Page 46 of Tess, Property of Blaze

“Hey, it’s okay.” I lean closer and place my arm around her gently. “It will be fine. I’ll find a way to get you out.”

“I’ve heard them.”

“You’ve heard what?”

Samantha burrows into my chest and I hold her tighter. “I’ve heard what they’re going to do to us.”

I swallow hard, dread filling me—I can only imagine what they have in store for these poor girls. There’s gotta be something I can do to get them out of here.

“What have you heard?” I move back and look at Samantha, trying to see the details of her face.

“They’re taking us back to wherever they’re from. They’ve sold us,” she cries out, panic in her voice.

“Sold you? To who?” I squeeze her shoulder, trying to give her some comfort.

“I’m not sure. The mean one that gets off on hitting us, he told us he got good money for us because we’re virgins.” She ends the sentence on a sob, crying into her hands.

“Shush.” I try to soothe her, wondering what the Forseekers are part of these days. Whatever it is, it sounds like they’re stealing girls to sell for money. And virgins at that. I feel sick to my stomach, and my heart aches for these poor girls. They must be so confused and scared. I would be too, and I’m sure that when she described the man—mean and gets off on hitting women—she means Viper. I know all too well his proclivities. I’ve gotta try and get them out of here.

“How long have you been here?” I say softly, rubbing her shoulder with my hand.

She wipes away some tears before she answers. “Three days—I think. It could be more. Please help us, I can’t be sold to a stranger. I miss my mom and dad, I want to go home.” She grips my arms with surprising strength. “Are they going to sell you too?”

I think on her words, but quickly realize Viper would never want to share me. “No, I’m here because I ran away from that man, who unfortunately is my husband, but now he’s found me.”

“Oh my God.” She moves away and pushes herself up against the wall, trying to get away from me. “You’re one of them, what was I thinking?”

“No! Listen to me, please,” I say, gripping her arms. “I’m not one of them. I ran to get away from him, and I did—well, for two years I was free. But now he’s found me, and he’s dragged me back here, and if I don’t go with him then he’s going to hurt the people I love.”

“So you’re a prisoner too,” she says, more a statement than a question.

“Yeah, I guess I am. Look, I’m not going to be down here for long, he will come and get me. I’ll try and figure out a way to get you out of here.”

“You’re not going to leave us,” she cries, panic again in her voice. Her arms reach out to hold me still.

“It’s okay, I promise I’ll come back for you. Somehow, I’ll get you help. Now, Sam, I’m just going to check on the other girl to see how she is.” I can just make out a nod, and I say, “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

I crawl over to the corner to find that Amy’s now lying on the floor. I reach my hand out to touch her face. “Amy, can you hear me?”

She doesn’t reply, and I begin to panic, wondering if she’s still alive.

“Amy, wake up,” I say, tapping her cheek gently with my hand. I hear a moan, and then she’s throwing up all over the floor. “Oh crap.”

I turn her on her side so she doesn’t choke on her own vomit, but then realize she’s dry heaving. Her stomach must be empty. “Oh my God, what have they done to you?” I whisper, moving her hair out of her face. Once her stomach settles, I turn her face to me. “Amy, can you hear me?”

A mumbling sound comes out of her mouth, and relief fills me that she’s alive. “It’s okay, Amy. My name’s Tess, and I’m going to try and get you out of here.” I stand and look around at the dungeon-like room. There really is only one window, which is too high for me to reach.

I walk around the room using the small amount of light shining in from the window, and I can make out a door on the other side. I rush over to it, and disappointment fills me when I try to turn the handle and find out it’s locked. I don’t know why I thought it would be open. I pull on the handle but it’s no use. I bang on the door a few times but get no response. The door feels solid, and I doubt they can hear me from the other side.

There must be a way out of here.

---