Both girls nod, but as they pass me, their eyes look concerned. I don’t blame them; I suddenly feel uneasy. I swallow and wrap my arms around myself, wondering why he sent them out and not me? When they’ve left, Josh turns to me, and he smiles. It’s not a nice smile.

“You know the rules around here, it’s time to shower.”

I shake my head. “No, we do that after dinner.”

“Well, tonight, you’re doing it before dinner.”

My heart begins to pound. I don’t like this; I don’t like it at all.

“Okay,” I whisper, standing and walking into the bathroom.

I can’t wait to get in and shut the door, getting away from him. Only when I turn, he’s standing in the room with me. My eyes widen, and I take a few steps back, feeling panic rise in my chest.

“Why are you in here?”

“I’ve been told the rules. You’re not to be trusted alone in the shower.”

“Bill doesn’t come in with us anymore, he waits outside.”

“Well, Bill knows you. I do not. I don’t trust you. You might try to pull a fast one over me. Now shower.”

“But...”

He steps forward, and his hand lashes out and connects with my face in a hard slap. I cry out and my hand flies up to my aching cheek. Tears form in my eyes as I stare in horror at him.

“Now, get into the shower.”

I lift my eyes to look up at the camera on the door. It doesn’t face the shower, but it does face the open part of the room, especially the window. It’s facing away, which means whatever is happening in here right now can’t be seen. Josh steps toward me, and I cover my chest protectively.

“Just leave.”

“I beg your pardon?” he mutters, reaching out and curling his fingers around my arm.

He drags me in close and leans down.

“I saw you glaring at me in the kitchen, thinking you’re better than me, thinking you’re invincible around here. Well, let me tell you...you’re not.”

“I"2eme in don’t know what you’re talking about, I was just...”

He cuts me off by slamming my body against the outside wall of the shower. My heart leaps into my throat, and I begin to panic. His hands slide down the sides of my body, and I try to cry out but he presses a hand over my mouth.

“I heard you are the smart one, the one who can’t keep her mouth closed. I heard you enjoy punishments.”

Oh, God.

I shake my head from side to side, squirming to try and get out of his grip.

“I like the bad ones.” He grins down at me. “It turns me on.”

No.

No.

I lift my foot and connect with his shin. He growls, and lets go long enough for me to run into the view of the camera. He obviously hasn’t seen it, because he charges over, taking hold of me and shoving his hand back over my mouth as I begin to scream. He forces me down to my knees, and shoves my body over the bath. He takes hold of my shirt, jerking it up.

Oh God, no.

I scream behind his hand, thrashing as best I can, but he doesn’t stop. He slides his fingers up until his hand is cupping my breast. He squeezes it hard, and then his mouth finds my neck. He trails a wet, sloppy kiss down the side, and I feel vomit rise up in my throat.

Why isn’t anyone helping me? Where is William?

He shuffles about, and I try to take the moment to fight him but I’m too tiny, and he’s too strong. He slaps my face so hard I see stars, and while I’m dazed, he pulls his erection out of his pants. Just seeing it has my stomach coiling, and I begin to dry-retch and tremble.

“Oh, stop your trembling, God, so pathetic,” he growls, shoving us down.

“Please,” I beg.

“Just stroke it, I promise it won’t take long.”

I’m going to be sick.

He curls his fingers around my hand and tugs it towards that...that...thing. I don’t have long; I have to stop him. I know as well as I’m sure he does that he’s not just going to force me to stroke him. He’ll want more. He’ll take more of me. The moment I feel him put my hand on his erection, I muster up everything inside me, and I scream.

I scream so loudly it echoes in the small space.

Please.

Someone help me.

WILLIAM

I spin around in my chair, lifting the remote to flick through the channels. We got a temporary guard on today, Josh, while Bill went out of town for a few days. I’ve been keeping a check on him all day, and so far he seems okay. I flick through the kitchen and living room cameras—all seems fine in those. I flick to the bedrooms, and most of the girls are sitting, eating.

When I get to Number Thirteen’s bedroom, I see it’s empty.

“Sir!”

I turn with a puzzled look on my face, wondering where the girls are. George is at my door, his face frantic. I get to my feet quickly.

“What is it?”

“Number Thirteen is screaming from inside her bathroom. We can’t get the door open.”

I turn quickly, flicking the cameras over to the bathroom. What I see has my stomach coiling and rage building in my body. I turn quickly and I barrel out of the room, tearing down the halls quickly, skidding to a stop at Number Thirteen’s room. I shove the door open, and then I charge towards the bathroom door. I can hear her crying. Gohersmaddammit. I rattle the lock. It won’t open. I didn’t bring the key. I lift my leg, and I kick it hard.

Three swift kicks have it busting open.