Henrietta's POV
Chapter 2
"Good morning, princess." A dark, sinister-looking man spoke into my ear, waking me up with a start. A shiver ran down my spine—not from joy, but fear. Dear, undiluted, gives-you-goosebumps type of fear.
I slithered back, my back hitting the wall as my eyes focused on the owner of the unpleasant voice. I noticed I was in chains, the type I imagined they used for animals.
"Who... who are you? Where am I?" My voice was a shaky mess. I didn't sniff myself, but I smelled like shit. Quickly, I observed my clothing. Still in my red crop top and black pants. My shoes were missing, and there was a small cut on my ankle that had been treated. Add that to the terrible headache I had—probably from the fall—and you get the math of how awful I felt.
The last thing I remembered was hitting something—or someone—hard and falling. Oh my God. Who was that man? Where am I? How many days has it been? I couldn't see my phone or the inhaler.
The inhaler! My mum!
My mum could be dead already without it!
"Get up!" a thunderous voice dragged me from my thoughts. Shit. I had totally forgotten the man standing in front of me. He stared daggers at me, bloodshot eyes blazing. His hand shot out, and he yanked me up by the hair.
"Ouch! Let go of me, you monster!" I fought him, clawing at his hands, but he didn't let go. He looked like he was enjoying it. The sick monster!
"Feisty, huh? Master Adrian will like you."
His ugly face twisted into a terrifying sneer.
"Fuck you and Master Adrian!" I yelled, biting his free hand and kicking him in the balls—hard!
He let go immediately, too quickly.
When did he free me from the chains?
I didn't have time to contemplate further as I was suddenly flung against the wall. I gasped for air, trying to get the wind back into my body.
"You dirty slut! I'm going to kill you!" he groaned, clutching his junk while nursing the bitten hand.
To my immense happiness, I saw pain flash across his face.
He rushed at me, pinning me against the wall with his hands around my neck and slapped me so hard that everything turned black for a moment.
"Let go of me, you monster," I tried to speak, barely audible through his grip.
I fought him, clawing at his hands, but he didn't let go.
"Keep quiet!" he growled, his grip tightening.
I moaned in pain, too weak to cry. I tasted blood in my mouth and felt my head drop when he released me, just as the fight left my body. It seemed his earlier cry had attracted someone else—another man ran into the room.
It wasn't a room at all. Now I noticed it was a cell—with bars.
The cell was bare. I had been lying on a cold cement floor with three other girls, who looked around my age. All had brunette hair, threadbare panties and bras, and were huddled in a corner of the cell, shivering and we were all chained.
I didn't know which was worse, waking up to the clanking of chains_or realizing you were the one in them_feels worse."
"The ugly bitch bit me!" my tormentor yelled, still clutching his junk.
He looked pleased at my defeated expression. My eye was swelling—I was sure it would turn purple.
"You're such a crybaby, Steel. You've roughed her up. Clean her up and take her to the auction room now. Master Adrian is waiting, and you know he hates waiting."
He left the room after his little verdict.
Steel turned to me with murderous eyes. "You better behave, or I swear I'll beat you black and blue. You'll find it painful to breathe. You're lucky Master Adrian has taken a liking to you. Don't waste it." He licked his lips hungrily.
I didn't know if he was trying to scare me or not, but it worked. I wished I had died from that fall than face whatever was coming.
Steel walked out of the cell, expecting me to follow—and I did. Too scared of another beating. My ears still rang from the slap.
I turned back to look at the girls on the floor. Their eyes held pity, and I couldn't blame them. I pitied myself too.
Steel hissed and picked me up, flinging me over his shoulder. I tried to keep my eyes open, trying to memorize where he was taking me.
It was just two doors down from the cell. All the rooms had identical brass doors with special lock systems. I imagined other girls were in them.
"Lay her down on that table, please," a calm masculine voice said.
I looked toward the voice. A young man—maybe 25—with blonde hair and blue eyes stood there. He looked like the boy next door who had a nice car and a bunch of girlfriends.
I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. He set a briefcase on a table where I saw scissors and surgical blades.
I looked at Steel in panic, but he was on his phone, disinterested.
"I'm just going to run a couple of tests. Please change into the gown," the doctor said curtly.
I swallowed. I couldn't afford to disobey.
I changed into the hospital-like gown and lay down. After a few painful prods, he collected a syringe of my blood.
"We're done here. Results will be ready in an hour," he said to Steel.
"Follow me," Steel ordered.
Maybe if I could just grab his phone—
"Walk faster, bitch," he barked, killing my thoughts. "You smell like shit."
I scoffed, "you kidnapped me and now you're complaining about how I smell."
He shot me a warning glance, shutting me up effectively.
He stopped at a door, pressed his thumb against the lock, and shoved me inside.
"Get ready. I'll come get you in an hour, you smell like shit." he said, then slammed the door in my face.
"Asshole!" I yelled, hoping he heard me.
I heard his snicker and waited for his footsteps to fade.
I looked around the room. It was simple.
I ran to the toilet, desperate to get out of my filthy clothes. There was a shower and bath with warm water and a bottle of bath gel. I quickly stripped and stepped into the tub.
Mum…. My mother could be dead!
What was meant to be a 15-minute soak turned into a sobbing session.
I washed myself, trying to scrub away the
memories. I dried off, then saw the clothes on the bed—just a thong and bra.
Nope.
I walked back to the toilet, filled the bath, and hand-washed my own clothes. I spread them on the table and lay on the bed, too tired to think.
I'd come up with an escape plan after some rest.