Page 4 of Lost in Her
“Yes, sir,” the man states with a smile.
“That woman, I swear,” I say, allowing myself to laugh a little.
I watch them smile and nod as they all get up and walk past me out the open door.I make my way over to my normal chair.The one in the middle, so I can see all the monitors and the window, allowing me to watch the front gate just in case someone tries to walk up to it.
I take a seat and sit back in the chair, watching the monitors that are watching the center.I slowly sip my coffee as Emory and the new client make their way out of the center.I watch Emory lock the doors, gently turn, and place her hand on the lower back of the young lady.She is starting to guide her my way.
Emory trusts me to show the new clients around and make sure they have everything they need.We give them everything for free so they don’t have to buy or do anything to the apartments if they don’t want to.All they must do is ask for what they need, and we will send men to go get it for them.
Most of the clients stay on the property and go to therapy and groups, or they stay in their apartments behind the locked gates.I think it’s because they feel safe with us here, and they don’t feel safe out there in the real world.The world that has caused them the pain and suffering they are trying to escape and process through.
A few years back, Shawn and I both finally walked away from dealing dope.We both are rich and don’t need the money, so now we all work with the center and the apartments.This is where our passion is anyway.Shawn started this for his mother.I stayed because it gave me meaning and helped me break the cycle of the family I came from.
We all have our reasons for working and staying in this line of work.All our men stay because they want to help others escape the life that was trying to break them.
We have expanded our services to not only DV but also helping people escape sex trafficking rings, prostitution, and a few other things.All the clients that come here come from all walks of life, and we have the manpower to go in and help them escape if need be.
That is what Shawn has been focusing on—trying to find a safe way to help people escape their abusers.We haven’t perfected it yet, but it is well on the way, and if anyone can figure it out, it’s him.
I take a deep breath as I continue to watch Emory and the new client make their way to the security building.I sit back in my seat as Emory stops at the doorway.
“Hey, Em,” I state softly.She works as much as I do, but I know that she loves it.
“Hey, Ethan,” she says back, smiling at me.Emory has become my family.We are all close and protect each other after what she has been through.She is the strongest person I have ever met, and every day, she amazes me with what she does for other people.
I set down my coffee, slowly stand up from my chair, and make my way over to Emory.I lean against the wall next to her.“Does Shawn know you are still here?”I ask in an amused voice.I know my brother, and he is going batshit crazy right now with her being out this late.
She smiles and nods.“Yes, he does, and he is on his way,” she smiles.She loves driving him crazy, but they work perfectly together, and it has been amazing to see their life together unfold over the last few years.
After everything she and Shawn have been through together, it has made them stronger.It didn’t break them but brought them closer.Everyone who sees them together can see their love.It is a beautiful thing.
“Of course, he is.You drive him crazy with staying here so late,” I reply, laughing and crossing my arms over my chest.
“I know, but you are here, so I am good,” she says with confidence.It means a lot to me that she trusts me and that she knows that while I am here, she and the others are safe.
“Anyways, Em.You know I got your back,” I say softly, feeling my heart race.Being needed is something that I need, which I know sounds odd and weird, but it is true.Being needed fills the emptiness inside me.
“I know.”She has no doubts about me or what I will do to keep this place or her safe.
I slowly look from Em to the girl standing next to her.She is wearing a purple dress, a deep purple.Her hair is long down to her butt.It’s dark brown.I can see the fresh cuts and bruises on her arms.I stop my eyes on her wrists and see the fresh wounds.The same ones Emory had when we found her in the room Jesse was keeping her in.
I don’t need to ask what made those marks.I know she was chained.I slowly look up at her body and stop at her neck and see the same fresh wounds on her neck, making my blood fucking boil.
I slowly move my eyes up and stop at her eyes.She has deep dark green eyes.Eyes I have never seen before.Eyes that make my heart stop for a moment.She has freshly fallen tears rolling down her face.Her right eye has a cut above it.Her lip is bruised and bleeding.
Whatever happened to her just fucking happened.She has her arms wrapped around herself.Her body is shaking a little as she keeps her eyes on me.She is afraid, very fucking afraid.
“This is Jennifer,” Emory states softly.
I push off the wall and take a small step closer to her.immediately she takes a small step back, ensuring there is plenty of distance between us.I slowly reach out my hand.“Hello, Jennifer, I’m Ethan,” I tell her in a soft voice.She is already afraid, and I don’t want to do anything that will make her even more scared.I can tell she’s uncomfortable, and I know right now there is nothing we can do that will make her comfortable.She will be on edge until she knows that this place is—in fact, what Emory is telling her it is.
She takes a deep breath and tightens her arms around herself.I slowly lower my hand and take a step back.I look from Jennifer to Emory.Emory’s eyes are filled with worry and concern.
“I need to get home.Do you think you can show her around and make sure she gets settled into her new home?”Em asks me in a soft voice.
I nod.“Yes, I can do that.She will be safe with me,” I whisper, feeling my heart race a little.I have shown many clients around and have taken them to their new apartments, but there is something different about this girl.She just looks completely fucking shattered.
“I have no doubts, Ethan,” Emory states with a smile.She slowly turns and faces Jennifer.Jennifer looks from me to Em.
