Turning to look out the window, I lift the coffee to my lips, enjoying the hot liquid burning down my throat. Just then, the sun peeks above the horizon, a single sunbeam stretching across the table, illuminating the menu.
Glancing down, the beam seems to almost glitter across the words written there: Arizona Surprise. The corner of my mouth ticks up into a smile as a cloud chases the sunbeam away. I always hated the frigid winters in Illinois anyway.
Thank you, Father.
Prologue 2
Rebecca
Slipping quickly through the darkened halls on silent feet, my heart thudding wildly in fear, I race for the basement, intent on getting to her.Please don’t let him check the cameras. Please.
Clutched in my hands is a protein smoothie, the nutrients my sister desperately needs. Even though I had covered the top in clingfilm, my haste is causing it to leak, but I dare not slow down.
Please.
Skidding around the corner, I glance around quickly before gently sliding the door open, sending a prayer heavenward that it chooses not to groan as it so often does.
Of course, God does not listen to me. Who cares about the children forced to be whores? No one I’ve met thus far.
Knowing I only have minutes at the most, I abandon stealth and race down the stairs, trying desperately to keep as much liquid in the cup as possible. My sister sits slumped against the back wall, watching me with wide eyes, the silver bars of her cage winking maliciously with their sole purpose of containment.
Dropping to my knees, I thrust the cup through the bars, aiming the straw for the small hole Papa left her. The thick black coarse thread he used looks garish and horrifying, strips of punishment lashing her lips together. Penance owed for crying for her mother. Her real mother, not Momma.
My aim is true, and I manage to slide the straw into the small hole. “Quickly, Rachel!” I hiss. “Drink, before Papa comes!”
“REBECCA!” The roar echoes above, followed shortly by the panicked cries of my sisters.
Pounding footsteps race down the stairs, and I drop the cup, whispering a broken apology to my sister for failing her. Crying out when rough hands lift me to my feet by my hair, I’m dragged to the punishment wall, hands shoved into restraints and tied. The room swirls around me as my heart threatens to break out of my chest. A fine film of sweat breaks out along my spine as the nightdress is ripped off, falling to the floor like a fallen angel’s wings.
Papa presses up against my back, a dark malicious chuckle spilling from his lips as he licks up the side of my face. “You’re getting a bit too old for me, Rebecca. But you’ll never be too old to not face punishment.” He forces my head back, my neck spasming as he tilts it further back than it comfortably allows.
“Beg.”
The words he taught me spill forth, his conceit so great that he places himself amongst the gods.
“Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee …”
Teeth bite into my neck as he thrusts into my ass, blood welling and spilling from both as he pounds into me.
“Again!” he screams, a hand going to my neck, squeezing.
“Oh my God, I am heartily sorry …”
The loud cry wakes me, snapping me upright as I heave in a desperate breath of air. Cool moonlight bathes my room in an eerie glow, shadows swirling like mist, the silence following my outburst broken only by the sound of my ragged breaths.
Soon, comes the ragged whisper from the darkness inside me. Its claws scrape against my chest, seeking freedom.
Soon.
Chapter 1
Trey
Ihad left that little diner in Iowa knowing I would be heading to Arizona and to whatever destiny God deemed me worthy of. I drove down to Missouri, swinging onto what would have been the original Route 66, driving along it as much as I could, letting the road lead me to Arizona and whatever fate was waiting for me.
Stopping in a small town in New Mexico, I traded in my much-loved Harley for a Jeep. I would need space for my Arizona Surprise, and even with autumn approaching, it was still hot as fuck, and the air conditioning would come in handy.
It was while sitting in a darkened corner of another diner, this time in Mesa, when I came across an inconspicuous online ad. Clicking on the link led me to a website, one perfect for those who like to watch. Curiosity drew me in, and when I saw the woman with golden brown curls and aqua eyes staring back at me, I just knew. It washer. The one God was promising me.
