Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
The distance to the door seemed to stretch endlessly before me. My breath came in short, shallow gasps as I willed myself to move naturally, to not draw attention. The scent of the cleaning agent grew stronger as I neared the exit, mixing with the acrid tang of my own fear-sweat.
Just a few more steps. Freedom was so close I could almost taste it.
My fingers had barely brushed the cool metal of the door handle when Officer Porter’s gruff voice cut through the air like a knife.
“Miss, I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to leave until your bus comes.”
I froze, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he must be able to hear it. Slowly, I turned to face him, plastering what I hoped was a convincing smile on my face.
“Oh, there must be some mistake,” I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts. “Mrs. Tompkins specifically told me to go to the drugstore to get maxi pads.”
Porter’s brow furrowed, confusion evident in his eyes, along with at least a little of the discomfort with feminine hygiene I had hoped to instill in the beefy man. A bead of sweat trickled down my spine as I held his gaze, silently willing him to believe me.
After what felt like an eternity, he spoke again. “Stay here while I check with Mrs. Tompkins,” he said, his tone gruff but uncertain.
As soon as his back was turned, I acted. With a surge of adrenaline, I yanked the door open and bolted outside. The sudden brightness of the afternoon sun momentarily blinded me, but I didn’t stop. I blinked rapidly, desperate to clear my vision as I stumbled forward. The rough concrete of the sidewalk scraped against my palms as I caught myself from falling. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the sounds of traffic and pedestrians.
Freedom. I could taste it on my tongue, mingling with a bitter note of fear and adrenaline. Just a few more steps and I’d be lost in the crowd, able to disappear into the anonymity of the city. I’d go home, pack a bag, and—
A vise-like grip closed around my upper arm, yanking me to a halt. I let out a startled yelp as I was spun around, coming face-to-face with another security guard. This one was shorter than Porter but just as muscular, his dark eyes glinting with barely contained anger.
“And where do you think you’re going, missy?” he growled, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh.
I opened my mouth to protest, to lie, to do anything that might loosen his grip. But before I could utter a word, he was already dragging me back toward the Selecta office. The glass door swung open with a soft whoosh as Officer Porter held it for his colleague to march me in, the air conditioning hitting me like a slap in the face after the warmth of the sun.
Porter wore an expression that mingled disappointment with resignation. Without a word, he took my other arm and began to march me down the hallway as his colleague returned to his post.
We reached Mrs. Tompkins’ office far too quickly. She looked up as we entered, her thin lips curved into a smile that sent chills down my spine. “Ah, Andrea,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I see you decided to take an unscheduled field trip.”
Officer Porter released my arm, leaving me standing before Mrs. Tompkins’ desk. I rubbed my biceps, wincing at the tender spots where his fingers had dug in. “I… I just needed some air,” I mumbled, unable to meet her condescending gaze.
Mrs. Tompkins tsked softly, shaking her head. “Oh, my dear,” she said, her tone patronizing. “I’m afraid we can’t have that sort of behavior. We need to make sure you start your new life on the right foot.”
She turned to Porter, her expression hardening. “Take her back to the waiting area,” she instructed. “And this time, make sure she stays put.”
Porter’s hand closed around my upper arm once more, gentler this time but no less insistent. As he began to lead me away, Mrs. Tompkins’ voice stopped us.
“Oh, and Andrea?” I turned back, dread pooling in my stomach at the glint in her eye. “When you get to Cato, I’m afraid you’ll have to be taught a lesson. We can’t have this kind of disobedience going unchecked.”
My breath caught in my throat. A lesson? What did that mean?
Mrs. Tompkins must have seen the panic in my eyes, because her lips curved into what might have been meant as a reassuring smile. “Don’t feel too bad, dear. You would have undoubtedly earned a lesson soon enough anyway. Best to start as you mean to go on.”
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. A thousand questions raced through my mind, but I couldn’t voice any of them. My legs felt like lead as Porter gently but firmly guided me back to the waiting area.