Chapter Five
Hot water beats against my skin as I stand under the pulsing jets shooting from the shower head. I like to keep it on the highest setting of pressure that I can. After an hour of my favorite workout, the repetitive pounding from the stream of water beating against my muscles feels so good. Not that I would know what a massage feels like but, I imagine it’s a similar sensation. And boy, could I use one, especially after days like today.
My entire body is vibrating with discomfort and soreness. An hour of repeatedly punching a bag that does nothing but mock me will do that to a girl. Yes, I know it’s an inanimate object which has been in the corner of my room for as long as I can remember. However, it’s annoying, especially when I have no one to spar with like in the videos Cece has shown me. Plus, I hate cardio. I’d rather work with the free weights that I've been granted permission to use every other day. Unfortunately, Cece says I’m not allowed to have them without supervision. Seems dumb to me. But I guess, what do I know?
I grab the bottle of body wash and squirt a dollop onto my loofah before lathering my body up with soap. More often than not, I will spend an exorbitant amount of time taking a long shower; however, something is off today. It feels like if I don’t have my eyes on my surroundings, everything is going to be pulled out from under me. Though, I guess since I’ve never been outside of my room, a change would be nice. Hell, I only have one large window which overlooks the backyard. If I'm honest, I’m mostly forced away from that window.
Besides Cece, my dad is the only other person who I get to see. I've asked about my mom over the years, but I'm met with silence or a handprint across my face. So, I've stopped asking. However, my father is usually so busy with his work, it’s rare I get to see him more than once a month. It’s been explained to me repeatedly that I'm safest here. The dangers of the outside world should scare me, but the longer I’m forced to stay here, the harder it is. I crave companionship. I love the books that Cece has brought me over the years. But a girl can only handle so many stories that I’ve never had the chance to experience in life, ya know?
My twenty-fifth birthday is in a few weeks, I’m hoping they’ll let me at least step foot into the back yard. Even for just a moment, I’ve never felt the grass between my toes. It sounds like it could be heaven, to smell the fresh outside air for more than a few moments a day when we open the window.
When I step out of the shower, I grab the towel from the vanity and wrap it around my body. After dragging a brush quickly through my hair, I hear shouts coming from strange voices on the other side of the wall. I pull the towel tight as I step back into the shower and press myself against the cold wet tile. My body trembles as terror begins to take hold of my senses. Whatever is happening out there can’t be good. Tears stream down my freshly washed face as a harsh hand bangs against my bathroom door.
“Nina! Get your ass out here.” Dad’s gruff voice snarls loudly through the thin barrier.
I take a deep breath when I realize I'm safe and let him know that I’ll be out in a minute. After I go through a speed round of towel drying my body, followed by my hair, I pull on the matching set of sweatshirt and pants I brought into the bathroom with me. A bright grin spreads across my face when I open the door, it’s been so long since I’ve seen my dad. Instead of who I expect, I see a group of strange tall and muscular copy and pasted men surrounding my father. They’re all dressed in identical suits.
“Daddy? I – What's going on?” I take a step back, further into the bathroom which has suddenly become even more of a sanctuary.
“You’re no longer my problem.” He shrugs and rolls his eyes as he steps aside and all I see is the wall of men I've never met before in front of me. One begins to approach me as I cower into myself.
I scream so loudly my voice cracks when Cece comes running, her plump petite figure barrels through the men, not giving a care in the world at what may come of her disobedience to my father.
“Nina, honey it’s ok. They won’t hurt you.” She whispers gently to me as she tucks a stray strand of her blonde hair back into her messy bun. “I know it doesn’t make sense right now, but one day it will. Just go with them, please.”
It’s the first time in years that Cece has been so openly kind in front of my father. The last time she was like this in front of him, I didn’t get to see her for a few days. When I would wake up in the mornings during that time, a cooler with food for the day would be left for me to eat. Since then, she stays silent when he’s around. Almost as if I don’t exist.
I glance around at the men when one of them steps forward with his hands held up in front of him to show me he’s not a threat. He's more beautiful than the others, a square jaw with piercing deep chocolate colored eyes that don't leave mine.
“Hi Nina, I’m Milo.” His voice is so smooth and calming that I feel at ease as he speaks. “I promise you, we’re not here to hurt you. Your dad has asked us to take you and your things with us to my boss’ house. He will explain everything to you when we get there.”
Tears are falling uncontrollably now, everything around me becomes a wet and soggy blur. I sense him step forward, and I freeze. I’ve never been around anyone but Cece and my dad, what am I supposed to do?
“Is it ok if I lead you outside? We have a car waiting to drive you.” He explains calmly.
I instantly perk up at the words. Outside? Drive? I feel like those videos I've seen of dogs being teased by their favorite words.
“I get to go outside?” The confusion in my voice has a wicked growl emanating from his chest, which makes me step back again and I find myself pressed against the wall.
Milo steps forward and whispers just loud enough for me to hear.
“Nina, once we get you out of here, you’ll be able to go outside whenever you want, but I need you to come with me. Please.”
And just like that, my decision to leave the only home I've ever known with people I’ve never met is made.