Trusting Asher (on hold)

Trusting Asher

Chapter one: Great Escape

         I slipped into my house as quietly as I could one o'clock Friday morning, cringing when I heard men talking in the kitchen adjacent to the front door. The smell of smoke and alcohol wafted thickly  through the air. I closed my eyes and leaned against the door, wondering if it was worth it to call back Raven who'd just dropped me off at my house from a party. I'd already stayed with her for the past few days, and I knew she was worried about me because she knew about the things that went on in my house, but I really didn't want to face those men, especially if they were "friends" of Gavin. I hoisted my duffle bag higher on my shoulder and decided to quietly go to my room instead of bothering Raven again. I was sure the men in the kitchen were too busy with a poker game to bother me anyway. Or at least I hoped.

         I was to the top of the stairs when a voice called me from the other room,"Hey, Willow..why don't you come back down here and visit your daddy?" My stomach twisted into a knot and I glanced down at him. It was Gavin, my adoptive father standing with two heavily muscled men who were watching me with hungry gazes.

         "You aren't my dad, Gavin. You never will be, no matter what you or those stupid papers say." I snapped angrily, not listening to the voice in my head that was screaming at me to shut up. The look on Gavin's face soured and he glared at me with his soulless black eyes, but said nothing.

          "Aw, that's alright little lady. You can call me daddy instead," One of the men standing with Gavin suggested with a wink that sent a shudder down my body. Gavin glanced from me to the grimy man who'd just spoken and shrugged nonchalantly.

          "Pay up and you can have her for tonight. Just don't make a mess in my house," Gavin said, rubbing his fingers together. The man grinned toothlessly and dug a wad of cash out of his pocket as I stared in horror at Gavin. This wasn't the first time he'd done this, but it never failed to shock me that someone who was supposed to be a father to me would sell me away just like that. The man who had just bought me for the night started up the stairs as Gavin walked away, and my adrenaline kicked in. I bolted for my room and slammed the door shut, which I knew was useless in keeping the guy out since Gavin had removed the lock from it a long time ago. With trembling hands, I began stacking heavy furniture against the door to keep out the man.

         "Come on, I just wanna play a game!" The guy called from the other side of the door, then chuckled, "It's called Pretty Princess Scream..." I suddenly went still at the mention of the game as horrible memories of being tied and blindfolded to the bed while Gavin's friends  washed over me like a wave. The door rattled as the man tried to break into my room, startling me back into action.

        "Ah, you've played it before, haven't you girlie?" He guessed from my silence. I bit my lip and backed away from the door, having pushed all the furniture I could against it. I had to think of a plan, and fast. There was no way I was going to stay at that house and let Gavin's friends rough me up like they always did. I paced my room a few times, considering my options. I would call Raven, but I had no phone in my room. I looked out of my window and groaned. My only other option was to climb out of it and go somewhere safe.

       "Open this door," the guy bit out, sounding more aggravated than before. I quickly began looking around for some practical shoes to run in instead of my stiletto heels, deciding that the only thing I could do was run. My hand grasped something metal in my dark closet just as I heard a loud cracking sound. I whipped around frantically to find that there was a giant crack running down my wooden door. Forgetting about the shoes, I kept whatever was in my hand and dashed to the window. As I shimmied out, I realized with a surge of relief that I was holding my pistol. I hoped that I wouldn't have to use it, though. I just wanted to get away without any violence.

         I crawled as quickly and safely as possible down the side of the house until I reached the ground and kicked off my heels so i could run in a dead sprint away from the house. Even though it was dark outside, I knew exactly where I was going. I was just scared that the man had broken down my door and followed me out the window. After a few blocks of running, I realized that I wasn't being followed and began walking slowly to let myself catch my breath. It was cold out and I felt as if my lungs were going to explode from my run, but that didn't matter. At least I was safe, away from Gavin who was probably very angry with me for sassing him and that man who wanted to play that sick game.

         My heart rate was slowly beginning to slow down, and my adrenaline rush wearing off when I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I pressed a fist against my mouth because I knew without even looking back that it was him coming to get what he had paid Gavin for- a night with a girl who didn't want him. I once again broke into a run, ignoring my aching feet and that fact that I could hardly breathe. The footsteps behind me quickened also, and I gripped the cold steel of my gun, wishing that I didn't have to use it.

         "Leave me alone, I have a gun. Just go and I won't shoot you, I swear," I begged, stopping mid run with my back still to him. He was silent, but I could hear his heavy breathing right behind me. What was he doing? Why wouldn't he move?

         "Willow, put the gun down. I'm not going to hurt you, okay?" He said, and I almost laughed but choked on a sob instead. He wouldn't hurt me? That's what they all said. They promised no to hurt you, but threw you down and beat you senseless. All of Gavin's friends did. I turned around quickly, my red hair falling over my eyes as I did. I pointed the gun at him, so he knew I was serious.

           "Go," I growled as hot tears poured down my cheeks. The guy shook his head, but raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. Without hesitation, I cocked the gun and fired a warning shot that zipped right above his head. He winced and let out a string of cuss words before lunging forward. I shrieked and squeezed the trigger. Bullets flew everywhere, but he completely dodged each of them.

          "Give me that before you hurt yourself," He snarled, ripping the gun out of my grasp. I stared and him in shock as he emptied the rest of the bullets and let the gun fall uselessly to the ground and began advancing on me.

          I cowered helplessly against a tree as I realized that he was going to get exactly what he'd paid Gavin for......