Page 26 of Pushed

Two giant pillars sat in the center of the room, both marked with deep gouges and divots in the hard stone. An empty desk made of mahogany sat in the back, covered in a thick layer of dust that filled the intricately etched woodwork.

There. . .

My breath hitched as I spotted the double doors of the entrance. The windows were covered in black plastic that was flaking and peeling around the corners. Each door had a long gold handle with a detail of swirl sitting on the top and bottom.

That could be my way out.

Machi stopped short, whispering to me over his shoulder. “I know what you're thinking, I suggest you look again.”

He was reading my mind and penetrating my thoughts. I wasn't sure how he was doing it, maybe it was luck, maybe it was experience; either way, he knew what was running through my head.

Eyeing the door, I felt my chest tighten as I spotted the heavy chains wrapping the handles. It wasn't an escape, it was sealed shut, trapping me inside.

Starting forward, Machi jerked my arm to follow. “It's in your best interest to just do as I say. You're not the first girl to ever walk through here, trust me, precautions have been made to keep you in, not let you out.”

I didn't want to move, I didn't want to go further inside. I wanted to charge the doors and kick them open, I wanted to break the glass and jump outside.

Yanking my hand free, I gritted my teeth and stared him down. If he wanted to be a mind reader, then let him.

Fuck you!

I'm not your prisoner! I'm not yours to own or have or control!

Turning around, he tilted his head to his shoulder as his lids lowered and lips turned up. “You're wrong.” Stepping forward, he reached out and gripped my wrist. “In here, you are mine. Things have to be done a certain way, that's just how it is.”

It doesn't have to be that way. You can let me go right now, no one would know.

Taking a step back, I kept glancing at the doors. They were right there, only a few feet away. I kept picturing myself jumping through them, breaking them down and running for my life.

His fingers tightened around my wrist, eyes softening as he brought his hand to my face and brushed it over my cheek. “If you try, you'll only hurt yourself, you won't break it.” Taking another step in, he lowered his mouth to my ear. “And letting you go would be dangerous.” His lips brushed my skin, forcing a chill over my body. “I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise I'll keep you safe, but I can only do that if you listen.”

How does he do that?

How does he know what I'm thinking?

Flicking my eyes between his, I had a feeling of calmness settle over me. Machi looked like he was being honest, and right then, I believed him.

But can I trust you?

How can I put my faith in you to keep me safe?

“You don't have a choice.” He had done it again, answering my soundless words. Twining his fingers into mine, he started walking towards the back of the room. “Come, it's time.”

I could hear voices echoing in the distance as we pressed in further, feeling the dream of my escape fizzle into dust and blow away as I left the double doors behind me.

Machi tugged me in as we approached a set of curtains, putting me almost directly beside him. Leaning over, he whispered. “There's no more peeking, that's done. Not. In. Here.”

Swallowing hard, I demanded my eyes to stay static, pulling any and all natural movement from them. I was tempted to just close them all together and allow the blackness to be my savior. Only I didn't.

It was like no matter how much I didn't want to see or hear or know what was around me, I couldn't stop it. I had to know so I could find a weakness in the armor, I had to see so I could fight, so I could run. From the sounds I heard upstairs, everything depended on it.

Even with his word of safety, there was no promise I would ever hold above my own. Only I could promise myself the will to keep going, only I could give myself the word of truth.

Pushing the curtain back, I could smell something familiar, it was sweet and salty, thick and heavy.What is that?I asked myself, smelling the air again.

Is that. . . Oh my God, it is.

It was the scent of sex.

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