Page 55 of Virginity Sold

Elena

I can hear them talking, but I don’t open my eyes. Instead, I keep them closed to steal a few uncensored moments. I don’t remember everything, but there’s something about these men that feels so familiar, yet slightly broken. If that even makes sense.

Edward told me I could trust them when he came to visit me. That was odd in itself.

Why was a man who I waited on in the diner, visiting me in the hospital? How does he know the three men that were here? This is all so confusing, and my head is pounding.

When I woke up forty minutes ago and caught a glimpse before closing my eyes, all three men were here, standing in the corner, huddled as they whispered to each other. Now That I've opened my eyes, they sit around me, smiling, but it’s like there’s something hidden behind their mesmerizing eyes.

There’s a sense of familiarity about them, yet not. As I inhale their individual colognes, I’m reminded of something elusive that I can’t quite hold on to.

It’s like an itch that can’t be scratched, nagging at you until you feel like you’re going to go insane. That’s what I feel like right now. I know these men, I can feel it deep in my soul, but there’s something that makes me think even though I know them, that maybe I wish I didn’t.

Are they only here because I'm hurt?

That’s another thing eating away at me. Who did this to me? Why hasn’t Mama been here to see me? Did something happen to her too?

“Where’s my mama?” I ask them, causing them to look at me wide-eyed, jaws dropped. Their response leaves me both angry and concerned at the same time.

“What do you mean?” the youngest one asks as he places his forearm on the bed, leaning forward from where he sits beside me.

The older gentleman clears his throat, covering it with his hand fisted before speaking. “We don’t know where she is. You were alone when your landlord arrived at your home.”

I was alone. She’s not here. Those two thoughts keep running on repeat through my mind.

I was in my house, alone. Mama is gone. Did someone break in and take her? It’s the only thing that explains why she isn’t here. Even though she’s not the best mother, she would be here, if only to bitch at me about needing money.

“The police need to find her before she’s hurt too.” My body begins to shake as tears blur my vision.

“The authorities are looking for her, Little Mouse. Not only her, but the person they suspect did this to you.”

My eyes turn toward him, locking on his. The creamy milk chocolate orbs are hold more answers than his mouth is giving.

Little Mouse.

He keeps calling me that.

They each call me something other than my name.

Little Mouse. Cookie. Sunshine.

Those three names spin through my already pounding head as memories flash through my mind like a VHS on fast forward. My lungs feel like they are caving in, and my throat is closing as everything comes back in a flood of horror and hurt.

Being on a stage, in fucking white underwear.

Of me tied down on a bed.

The pain of being penetrated, but the amazing feeling afterward when I had an orgasm.

Money.

Missing Mama, but her being there. Why do I miss her?

Excruciating pain.

It’s like scattered pieces of a puzzle suddenly fitting back together. I’m sinking under all the emotions, the pain, and the betrayal.

They didn’t want me. At least he didn’t. I was just a hole to fill. Liam’s words come rushing back to me.

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