dark space with wobbly knees and teetering heels skidding on the cement. But he is holding on to my arm so firmly, it’s like he’s propelling me forward. It smells oily and dirty in here, like maybe this is an old garage. My head is spinning and I’m afraid I’m about to faint or throw up. Everything feels so unreal — like this is happening to someone else, or perhaps I’m starring in a horror movie.
Suddenly I wonder if all this might actually be a prank. Is this the agency’s way of seeing what I’m really made of? As badly as I wish that were true, I know better.
This is for real.
… [CHAPTER 6]………………
M y eyes have adjusted to the darkness, so I can see we’re going toward a sliver of light that looks like the bottom of a door. When we reach the door, Rod stops and pulls something from his pocket, then grabbing my other arm, he binds my hands together behind my back. “Just to be safe,” he tells me. And the next thing I know, he pulls a paper bag over my head.
“Are you going to kill me?” I ask desperately.
He chuckles evilly. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
This is only marginally reassuring. “What are — ?”
“Shut up! If you want to survive this game, you better learn how to keep your mouth shut.” And now I hear a door open and I’m shoved into another space. I can see light through the paper sack and I look down to see dirty yellow linoleum beneath my feet. It smells like old pizza and stale coffee in here.
“There you are,” a woman says. “Right on time.”
I can tell that it’s Marcia, but it makes no sense.
“What are you doing to me?” I demand.
“Shut up!” Rod yells. “Didn’t you hear what I said out there?”
“That’s right.” Marcia’s voice remains smooth. “Children are meant to be seen and not heard.”
“Well, this child is definitely worth seeing. Nice find, Marcia.”
I recognize Bryce’s voice, but I know better than to say anything now. Instead my mind is racing, trying to think of a way out of this hellish mess. Somehow I have to outsmart these creeps. But what are they doing? Why am I here? What is their game?
“Turn around,” Marcia says.
I just stand there, not sure who she’s talking to.
“I said turn around , you stupid girl,” she snaps. “Now!”
Rod gives me a push and I slowly turn around, nearly stumbling over my own feet and wishing I hadn’t worn high heels. I could so use some running shoes or steel-toed boots right now.
“She’s got good legs,” Marcia says.
“And a great bod,” Bryce adds. “I like the little black dress, too. Nice and classy.”
“Yeah. We could use some classy in this outfit.” Marcia’s laughter sounds vile.
“It’s too bad,” Bryce says. “She might’ve actually made a good model if she’d connected with a real agency.”
“Bite your tongue,” she tells him.
“Just saying.”
“Don’t even go there. As it is we should get top dollar for her. Top dollar .”
“Just make sure we keep her in good condition,” Bryce says. “I mean you, Rod. Do not mess with her. No damage to her face. And no bruises, cuts, or scrapes. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, yeah, I got ya.”
“At least until she meets Mr. T,” Marcia injects. “We want to present the goods in tip-top shape.”
“I think you should jack up the price,” Bryce says. “Has Mr. T seen her photos yet?”
“He’s seen them and approved. But I think you’re right. A pretty little ‘good girl’ is a real rarity these days. I’ll send him a message.”
“Tell him we’ve got a bidding war going on.”
“Yeah. Good idea.”
“So you better keep her looking good until she’s delivered,” Marcia says. “If she’s damaged in any way, not only will you not get paid, we will expect you to make it up to us. Understand? ”
“I get it,” Rod says. “I just don’t get it now.”
“After Mr. T, well, we’ll just see how cooperative she wants to be,” Marcia says this for my
Suddenly I wonder if all this might actually be a prank. Is this the agency’s way of seeing what I’m really made of? As badly as I wish that were true, I know better.
This is for real.
… [CHAPTER 6]………………
M y eyes have adjusted to the darkness, so I can see we’re going toward a sliver of light that looks like the bottom of a door. When we reach the door, Rod stops and pulls something from his pocket, then grabbing my other arm, he binds my hands together behind my back. “Just to be safe,” he tells me. And the next thing I know, he pulls a paper bag over my head.
“Are you going to kill me?” I ask desperately.
He chuckles evilly. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
This is only marginally reassuring. “What are — ?”
“Shut up! If you want to survive this game, you better learn how to keep your mouth shut.” And now I hear a door open and I’m shoved into another space. I can see light through the paper sack and I look down to see dirty yellow linoleum beneath my feet. It smells like old pizza and stale coffee in here.
“There you are,” a woman says. “Right on time.”
I can tell that it’s Marcia, but it makes no sense.
“What are you doing to me?” I demand.
“Shut up!” Rod yells. “Didn’t you hear what I said out there?”
“That’s right.” Marcia’s voice remains smooth. “Children are meant to be seen and not heard.”
“Well, this child is definitely worth seeing. Nice find, Marcia.”
I recognize Bryce’s voice, but I know better than to say anything now. Instead my mind is racing, trying to think of a way out of this hellish mess. Somehow I have to outsmart these creeps. But what are they doing? Why am I here? What is their game?
“Turn around,” Marcia says.
I just stand there, not sure who she’s talking to.
“I said turn around , you stupid girl,” she snaps. “Now!”
Rod gives me a push and I slowly turn around, nearly stumbling over my own feet and wishing I hadn’t worn high heels. I could so use some running shoes or steel-toed boots right now.
“She’s got good legs,” Marcia says.
“And a great bod,” Bryce adds. “I like the little black dress, too. Nice and classy.”
“Yeah. We could use some classy in this outfit.” Marcia’s laughter sounds vile.
“It’s too bad,” Bryce says. “She might’ve actually made a good model if she’d connected with a real agency.”
“Bite your tongue,” she tells him.
“Just saying.”
“Don’t even go there. As it is we should get top dollar for her. Top dollar .”
“Just make sure we keep her in good condition,” Bryce says. “I mean you, Rod. Do not mess with her. No damage to her face. And no bruises, cuts, or scrapes. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, yeah, I got ya.”
“At least until she meets Mr. T,” Marcia injects. “We want to present the goods in tip-top shape.”
“I think you should jack up the price,” Bryce says. “Has Mr. T seen her photos yet?”
“He’s seen them and approved. But I think you’re right. A pretty little ‘good girl’ is a real rarity these days. I’ll send him a message.”
“Tell him we’ve got a bidding war going on.”
“Yeah. Good idea.”
“So you better keep her looking good until she’s delivered,” Marcia says. “If she’s damaged in any way, not only will you not get paid, we will expect you to make it up to us. Understand? ”
“I get it,” Rod says. “I just don’t get it now.”
“After Mr. T, well, we’ll just see how cooperative she wants to be,” Marcia says this for my
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