“Arkansas, baby,” she hoots. “It’s nicer here than the warehouse back in Vegas. That place was a shithole.” She dramatically points at Dragon. “Caught is famous.”
“Who is Caught?”
“His name is Chase, but since they caught him, they gave him a new name.” She cackles again. “Caught is crazy.”
Pot, meet kettle.
“Hmm,” I say, unsure how to fucking respond to that. “What’s he famous for?”
“Night Giant likes it when he pretends to be a dog. He’s a great actor, aren’t you, Caught?”
Dragon shudders from the floor. I want to smack this crazy bitch, but I need answers and she’s the only one talking. Again with the Night Giant name.
“He’s Night Giant’s favorite?”
She nods as she slips off the bed, crouching beside Dragon’s trembling body. “He does as he’s told. It’s what you do if you want to be a favorite.”
Fuck this crazy place.
“And what if you don’t do as you’re told?” I ask, because I already know I’ll fall into that category.
“They don’t like that.” She frowns, shaking her head rapidly. “Not at all. You better listen, pretty girl.”
“Stormy.”
“I’m Smelly Melly,” she snaps, rising to her feet like a freaky-ass ghost. “You can’t be Smelly Stormy.”
Don’t worry, bitch.
“I’ll stick with just Stormy,” I say in a calm voice so I don’t set this lunatic off. “Who are the others?”
“PeePee Pete,” she squawks, pointing at a redheaded guy who jolts at her words. “Beside him is Crybaby Charlie.” She giggles. “He criessomuch.” Another giggle. “That’s Tuna Terri.” She whispers loudly to me, “Her cunt is infected and smells like fish.” She points to my brother. “That’s Silent Sap. He hasn’t said a word since they did his first movie this morning. Still new. He’ll come around.”
I swallow down bile at her words. First movie? I want to pull my brother in my arms and take away all his pain. But right now, I can’t think like a sister. I need to think like a Fed. “And the one in the corner?”
“She’s been around longer than me,” Mel grumbles. “Another favorite. That’s Glarin’ Erin.”
Erin. Erin. Erin.
It couldn’t possibly be her.
Rushing over to her, I kneel down and push the matted dreads from her face so I can see her face. Fiery brown eyes bore into me, no recognition in their depths. But it’s her. Erin.MyErin.
Fuck.
This is so bad.
“I’m Brenda Gale,” I say, hoping to spark something inside her hard eyes.
Nothing.
With a frustrated sigh, I stand and try to figure out what the hell to do. The windows are boarded up in a way I’ll never be able to pull apart without a crowbar and the door is bolted. We’re stuck. I make my way into the bathroom and try the sink. To my surprise, water sputters out. I splash it on my face and take a deep breath to calm myself.
Breathe, girl.
After taking a minute to calm my erratic heart, I put my mind to work. Watcher’s Group was Collins’s business name when I saw him in Tulsa. It makes sense now if they’re making videos. I’d thought it was run-of-the-mill human trafficking, but this seems worse. I wish I could brainstorm with Copper and Koyn. They’re smart and have resources. If Koyn knew about the videos, he could track down the source.
But, I’m alone.