Kenna POV


A week in and the snow had started to coat the ground. I had received a fur coat from CC because the weather had turned both outside and inside. I had reached 8 other rooms and had not done much talking between anyone. Andy was gone most days as was Jake and Ashley. I would see CC around sometimes but not often. I had known the last one to be Jinxx. He spent all of his days on the second floor. I would hear crashes and bangs all day long. I wanted to know what he was doing all day.

I had even thought about going up there once. But when I had looked over my shoulder to see if it was safe, Jake had returned home. I knew he hated me the most of all. He glared and made my life worse as much as he could. He would stain the rugs and then beat me if I couldn’t get all of it out. He did it in secret and threatened more if I told anyone. I had scars on my back and a healed bruise on my side from my brother, the only thing I had left from my past life.

My arms were covered in small finger print size bruises from when Jake would grab me when I wasn’t listening. I was miserable. I wanted to go home…Better yet…I wanted to kill myself…

But I knew that I couldn’t. What if I had the option to go home? What if I escaped? I was left out after the sun had set tonight. Andy had suggested that I spent one dinner with them. He was the only thing making all of this bearable. He was harsh most times but there was something…sweet, underneath all of his armor.

“Go get more wine.” Ashley demanded handing me his glass.

“Yeah, a night at dinner as a maid.” I muttered when I went into the kitchen to fill his glass for the third time.

They had given me new clothes that I didn’t mind. Leather pants, small shoes that only covered my heels, and toes, and the bottom of my feet, and a tight tank top. http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=150558321 I was able to wear my coat on special occasions. It was pretty warm the rest of the time.

“Thank you love.” Ashley said sarcastically taking the glass from me.

I nodded and stood in the corner of the room waiting for one of them to ask something else of me. I was not needed until dinner was ended. They all sat up from their chairs and left the room. When I continued to stand still, Jinxx came over to me.

“Usually now is the time you clean up.” He whispered.

I lowered my head and started to pick up the plates and cups. I wiped the crumbs and spills from the oak table and left into the kitchen to clean the dishes. I could hear them all laughing and talking. I wanted my friends back. I was a slave. How long was it going to take to repay this debt?

I had tried to block them out. Humming quietly to myself to make it better on my end. “You have a lovely voice.” I was startled to turn and see Andy standing with his arms crossed leaning against the door way. His muscles bulging slightly from the way he was holding them.

I looked down and continued to scrub the dishes, stopping my humming. He laughed and I heard his footsteps coming closer to me. He leaned against the counter, half sitting on it. His arms still crossed.

“Is there anything else?” I asked not making eye contact.

“No.” He shook his head and took a deep breath. “I want to show you something.” I looked to him and he was smirking.“It’s alright.” He chuckled, “it’s a good thing.”

I was hesitant. “The dishes aren’t done.” I said drying a plate.

Andy took it out of my hands and set it down. “I’ll do them. I want to show you something.”

He took one of my hands and stood from the counter motioning with his head for me to follow him. I obeyed and followed him. He took me up the stairs. I pulled back on his hand and shook my head. “I’m not allowed up here…”

I had let go of his hand. He looked to me, then smiled. “It’s okay.” He reached his hand out to take mine again.

He led me down the hall. Old, dusty, ripped paintings of people hung on the walls in the hall. It was dark in here. Andy stopped me at a door. He asked me to close my eyes.

“Why…?” I backed away worried.

He chuckled and walked toward me as I backed away. “It’s fine, trust me.”

I hesitated, but then closed my eyes. His hand wondered to the small of my back. He led me gently into where ever he wanted me to go. I heard him open a door. I could feel that my feet had touched marble floors. It was a little brighter in here but not much, I wasn’t expecting it to be as bright as day.

“Open your eyes.” Andy said.

I opened them to a huge room. Windows were placed from ceiling to the floor all the way around the room. Looking out into the starry night stay and the tops of the trees. I smiled at the view alone. Andy was smiling, standing next to a window. I looked around the room to see flowers upon flowers. Hanging from the ceiling and some in pots on the floors. It was a botinary.

It was hard for me to keep my happiness sealed. I covered my mouth with my hands. I had never seen so many colors in one place before. A small couch was placed in front of the middle window to look out into the world. I walked over to flowers I knew as Orchids, my favorite. I looked back to Andy with the biggest smile on my face.

He was smiling gently. “I had seen you trying to water a flower bed outside and I thought you would like something a little…better.”

“This…this is beautiful, Andy.” I stuttered trying to keep my happiness at bay. I looked to him, I couldn’t help it. “Thank you.” I dropped my smile a little bit.

“You should get some sleep now.” He said with the smiled still on his face.

“I don’t think I want to leave this place.” I grinned placing my hand gently under a flower to pick it up ever so slightly.

“You still have a curfew.” There went the sweet man that was trying to come through.

I nodded losing my smile. He led me to my room and closed and locked the door behind me like always. Why did my heart flutter? I wanted to hug Andy after that gift. I actually thanked a man who imprisoned me. I was going to deny the gift in the morning…but…why couldn’t I make the most of what I was being given? Was I being given Andy as a compensation for the rest of this new life? No. I had to deny his gift.

Notes