Silent Emily

A New Member Of The Family

Three weeks passed and nothing seemed to happen.

Axel would wake me some mornings, others letting me sleep in.

We had sex a few more times and always went to sleep after. I woke up before him sometimes in his arms and I would squirm away from him.

He didn't hurt me again, not since then anyways.

He was gentle, kind.

It was almost New Years and I dreaded it. Knew that someone else would wind up in my hands to fry up for dinner.

Atticus told me about Penelope and Imogen. He knew more about Imogen than he did his own mother which made me kind of sad.

My parents were pieces of shit that abandoned me for drugs. My mom was a hooker and my dad her longtime pimp and boyfriend. Maybe it ran in the bloodline.

Maybe Axel saved me from my dark path.

I still didn't like him though. I let him use my body. I fake moaned when he did me, moved against him so he didn't hurt me.

The kids started to get used to me, asking me to do activities with them and play with them. Ethan turned 14 and Axel said he was almost a man. Another year and he would start helping with the food or move out somewhere else on the property.

Axel talked to me about buying wood and such to build Ethan his own little house to raise his own family.

I hated the idea but I didn't disagree aloud.

I stood at the sink washing the dishes from breakfast. Ivy and Cora played in the living room with their dolls, Atticus read his comic books and Ethan and Felix were outside with Axel.

I didn't absolutely hate it here like I had but I still wanted out.

I thought about taking Atticus with me, slipping out into the night and raising him in the real world. I knew it wasn't possible though. He was a precious child but he wouldn't do well beyond the farm.

When I finished the dishes, I settled on the couch with Atticus and listened to the music on the radio. The farm didn't get many different channels but we made due. Old time country songs filled the house as I stared out the window at the back house.

I could've been killed.

Eaten by Axel and the kids.

I never let that escape my mind. It kept me grounded.

I was taken for the soul purpose of Christmas dinner. Not to be a mother.

I was thankful to be alive though. Thankful to help with the kids and have freedom around the house. I thought about running but I had no where to go. Back to the streets?

Night came quick and I watched as Axel made a simple dinner with the rest of the chicken in the freezer. Axel and the kids ate well and as did I.

It was a simple routine that I found myself enjoying. Wake up, breakfast, clean if I have to, do stuff with the kids, watch Axel or help with dinner and dishes. Sometimes sleeping with him if that's what he desired.

We crawled into bed once the kids were down for the night and Axel wrapped his arm around me. I didn't pull away, not while he was awake. His lips kissed my neck as his hand rested upon my belly.