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Now that she was talking, I decided to try and find some things out about her. All I had found out so far was her name. Spending all of this time with someone, and being in the situation that we were in, meant that you connected on a different level.

“How did you get here?” I shifted a little, my butt becoming numb from sitting in the same position for too long. “Sorry.” I chuckled to relieve the tension. “You don’t have to answer that.”

She looked down at her feet, her hands holding onto her ankles. I didn’t expect her to answer so when she opened her mouth I was a little taken a back.

“Same as Lindsey,” she said, turning her face to me. “My dad sold me to cover his debts.”

Shaking my head, I couldn’t believe that parents would do that to their children. How could they send them off into the hands of these monsters knowing what they would be put through.

“I think I’m better off now that I’m not at home.” She lay her head on her knees, her face still turned towards me.

“Things that bad at home?”

Shrugging, she said. “Everyone has problems at home right? Cleaning up after your junkie dad and fetching his next hit isn’t as bad as some kids have it.”

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. “Sweetie, it doesn’t matter if people have it worse or better.” Reaching over, I placed my hand on her head. “You shouldn’t have to live like that. Your seventeen, you should be in school, having fun and dating boys.”

“Yeah,” she breathed out on a sigh. “I guess so.”

Shuffling closer, I wrapped my arm around her and gave her a side hug. If we ever got out of here, I’d make sure that she’d never go back there.

She was so innocent and young, she had the rest of her life ahead of her. She’d been dealt a really crappy hand in life and girls like her deserved better than what they had been given.

We sat like that until we heard the tell-tale sound of boots coming. I hugged Ava closer as the key turned in the door and Max came inside with the same man from the day

before.

“Where’s Lindsey?” I spat at him.

He looked to the big brute that had come in with him and nodded his head. Stealing myself for him to grab me, I planted my feet and butt further into the floor.

He didn’t come for me though, he grabbed Ava and she held onto me, not wanting to let go. I clutched her, fighting against the brute, determined that he wouldn’t be taking her as well.

“No!” I shouted, scrambling up as I lost my grip and he lifted Ava off the floor.

“Kay! Help!” Tears streamed down her cheeks and she struggled against him, not getting any further. Though I did notice that they didn’t hurt her in the way that they had with Lindsey.

Barreling forward, I grabbed onto her arm, trying to pull her out of his grip. Deep down I knew that it was useless but I had to try. The brute pushed me back and I caught myself at the last moment.

“What the-” He moved Ava to his side, not letting go of her, his arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her feet off the floor.

“Let her go!” I screamed, going at him again.

An arm wrapped around me from behind, thrashing about I tried to get out of Max’s hold. I wouldn’t let them take her. She was too good, too pure, too innocent.

“GO!” he roared at the brute. He grunted in response and left the room. All I could hear were Ava pleas to let her go then her sobs started and I could imagine how they were wracking her small body.

“Get off of me!” I shouted and bought my elbow back hitting Max in the solar plexus. His arms fell from around me and I ran for the door, nearly making it out before he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

His fist slammed against the left side of my face, my head reeling to the side and smacking into the concrete wall. I saw stars and slumped down, my whole body losing its fight.

“Never fuckin’ learn,” I heard him growl right before the door closed and I passed out.

My eyes flew open and I tried to push up off the floor and I stumbled as spots exploded in front of my eyes. Taking deep breaths, I tried to get my dizziness under control.

I gripped onto the wall, the feeling of my skin scraping against it was a brief relief from the thumping in my head. Pushing up into a standing position, I let the wall support me as I gained my bearings.

After a few more deep breaths, I took a slow step forward and made sure I had my balance. Being able to stand without the support of the wall, I stepped closer to the door.