The Pet

Chapter 5

Damien stood staring up at a twenty-story building. They were in the city. Strange, he thought. He never thought that hed ever see the city. Living on the street didnt give you the opportunity to explore. You were more worried about where you were going to sleep and how you were going to feed yourself much less your family.

You alright, Damien? Alexander asked.

Damien smiled. Yeah. Im fine.

Alexander nodded and held out his hand. Lets do this then.

Damien took his hand and nodded. He was scared as hell, but at the same time he was happy. It felt strange being happy. He was always filled with despair and fear for his family that he never once thought about his own personal happiness. Now, here he was a Pet, and yet he was happy.

They went through the doors and stepped into a bustling waiting room. People were hurrying in all directions. Some wearing suits, others in jeans and dress shirts. It was a variety of lifestyles. There was a desk sitting directly in the center of the room. It curved in to make a U and two security guards sat in their chairs watching everyone with critical eyes.

Ah, Mr. Alexander. How nice to see you.

Damien turned from watching everyone and found himself staring at a beautiful woman. She was in her thirties with hazel eyes and a bright smile. Her smile was bright, yet her eyes werent. The smile was fake, he realized.

Miss. Wright, its nice to see you as well, Alexander said smiling. It too was fake. Neither liked each other, or so it seemed.

Please, follow me. Miss. Wright turned around and started walking.

Alex? Damien said uncertainly.

Dont worry, Damien. She and I dont get along.

Who is she?

Her name is Heather Wright. She serves the CEO here. His name is Alfred Quinn.

By serve do you mean?

Alexander nodded. Yes. She is Mr. Quinns Pet. But she wasnt given the choice. Her parents sold her to Mr. Quinn so they wouldnt have to be poor.

Damien stared after Heather. She walked as if she wasnt bothered by anything. Yet, Damien could see that she was haunted by the fact that her parents had sold her for money. That kind of betrayal can never be forgiven.

Lets go, Alexander said following Heather.

Damien bowed his head and shadowed Alexander.

Heather stopped in front of an elevator and pressed the button to go up. When the doors opened she stepped inside and held the door waiting for Damien and Alexander to get in.

Damien stood there, his heart pounding. The elevator was big enough to fit six people, but to him it was growing smaller by the minute. He took a step back and backed into Alexander.

Damien, what is it? Alexander asked.

Can we use the stairs?

Alexander grabbed Damiens arms and turned him around. His eyes were wide, his skin pale, and his breath came in gasps.

Damien, are you claustrophobic?

Damien swallowed and nodded. I got locked in a room when I was living on the streets. It was the shopkeepers way of punishing me since he was a pacifist.

How long were you locked in that room? Alexander asked. He tightened his hold on Damiens arms.

Two weeks.

Good God. Alexander pulled Damiens trembling body into his arms and held him close. He looked at Heather who stood in the elevator with wide eyes. Do the stairs reach Alfreds office?