Beka’s eyes fluttered open. She was in a bed. A big, lovely, soft bed. The events of the day before came back to her, hitting her mind like a wave. It nearly felt physical, and she fell back on the bed.
“She saved me,” she thought and a warm feeling hit her. She tried to stay with that feeling, the feeling that there was still good in this universe, and somehow she’d been lucky enough to stumble across it. Was it possible someone was doing something for her, without own winning?
Inside, reality hit her, and no matter how much she tried to stay in her joyous frame of mind, she knew none of this could be true. If Mariah was really just a good Samaritan, wanting to help her get through her trauma, how could she possibly afford to put her in a room like this? She looked around her. It was all so luxurious. Mariah had avoided her questions, just that was enough to be suspicious about. She didn’t like to admit it, but she was worried. Mariah seemed nice enough, but so did most people who wanted to kill you at first. There was a knock on the door, and despite still being clothed, Beka instinctively pulled the covers around her.
“Come in,” she said, her voice trembling. She hoped it was Mariah, but she was disappointed. A man opened the door and looked at her, grinning. He seemed to be in his mid-sixties, and a bit too well-fed. He nodded, somehow approvingly at Beka, and she suddenly felt extremely self-conscious. He took a step closer to her and her breathing became ragged.
“Please,” she said in a quiet voice. “I’m really sorry but could you please leave?” She tasted salt on her lips, and was surprised. She hadn’t even realised she was crying. The man frowned.
“Leave? You’re asking me to leave my own home?” She looked up at him. This was his home? He smiled.
“I’d say you’re going to have to get used to people being in the same room as you soon sweetheart,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Beka didn’t like it. She didn’t like anything about him. There was something…false there. Something that really bothered her.
“I’m very sorry,” she said. She couldn’t recognise her voice or her words. She’d just say anything to get rid of him. “I’m very sorry, but…I didn’t realise this was your home. I’ll leave if you like.” She regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. Where was she going to go? She couldn’t get off this drift. She couldn’t stay on the drift. If she left, there was nowhere to go. The man grinned at her again as he sat down on the edge of the bed. She instinctively moved away from him, as far as she could get without leaving the bed. She knew he could see her crying, but as much as she tried to stop herself, she couldn’t.
“Oh no,” he said, “I wouldn’t want you to leave. His voice was smooth as satin, yet dangerous. There was something he was hiding. Just like Mariah, but where Mariah seemed reluctant to tell her, he seemed to be sucking on his information like a particularly lovely sweet, waiting for the right moment to spill. She didn’t like this man. She didn’t like the way he kept trying to inch his way closer to her. Suddenly, without warning, his hand lashed out, to stroke her head, down to her neck, her shoulders, her…
“NO!!!” she screamed as she fell back, her head hitting the floor hard. She couldn’t feel anything, just the panting in her memories, his hands which had been pinning her arms to the floor. His rhythmic moving, causing her more and more pain. Her breasts were still sore where he’d been sucking and squeezing them so roughly. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the memories, but the screaming overwhelmed her. It wasn’t until the flashbacks had stopped she realised the screaming wasn’t part of them. It was her screaming. The older man was looking down at her, smiling.
“Well, I know I’m no handsome knight in shining armour, but I’ve never invoked that sort of reaction in a woman before.” She shivered as she tried to bring herself up. No matter how much she just wanted to crawl into a ball and disappear, this man probably deserved to know why she’d done that.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice unsteady. “You see, I, I, was…” She swallowed. The words got stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t say it. He looked at her and nodded.
“Raped. Yeah, I know. Happens a lot around here.” She frowned. How could he sound so indifferent, talking about an experience that had changed her entire life? “You’re going to have to get used to people touching you, aren’t you though, sweetheart?” He looked at her and flashed her another grin. She noticed his teeth were a dark yellow, and some had fallen out.
“What do you mean?” she said in a trembling voice. She really had to get a grip on the whole trembling business. He laughed.
“You’re not telling me you don’t know why you’re here?” She shook her head slowly. She knew there had to be a catch. Suddenly, Mariah appeared in the doorway.
“Dad!” she said, looking shocked. The man turned around to look at her, his face turning from happiness to anger.
“Why didn’t you tell her?” he said, “This isn’t a charity, you know.” Mariah sighed.
“I know,” she said, “but it’s…” she glanced over at Beka. “I’m so sorry about this,” she said sincerely. Beka merely whimpered and climbed back up on the bed, hiding under the covers. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to listen to. What were they doing? Deciding her fate?
“Well,” the man’s voice said, “I’m going to leave now. When I come back in an hour, I expect her to be informed and ready. Ok?” She could hear Mariah trying to intervene, but her dad seemed to have the upper hand. She heard the door close and light steps approaching her.
“Rebekah?” Mariah’s voice said gently. Beka pulled the covers off her head, quickly wiping the tears off her face.
“Mariah,” she said, “please. Please tell me why I’m here.” Mariah sighed.
“I wish it didn’t have to come to this Rebekah,” she said. “I really do. But there’s no other way. Every time, every time I try to find another way. So far I’ve never find one. It will hurt, Rebekah. It will be horrible. But it’s the only way. It’s the only way you’re going to survive here. Oh, believe me, I am so sorry.” Beka’s breathing was getting faster.
“Just tell me,” she said, her voice threatening to break. “Please. Just tell me. Why am I here?”