Page 70 of Love Me in the Dark

Did I hear her wrong? I thought over the translation of her words in my head, but she’d pivoted to the door and was closing it rapidly.

“Hey!” I shouted as it clanged shut.

My chest tightened at the unmistakable sound of a lock engaging. The choking sensation intensified as I jerked the door handle, and it didn’t budge.

“Hey.” I pounded on the door, trying not to freak out. “What’s going on?”

I banged until my hand was sore, but Charlotte didn’t answer. The cold stone walls pressed in on me, and my vision spotted at the edges as it sank in what was happening. A sob shuddered up from my chest.

I was in a cell.

3

Rada

My shoes squeakedon the floor as I followed Charlotte. I glanced toward the room where I had left Lina. My instincts screamed for me to return there, but I needed to finish this intake process and move on to setting ourselves up in our new place. The questions the doctor had asked were extensive, and the STI screen probably wasn’t necessary, but I’d had medicals before, and at least Lina would have been spared as a virgin.

We walked what felt like the length of the warehouse, and she opened a door which let in a blast of cold air from the outside.

“Get into the vehicle.” She gestured towards a car with blacked-out windows, and I stopped dead.

“I’m not going without Lina.”

“She will be along afterwards.”

All my earlier unease came rushing back, and adrenaline shot through my body.

“I’m not going anywhere without my sister,” I said, planting my feet.

Charlotte sighed and made a motion in the air. Immediately, two men appeared from outside, and I stumbled back as they advanced on me. They were too fast and grabbed my upper arms. My heart thumped in my chest as panic clawed up my throat. I jerked away from them, but their hold was like iron, binding my arms to my sides as I tried to twist away.

“What are you doing?” I choked.

“Just remember, this process will improve if you don’t resist us.” Charlotte came towards me with a needle filled with a yellow fluid.

No!

I thrashed harder as nausea swarmed in my stomach.

“Don’t do this.”

A third man appeared and forced my arm straight. He barked at me in Bulgarian to hold still, and the pain in my overextended elbow made me gasp as Charlotte fitted the thin needle into my vein and pushed the plunger. A cool sensation flooded my arm, and my knees failed me as they all let go of me. I sank to the floor, clutching my elbow.

“What did you?” My mouth filled with cotton, slurring the final words.

My heartbeat slowed, and a euphoric sensation filled my body. Why did I care?

“Just something to relax you. It’s easier that way.” Charlotte’s words came from a distance.

I wanted to ask what was easier, but I forgot what I was asking. My vision grew fuzzy at the edges, and I floated outside into the car. The cool leather pressed against my cheek, and I closed my eyes.

4

Angelina

Pullingmy legs up to my chin, I hugged my knees as fatigue pulled at my body. My thoughts turned again to Rada and where she was. I’d called for her until my voice gave out, but I hadn’t heard any indication she was in one of the other rooms. I had no idea how long I’d been here, although I was sure it had been a few days at least. I had no phone, as we planned to get one when we arrived.

Food had been delivered while I was asleep, but the bread and water weren’t enough to stave off the hunger pains. The whole cell smelled, as I’d had no choice but to use the bucket in the corner. My crumpled outfit was stained, and my hands were sore from rapping on the door.