Page 9 of Mine

I collect her dirty clothes and throw them in a basket in the corner of the room. They’ll be washed and returned to her, but she’ll never need to work in that diner again.

I remember the day I was first told about Shelby. It was my twelfth birthday.

“Eaton, there’s something you must know.”

My father is sitting on the other side of his study in his comfortable armchair, smoking a cigar. I don’t like the smell of them and have already vouched I will never smoke one. They smell like old man, but my father is far from that. He’s powerful and strong.

I’m lying on the floor with a book. It’s a gun manual I have to study for a test I’ve been told I have to pass in a few weeks.

“Yes, sir.” I look up at him.

“It’s important, Eaton. Close the book. I want your full attention.”

I nod and quickly do as I’m instructed.

“What is it?” I shuffle onto my knees, so I’m sitting directly in front of him.

He places the cigar down in an ashtray on the table beside him and reaches inside the pocket of his jacket. He pulls out what looks like a piece of paper. When he turns it around, I see that it’s a photograph of a baby. I’ve seen a few babies in my life; most of them are ugly, and don’t get me started on the noise they make,but this one is quite pretty. I assume it’s a girl because she’s wearing a pink outfit. She has a little tuft of dark, curly hair,but it’s her doleful brown eyes that capture me the most. It’s as though she’s looking straight at me, drawing me in.

“Do you know who this is?” My father questions, and I shake my head in response.

“Words, Eaton.” He frowns.

“Sorry, sir. No, I don’t know who it is.”

“This is Shelby, and one day she will be yours to do with as you wish.” He gives me the photo.

“I don’t understand.” I take the photo with a shaking hand. I’m really confused.

“You will in the future.” He smirks. “Keep the photo, I’ll give you more as she grows. Now, get back to your studies. You can’t fail this test.”

“Yes, sir.” I place the photo down next to the book, which I open again.

I try hard to concentrate on the weapons I need to learn about, but my attention keeps being drawn back to the picture of the baby. I know in that moment something within me has changed. The fact that she is mine slowly starts to sink in My life’s path is already set in motion. I don’t have a say my future, but neither will she.

“Is this better for you?” Shelby’s voice breaks into my reflection.

She stands at the bathroom door in the clothes I selected for her. Her long hair is wet, but tied back in a plait that hangs down her back. I inhale deeply, the smell of fried food has gone, replaced with a lavender body wash.

“Much better.” I smile. “Get into the bed,” I order.

Shelby opens her mouth to argue with me but closes it again and bites her lip.

“You promise you aren’t gonna do anything to me?” she questions.

“I gave you my word. Anything I do to you will be consensual. I’m not a monster.” Grabbing the corner of the bed sheets, I pull them back. “Get in, Shelby.”

Reluctantly she climbs onto the bed, and I place the sheets over her.

On the table next to the bed is a glass of water and a pill the air hostess placed there earlier at my instruction. I hand them both to Shelby. “Take this.”

She shakes her head. “No thank you. I don’t take drugs.”

“You’ll take this one,” I instruct.

“Eaton, please. I don’t want to.”

“Shelby, do as I say. This will help you rest. We’re going to be flying over an area known for its turbulence. I don’t want you running around the plane, screaming that you want to get off. I have urgent work I need to do, so I don’t want any unnecessary interruptions. Now take the pill, enjoy the sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.”

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