Chapter 8: Laney: Did She Really Just Say That?

As the door slammed shut behind Charlotte, I dropped to my knees in tears. Did she really think that of me? That I had just given it all up for a one night thrill and that’s how she came to be. I stayed on the floor crying for what seemed like hours before Aunt Tilly and Mina got home. Mina rushed over a scooped me off the floor hounding for questions. Aunt Tilly was silent though as she brought me a hot cup of tea. I sipped on it, citrus mint, Aunt Tilly’s personal blend. She only ever made it to soothe someone if they were upset. I didn’t say anything to either of them for a long time. Mina kept probing for details. Because I didn’t give any answers, eventually Mina gave up and went scrounging around in the kitchen for something.

            “Charlotte thinks I slept around, and don’t know who her father is,” I eventually send to Aunt Tilly. She nodded quietly and let me continue. I told her all about Charlotte entering the contest against my wishes. It’s not that I didn’t want Charlotte to share her music, I was just so afraid of what could happen if someone found out who she was. After I had finished and gotten calmed down Aunt Tilly finally spoke.

            “We knew she’d have a rebellious streak eventually,” she said standing up, “let’s just make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble while she’s finding herself.” She paused for a moment contemplating something. “Why don’t you go run a bath? I’ll wait up for Charlotte.” I nodded quietly at her and headed up the stairs to run a hot bath.

            “Lenox! Please no!” I screamed as he pinned me to the bed. I had been in this motel a week now and every night was the same. Lennox would arrive around six with food, which I was expected to eat willingly otherwise I would be force fed. After the ordeal of eating, he would forcefully have his way with me. No matter how much I protested.

            “Oh Angel,” he sighed as he yanked my pants off, “it wouldn’t hurt if you didn’t resist. Give in your body wants it.” I squirmed against him using all the strength I had to push him off of me. I was so vulnerable though. All it took for him was one hand to undress me and the other to pin my arms above my head.

            “Stop! Please!” I cried as I felt the pain of his penetration. Even though it would have been easier, I didn’t stop fighting. I flung my legs kicking anywhere they could reach hoping to land a blow somewhere that would get him off of me.

            “Angel,” he growled when my foot managed to land a blow on the back of his knee cap. He bit into the side of my neck drawing blood. “You make this so hard for me to enjoy. Just relax and give in to me.” I kept screaming and kicking until he finished. With a great sigh he rolled off of me. Standing up from the bed, he through a towel at me indicating that I would get my twenty minutes of shower time now. I sprung from the bed not wanting to waste a second of it. As I got the hot water running I started to sob as I did every time after he finished. He never used any form of protection, leaving me vulnerable to a whole host of diseases. I shuddered as I thought about it, and viciously scrubbed every inch of my body. The quick three raps on the door meant I had five minutes left, I turned the water on as hot as it would go and tried to rinse away any traces of him. Unfortunately, they don’t make water hot enough or soap strong enough.

            I had been in his captivity nearly three weeks when I started to realize the other consequence of unprotected sex. I swallowed hard and started to count backwards to when I had had my last period. One, two, three, four, five, six. The thought sent me running to the bathroom dry heaving. Never a day in my life had I been late, my monthly friend came like clockwork every twenty-eight days on the dot. The commotion I had caused inside drew one of the guards inside.

            “Ms. Angel,” he said tentatively. He couldn’t have been any older than me, his eyes showed kindness and concern. “Is… Is there anything I can get you?” He asked. I shook my head and stood up from my crumpled heap on the floor. He helped me back to the bed. “My name is Daniel, I’m one of seven and the only boy. I have twelve nieces and nephews…” he trailed off and studied my face.

            “Why are you telling me this Daniel?” I asked him.

            “Well if there was something you needed me to pick up from the store, but you weren’t ready to tell Master Lenox about yet, I would keep your secret.” Oh, I thought, he knows.

            “Umm… Please don’t tell Lenox, but could you,” I begged.

            “Of course. This is good news that you need to share with him not me,” he stood from the bed and left the room. A few hours later he kept good on his promise. It was four o’clock when I took the test, at four o’ five my biggest fear was realized. Two pink lines stared back at me, bringing on another round of dry heaves.

            I awoke with a startle from my day dream to my phone ringing, the caller ID said Lottie. I quickly picked up.

            “Mom?” a tearful voice on the other end questioned. “I’m… I’m at the gas station on the corner of 7^th and main… Can… can you come get me?” I leaped out of the tub and grabbed my bathrobe.

            “I’ll be right there, just hold on.”