that I was going to go with the scrunchy, beachy look since I didn’t want to waste any time and then I smacked on some lip-gloss. I didn’t need much more since my cheeks were already glowing from all of the sun I had gotten.

  Austin let out a deep whistle when I stepped out of the bathroom and into my wedge sandals. I would’ve done the same if I could actually whistle. His blond hair was gelled just the way I liked it, and he wore a pair of faded jeans hung low on his hips and a tight-fitted white shirt that played off his own tan nicely. He looked like my golden surfer boy.

  “How in the hell did I get so lucky?”

  “Ditto,” I said before he kissed the hell out of me, turning my legs to Jell-O, and making me not want to leave the hotel room.

  We eventually did though and after stopping to grab something to eat, we headed to the downtown area where the street was lined with different nightclubs and bars. The nighttime scene was definitely different here than back home. I think both Austin and I were a little in awe but once we headed into the first club and Austin slid a few shots in my direction—inconspicuously since I was still underage—we started to loosen up. I dragged him onto the dance floor, shouting over the blaring music.

  “You’re dancing with me tonight!” I demanded, hanging onto his hand so he wouldn’t run away from the dance floor. Austin hated dancing and normally wouldn’t even step foot into a club, but instead of arguing, he just grinned and let me drag him along, semi-moving as I danced in circles around him.

  I laughed when he planted his hands on my hips to still them, bringing me flush against him, but all laughter ceased when he started to move to the music, grinding against me, and I pushed against him harder. He moved my hair to the side, licking a hot trail down the side of my neck before scraping his teeth against the skin. My eyes drifted shut, my hips still swaying to the beat, but all I could focus on at that moment was how Austin felt behind me and how much I wished that we weren’t surrounded by so many people.

  His lips unlatched all too soon and he tugged on my hips. “Let’s go get another drink.”

  I waited at a nearby table as he got us two more shots each and then grimaced as I slammed them back, the liquor burning my throat and making my eyes water. Austin watched me with a heated glint in his eyes and the second I licked my lips he grabbed my hand.

  “Let’s go,” he growled, heading in the opposite d
irection of the dance floor.

  “Austin, where are we—”

  He dragged me out a side door that I wasn’t so sure we were supposed to use, and we ended up in a dark alley between the club and another bar. The music was dulled from out here but I could still hear the steady hum of the people inside. I wobbled slightly on my feet, the alcohol coursing through my body, giving me a slight buzz, and making my head fuzzy.

  “What are we doing out here?”

  “This.” His lips were on mine, as he pressed my back against the brick wall. I threaded my fingers through his hair as he attacked my mouth. I had never seen this side of Austin before. He was usually so gentle and sweet, loving and caring. This was rough and raw, hot and demanding.

  And I loved it.

  He pulled up one of my legs and I pushed into him harder as he continued his assault, licking, biting, and sucking. I moaned when his hand roamed underneath the edge of my dress, brushing against my bare thigh before ghosting across my panties that were already damp.

  “Austin.” I spoke against his mouth and he pulled back, dropping his lips down to my collarbone. “We can’t do this out here,” I managed to say, groaning when his hand went back to the front of my panties, and then, he started rubbing back and forth across the lacy material. I arched my back into his touch, my body wanting to do the opposite of what my brain was telling me. “Someone will see us,” I whispered, my eyes squeezed shut as his hands trailed along the sides of my legs, sliding my panties down. He bent to scoop them up before nudging my legs open even wider and settling himself between them.

  “No one’s out here, Emmy.” He smoothed a piece of hair behind my ear. “But I need to fuck you now.”

  A breath hissed out from between my lips, my eyes widening as he popped the button on his jeans and undid the zipper. He pulled himself out, stroking a few times, and I watched in fascination. I swallowed loudly when his hand glided back between my legs, and he pumped in one finger and then two.

  “And you feel like you’re ready to be fucked, all nice and wet for me.” And then he was at my entrance, pushing forward and inside of me in one quick, hard thrust. My legs wrapped tightly around his waist as my head tilted backward. My back was rubbing up against the brick wall every time he pulled back and pushed in once again, which would probably leave marks, but in that moment, I couldn’t have cared less. What Austin was doing to my body was so rough and hot, something so unexpected and dangerous, but yet thrilling. I was no voyeur, but I had to admit, the chance someone catching us at any moment made it even more exciting.

  He pushed on my hips, moving them into the rhythm he was looking for, and I happily complied as I sunk my nails into his back, urging him on as he pounded into me. “Austin,” I breathed out, tilting my head sideways, “I’m so close.”

  “Hold on, baby. I’m almost there. Wait for me.” My orgasm was building, his pace now frenzied, and I could tell by the way that his eyes rolled slightly backward and his lips pressed together tightly, that he was almost there too.

  We both fell hard, right at the same time, finding our release together. Our breathing mixed as it slowed to a steady pace.

  I wished that I could say we had many moments like this, so totally connected and as one, but I couldn’t. Those chances were ripped away from me that night, not long after that euphoric feeling, such complete bliss.

  That was the night my life as I knew it ended.

  CHAPTER 8

  Now

  Blinking twice, I opened my eyes to find that damn bowl in my line of sight, the contents still sitting untouched. No matter how much I wanted to end my stay, I couldn’t do it. I’m not sure how long it had been since she brought it down, but I hadn’t seen him at all. I hadn’t heard him either. I wondered if he would come back. What if he didn’t? Would I be left here to rot and wither away?

  My stomach rolled, the emptiness causing me to dry heave, and I ran toward the toilet, though I knew nothing would come up. I was still tempted to eat what was in that bowl, but something wouldn’t let me. I pushed from my knees to roll over onto my back, staring up at the exposed pipes and insulation, which didn’t do much to warm the room. With the thin blanket I was given being my only source of heat, there had been many days and nights where my teeth chattered so forcefully, I was surprised one hadn’t chipped.

  I was so lost in counting the silver pipes that I didn’t hear the telltale sign of the door unlocking and footsteps on the stairs. A foot nudged gently into my shoulders and I straightened myself, my shoulders dropping when I realized who it was.

  “Hi,” he whispered, a tiny smile on his round face. He still had that baby quality to him even though he told me repeatedly that he was five; he was a big boy.

  “Well, hello, handsome.” He giggled when I stuck my tongue out at him and I kept that laugh going when I reached out to tickle him. I loved that sound. I think it might be one of the reasons I was still sticking around. They never hurt him, not that I could tell anyway. He seemed like a happy kid, so at least there was that. But I looked forward to his visits, no matter how few and far between they were.

  “What are you doing?” he asked after returning his breathing to normal and dropping down to sit cross-legged next to me on the cold, damp floor.

  “Not too much,” I replied, trying to keep the sarcasm from dripping. He didn’t come down often. I think only when he was able to sneak down, so I tried to forget that I was locked away down here when he did. He liked to play pretend, so I guess I could too.

  “Wanna color?” He made a silly face when I pressed a finger to my lips, pretending to think about it. I was his coloring buddy, and he always brought supplies downstairs with him.

  “I guess so. Here, let’s move closer to the light so we can see.” I pushed aside the blanket on my mattress and sat him in the middle. “How’s school going, buddy?”

  “Good, but Jack’s a bully. He said I’m a fat bunny.”

  “A fat bunny?” I repeated as he emptied all of the crayons out and pushed a pad of blank paper toward me. “What’s wrong with fat bunnies? They’re so cute and squishy.”

  He made a face and I bit down on my lip to keep myself from laughing. “I’m not a fat bunny. And he won’t stop.”

  “Then tell him you don’t like it and if he doesn’t leave you alone, tell your teacher. All right, Sammy?” I ruffled his sandy brown hair and he nodded his head once.

  “’kay, can you draw an elephant? That’s my favorite.”

  “Hmm . . . an elephant? I don’t know. That’s a pretty hard one.” I picked up a gray crayon and he watched in amazement as I went to work. Drawing had always sort of been my hobby, I could spend hours sketching away in a notepad. Growing up, my different creations littered my bedroom walls. Most of them were pretty good, but Sammy was in awe when it came to the pictures that I drew for him. “How’s this?” I asked, tilting my head to look down at my drawing.

  His smile was wider than I had ever seen it as he carefully took it out of my hands. “I love it,” he whispered. “Thank you.” He hugged me tight and I closed my eyes as his little arms wrapped around me, gleaning some sense of normalcy from this gentle human contact. The ache in my stomach had lessened while he kept me busy, but I knew it would return full force once he left.

  “I gotta go.” He crouched down and I helped him scoop up his crayons and paper. I almost asked if he could leave them so I could have something to pass the time, but I didn’t want him to get in trouble. “Bye.” He waved his small hand at me before tiptoeing back up the stairs and then I collapsed onto the bed.

  He never called me anything because I never told him my name. Why bother? I always dodged the question when he asked and eventually, he stopped asking. I was The Whore and nothing more. No other name mattered.

  It wasn’t until he was upstairs with the door shut quietly behind him that I realized the bowl that she had left for me was empty.

  CHAPTER 9

  Then

  “How could you?�
� I heard myself repeating over and over again. Austin’s mouth was moving, his blue eyes concerned, but I couldn’t hear anything he was saying. I shook my head. “I don’t understand.” My vision blurred, my surroundings coming in and out of focus. I pressed my hands against my ears, trying to stop the buzzing that had taken over, blocking out all sound.

  “What’s happening to me?”

  But I didn’t get a response or if I did, I couldn’t hear it. Austin reached in my direction but I jerked away, no matter how much I willed my body to throw itself into his arms. I just wanted him to hold me and tell me everything was going to be all right.

  But I couldn’t force myself to, it’s like I wasn’t in control of my own body.

  “Time to wake up, Emmy.”

  My surroundings turned black, the darkness slowly seeping in, and Austin faded away, my heartbeat quickening and my stomach knotting as he slipped into the darkness.

  CHAPTER 10

  Now

  “Snap out of it, Emmeline!” I shrieked, trying to contain my breathing as I blinked my eyes open, willing away the scene of losing Austin that had just played out in my head. It was just my imagination, playing cruel, cruel tricks on me. I couldn’t focus on that right now.

  I scoured the basement floor, looking for any signs of the food that had been in that bowl. Maybe he dumped it out? Kids liked to make messes for no reason, right? I used the sliver of sunlight that was fading away to continue my search but I couldn’t find anything. The panic was slowly taking control of my body but I pushed it down. I had to help Sammy.

  I ran up the stairs, ignoring the ache in my legs as it increased with each step. I slapped my hands against the worn wood of the door, pounding repeatedly. “Let me out! You have to help Sammy! He ate that food. Please,” I yelled until my throat was raw and my hands were stinging from the impact. But no one came. I had to think of some way to help him.