Chapter Text
Laying on the bed was utterly suffocating. I stared at the ceiling, body tense, as I waited. This was always the worst part of the whole ordeal. Waiting for the next person to enter was like waiting for a bullet to pierce your back; agonizing to the point that you crave to get it over with than wait another minute. At least when someone was here I could block everything out, but what do I do when there is only silence ringing in my ears?
Suddenly I heard voices outside the door. My father's rough tone and a stranger's voice bled together as my breathing quickened. They would come in at any second and I had to prepare myself for the worst, as I always did when Father sent a new customer in. The door opened, quietly, but I still heard it. I shut my eyes, holding my breath as I sensed the person nearing my bed. I readied myself for a slap or something of that nature, but it never came. Instead, a soft caress of my hair shocked me into letting out a small squeak of air. No one has ever touched me so gently.
I opened my eyes slowly and cautiously, only to see an eye staring back at me. A single eye. Where the other eye was supposed to be, there was a black eyepatch in its place. He was a pirate. Upon further observation, his lips were curled into a gentle smile that made my chest feel warm but terrified at the same time, and his hair was dyed bright red.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you." He whispered, his soft voice almost making me shiver. I stared at him, too shocked and still scared to say anything. Half of the people that come in here still start with that sentence. He could be tricking me just like the others. He was a pirate after all, who knows what kind of things he would put me through. That very thought made hot tears prick the corners of my eyes.
As if he senses my distress, he backs up a few steps before clearing his throat and whispering to me once again.
"Don't be afraid. I'm only here to help you get out of this place. Quickly now, stand up and put this on." He said quietly, holding out a set of clothes. I stared at them for a few seconds before looking back up at him again. Was he serious? His expectant expression told me it was true. I looked back down at the clothes in his hand, contemplating it for a second before shakily sitting up and reaching out to take the clothes from his hands. I made sure to not let my skin make contact with his.
"Take as much time as you need. The man outside thinks we'll be doing stuff in here all night." He tells me, casting a glance at the door. The sentence makes me flinch. A shudder runs down my back. The man sends me a sorry look.
"I didn't mean it like that, kid. I'm here to get you out of this place." He says gently. I didn't make eye contact with him, his tone of voice making me nervous. Who could ever be that kind? Certainly not anyone I've ever met in my life.
I stood still for a few moments. He stood there, staring at me. I hesitated, my eyes flickering up to his face.
"What's the matter?" He asked. My eyes shot to the floor.
"Could you... please... turn around? Just f-for a moment w-while I change clothes." My voice came out hoarse and shaky and fiery flames licked my throat. I was confused as to why it hurt so much when it occurred to me that I must have screamed too much last night. The man's voice breaks through the thought and brings me back to reality.
"Ah, right. I'm sorry. Here-" He promptly turns around and faces the door. I relaxed a tiny bit and moved to take off my shirt. Moving too quickly sent shocks of pain up my body, causing me to whimper quietly a few times. The man never once turned around though, which I was thankful for.
Finally, I had changed into the clothes, which felt oddly nice on my skin. I cherished the warmth and clean material for a moment before clearing my throat.
"U-Uh.. 'm done, sir."I rasped. He turned to face me and I instantly moved my gaze to the floor.
"Okay. Do you want to bring anything with you?" He asked me. I just shook my head no.
"Father never lets me have anything of my own," I whispered. There was a moment of silence, and out of curiosity, I took a quick glance up at the man. His eye held an emotion I've never seen directed at me. Pity. I looked back at the floor again.
"The man that runs this... He's your father?" I nodded slowly, playing with the hem of the borrowed shirt.
"Dear God... Who does that to their own son... If I ever get my hands on him I'll wring his dirty little neck I swear-" His tone of voice made me flinch, taking a step back.
"Hey... I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you... It's just... I feel terrible for you. But don't worry. I'm breaking you out of here, now. You won't ever have to endure this ever again. Pirate's promise." He stated firmly. My chest felt warm again. What is this feeling?
"Tha-" I started to answer, but got cut off by the door slamming open. I snapped my head up to make eye contact with my Father's furious eyes.
"What the hell did you say you were gonna do with my money making whore?" His loud voice growls. The pirate has a malicious glint in his eye when he looks up at my Father.
Suddenly I feel so much panic and fear that I get light-headed and start to sway. I heard the pirate shout loudly, and I saw hands reaching towards me. The last thing I see is a man with bright blue hair hit my Father over the head before I fall to the floor and my vision goes dark.