Stealing Grace (3 page)

“Her,” he finally said after what seemed like an eternity.

The clean shaved fairly handsome dark haired man pointed to the brunette on the end. I wanted to cry for her, the look of terror on her face. Was Elena the only one who had understood what was going on here? Or did they all realize but knew there was nothing that could be done? Did it even matter?

* * *

Elena wanted to just shut down, turn off the switch, stop thinking, stop breathing. In a moment the brunette was pulled away with tear filled eyes. She didn’t make a sound though. Her face almost looked numb.
Good for you. Don’t let them enjoy your pain
.

Elena made the same promise to herself. And she’d have to test it quicker than she thought she would as the next man in the room who barely glanced over the girls was pointing his tan finger at her.

Elena swallowed hard and glanced at the other girls’ wide eyes as she made her way out the door to her new life, whatever it may be.

Chapter 2

Apparently all the transactions had been taken care of because the man took Elena straight to his truck parked outside, under a large canopy or carport. The man opened the door for her and she climbed in and sat on the cold leather. No point in fighting now. She was tried, hungry and she knew no one would care if she was gone or not.

The man got in and she could see the high barbed fenced yard before the highway. He reached over towards her and she flinched back. He gently pulled her closer to him by her arm and placed a necktie around her eyes as a blindfold, then started the truck. They said nothing as he drove.

There was complete silence except for the radio. She didn’t even know his name. Not a word was spoken to her from any of the men as she was pulled away from building either. They didn’t even look at them.
He just collected me up as his purchase and left like it was no big deal.

They drove for a long time, but Elena had no concept of it. Then he pulled the blindfold off her, still saying nothing. They had crossed the border as she had assumed, and from the looks of things were staying there. All these years, living a couple miles away and Elena had never made her way across the border.

She wished she had now. Maybe she could figure out where she was and escape somehow.

* * *

Alex was apprehensive. He was surprised she couldn’t hear his heartbeat over there in the next seat. He took no joy in choosing one woman out of however many there had been. It didn’t matter to him. He just pointed and took her. Now she was his. He wondered what in the world he was going to do with her now.

* * *

A long while later as they pulled in a bumpy driveway fairly hidden by bushes, Elena noticed the house at the end. It was small but pleasing to the eye; green with white trim and shutters. Lots of hedges, bushes and trees adorned the yard and driveway and a wrap around porch in front.

Why does this guy need to buy a woman when he lives in a place like this? He’s good looking. He must be terrible or mean, awful. Women are afraid of him. Maybe he’s crazy. Maybe he’s violent. Maybe this is some religious cult and I’ll be forced to have 15 babies.
She let her thoughts go as the truck pulled to stop just short of the open garage.

He got out and came to her door. He paused. Elena wondered what in the world he could be thinking right now.
Is he embarrassed?
She couldn’t see his face and didn’t want to turn and look at him.
Maybe he’s having second thoughts or regrets? Maybe not
. The door opened slowly and he reached out his hand for her to take. The truck was ginormous and she kind of
did
need his help to not fall on her butt but so didn’t want it.

She took it reluctantly, wrinkling her nose as he helped her out, then he let go as soon as she was down and stable. He motioned for her to walk up the steps to the porch in front of him and inside the house.

Once inside, Elena looked around the room and saw that it was nothing spectacular but nice enough. Then it hit her.
What am I thinking? Nice enough? Nice enough for what? Am I actually considering going along with this? I’ve got to figure a way out of here. All those girls, all gone to God knows where and who knows what is being done to them.

She wanted to throw herself on the floor and cry. Scream. Shout. Fight. She didn’t want this. Surely there could be something done; call the police or something.
But if it was that easy then why would these men risk it? Can’t I go back to my pathetic life at the concert hall? I wouldn’t tell anybody, just let me go! Do I have a choice?

He shut and padlocked the door behind him, putting the key in his front pocket. Standing there, looking at her, he reached for the light switch beside her. She flinched and turned her head as if he were going to hit her. He saw and finally spoke. She refused to look at him.

“My name’s Alex,” his told her, his voice was so deep and smooth, not a hint of anything but certainty. “I know you’re scared right now but you don’t have to be. I’m not going to hurt you. Your name is Elena?” he asked not waiting for the answer. “I like that name. It’s very...pretty.” He paused, then started again. “Alright, it’s almost supper time. Are you hungry? When’s the last time you ate something?”

Elena paused, debating whether to answer or just continue to stare past him.

“Two days ago, at lunch,” she answered, surprised with her dry throat and raspy voice. “They didn’t give us any water either,” she added dryly not believing she’d even mustered up the gall to speak at all.

“I’m really sorry about that. Here.” He went to the kitchen and brought back a glass. “Have a glass of water and grab a banana or something.” He pulled a banana from the bunch on the table beside him and gave it to her. She hated to show him weakness but she was starving so she gulped the water and scarfed the banana down as lady-like as she could. He continued to talk as he watched her. “You can take a shower and freshen up. There are a couple things on the bed for you to wear, last room on the right down the hall. I’ve got some calls to make and things like that so you can fix some supper if you like when you’re done and we can get better acquainted. Sound good?” he sounded so at ease, it made her sick to her stomach.

So smug and yet his face was so endearing like he really meant it. She hated the waiting for the unknown. Having no idea what was in store for her later she had no choice but to follow his instructions.

So she headed off to the bathroom without a word, feeling his eyes on her back the whole way.

* * *

The reflection in the mirror was just as much a saboteur as the man in the other room. Elena’s normally tame dark blonde hair was beyond disheveled and dirty looking, her face still red on her cheeks from the scratchy bag that had been over her head and laying on the hard floor. Her green eyes were red and itchy and tired looking, the bags underneath not helping.

She realized something with a sickening jolt in her gut. She had nothing, absolutely nothing. They had taken all her things including clothes and jewelry, so the women would have nothing of home with them.

Elena stared at herself for a long time before starting the shower, wading in hopelessness.
I need to get out of here.
Could she survive this? Would she survive this? She remembered being burned on her arm by her uncles lit cigarettes while her mother watched, doing nothing, when she was thirteen. But this wouldn’t be the same. This would be the epitome of torture, she thought.

The unknown was brutal.

She didn’t stay in the shower too long for fear of upsetting the mysterious man in the other room, waiting for her. She wanted to stay and not come out, ever. The water was so hot it scalded her skin, trying to wash away the dirtiness she felt. She wanted to just stay and not find out what she was so dreading.

Clothes were on the bed as he’d said.
How did he know my size? Do they have specifications or prerequisites? Guidelines? Oh wait...
He didn’t know her size at all. The jeans were two sizes too big and so was the shirt. She made do with his belt hanging on the door knob and tucked her shirt in.
Deep breath...everything happens for a reason, Elena. Deep breath...

As she stepped out of the bedroom she felt like she would be sick again, but she breathed and sauntered toward the kitchen past Alex in the chair without making eye contact nor saying a word.

Stopping at the door frame she asked without turning around what he wanted for supper. He said to ‘surprise him’ so she stepped forward and took in the big white kitchen.

It was beautiful. Everything a kitchen should be. She instantly despised it. Peering into the refrigerator she saw chicken legs and fresh broccoli spears.
Weird food for a bachelor
.
She pulled it out and began to make her grandmas’ fried chicken recipe. The secret was extra pepper and lemon juice, then battered and deep fried.

Everything was a blur.
She
was a blur. Before she knew it she was serving it on the table and putting the place settings down. She sat down without calling him to dinner and waited, staring blankly at the wall with her hands at her sides. She felt like a zombie.

He saw and stood up slowly.
Oh no. Did I make him mad? Here it comes...
Slowly he walked over and sat at the other end of the table where she had placed him. He looked pleased with the food. Pleasantly surprised actually but never spoke.

They ate in silence. Elena didn’t want to eat but she was still ravenous. How could she not have realized how hungry she was before? The chicken was just as she remembered it but the memory was tainted now.

How dare I serve this monster my grandmother’s recipe. What was I thinking? Why didn’t I look for poison or something? Cleaner under the sink?
She knew she wasn’t that kind of girl. She didn’t believe in retaliation or vengeance. Two wrongs didn’t make a right. She could never have killed him like that, whether she thought he deserved it or not.
You attract more flies with honey...maybe I can sweet talk my way out somehow
.

Besides, she could barely process how to even eat right then she was so exhausted, let alone plot someone’s death. Now, sitting down and her belly full the exhaustion hit her all at once.

* * *

Finally when they were both done, he took his plate to the sink and resumed his comfy chair.
Odd
.
Why would he take his plate? Something isn’t right with this picture. Why hasn’t he spoken a word to me? Not like I care...

“Elena. After the dishes why don’t you come and sit here with me in the living room? We can watch some television. What do you like to watch?” he asked her not even looking up from his TV Guide.

What? What is wrong with this guy?

“I’m actually really tired. I didn’t exactly sleep well the past couple nights. Can I just go to bed?” Elena asked trying not to snap.

She was furious and could feel her face getting hot.
What is he trying to pull? Nice guy routine?

“Yeah, I guess you probably didn’t sleep well. That’s fine. Go ahead and take the bed in the same room you got your clothes from when you finish,” Alex said, still had not having looked up from his paper.

Her mind reeled. Was he planning on coming in to sleep with her tonight? She could sense another sleepless night ahead; worrying about him and his intentions.

She cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. She found everything in the kitchen pretty easily. She wiped everything down and got a last sip of water from her glass before loading it and turning on the loud dishwashing machine. She had to try to get some sleep. Being sleep deprived only made everything seem worse and she wanted to be as prepared and alert as possible for what was to come.

She turned off the light and then stubbed her toe on the hideaway door on her way out. He turned and looked but still said nothing. She walked past him to the hall. She couldn’t even find the strength to brush her teeth again. She checked the window in her room, knowing that it would be locked or nailed shut, not surprised when it was. She was exhausted and could fight it no longer.

The bed was nice and big. The comforter a soft olive green pattern with brown circles interlocking, tidily made with soft matching throw pillows. The sheets smelled like vanilla and the pillow was so soft, smooth and inviting. Nothing like what she would have expected.

And she hated all of it.

She couldn’t help herself. She lay down in his bed, disgusted. She started to cry and crawled her way up to the sweet smelling pillow and felt her soul pouring out.

She was sobbing, trying to stifle the noise with her pillow in her mouth. She thought she would burst from anger and sadness. Not like her life was so great before but this. She prayed for sleep to come, and sooner than she expected, it did.

She dreamed horrible, wretched things that night. She woke up screaming more than once and had to go to the bathroom and splash water on her face to calm herself and wash away the images. She dreamed that she had been one of the girls in the back rooms of that disgusting hallway, all the things they would have done to her. She dreamed that she had been one of the ones rejected and taken to God knew where to be disposed of.

Once, she thought she heard Alex come and check on her in the bathroom, ask her if she was ok, but the exhaust fan was blaring and she was too scared to see if it was real or not.

* * *

She was fully surprised when she awoke to the morning light beaming in through the window. She jolted up and looked around, realizing she was alone. He hadn’t come in last night. She was relieved but stumped.
Did he have a spare bedroom I didn’t see? Why hadn’t he come in last night? What is going on here? I’m so confused. Was he just interested in a cook and maid? Would I never actually have to converse or interact with that monster except at dinner time?