Jamie rushed down the left hallway, quickly followed by Kylie and Margret. She glanced from door to door until she reached the right one. Sadness stung her heart as she looked at the dark oak door. She breathed deeply, and knocked.
"Come in."
Jamie entered the room.
The room was painted cream to go with the rest of the house. A large queen-sized bed sat in the middle of the room, dark grey covers wrapped around the mattress. An elegant bed-side table sat on the left.
Jamie choked as she saw her mother sitting snugly on the bed, her legs tucked comfortably inside the large comforter.
"Hey baby! When have you been?"
Jamie swallowed her into a hug.
"I don't have much time mom. I have to tell you something." She turned to Kylie. "You need to hear this too."
Kylie nodded slowly, confusion sprinkling her features as she walked to Jamie's side. Jamie looked back at her mother.
"What to you need honey?" Her mother asked.
Her breath was shaky as she took a deep breath.
"You're going to have to stay in Kylie house for a few years. I can't take care of you anymore." She choked.
"Why? What are you talking about?" Kylie and Jamie's mother asked in unison after a short silence.
Jamie gulped. She looked behind her, looking to Margret's straight figure, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
"Mom, I want you to meet Margret Kings. Margret, this is my mother, Regan Henderson."
Margret nodded in greeting, her mother smiling with kindness.
"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Her mother said.
"Likewise mistress." Margret said coolly.
"She's going to take me to my new master." Jamie said.
They froze, heavy silence creeping into the room.
"What-What do you mean....'new master'?" Regan whispered, her face growing pale.
Suddenly, the loud sound of a ringing phone broke the new silence. All eyes turned to Margret as she pulled out her phone.
"It's him." She said. She walked towards the door. "I will be out here if you need me."
Jamie nodded before turning back to the two women beside her. They listened to the door click shut.
"Jamie. What are you talking about?" Kylie asked shakily.
Jamie stood, hugging her friends small form. She reacted immediately, wrapping her arms around her.
"I'll tell you guys everything."
And she did. She told them how she had been searching for better food options in the forest, then had Kylie scold her for not coming to her for food when she would have gratefully complied, she then told them about the chase in the woods, about how she had whacked man after man as she made her way back to the main road. She told them about how she had been knocked out and then woken up in a metal cart along with about a dozen other women around her age. She explained how as she stood on the podium, she proclaimed that she would willingly give her services as long as she got paid, about how Margret had used a silver pistol to silence the raging crowd, how she had paid for her, and how she was kind enough to bring her back here, to see if her mother was in good hands.
"Oh Jamie..." Regan whispered, tears in her eyes. "What happens now?"
She hugged her mother, gliding her fingers through her hair.
"I serve the man I am under until my services are no longer needed. I work hard and earn my promised pay." She looked at her mother. "I will send you money. Nearly all that I earn every paycheck."
Her mother choked, beginning to sob. Kylie hiccuped, tears springing into her eyes.
"Kylie." Jamie said, turning to her best friend. "I'm entrusting you with her care. Are you okay with that?"
Kylie nodded, throwing her arms around her neck.
"Of course!"
"Thanks." Jamie said, wrapping her arms around her. She pulled away. "I have to leave."
"Now?" Kylie choked, tears falling onto her cheeks.
Jamie nodded, giving both her mother and Kylie, who had been her sister since the tender age of 5, one last hug, giving silent goodbyes. Tears stung her eyes, and lumps formed in her throat.
"I'll miss you Jamie." Kylie sobbed.
"I'll miss you too Kylie." Jamie choked.
"I love you Jamie." Her mother whispered, gripping her hand.
"I love you too mom." Jamie whispered, slipping away her hand.
As she walked towards the door, tears flowed from her cheeks as she sobbed silently, not giving away any signs of her crying. Her body screamed for her to turn back and lunge into her mother's arms, but she continued to walk. Finally she opened the door, stepping into the hallway. She looked towards Margret, who stood beside her. She walked to her, her face downcast.
"Are you ready to go?" Margret asked.
She nodded, never lifting her face as they descended the stairs.
YOU ARE READING
The Party Invitation (Hiatus)
Любовные романыOne dance changed everything. One kiss laid a brand. One look made her his. Invited to one of the many parties her town holds, she meets him there. They laugh, they smile, they learn of each other. That was three years ago. Now she's older, countin...
