𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦// 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐎𝐂

𝐱𝐢𝐢𝐢

I was in the passenger's seat and my boss was in the driver's seat. We were headed to Chicago so I could be sold to one of my clients who's boss bought me. My hands were cuffed and I was "dressed up". Sirens could be heard in the distance. The driver looked in the mirror seeing the cop car that was now following us. My boss looked at me as he pulled over.

"Do not talk. Just look out the window." He took off the cuffs. "And don't think about running." He snarled in my ear making me nod.

I looked out my window as the cop came up to the car. I glanced and saw the cop's eyes on me until my boss and they exchanged words. Just a speeding ticket. We drove to a little diner off the road. He shoved a jacket to me, in which I put it on, zipping it up and putting the hood up. I put my sunglasses on and we both got out of the car, the doors slamming. We sat at a booth. A waitress gave us water and we gave her our order. She walked to the back and came back out a few minutes later with our order. I was famished and much skinnier than I was before. I could sense the tension in the air and I don't he could. I continued eating, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something or someone was gonna get hurt.

It grew worse when the little bell rang at the door, signaling that a customer had just entered. It made me jump and I saw my water glass shake a little and a small crack appeared. I glanced up at the customer and froze. Boss noticed and he looked over and then back at me.

"You know him?" His voice dropping to a whisper.

I nodded. "He was a family friend. He's a detective." 

Boss waved the waitress over and told her to get the check. I felt the detective's eyes on me. We got the check, paid cash and started for the door. The detective bumped into me, causing my sunglasses to fall off. I quickly put them on again.

Aaron.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't see you there."

"It's fine," I said, being sharper than I intended.

"You, you look familiar. Do I know you?"

"No sorry." I walked to the door and he moved in front of me.

Aaron stop. Arron move. Aaron see me. Rescue me.

"You look like someone I know." 

"Sorry, you must have me mixed up with someone else." My words lingered in the air. 

Before he could say anything my boss called me.

"Aye sweetie lets go. Grandma is waiting." 

Aaron looked at me and I just gave him a small smile before I walked out of the diner and to the car, and drove off. The air was thick. 

"He make you?"

"I don't think so."

I kept my sunglasses on to hide face. We could see a car in the distance following us. I was sure it was Aaron, so I told my boss. We got on the freeway which was a risky move but we lost him.  

That night I was traded and given to my new owner. I was shoved into a car and taken into a house much like the first one I was in. There were girls everywhere. Some passed out or some sober enough to acknowledge  my presence. I was given the mattress on the floor in the corner. The night moved on and I faced towards the wall. I kept thinking about the run in with Aaron. How I wish I could have told him that I needed to be rescued. But it's like the cops would do anything. They haven't done anything for six months so why start now? I felt a tear run down my face. I curled up. I felt alone. Maybe I was. 

Maybe I was just another lost cause.