5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Dominique “Nikki” Honoré
At this point, I had no fucking clue how long I’d been here, but I knew I couldn’t take it much longer. Time was irrelevant in a world where only survival mattered. Every waking minute to the next was about getting me and these other women the hell out of here but not losing my mind until I could do that.
The combination of the women’s screams and their intense agony was pushing me to my limit. The sounds were so overwhelming that my mind might shatter just to escape them if I was left in this place much longer.
Dylan had stayed true to his word. I hadn’t been touched, but I didn’t know what to think about it. It felt like there was a more sinister reason behind it.
However, I didn’t have to be raped or physically abused to feel the agony or the helplessness of this place. My torture was listening and witnessing the aftermath of what all these women had to endure every single damn day. There wasn’t a day that went by that these assholes didn’t come here to take one of them away.
Except the young girl. No one came for her. No one touched her.
What I had to endure wasn’t anything as horrible as what they were experiencing, but I was in my own personal hell. Which at times I felt guilty for and at other times I was thankful.
What kind of person does that make me that I’m thankful I don’t go through what they do?
The heavy footfalls of several people thundered towards the room. The only time anyone came down the narrow hallway was to get women. And sometimes when they took the women away, they didn’t come back. I dreaded to think about what happened to them and the women never answered my questions when I asked. Maybe they were too afraid to talk about anything that went on here or maybe they were in the dark, just like me. But it never failed that for every woman who didn’t come back, she was replaced within hours.
Every one of these women, including me, slid closer to the back of the cage. I hated that I’d become some skittish creature, but I couldn’t forget the punishment I endured when I decided to fight. I didn’t want to cause anyone to go through that type of pain because I wanted to get out of here.
The woman had recovered physically from that brutal attack, but she had scars, physical and mental she’d wear until the day she died. And death was what she wanted, however right now, she didn’t have the means to do it herself. I didn’t know how many times I heard her beg and plead with them to just kill her already. But they all just laughed at her then continued to torture her.
“Get up!” the man yelled, as he shoved the key inside the lock, then unlocking the cage. “All of you!”
In a rush, we all scrambled to stand on our feet. With a swift motion, he pulled open the cage door, and in a frenzy, the other men swarmed inside the cage, forcefully yanking the women out against their will.
Just as one of the men charged in our direction, the young girl’s hand clenched around mine, and I squeezed hers to let her know I wouldn’t release her if I could help it.
He grabbed me by the arm, jerking me forward. The young woman held on to my hand, and I didn’t let hers go, as he pulled us both out of the cage, then out of the room.
She huddled close to me, as he hauled us down the narrow hallway. We stopped in front of an open door, and he shoved us in. While, struggling to maintain our balance on the grimy green tiled floor, we were forced towards the back wall, joining the other women.
“Strip!” the man shouted as the women’s panic increased as well as mine.
Even though these flimsy satin night gowns did little to hide my body, for the first time, I would have no choice but to stand naked in front of these men.
Pure fear shot through my body like a rocket, as I braced myself for what would happen next. The younger girl’s eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights when she glanced at me, and I couldn’t shake the helpless feeling knowing that I couldn’t stop what was coming.
We needed to do as they said until we could make a run for it. But that time wasn’t now. I hadn’t been able to find a way out yet. Every time I left the cage I was pushed towards an open room never in the opposite direction. So, I had no idea where to go. Maybe sometime soon I’d get to see more of the house.
I gave her a quick nod, and her eyes widened in disbelief. To encourage her, I removed my own soiled nightgown, assuring her that she wasn’t alone. And this was something we couldn’t fight.
We were all dressed in the same mid-calf satin white night gowns, with spaghetti straps. We weren’t allowed any underwear or any type of personal items. Even the girls who were on their periods weren’t given sanitary pads or tampons, just forced to wear the same bloody clothes until someone thought they needed to change. It was absolutely disgusting.
Once we all stood naked lined against a green-tiled wall that matched the floors, we were tossed a small piece of cloth and a bar of soap.
“You have five minutes to get clean!” a man barked, his voice echoing through the room as the other men watched us like prey, their hungry eyes locked onto our naked bodies.
It didn’t matter that some of us were covered in dirt, blood, cum, all they saw were women they could do anything to, and they fucking loved it.
As cold water sprayed from the ceiling, I gasped and couldn’t help but shiver. The relief of washing away the dirt and muck from my skin and hair was well-worth having to do it in freezing cold water.
With the limited time given to us, I did my best to scrub away the dirt and grime, unsure when we would have another chance to shower. I got rid of the lather from my hair and body as quickly as I could. And in a matter of seconds, the water turned off. It didn’t matter if anyone still had soap on their bodies or in their hair. Our moment of solace was snatched away.
“Dry off, drop the towels on the floor, then go stand by the mirror,” the man ordered.
He was different from the other men. His eyes didn’t linger on our naked bodies. He seemed angry more than anything, like he couldn’t believe he was forced to be in here with us. With a clenched jaw, his pale complexion turned a shade of crimson, and his flared nostrils hinted at his growing anger.
Two men with towels in their hands tossed each of us one and I dried off as quick as I could. But there was no way I was going to be able to dry my hair. It was already a tangled mess. Now it was a clean wet, tangled mess.
Although I wanted to shield my body from every man gawking at me, I dropped the towel on the floor as ordered, then walked to the wall lined with mirrors along with the other women. The young woman, whose name I still didn’t know because she refused to speak, stayed near me at all times.
Once all of us were dry and lined up against the wall, a man in a white doctor’s coat rolled in a cart carrying vials and needles.
My muscles tightened.
I hated needles.
One of the men who had been leaning against the wall came to us holding a clipboard. He skipped the first and second girls but called on the next three girls to step forward. He moved past the next two girls until he got to the young girl and me.
The girl grabbed my hand when he motioned for us to step forward. He moved past us, and my focus shifted to the doctor as he inserted the needle in each girl’s arm who was made to step forward. When he reached us, he grabbed my arm and prepped it for the needle.
“What is this?” I asked.
Even though none of the other girls asked, I couldn’t keep quiet. There was no telling what they were injecting into us. I’d seen some of these women walking around like zombies. I didn’t want to end up like that even though it was unlikely I could stop it.
His eyes flicked to me, then to the man who ordered us to shower. He gave a curt nod to the doctor.
I guess he’s in charge.
“This is to keep you from getting pregnant.”
I made an effort to free my arm, but he only tightened his hold on my wrist. “I’m already on the shot,” I lied. “I don’t need this.”
I didn’t believe that it was birth control they were trying to give me. It could be anything.
The doctor let out a sigh. “According to your latest medical record, Dominique Giselle Honoré, your birth control shot lapsed last month,” he said giving me a pointed look.
How in the hell did they get their hands on my medical records?
“We all have a purpose while here, Ms. Honoré, even if we don’t want to be here. I don’t want them to hurt you or me. Now please be still.”
My eyes welled with tears, and I gave in. I didn’t need his suffering added to the list of pain I’d already caused trying to fight the inevitable. I let out a deep sigh as he pierced my skin with the needle.
He gave me a small smile as he moved to the young girl, then the next woman. After he finished, he wheeled the cart out of the room without a second glance at us.
“Walk across the hall into the room!” the angry man barked.
With no hesitation, like sheep we followed one another across the hall into a room. A much larger room filled with racks of clothing that lined one wall, and five vanities that lined the other. The smell of perfume and cigarette smoke hung heavy in the air.
“Welcome ladies!” a woman called out, clapping her hands with an unmistakable frown on her face as she looked us over. “I am, Madame Angeline Bardot. You may refer to me as Madame Bardot, and I’m here to get you somewhat presentable for our esteem guests,” she said with her top lip curled as she continued to scan our bodies. “You will do as I say or face the consequences.”
As a horde of women rushed into the room and started pulling dresses from the racks, I watched as Madame Bardot pulled on a cigarette that was attached to a long black cigarette holder like you see in the old black and white movies.
All the women’s eyes widened as the women tugged them in various directions, searching for the perfect dress that fit their bodies, messing in their hair, and doing their makeup.
What the hell is going on?
As Madame Bardot’s gaze met mine, she gracefully approached me, her steps deliberate and confident in her designer red heels and black pantsuit.
The young girl clung to my arm. Her jagged nails dug into my skin causing me to hiss, but she didn’t release her grip and I didn’t blame her.
Madame Bardot was intimidating. With her bright red lipstick, dead eyes immaculately highlighted with dark blue eye shadow, and long lashes covered in mascara, it looked like she was staring straight through you. Everyone in this place was terrifying.
She looked to be in her early fifties but her extensive cosmetic surgery, from lip and cheek fillers, and possibly Botox was very noticeable, so I doubt she was that young. Her hair hung passed her shoulders in deep dark waves like some 1940s actress and her pale skin was highlighted by a light pink blush on her cheeks.
“Ah, Ms. Honoré.” She walked around us, scanning our bodies then stopped back in front of me. “Your dress as well as Lila’s has been personally picked out by the boss.”
Lila.
The look of shock on my face was mirrored on Lila’s as she clung to my arm, her nails continuing to burrow into my skin.
Madame Bardot snapped her fingers summoning her minions and two women scurried over to us holding very expensive looking dresses.
“As a woman, how can you be a part of this?” I asked with as much confidence as I could muster. “I expected men to be involved in this kind of bullshit but definitely not women.”
“We all have a purpose here, Ms. Honoré. Your reasoning for being here is different from mine. And for your own best interests,” she said, watching as the women dressed both me and Lila, “do not fight what is to come. Keep your mouth closed unless someone speaks to you and do what you’re told. If you do, you’ll make it out of this place alive. If you don’t, then you’ll leave, but only in a body bag. And only after every man in this place fucks you until you take your last breath and possibly after.”
She stepped away then headed towards the door. “You have ten minutes to be presentable for our guests,” she called out over her shoulder, before she disappeared out of the room.
Haunting classical music played by a string quartet filled the space, as at least a hundred people mingled in tuxedos and beautiful gowns, sipping champagne and wine served on silver platters by naked men and women. Laughter and dancing filled the air, like this was just another ordinary dinner party, not the hell that it actually was.
Other attendees were scantily dressed, groping, kissing, and fucking each other paying no mind to the onlookers openly gawking at them. Maybe they were a part of the show?
Sitting in a red high-back chair, a woman exuded an air of regality, like she was a queen on her throne. Her long red hair cascaded down her bare shoulders. Her dark burgundy gown was pushed above her slender hips, the top pulled down under her bare breasts, as a man hungrily ate her pussy, while another man stood beside them, jacking off while watching the show.
It was like we had stepped into a different world other than where we’d been kept for however long I’d been held hostage. These people were partying and having a great time like we wouldn’t be hauled back to a cage full of brutality.
As I looked around at the sea of faces, Madame Bardot’s strict instructions echoed in my ears, reminding me not to engage in conversation unless spoken too and to maintain impeccable behavior. What she said in so many words was do not ask for help because no one in this room was here to help us. They were here only to enjoy our misery. If we did the opposite, the consequences that would follow were ones I’d rather not think about.
I hate myself for giving into their every demand and not fighting. It was like I’d given up. It went against every instinct within me. I’d been raised to always fight for what was right, fight for myself, and never let anyone run over me. It was something I’d struggled with every time I opened my damn eyes in this hell hole. But right now, surviving was what I needed to do. And surviving meant not fighting, keeping my head down as much as possible until I could make a move.
As lustful moans and grunts intertwined with classical music and laughter, it was hard to imagine how all these people were able to walk around freely participating in this horror show. You’d think that the FBI or at least the police would know this was happening.
Once I started investigating this story, I didn’t realize how deep it actually went. But by the amount of money and power walking around this room, I could have never imagined something as depraved as this and on this scale.
Powerful businessmen, celebrities, household names were involved in one of the cruelest things I’d ever experienced and witnessed, without a care in the world. And by the smiles on their faces, and the lustful looks in their eyes, they regretted none of it. They didn’t give a shit what happened to us as long as they got their fix.
As I stood there, several men and a few women walked by us, their eyes openly fixated on mine and Lila’s revealing dress.
The dress, with its shimmering black crystals, hugged my body and extended all the way to the floor. However, it was completely see-through, and I wasn’t allowed to wear anything underneath. Depending on the angle of the light, the shimmering fabric revealed the silhouette of my private area and the dark shade of my nipples. It was catching a lot of unwanted attention, which I was sure that was the intent.
As far as the other women being held captive with me, their dresses where different versions of short, form fitting strapless dresses. Much like a slinky cocktail dress. Whereas my dress and Lila’s were the only ones that differed.
Lila’s was the same design as mine except it was sheer white material covered in clear diamonds. She also was not allowed to wear any undergarments and because of her dark skin, the silhouette of her body could be seen more than mine.
I couldn’t imagine having to deal with this situation at such a young age because as an adult I struggled to process the shitshow we were in. And I concluded that our dresses differing from the others was significant and I didn’t like what that meant for us.
As the music gradually faded away, the clinking of a glass caught everyone’s attention, including mine. As my eyes scanned the room, they landed on none other than Owen Decker, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine.
So, the information my source gave me about Owen Decker being behind all this was true.
Lila’s gasp echoed through the air, and she clung tighter to my arm. As I looked at her, confusion and terror reflected in her eyes.
“Lila, do you know him?” I whispered.
She still hadn’t spoken one word since I’d been here, but she nodded, and I wondered how she knew someone as powerful as Owen Decker.
My eyes focused back on him, and a small smirk crossed his face, before his gaze shifted to the crowd gathered around him.
“Thank you for coming, tonight!” Decker said, holding his glass of champagne in the air with a huge grin on his face.
I jumped when cheers erupted around the room as the patrons held their champagne flutes in the air mimicking him like they weren’t at a gathering with a human trafficker.
“It’s almost that time of the year again.”
Cheers erupted around the room again like we were attending some concert. The excitement on these people’s faces was nauseating.
“But this is a special day,” Decker continued. “Along with all the beautiful prizes we have to offer this year, we have two unique beautiful options up for sale. So, this is your chance to get a preview of what will be available on the menu.”
As the two men in tuxedos approached Lila and me, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers, their gross excitement filling the air once again. It was repulsive that every individual in here was well aware of the shit we were enduring for their twisted sexual enjoyment.
As my gaze met Owen Decker’s again, a spark of excitement illuminated his eyes. As more anger surged within me, I made a solemn vow that if I ever escaped this place, I would make sure he spent the remainder of his days behind bars, his name tarnished forever or in his grave. Either would be just fine with me.
The men pushed us to the front of the crowd, causing the people to part, creating a pathway for us. The lustful eyes on me made me uncomfortable, but I was also thankful those who definitely had their eyes on us kept their hands to themselves. If Owen Decker didn’t believe I was worth anything, these people would tear me apart without a second thought.
When we reached the front, Decker’s gaze traveled up and down my body before shifting to Lila. While attempting to shield her from his view, she leaned in closer to me, causing him to smirk.
“Face the crowd,” he ordered.
When neither of us followed his command, he motioned to the men, and they turned us toward the crowd before stepping off to the side.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in one week’s time, the winning bid for these two lovely creatures will be announced. Since they are the grand prize, the bidding for them will be closed.”
Murmurs and jeers erupted around the room, causing Decker to laugh. I didn’t understand what closed bidding meant, but these people weren’t happy about it.
“Trust me, the bidding stipulation will be well worth it to the winner and to my pockets,” he said over the displeasure of the crowd chuckling like he made the funniest joke in the world. “One is feisty and loves to tell stories.”
He winked at me sending a shiver down my spine then he ran his fingers down Lila’s arm. She whimpered and tightly closed her eyes causing him to smirk again.
“And this lovely beauty is a virgin.”
Disgusting excitement rolled through the crowd. And immediately I understood why she hadn’t left the cage like the rest of us.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had someone untouched and so beautiful.” He leered at Lila before turning his attention back to the crowd. “So, I expect bids to be high.”
Laughter and cheers erupted around the room again as Lila’s body trembled against mine.
“Do we get to test drive the merchandise first!” someone yelled from the crowd.
Decker chuckled. “The other products are here for you to do with as you please so you can make an informed decision on your potential purchase like always Roger. However, these two beauties are not on the menu tonight. They will only be made available to the highest bidders.”
Boos and shouts of displeasure sounded throughout the room, but they didn’t seem to faze Decker at all.
“Drink, mingle, and get a closeup view of what I have to offer!” Owen Decker shouted to the crowd, holding up his flute of champagne again.
After a few minutes of watching the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers and leering gazes, his focus shifted towards me.
“Follow me.”
He didn’t question whether or not I’d follow because by now I knew to follow directions or face the consequences.
He spun around and exited the expansive space with us and two of his goons following behind us. We navigated through the crowd of people, stopping every few moments for Owen Decker to speak to his guests, then down a narrow corridor, until he halted in front of a large door adorned with an intricately carved head of what looked like a demon and a relief of a man and a woman having sex positioned under it.
It was a perfect description of him and definitely what he was into.
The door creaked open under his firm push, and without a second thought, I followed behind him with Lila’s hand in mine. It had become like second nature to just follow orders. Something I loathed but something that was also necessary because it wasn’t the time to resist.
At least, not yet.
Lila had refused to leave my side. The only time we’d been separated was if I got pulled out of the cage to watch the other women’s abuse as a reminder to stay in my place. Tonight was the first time I’d seen her step foot outside the cage. Now I knew it was so he could preserve as much of her innocence so it could be destroyed by whoever purchased her.
“Have a seat.”
He motioned to the two brown leather armchairs sitting in front of a large wood desk. On the front it also had a woman and man having sex intricately carved into the wood underneath the head of a demon.
Sitting in the chair, I could feel the cool smooth leather against my skin, while he effortlessly slid into the chair behind his desk.
“So,” he said, steepling his hands, “I was eager to meet the woman who believed she could bring me down before she’s sold to the highest bidder. Ms. Honoré welcome to my world.”
The humor in his voice reached my ears, causing a mix of fear and anger to churn in my stomach. He thought the pain he inflicted on me, and these women was a joke, but once I escaped, I’d make him pay for every ounce of suffering we endured.
“How did you find out about me?”
He glanced at me for a moment, and a subtle smile curved at the edges of his lips. “Did you really think you could keep this kind of story a secret especially when you love pillow talk?”
In disbelief, he shook his head, unable to comprehend how I could have been so na?ve. I can’t believe I trusted anybody enough to keep my secret.
“You really think you could keep the story of the century a secret?”
Motherfucker!
“How do you know Dylan?”
His booming laughter echoed through the room, causing Lila to jump in surprise. I reached out and squeezed her hand, hoping to provide some solace in the midst of this fucked up situation.
“Does it really matter?” he asked with his brow arched. “There’s nothing you can do about it, anyway.”
“Somebody’s looking for me,” I said, even though I didn’t know if that were true. Despite telling my friends to give me a week before worrying, I couldn’t be certain if enough time had actually passed. The days and nights blended together in this wretched place, but perhaps pretending that someone was searching for me would buy me some time. “I have some very powerful friends.”
He shrugged, his shoulders rising and falling with indifference. “None as powerful as me. I’m not worried, Ms. Honoré.” Rising from his chair, he made his way to the front of his desk and stood in front of us. “No one will ever take me down especially not someone like you. I’ve got big things planned for both of you.”
“Why me?” Lila asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I trusted you. You were supposed to make a difference in the world.”
His face contorted into a sleazy grin, oozing with narcissism. “Let this be a lesson to you, young lady. It isn’t smart to trust anyone especially a rich and powerful man such as myself. Us politicians can be some of the worst.”
As I locked eyes with pure evil, a shiver ran down my spine. “You’re a fucking monster.”
His eyes widened for a moment, then narrowed. The disbelief on his face made a surge of pride move through me. Nobody had probably ever spoken to him like that. And they had taken so much of my power, it felt good to get that off my chest. Despite what he might do to me, I wanted him to know how I felt about him.
He rose from where he sat on the edge of his desk and sauntered towards me. When he stood directly in front of me, he grabbed me by my hair, yanking me out of the chair, causing me to scream out in pain. He grabbed my jaw with his other hand, forcing me to look at him while never letting go of my hair.
“If you ever speak to me like that again, I will personally show you how much of a monster I can be.”
He licked up the side of my face, then placed a kiss on my cheek. “As a matter of fact, I may just keep you for myself just for the hell of it. Would you like that, Nikki? Isn’t that what your friends call you?”
“You won’t get away with this,” I said although I wasn’t as sure as I sounded.
He chuckled, then bit my lip hard, causing me to hiss. He licked the blood from my lip, then pulled away from me, pushing me back down in the chair.
“I already have.”
The fear coursing through me was unimaginable at the confidence of his words. I had a sinking feeling this was what he wanted the outcome to be. That was why he hadn’t let anyone touch me. He wanted me for himself.
I had to get us out of here because if I didn’t, I would be trapped in this world forever, with no way out. I was determined not to let my life end this way. If I was going to get us all out of here it had to be soon.