Mira escaped. She had a client who got too rough and she had to go to the ER. She was supposed to sneak out and call John as i was instructed to do with my ribs. Well... she snuck out, but didn't call. She ran.
When it became clear that she wasn't coming back, Edward had to report that she was gone. The house was inspected. The tension was so thick in the air it could be cut with a knife.
Those of us who had no legitimate business there were herded to one of Edward's business partners. We were locked in a small back room and told to be silent. They'd come for us... eventually.
We huddled closer together than we actually needed to and took comfort in the breath and flesh of one another. Eventually the twins began to cry softly and April cuddled them. Kayla went away somewhere in her mind, sure (as the rest of us were) that she would be at fault somehow. John would need to siphon of his tension. Pearl seemed unfazed and began to play with my hair. i let her and concentrated on the pattern of bruises across my knees.
And, so the hours passed. Slowly, silently, frightened little girls looked from one to the other, our eyes asking the question when they met, and so we didn't make eye contact much.
Eventually Pearl and the twins slept. The three of us left took Kayla's hidden stash of Daddy's Little Helpers. She hadn't wanted to share with the other three for fear they would tell on her if all went right. And, if it all went wrong, they were the ones most likely to get compassion in their deaths anyway.
Comfortably we huddled close and whispered. April wanted to one day dance. Even stripping would be okay. She'd always wanted to be a dancer. That was her most closely guarded secret. Kayla wanted a family. A husband and a child and maybe a dog. PTA and homemade cookies. She blushed so brightly when she divulged her dream i felt her flesh burn against my leg. i tried to think what i wanted. my dream. They thought i was holding out on them, but i honestly just couldn't think of anything.
Evening turned to night, night turned to morning, morning turned to afternoon. Finally a boy brought some water and pieces of fruit. i gave my apple to Pearl, sure i wasn't supposed to eat yet. We were taken one at a time to the bathroom. Then the door was locked again.
Finally, that night, the door opened and it was Benny and John. We watched them from our huddle. Even Pearl was frightened. We didn't know if they had come to take us home, or to tie up loose ends and dispose of us.
John's voice gave away nothing.
"You'll come by twos. I need silence until we are out of this house. I'll explain things in the car. Just keep your mouths shut. I want Wendy and Mindy first, April and Kayla second and Raven and Pearl last. Be silent, be good girls, and it will be easier."
i didn't find this particularly comforting. But, didn't have a lot of choice and so i sat waiting.
And, turned out... they only took us home.
i landed in the car with Benny, Kayla, and April. He pulled over halfway home, gave everyone acid and trembled a while.
"I told John that I was freaking out and needed to blow off steam. You three are my entertainment for the evening. Can't save everyone. He's spending the night with Lindy and Pearl. Seemed the best."
The house inspection was done by someone in Edward's pocket, it was relatively painless... and no one had to die that night.
