Page 27 of Marek

“I can’t dance the way I want to,” I tell him, and that’s the truth. “I’m a convenience for the people who love me, but I’m not happy. That isn’t the life I want. This...this could be. Performing all over the country, dancing how I want, that sparks more in my soul that going home ever would.”

“You’re willing to give your life up to the devil, just to dance your way?”

“I’m not giving my life up to anyone, Marek,” I say. “I’m offering you a choice. Take it, or I won’t dance.”

“You know,” he murmurs, leaning down closer, “I can make you dance, Ellie Mae.”

“Go ahead and try. I’d rather be dead than to be someone’s slave. If you want me, you do it my way. The choice is yours, Master.”

I accentuate the last word, letting it roll off my tongue.

“That sounds like a threat.”

I shrug. “Take it as you will. Let me make this show incredible or keep it your way. I have a feeling you don’t want to spend your life in Russia. I’m guessing, you left for a reason.”

He flinches, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

He pushes to his feet and growls, “Don’t pretend to know a single fucking thing about me. You’re disposable. Don’t forget that.”

He flicks the light out and the room falls silent.

Well.

That didn’t go quite as planned.

But I’ve planted the seed...now, I have to pray it grows.

It’s my only chance at getting home.

7

We arrive at a small island the following day.

I’ve heard Marek talking, and I know he owns this place. It scares me to think how he has acquired so much money, but I know it’s all done illegally. I haven’t seen the girls since I woke on this ship, but I’m praying he hasn’t hurt them.

The island itself is magical, beautiful white sand, crystal blue water, and thick trees clumped in the middle. Like a paradise, really. There is only one structure on it, and it is set amongst the trees, very well hidden by thick bushland. The twisted part is it goes underground. Marek had this built to hide out, I’m sure of it. If you didn’t know it was here, you’d never find it. Only a small door opens up to allow you to enter and that door is solid steel.

How this place is structured so you don’t suffocate, I don’t know, but it’s very well put together and clean. It only consists of a few rooms, and a small area to prepare food. You couldn’t house a lot of people in it, so Marek forces everyone else to camp above the bunker. He then sets us up so we’re staying down here. I’d much rather stay above, because down here, I feel suffocated.

“Can I stay up there?” I ask, glancing around the small space.

“No,” Marek mutters, pulling out a laptop and phone.

“Where am I going to run, Marek?”

He turns to me. “I can tie you down here if you don’t shut your mouth.”

He’s angry, or stressed, or both, and his mood is horrible.

“Eat a dick,” I mutter, turning and walking up the stairs to the open door.

He reaches me just as I am about to step out, and I turn, lashing out and kicking him with my foot, sending him toppling back down to the bottom. I should feel bad, but I don’t. He’s not keeping me down here, when there is water and sand and fresh air that I can be enjoying. He can punish me, if he likes, but I’m not giving in to his demands any longer. Just before I climb out, I glance down at him and give him a stern expression. “I’m no slave. I won’t run, but if you don’t agree to my terms, I won’t give you a damn thing. There is sunshine to be had, and I’m going to have it.”

Then, I jog away.

Whether or not he wants to follow me is entirely up to him.

Walking out of the thick green bushland, I step onto the sand and sigh as my toes sink into the soft, grainy granules. Closing my eyes, I tip my head back to feel the sun on my face. I don’t bother asking if it’s safe to swim or not, I just take my shirt off and dive into the cool water. Waves wash over me as I close my eyes and duck under them, my soul coming to life as I enjoy the one thing, I love probably more than dancing...the ocean.

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