A Spark of Hope

Chapter Three: Freedom comes at a high cost

One of the men accidently left his briefcase in her room one night. He had taken great pleasure in what she had to offer him. He had become one of her regular clients as he came at least twice a week and only wanted the pleasure of her company. He spent twice as long with Carron than her other clients did. Sometimes he would sneak in treats for her and their time together would be spent trying new exciting things to spice things up.

Tyrone had said Gordon paid top dollar for her services as did every other man because she wasn't drugged but fully conscious. That conversation had hit her hard as she was reminded yet again, that she was in a brothel. She often denied what she did and where she was and entertained the notion that she was trapped in a nightmare and would soon wake up, that all this wasn't real, and it wasn't happening. Living in a fantasy world was better than facing reality.

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Carron hid the briefcase under her bed and waited until it was safe. She pulled it out, opened it up and rummaged through it. Amongst the papers, she found a badge, a newspaper and a mobile phone! She hid the shield and newspaper under her mattress and placed the briefcase where the man had left it. With shaking fingers, she dialed home. After a few rings, her dad answered.

"Daddy, this is Carron. I can't talk louder, and I can't talk long."

"Carron! Are you alright? Where are you?"

Caron was shaking and struggled to hold the phone but was determined to get help. Hearing her dad's voice was like seeing the sun after so many lengthy days of stormy weather.

"Dad Tyrone kidnapped me. I don't know where I am. I seem to be stuck in a brothel."

She heard her dad gasp.

"I was drugged and have been raped many times. Dad, I'm now a prostitute!" Tears escaped Carron's eyes and a noise from her throat. Hearing herself say that out loud was excruciating.

She could hear her dad crying silently. With a shaky voice, her dad managed to say, "Doesn't matter what you have been forced to do, we still love you. In all these months, we haven't given up looking for you."

Carron heard footsteps coming towards her, "Someone's coming. I gotta go." Carron pushed the off button and threw the handset under her mattress and lay on her bed. Thoughts ran through her mind. Her dad had said he has been looking for her for a few months. Had she been here that long? Hope was returning of getting out of there. Would she actually taste freedom?

Her previous client entered the room and went straight for his briefcase. Carron sat up and yawned pretending not to notice.

"Sorry, I forgot this behind."

Carron sat up straighter, "Oh I never noticed. Did you have a good time tonight Gordon?"

"Yes, I did. You are by far my most favorite girl. I will see you tomorrow. Will bring a little treat for you," he blew her a kiss and ducked out the door.

Carron gave a short wave and then lay back down again and let out a heavy sigh. She listened, and when she felt it was safe to do so, she fished the badge and phone out from under her mattress and dialed her dad's number again. As soon as her dad picked up, he started talking.

"Carron I have alerted the police and detectives who have been helping us look for you and-"

Carron broke in, "No dad! One of them is a bad cop. Gordon is a regular client. He forgot his briefcase, and I stole his phone. Saw a badge in there also."

"A badge? Quick Carron, see if you can find a number on it and give it to me."

Carron fumbled a bit and after a few moments read the badge number out.

"Right, let me phone this badge number in."

"Dad, wait! The cops are all bad, they know about this place, that's why you couldn't find me."

"Don't worry honey; the detective I am working with is a good man. I have known him my whole life as we were at school together. Don't worry, I will find out where you are. I'm coming for you, sweetie."

Carron reluctantly hung up the phone. She switched the phone to silent mode and put both the badge and the phone under her mattress again. She pulled out the paper and looked at the date. She couldn't believe it. She had been in this hell hole for almost a year. She let the paper slip to the floor and stared at the wall in disbelief. How long was I drugged for? It must have been months before she was forced to detox.

Suddenly Carron felt sick. She got up and ran out the door and into the bathroom. Kelly saw this and reported it to Ty. Soon after Carron got back to her room, Ty came in. Carron eyed the newspaper on the floor and sat down on top of it.

"What's this I hear? You sick?" he put his hand on Carron's forehead and felt her head like someone who cared. This was the first time she felt his tender touch or ever saw any concerned look on his face.

"You feel a bit hot. Hope you not pregnant. You still got a few clients for tonight, so don't think you are getting out of working! Go clean yourself up and get ready. Your next client should be here in five minutes."

Carron nodded her head. She stood up, and Ty immediately noticed the paper she was sitting on.

"What's this?" Carron closed her eyes in shock as she remembered the document on the floor.

Ty leaned down and picked it up, "You've been hiding out on me! Where'd you get it?" he bellowed.

"The detective-"

Tyrone jumped up, "What!"

Carron gulped. Oh boy, here it comes.

Whack! Tyrone hit her across the face, sending her flying into the wall. "What detective?"

"Gordon. He's a detective or something," screamed Carron in pain and fear.

Tyrone took a giant step towards her and kicked her in her side, "How do you know?"

"He had a badge!" yelped Carron, struggling to talk.

Tyrone left the room and locked the door behind him. Carron lay on the floor clutching her sides, sobbing. After a while, things got quiet. Music was switched off, and it sounded like the men were told to leave. Carron quickly got the phone out and dialed her dad's number. As soon as he came on the other line, Carron blurted, "Daddy hurry! Tyrone knows my previous client was a detective, and he is clearing the house."

"We are on our way to you now honey. Detective Gordon is in custody. The FBI was alerted and we are on route. It's a matter of minutes."

Carron could hear the faint sound of sirens. She hung up the phone and lay on the floor and waited. Minutes later she heard the sound of chaos outside and soon there were loud footsteps inside the house.

"Carron, this is the FBI. Please call out so we can hear where you are."

Carron breathed a sigh of relief. She had been found.

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