What Next?

Chapter 7

I pull up at the hotel and don’t see any vehicles parked nearby. They’ve already been or they aren’t here yet. I get off the bike but don’t bother to remove the helmet and run for the front door. It’s locked, good. They haven’t been here yet. I look around the surrounding area unable to get rid of the feeling I’m being watched. I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to come answer it; it’s still early enough for everyone for to be in. After about a minute a tall blond boy with clear blue eyes answers the door. “Archer, you’ve been told about wearing those contact lenses.” After 2 years since he was bought here he still likes to try pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable.

“Sorry Will, went to a party last night and forgot to take them out.” He steps to one side and lets me in, locking the door behind him. I give him a one raised eyebrow question, “I don’t know,” he says, “Dave’s orders. All exterior doors and windows to remain locked at all times. He only told us last night but won’t tell any of us why. What are you staring at?” damn, I didn’t realise I was staring at him. I still find it hard to believe that this fourteen year old is a couple of inches shorter than me and I’m over 6 foot tall.

“We’ll talk about you and parties later. Is everyone in the dining room or are you the only one up?” I can only hope the hospital has called and told David about what has happened to Helen.

“We don’t have the dining room at the moment, for some reason David had us moving twelve single beds down into there. He refused to explain why, but then like you, he keeps his reasons to himself.” Archer, if you only knew he does it to keep the eight of you safe. You aren’t in any databases, and no one knows who you really are or where you are. “Anyway we’re all in the common room at the moment having breakfast, come on you know the way.”

We walk through what was the main reception area through to the common area and I see what David jokingly calls my kids spread out through the entire room. I look at the far corner and see a girl with pitch-black hair sitting on her own. “Is she still choosing to be separate from the rest of you?”

Archer stops mid step and looks the in the same direction I am. “Yea, she still prefers to be on her own. I don’t get it, we all have the same kind of history but even Rain hasn’t been able to get through to her.” with that he walks off and sits down on a three person sofa.

I make my way over to the girl with my hands spread to the side facing her, so she can see I mean no ham and I am carrying nothing. She puts her plate down and pulls her knees up to her chin, I was hoping after four months she would have started to let her guard down around us and stop being so defensive. “How are you doing today? Have decided on a new name yet?” I ask in a soft voice. I don’t talk to anyone like a baby but I keep a soft voice on around this lot, show any sign of aggression and they will bolt without a second thought.

She looks up at me and immediately drops her gaze back to looking around the room. Her captors really did a good job on her; she won’t look anyone in eye, and is wary of everyone around her. “My name was Lisa.” If I didn’t have sharp hearing I would have thought I was hearing things. When she does speak she whispers so softly, you tend to miss it.

I sit down cross-legged beside her so she doesn’t feel pressured to do anything. “I know your name was Lisa,” I say keeping the softness in my voice, “in this house everyone gives themselves a new name that they chose. It can be anything you want it to be. It can be associated with anything that you liked before what happened to you, or any name that you personally like.” I think it is the best idea Helen came up with, especially since it all started with Rain changing her name a year after she was freed.

Lisa brings her legs down and crosses them like I have and drops her head so she’s looking down. I look around the room like she does and I try to see things from her perspective, in a new place surrounded by kids roughly her own age, not seeing any adults other than me, David and Helen and being asked to open up by everyone around her. No wonder she wants to keep herself to herself, it must be terrifying. “I’m just trash that was used for others enjoyment, I have no place among them or anyone else.”

I look at her and keep my voice low, “forget all the crap you were told. The other seven were all like you at one point.” She lifts her head and looks at me and I nod my head, “I know. To look at them you wouldn’t think it, but they’ve helped each other through it. Rain was the first one I brought here and it took her a year to come to terms with it and start dealing with what happened to her.”

“But she is always so calm, she acts like nothing can get to her. I wish I was like that.” I don’t say anything, as I want her to carry on.

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes and it looks like she is about to start opening up again when the doorbell rings. I see Lucia getting up to answer it but Archer, who points over to me, stops her on her way. Guess I’m answering the door then. I get up and head out of the common room and unlock the front door to find the van parked up right outside. David if I didn’t know you better, I’d almost think you planned this.

Damon gets out of the drivers side and walks around the back where I see Sera helping the children out one by one. As I look at their faces I see nothing but fear, until they look at me standing in the doorway, then it melts into confusion. “Welcome home guys.” As I say it both Damon and Sera cast me their own confused looks, and I cant help but laugh. I lean back a bit and call into the hotel, “are you guys going to help or lay around doing nothing?” within ten seconds I suddenly have six little helpers at my side.

Archer is the first one to say anything, “well at least now we why we moved twelve beds into the dining room last night.” Typical Archer says the first thing that comes to mind. Hopefully he’ll grow out of that one day.

“Archer stop being a completely useless tool and let them in!” That commanding voice can only have come from Draven, one day he may get over his obsession with that film, and stop trying to look like the main character.

“Ignore those two, if they’re not arguing at every available chance we’d think the world was ending. Come on in we’ll show you where to go.” Lucia, thirteen, blond hair, hazel eyes and already acting like mother hen, god help her if she has kids of her own one-day.

I step to one side and let everyone pass, then walk outside to the van. I cut right to the chase, “Were you followed?” I can feel the stern, don’t lie to me look on my face.

Damon starts laughing, “you think I’d borrow a police vehicle without having a couple of cops watching my every move? I thought you knew me better than that.” I take one step forward and Damon realises I’m not kidding around, “relax, the car that tried to follow us got stopped by a cop car a mile and a half back before we took the second to last corner.” Sera’s face confirms he’s telling the truth.

I relax a bit now and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “I’m sorry, but this place means so much to those who inhabit it.” It’s Damon’s turn to stare at me now, “what?”

“They told me what you did in the hospital. I thought you didn’t kill ‘because its easy to kill but no to live with it afterwards’, your words not mine.”

“In the past few days my situation has changed. Sinclair tried to have me killed and failed so I exacted revenge in kind. The next day I go to rescue one girl who has suffered in government owned care homes, and find her in a sex dungeon. They drugged Sera and we both know I owed Solomon for what he did to-.”

“SOLOMON’S BACK! HOW DIDN’T I KNOW THIS? I OWE THAT SON OF A BITCH A FIRST CLASS TRIP TO HELL.” The fury on Damon’s face makes me wish I’d made him suffer more.

“Damon calm down and lower your voice.” I say, “He’s already dead, I killed him yesterday and he suffered at my hands.” I let him mutter for a couple of minutes and Sera just stands like she can’t believe what she has become a part of. “Sera I hope you can one day forgive me for bringing you into my world.” I look at Damon, “Come on lets find your brother, I only want to explain this once.” I lead them both through the door and lock it behind us.

Taking point I lead them both through what was the main reception area into the back where the dining room is. Neither says a word but I think I can hear both their brains going into overdrive with questions, not that I blame them; this is a very complicated organisation. I stop at a the doors to the dining room and turn around to face them, “please keep the tone of your voice gentle and don’t make ANY sudden moves. Every teen here has taken time to accept what happened to them, but they are still wary of the unknown. You two are the first adults to be bought to this place.” With that said I turn back around and open the doors.

We walk into a large room now inhabited by the kids from the hospital staying in a huddle against the far wall, trying to figure out what the hell is going on and David sitting in a chair by one of the beds. He seems to always look the same whenever a new person is bought here, sitting upright in the chair right leg crossed over his left and looking at nothing in particular. “William, its good to see you again.” Damn, he doesn’t know yet.

I walk over to him leaving Sera and Damon standing at the door; time to give the speech again. “My name is William Stuartson, and I am a social worker.” For the time being. “With the help of my sister here, I rescued you from what can only be described as hell. You are now in a safe place that is often called sanctuary by the others who live here.” As I say the last part seven of my eight kids walk through the doors past Sera and Damon and stand by David and myself. Why isn’t Rain with them?

I look at David for him to do his part in this little speech, “I own this hotel and there are rules. First rule, what happened has happened. It only follows you here if you let it. Rule two, you look out for each other; you are all in the same boat despite your ages. I do not take harassment of anyone lightly. Rule three, no alcohol or drugs are permitted and there are random room searches and urine tests once a week. This is done for your safety and the room checks are only done with you present. If you think you can pull a fast one speak to Archer and Lucia about when they tried it.” His tone stays relaxed and calm. “And my final and most important rule. If you become involved with another person, please tell me or Helen at first opportunity.” His tone becomes cheerier now, “any questions?”

I look over at Sera and Damon to see if they have any, but I think they are going to wait till its adults only. As I look back I see Claire has moved to the front of the huddle and is staring right at Draven, it almost seems like she has met him before, “Lee? Lee is that you?” What! She knows what Draven’s name used to be? I turn to look at Draven and see David looking at him as well.

Draven drops his head and simply nods. Damn we might finally get some answers out of him. I notice that everyone else is now looking at him, and turn to look at Claire. “How do you know Draven, Claire?”

She looks at me like I’ve suddenly got two heads, “I don’t know ‘Draven’, but Lee helped me escape from the first care home I was in when I was nine. He knew they were carrying on what my stepfather started doing to me when I was six.” That explains why he needs to know what everyone is up to all the time.

I turn back to see Draven look up and look right at Claire, “I’m sorry I couldn’t come with you, but I had to make sure no one else was going to get hurt.” I spot a tear forming in his left eye but he blinks it away before anyone else notices, he says it’s foolish to show emotion about that which can’t be changed. It’s easy to forget sometimes he only just turned fourteen.

“I knew you couldn’t come with me but I remembered what you said, ‘don’t let anyone dictate your life’ and I don’t let them.” Claire starts crying hard now and Draven just walks over and hugs her while she cries on his shoulder.

“We adults will leave you for now so you can settle in,” David says, “the twelve of you are sleeping in here tonight, together, and if anyone else wants to bring their sleeping gear down later and sleep in here as well, I wont object, as long as the majority of the new comers don’t mind. If one says no then the answer is no!” He gets up and walks to the door and I indicate to Damon and Sera to follow.

We follow him back through the reception area to his office and he leads us in. I shut the door behind me as I follow them all in. David sits in his chair behind the desk and looks right at me. “You said one, not twelve. Your lucky the place is big enough and Helen agreed.”

Okay then, straight to business it is. “It was meant to be just one, I wasn’t planning on finding eleven more in there.” I raise my voice now, “What did you expect me to do? Leave them to be put in a care home where they’ll never try to deal with what happened to them? Or did you think I’d leave them behind to be taken somewhere else and possibly killed? Cause if you did then you haven’t learnt anything about me in the past four years.”

David looks down in shame and I continue to stare right through him. “Will the three of you please sit down?” He says in a defeated tone. I take the chair opposite him with the desk between us, Sera sits in the chair next to me and Damon goes to lean against the door. “Damon I asked if you would please sit down.” He moves to sit down on the two-person sofa behind Sera and me. David looks back up at me, “first, I never thought you would leave anyone behind if you could help them. Second, you taught me a lot about you in the past four years,” he glances at Sera, “and if this lovely young lady is who I think it is, then the game and the rules have changed forever.”

I don’t need to look at Sera to know what she’s thinking. “Will someone please explain what the hell is going on?” Sera asks, “I’ve been going with the flow because I was told I’d receive answers, well I’d like them now if the three of you don’t mind.”

I suddenly feel three pairs of eyes on me. I look behind me at Damon. “Well you seem to know more than we do.” He says. Thanks Damon, note to self, don’t save him ever again.

I get up from my chair and go stand in front of the door and lean my back against it. “As you all know I’m a social worker, and I live a very different lifestyle.” They all sit there and nod their heads. “Three years ago, a cop came to me with a case he was working on, where an old lady reported that she thought her neighbour was abusing his daughter. The file showed nothing to worry about; she was always at school, showed no signs of abuse at all and had a wide array of friends. There were also personal notes made by the officer, which painted a different story. Damon, this is where you carry on your part.”

He doesn’t bother standing up but leans his head back against the wall and looks at the ceiling. “I had been sitting on the case for a year. It was inspected and nothing was found to be wrong, but something about the father bothered me. They lived in a posh area and a lot goes on behind closed doors out there.” He brings his head down and stares at Sera who has turned round to look at him. “So against orders I kept the investigation open, in secret, doing everything in my spare time to find out what I could about this family. It was during this time I met William here, who was always coming in when ever any one under eighteen was bought in. Over the space of that year I came to trust him and even let him sit in on a few of my lessons I was giving any other officer who wanted them. I showed the file to him and two days later found out the entire family, father, mother and daughter, were missing and presumed dead. I went to him and he said it was all right and the girl was safe. Six months later I officially left the force.”

A deafening silence falls on the room as Damon goes back to looking at the ceiling and I stare at the floor, falling back into the memory of the night I went to that residence.

…………………

I pull up to the gates in the old banger I’ve been doing up. Looking at the place I can see why he is adamant something is going on in there. Its like someone walled off two acres of land and decided to place a small mansion in the middle. I look up and down the street and see the same thing as far as the eye can see. The strange thing is the lack of security cameras, unless you are hiding something you don’t want filmed.

I get out of the car and step out into the pouring rain, wishing I wore something waterproof, but that would hinder my movements for what I have planned. I spend a few seconds sizing up the wall and then run climb up it. They probably think an eight-foot wall would keep out unwanted guests, and it would if you weren’t trained like I am. I’m over in the blink of an eye and land softly on the grass. Now I’m on this side I can see what you cant see from the outside. All the lights that are on are round the back of the house, bathing the front of the estate in darkness, so that’s where I start moving towards.

In a minute I’m bathed in shadows and am at the side of the first window that has light coming from it. I peer into the window and see a group of middle-aged men smoking fat cigars and laughing. I pull back into the shadows and lean my head against the wall. Why am I here? His hunch was nothing, all that time he’s wasted trying to prove something that isn’t true.

I start to leave when I hear the sound of doors opening. I risk peering back through the window and see the girl from the photo, in a pair of pyjamas being led into the room by a man. None of the men seem surprised by this and the few who’s faces I can see, stare at her like she’s a sacrifice to some ancient god. She doesn’t seem to register this as she’s looking at the man, who simply nods his head at her. She takes them off as though she doesn’t have a care in the world, and stands naked in front of them as though their not there.

“So this is tonight’s entertainment then Simon,” one of the men says, “not very proportioned yet, but she’ll grow into her figure.” WHAT?

“Yes she is Michael, and she’s very good at doing whatever you want her to.” The one called Simon says. I come away from the window and run straight back to the wall, not trying to stay concealed in the shadows anymore. I feel sick; everything in that file was true. Her father and his friends are abusing her, and her spirit seems broken to the point she’s a willing participant.

I reach the wall and am about to run climb my way back over when it hits me. I need to get her away from this place and these people. Years ago a man did the same for me, so I decide to do the same thing for her. I take stock of what I’m wearing and when the fight breaks out, I should be able to move quite fluidly. I throw up in the nearest flowerbed.

I make my way back up to the house and go to the front door. I check the handle and find its unlocked, I guess the walls and the gates keep out most people. I take a quick glance behind me and am greeted by total darkness. I take one last deep breath and walk into the house and close the door behind me without making a sound.

I let out the breath and listen out for any sounds. I quickly take of my soaked jumper and trainers on the welcome mat and remove my dry t-shirt, and use it to dry the footsteps behind me as I make my way to the kitchen. I notice the house is deathly quiet and it sends a shiver down my spine. I get into the kitchen and search through some of the cupboards for a plastic carrier bag to put my wet clothes in. I find one and put my jumper and t-shirt inside and put my trainers back on. I make my back to the front door and leave the bag behind an umbrella stand and make my way to the back of the house, still straining to hear any sound at all.

Remembering the layout from outside I’m at the door to the room I need in less than minute. I can’t hear any sounds and assume the room must be sound proofed, a great way to make sure your wife doesn’t know what you’re doing to your daughter. I open it a crack so I can hear what is going on and am greeted by the sounds of more laughter. I feel my blood boiling but fight to keep it under control; I can’t risk losing my temper now.

I open the door a bit wider and slink in like a snake, but everyone has their back to the door, watching something going on in front of them. I slam the door shut behind me and they all turn and seem surprised to see anyone else here.

“Who the hell are you?” The one called Simon asks, “Frank didn’t say anybody else would be joining us tonight.”

I stare right through the eight of them at the girl lying naked on the floor and the two men, also naked, standing above her. “I’m here for the girl! If you want to see dawn don’t try and stop me!” I hope the anger in my voice is enough to stop them trying anything stupid.

One of the naked men starts laughing, “you’ve got some balls kid, but this is a private residence and your trespassing. One of us will have to call the police after we teach you a lesson about not doing that.”

A small part of me was hoping it wouldn’t come down to this. Time to put my skills to the test, only this time it’s not in a controlled environment. I take one last glance at the girl and drop into a fighting stance. Time to put myself to the test.

The first guy comes charging at and pulls back his right fist and throws a haymaker, which I catch and use his momentum to throw him head first into the door. He slumps down the door face first and lies on his front, unconscious. Using the same momentum I spin around and face the remaining nine men, fear etched into their faces. The rich rely on others for their security far too much.

I speak again, “I am here for Tiffany, so please, step aside and let her leave with me now.” The fact I know her name seems to have them spooked. They all start looking at one another, as if asking what they should do. “If her father wishes to stop me, I suggest he steps up now and stops me.”

“Her father isn’t here, he left on a business trip earlier tonight.” Simon says, “He contacted all of us and said if we wanted to we could come round anyway.” He takes a more dangerous tone now, “Tiffany is our plaything, she does what we tell her and all with a smile on her face. So I don’t think she’s going anywhere.”

Master, forgive me for this. I launch myself at Simon and jab my fingers into his windpipe. It won’t kill him, but breathing will be hard for a while. I don’t give the other men time to think, as I start moving through the room. The first man I come across gets taken down with a sweep kick aimed at the side of his knees, and he falls with a broken kneecap. Before he hits the ground I’m punching the next guy in the temple and then winding the guy next to him and driving my knee into his head. I spin on the spot and look at the five still standing, fear etched into their faces.

I look at the guys on the floor and notice I’ve taken out the two naked guys. Only then do I notice I’m now standing over Tiffany. This close I can see bruising to her abdomen and blood coming from her vaginal area. My body starts shaking as my rage is trying to take over, and I hear one of the men still standing, talking. “If he takes her away what will we do for sport?” No sooner has he finished speaking, when I spinning back punch him to join the other three in dreamland.

I bend down and pick her up and carry her towards the door. Moving the unconscious fool out of the way with my feet I open the door and make my way back to the front door. I grab the plastic bag with my tops and carry her to the first car I see. It’s unlocked so I lie her down on the back seat and go back to the house for the keys.

…………………

I shake my head to clear the cobwebs, remembering I’m in the hotel and she’s fine now. I look at the other three and see their all staring at me. “What?”

“You went back to that night didn’t you? The night you freed Tiffany.”

I let out a sigh, “Yes Damon I did.” I walk back over to the chair and sit back down in it.

“Well, are you finally going to tell us what happened? Or are you sticking by your excuse that we’re better off not knowing?”

I don’t say a word.

Sera looks at me, “its okay.” She says, “I have one question for you though, why is everyone calling you William?”

“That is the name I chose for when I’m working. It makes it harder for anyone to find out who I really am and find out about you.”

I look up at David and see him smiling from ear to ear. “So I was right, this is the mysterious Sera.” I raise a questioning eyebrow at him, “Rain mentioned it me a few months ago. You once told her about the person you fight to protect, just as passionately as you do for her.”

“Yes.”

Damon gets up from the sofa and stands next to Sera, eyes looking over every inch of her body. “I can see why, she’s ridiculously hot.”

I’m out of my seat in a flash and put my hand around his throat and push him against the wall, “Apologise to her now” I shout.

I feel a hand on my arm and see it belongs to Sera. She just shakes her head, so I let Damon go. “Your more fuckin psycho than I thought you were.” He says, while rubbing his throat.

Through all this David hasn’t left his chair. I turn and look at him. “Where’s Rain?” I ask, “she wasn’t with the others when I got here.”

“She had a bad night so she’s probably asleep.” He says. I stare at him for more information. He buckles as always, “Lisa woke up at about two this morning screaming. Rain got to her first and helped her get back to sleep by the time I got there. She said she was going to stay with her till she awoke and would then get some sleep herself.” He chuckles, “between Rain, Draven and Lucia, everyone seems to be cared for.”

“What’s with all the weird names?” Sera asks.

“They all chose to rename themselves as a way of dealing with what happened to them.” David explains like its common, “It all started two years ago with Rain. She was coming to terms with what happened to her, and said she wanted to change her name, so the person she was would have nothing to do with the person she is.” he glances at me and carries on with the tale, “I asked if she had any ideas and she said she wanted to be called Rain, as it was raining the night she was rescued.” I never knew that. “So the girl she was died and Rain was born, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The other children brought here have done the same thing.”

Damon scoffs behind us so I turn and look at him. “What? I never told any of them to do it, it’s a decision they make when they’re ready to move on.”

David gets up out of his seat and walks around the desk, “Damon, you may be my older brother, but please remember you are in MY house and you will respect MY decisions.” They glare at each other. “Come on its time the kids got to know their two new visitors.” He walks over to the door and opens it. I get up first and walk out the door with Sera following my lead. I can hear Damon moaning as the door is closed and David walks on ahead of us.