The guards had tossed him on a bed in a room on the far side of the basement. They locked the doors from the outside. The mechanical lock clicked shut. It was the wake-up call that Elijah needed. He now knew it was real.
Let me out.” He screamed beating on the door. He didn’t know why he was beating on the door. It wasn’t like they were actually going to open the door and let him out. He tried to open the door but it was locked. This didn’t stop him from trying to pull on the knob. “Open.” He whispered. “Please open.” He tried again with all his strength to pull the door open. “Fuck.” He whined frustrated and scared.
Elijah turned around his back against the door. He looked around the plainly decorated room. There were no windows or anyplace he could go to try to escape too. Elijah put his hands to his head in grief his fingers touching his temples.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zurz4G5lI
He couldn’t believe it. She sold him. She hadn’t even sold him. She just traded him in, like a fucking car. He was her son for God-sakes. Her son and she just left him like it wasn’t shit.
“Oh my God,” Elijah said as he began to hyperventilate. She left him with these strange ass people. People who were dangerous. People who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. They had put a gun to his head already. They could kill him at any moment. Why would she do this? He began to cry. “Please let me out.” He whined as his chest got tight. It felt like the walls were closing in on him. He couldn’t breathe. “Oh, God.” He cried. This couldn’t be real. It had to be a dream. A terrible nightmare. He had to just wake up.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb95xP3Er6
Elijah was in such distraught that he began to see stars. He felt like he couldn’t breathe. He lost consciousness and passed out onto the floor.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtnQoCoDNL
Hours later Elijah woke up. He was laying on the full-sized bed. It wasn’t a dream. He was still in the same place. He no longer had on his school uniform blazer.
“Hello.” The female voice said in an upbeat tone.
“I brought you dinner.” She said sitting the silver tray on the circle table by the door.
“I’m Maria .” The woman introduced herself. She wore a black and white maid uniform. I am the lead servant for Master Hernandez.
“Please help me,” Elijah begged. Maria sighed coming to sit in the bed where Elijah lay. “We both know that I can’t do that.” She said honestly. It’s best if you comply, you know, for your and your mom's safety, ok? She tried to comfort Elijah touching his shoulder. “Please come and eat.”
Elijah sat up in the bed noticing he had a black ankle monitor on his ankle, like the ones paroles are forced to wear.
“The master of this house will not chain you to your room. He will track you and if you try to leave he will kill you. It is that simple. You are free to walk around between 8:00 am- 4:00 pm. Please report to your room by 4:30 pm.
“What if I’m not in my room by 4:30 pm.
“Elijah, The only consequences are death,” Maria said hoping the boy understood.
Elijah nodded understanding what Marie said. He still couldn’t believe his situation.
“Why would she do this?” Elijah said not expecting Maria to answer.
“She did what she had to do,” Maria said. “I can’t blame her but I wouldn’t have ever done this to you sweet child,” Maria said.
“I just want to go home,” Elijah whined.
“I know,” Maria said with sympathy.
“I know you want to go home to your safe warm bed.” She said. “ But you can not. You belong to Hernandez and are his property for a while. Maria said. She paused as if thinking.
“It’s best to just comply,” Maria warned Elijah. “ You seem to be a smart kid and I know you know about your mother's affairs. I know you understand It’s best to just do as you’re told. Once your mom gets the master's money you will be free.” Maria said with a soft smile.
“Please go eat dinner.” Maria encourages Elijah.
He calmly walked over to the small table and ate his arroz con pollo. It tasted good. Elijah ate his food in silence as Maria opened the closet and pulled out fresh underwear and a T-shirt. “I think these should fit you.” She placed the items on the bed.
“Tomorrow we will get you some clothing.” She smiled. “Maybe I will try to call your mom to bring your clothes or if the master allows I will buy you new ones.”
She opened the dark chest drawer pulling out a black silk knee-length robe.
“You must bathe every night and be in bed by 8:00 pm. Maria explained. Make sure to wear nothing but this robe at bedtime.
“Do you understand?” Maria asked.
“I can’t wear anything?” Elijah asked as he looked Maria in the eyes.
“The master will not just house, feed, and clothed you for free. Nothing is free in our world…this world. Maria said.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYfmYQJh7M
Elijah stared at Maria he could barely swallow his food as his throat had tightened up. He felt anxious and afraid. He couldn’t believe his mom had left him there.
She gave him to these monsters.
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosHM8TL6ky
Elijah finally took a look at his room. It was a pretty standard room. The walls were blank and bare. There were no windows so he couldn’t see outside. The large sleigh bed in the middle of the room had a blue comforter on the bed with lots of pillows. There was a TV mounted on the wall near the closet.
At least he could watch tv.
“Elijah,” Maria called from another room. “The bathroom is back here.” She said.
“I put fresh towels, soap, shampoo, and conditioner in there for you.”
Elijah nodded understanding.
“Goodnight Elijah,” Maria said leaving him all alone and shutting the door behind her. Elijah heard the door lock.
-
ns18.224.96.245da2
