Too Many Blank Spaces (Chapter One)

  I remember that day started out like any other day. Dad yelling at the table calling mom useless, complaining about me not being his daughter, like always, nothing special. But I also remember that room, with only a single bed, a red rusty old couch, and a lamp. I remember it was muggy, the smell of old people and left over sex invaded my nose. Then the sound of footsteps and the creaking of the wood, almost painted brown door. The feeling of being felt up on, the sound of my clothes ripping, and then the pain. Everything else was a blur.

   I layed on the same old rusty-red couch, in the same old smelling room, and waited for him. When he visits, he only let me wear a long t-shirt and underwear. 'Its easier this way', he told me the second time he came around. He hates it when I wear a bra, he say's it takes too much time undoing them and if they were ripped it'll be a waste of money. He likes to get straight to the point. When it happens, I like to blank out and try to image myself in another room, away from him. It usually works, I would see myself in a room that was surround by fresh breathable air, a nice comfortable bed, just waiting for me to emerged in to it. But then his face always comes to mind, making that special place unreachable.

The door creaked opened slowly and I willed myself to stay still. His footsteps made the floor creak, which means he has on dress shoes. I would always listen to his footsteps, hear the way he walks when he have on dress shoes, sneakers, or when he was just barefooted. He suddenly stop, not in front of me, like he always does, but close enough so I could smell his 'Fresh out' man cologne. I mentally sighed with relief.

'He's going out'

"Riley, get up, we're going out"

His voice was rough and demanding but I didn't seem to care how he sounded at the moment. I was frozen by his words that slipped pass his lips. They sent an exciting rush through my body. I was finally going out and away from this smelly room. I was going to breathe in fresh air, it was going to flow into my lungs that been clogged up with this awful smell. I haven't been outside since I got here. He never took me out, he says I'm a good catch and others would want me. Others...my blood ran cold at the thought. Maybe he's taking me out for these others. I-i can't...not with anyone else, its bad enough it's with him...

"There's an outfit in the bathroom. Wash up, fix your hair, I don't really care what you do, but make sure you look presentable. That outfit was a lot of money and I hate to waste it on you, but it can't be helped. You have 30 mins"

He walked out leaving me feeling numb. It was like my father all over again. I let out a breath and got up,

'Its best if I don't keep him waiting'

With that thought in mind I quickly made my way to the bathroom.

   When I was finished I slowly walked out the dirty room and steeped into the dim narrow hallway. I took a deep breath and looked at my self in the hallway mirror. My breath hitched and a gasp got stuck into my throat. I was not looking at myself. At first, when I went into the bathroom I was surprise to a curling iron, some make up, ear rings, and some wash up things, the outfit, and a pair of black high heels. I pushed aside my reaction and fully took advantage of the things he layed out for me. But now, I'm shocked. My hair blonde hair was gently curled rested behind my shoulders, my cheeks was tainted with a little blush, and my lips was painted red. I ran my hands down my sides, feeling and seeing the tight red strapless dress fitting me perfectly, bringing out my curves, I didn't realize I had. My eyes trailed down my long, surprisely, smooth legs, to my black high heels. I stood by the mirror for quite some time, just staring at myself. He ran through my mind once again and I took a deep breath and continued down the hallway towards the stairs. I took a slow time, considering I haven't worn high heels in a while, and made my way to the last step. I kept my head down while I walked, sensing he was watching me. I stopped in front of him, felt his glaze rank my body, like a child staring at his first piece of candy.

"Perfect...aboulutely perfect..."

His voice filled with lust as he ran his fingers down the curve of my hip. I held my breath and waited for his lips to glaze my skin. But it never came. He gently gripped my hand, surprising me even more, and led my out of the house.

    He took me to a club. I was overcome shock. His actions was shocking me so much I thought I was going to have a panic attack. My eyes filled with wondered as I scan the people on the dance floor. They were grinding on one other, pushing their sweaty bodies against each other.

"Wait for me at the bar, I have someone I have to see"

His voice faded out as the music out did it. I nodded slowly, watching his form disappear into the crowed, and went to the bar. I swim my way through the tight crowd of people, men kept asking me to dance, but I shook my head, gave them a small smile, and continued my way to the bar.

I sat down on one of the high tools, tracing small circles on my dress, nervously, but excitedly, looking at the crowd of people.

"What can I get Chu?"

I turned around in my seat and saw a shaggy brown-haired bartender looking at me wiping a glass. No one talked to me face to face before...but I guess that was only because I was never allowed to talk to anyone, not even allowed to step out of the house.

He looked annoyed by the fact I haven't answered him. I stayed silent debating on what to do and biting my lip. What should I do? I don't even have money to pay for anything.

"Just get her a coke, mate"

Me and the bartender turned our heads to see a blonde curly-haired, blue-eyed guy leaning on the counter.

"Comin right up"

The bartender left to get the drink and me and the beautiful stranger were lefted in silence. I stared at him, my eyes tracing over his face, from his eyes, to his jaw, to his lips. Who was he and why would he do that for me? Does he want something from me?

"It's rude to stare"

His voice was tainted with a british accent when he spoke and his lips seem to twitch upwards into a smirk when his eyes connected to mines.

"If you want to talk, then talk. It's only the two of us."

I bit the inside of my cheek. 

"Uh...u-um...I-i mean...w-well..."

I stuttered, not sure what to say. My voice sounded broken, like my voice box was damaged. I instantly covered my mouth with my hands. He looked at me, confusion written on his face.

"Did someone choke you?"

I was shocked by the question. I couldn't tell him my throat might be damage due to the fact that he gripped my throat every time he visit me. I couldn't tell him I was owned. But I founded myself nodding anyway. It wasn't the fact he was a stranger, it was the fact he was a stranger that somewhat cared. If he didn't he wouldn't have asked. Right?

Silence filled the air between us and the music in the background seem to be forgotten.

"Sorry for the wait"

The bartender chose the perfect time to come back, place a glass with ice and soda, in front of me. I stared at it as he left to serve some one else. The soda looked good, my mind was telling me to take it, claim the lucky prize I somehow won, to soothe my aching throat. But I didn't move an inch.

"You can drink it, it's not going to hurt you"

I turned my attention back to the stranger. He seem to be amused by my silence. I felt my face heat up and began to bite my lip in a nerves juncture.

"Ah, there you are"

That voice. I instantly recognize it. it was him. He stood between me and the stranger, his face unreadable, with his hands in his pockets.

"Seems like you made a friend"

His eyes glared at the stranger, but the stranger just smirked.

"No not a friend, if I was, I would've known her name" The stranger said smugly.

"Well, at least she knows not to give out her name to strangers. The name is Tyler"

I watched, frighten of the outcome. Tyler was never the one to back down from a fight. I turned my attention to the stranger. He seem calm, not at all moved by Tyler glare's.

"I didn't ask for your name"

He said smugly, he then turned his attention to me, a smirk creeped its way to his face, and said,

"The name is Lucas"