Sealed and Silenced (Watty Awards 2012)

Sealed and Silenced: Chapter 4

My heavy eye lids slowly blinked open. Something blocked a brilliant light from meeting me. It looked like a head. Panic struck me as I didn’t know where I was. My imagination made my body feel like I was rocking... on a boat. The boat that took so much away from me.

“Hey, you’re awake.” That wasn’t the voice of a fisherman. It was Carter. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I had been holding and tried to sit up. Pain ripped through my midsection. Hastily, I lay back down.

“You don’t want to do that too many times.” Carter’s voice sounded grim. Was I dying? Surely stairs couldn’t damage me like that.

“You aren’t dead and unbelievably you’re not broken.” He seemed to read my thoughts. I couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not. “You have a couple fractured ribs and a ton of bruising. But all in all, you’re doing pretty well for a roll down the stairs.”

I looked at him with bulbous eyes. I wanted to speak to Carter ever so badly. But I was too afraid. What if I couldn’t make a sound anymore? What if I said the wrong thing?  It seemed was best not to speak at all. It was safer.

Carter looked slightly hurt that I didn’t answer him. Perhaps he was expecting a thank you or for me to at least talk to him. He must’ve been taking care of me after I passed out. I wanted to thank him, but not out loud.

A moment of silence followed, awkward silence.

“Did you meet the boss? I thought I heard his voice before you came tumbling.” I nodded, glad he changed the subject. “I didn’t meet him when I was first was dragged into this shit hole. Just down here, into the pit. Natalie welcomed me with open arms.” His last sentence stung. I wondered why. It was an unfamiliar feeling.

Speak to him, my mind said. I didn’t want to speak, the very thought struck fear to my core. More than anything else ever had. I tapped Carter’s arm to get him to look at me. I was going to speak with my hands. He stared at me blankly.

I gestured upstairs.

“The boss?” I nodded. I made a pushing motion and then drew stairs in the air all the while feeling like an idiot.

“The boss threw you down the stairs,” Another nod to confirm he was on the right path. I put my hand to my throat.

“Billy threw you down the stairs because you didn’t talk?” I nodded, this time with more vigor than before. Maybe he would see I wanted to talk to him.

“I swear he has anger management issues.” He paused. “Did you know Billy isn’t his real name?” This time I shook my head. “I don’t know what his real name is but I bet it’s something horrible like Gerald Johnson or Woody.” I cracked a smile.

Again I point upstairs, allowing my hands to talk for me.

“Billy,” I now touch my dry and cracked lips.

“Said,” How do I tell him the last part? This time I make a rude gesture with my hands, something I regret but it’s the only way to say it, rather motion it.

Carter gets it immediately.

“You’re wondering what really happens upstairs?” I nod.

“They really run a house of prostitution. It’s a sick thing.” Carter made a face that made me want to laugh. “Women go through that, men usually import the drugs and tend to the bar. But most of us down here are either waiting to be put to a use or have gotten to broken or old to work so they just keep us down here to die.” I cocked an eyebrow. Which one was Carter?

“I’m waiting to be put to work.” I had just met this man and he already seemed to know me. So...unusual.

“Carter!” A panicked voice rang out through the basement. A little girl with ruffed blonde pig tales and a dirty plaid shirt was staring at Carter with worried eyes.

“It’s my sister, she needs help.” Carter jumped to his feet. He took one last glance at me and took off across the room. I wondered what was wrong.

“Thank you,” I whispered through my rough lips. There was no reply and I kept my eyes low. I didn’t have to look to know that Carter didn’t hear me.