Page 33 of Concealed Deception

I gulp back dread, choking on my own tongue.

There’s no way it could have been.

I push my mind past the thickest mind fog and concentrate on my last clear memory.I was in my room in the penthouse, looking for something.I push further, hoping to unlock a new piece of my puzzle, despite my splitting headache.

No, I think to myself.

Unbelieving what I’ve done, I’m cursing my own behavior and now worried for an entirely new reason.I might have hurt Camille while I tried to escape my room.

Flashes of events piece together more of the puzzle.I believe it was my own ignorance and stupidity that got me here.

I stay balled up, leaning against the concrete wall, hoping sleep takes its hold.

I have no such luck on sleep or any rest, for that matter, as my psyche is on high alert.Every part of me screams to make a scene to get out of here, however, with the unknown still evident, I can’t bring myself to do it.

My bladder protests with every movement, and I’m hoping I don’t have to do the inevitable.The thought alone brings bile to my tongue, causing me to vomit, barely missing myself.

I’m too busy emptying my stomach that I’ve missed the person who entered the room.Now that the area is lit up, I see other non moving figures in a worse state than me.They’re either dead or in severely bad form.

A snigger comes from above, along with a sleazy smirk.“It’s about time you woke up, slut.Just in time to go back to sleep again,” he sneers.

I don’t know what he means by that but I’m afraid to ask.I keep myself cocooned, hoping to fade away into the darkness of my cage.

Keys rattle against the bars, and I think I’m hopeful for my freedom.But I’mverywrong.

This guy has an alarming vibe about him.Every aspect of him, from his attitude to his appearance, does not say nice.He’s got crooked teeth, scars on his face, his pupils are dilated beyond means that they overtake his irises, and the sclera is what I’d class as bloodshot.

“Stay still, bitch, this will only hurt a little bit.”

He’s now inside the cage with me, but because I have restricted movement, I find it hard to protect myself.

He brings a needle to my arm, and with little care of placement, inserts it under my skin.I feel the burn as the liquid is pushed in my veins.My eyes widen with comprehension; I’m being drugged.Not to be knocked out but to get me docile.

“What the fuck are you doing to me?What is that?”

“The more you squirm the faster the drug takes hold, so either keep up the fight and let the adrenaline heighten the rush or ride it out.Either way, you’ll be begging for another hit.You’ll thank me for it.Now, let me admire the goods.If only I was rich enough to afford you.”He takes out his ugly cock, stroking it like a psychotic pervert.

I look away.If I don’t, I’m going to throw up again.It’s too late though, as I feel something warm cover my bare skin, and I heave what’s left in my stomach.

“You’re all the same.Pathetic little sluts.”With his parting words, I wish for darkness to overcome me.It’s better than thinking of the alternatives that are in my future.A future that isn’t looking very prominent.

I stay in the same position, riding all kinds of strange feelings.I have no control over what’s happening to me, and the more I fight it the more paranoid and skittish I become.

“Psst, new girl.Over here,” a voice whispers from across the room.“You need to relax.Ride out the high.It’ll ruin you if you don’t.”

“How do you know this?”I make sure to keep my voice low.A part of me thinks I’m making up voices in my head.

“I’ve been here longer than you.I know this world.They’ll keep you fed to keep you complacent, then they’ll sell you to the highest bidder.Unless you have a prince charming with an army, then kiss your life goodbye.”

I let out a laugh a little too loud for my new friends' liking.“Shh, or they’ll come back.What’s so funny anyway?”

“If the king of New York counts, then yeah, I kind of do have my own army.”Saying it like that brings me hope.

“Well, you’d better hope he comes for you sooner than later.Once you’re gone from here, no one will ever find you.”Her words sound like they come from experience.

Before I can ask, she tells me, “My sister.She was taken three years ago.I searched high and low.It got to the point I was doing anything to try and find her.One day, I ended up in the wrong place, asking questions to the wrong people, and here I am.Waiting for my demise.The only thing keeping me alive is what circulates through my veins.And unlike you or my sister, they’ll torture me until I’m dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

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