Ana POV

I went downstairs again, in search of a Christian. I caught the woman as she was leaving, and she sneered at me before strutting out. Christian looked so lost and broken, it hurt me to see him like that. I barely knew him, but I had to do something.

"Christian?" I asked quietly, not wanting to startle him. His eyes snapped to mine and for a second, he looked like a small boy, his big grey eyes expressing his hurt and dread with one look. But soon, they closed and I could almost see the metaphorical walls he built around himself.

"Christian I-"

"Look, whatever you saw or you think you saw, just drop it, you don't know anything little girl so stay out of my way." His words stung, his voice was harsh, but I didn't focus on my hurt, I focused on my anger. Anger at the disgusting woman, anger at him for being so stupid.

"Firstly, don't call me little girl." I grounded out, stepping down from the last step to face him properly. "Secondly, I do understand what's happening and it is my business. I can't just let her take advantage of you!" I whisper yelled, not wanting the others to hear yet.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm, his grip tight, almost hurting. I looked into his eyes and saw the anger, the pure anger, but what made me stop struggling was the fear in them. He was scared and didn't know what to do. My heart broke for him.

"Don't you dare tell anyone!" He roared. I feared someone heard, and I looked around, but I heard no one approaching.

"Look, what she's doing is wrong. I'm not sure what you've arranged with her, but don't go, please. She's twenty years your senior. Don't go." I begged.

"I have to." His voice cracked. He let go of my arm and I watched defeatedly as he left.

"Ana! Where were you? I was waiting for ages!" I made my way upstairs reluctantly, following a whiny and grumpy Mia to her girly room.

Dinner was tense. Well it was for me. Ray was still working today, Mr Grey looked irritated, Elliot was wolfing down his food like normal I guess and Mia was deep in thought. Mrs Grey was trying to make conversation, but it wasn't working.

"Mrs Grey, where's Christian?" I asked once I finished my food. Everyone was still eating.

"He's working for Elena. He won't be back till later." She smiled. Clearly, she had no idea what that woman was doing to her son, and it hurt to keep what little information I had from her, but I needed to do my own research. I had to find out exactly what this 'dungeon' was and exactly who these 'boys' were.

It could be I was mistaken in my assumption.

But I highly doubted that. Christian gave it all away with his threat and I knew dodgy people when I saw saw them, one important skill I picked up while living with Stephen and his junkie friends.

It seems Detective Steele was back for one more episode of Unveiling Criminals.

I woke up at six, not screaming, not crying, not scared. Just content and peaceful. It was my first day at school and I was going to Seattle Preparatory School. It started from middle school all the way to highschool and it was for the rich rich.

"You excited Annie?" Ray asked me as we ate the scrambled eggs I made for breakfast.

"Yeah, but I'm just worried. It seems like such an expensive school with all these rich kids-"

"Don't you think I'm allowed to spoil my little girl rotten?" Ray asked, his blue eyes swirling with emotions. I smiled at him.

"Come on, let's go." I grabbed my already packed black satchel. I slipped on some new shiny black ballet flats. The school required us to wear clothing with the school colours, but were pretty loose with the rules, as long it was black, white, grey or red.

I wore maroon skinny jeans and a tight white shirt Mia picked. My hair was in a French braid that Mia taught me yesterday and I had a nice black blazer on top. I liked the outfit and I felt my heart swell that Ray let me spoil myself.

The drive was mostly me listening to the radio, listening to the morning news before switching to a music station. Ray and I sung along to ridiculous songs like What Does The Fox Say while he drove his large, shiny black pick up truck to the school.

Sooner than I would have like, Ray stopped in front of a gigantic school where hundreds of students milled about, all of different ages and sizes.

"You ready Annie?" I nodded. I gave Ray a tight hug and a kiss, before waving him off, trying to squash the growing feeling of anxiety creeping up on me.

Think of something else.

You've dealt with drug addicts and alcoholics and creepy perverts, I'm sure you can deal with a few judgemental teenagers.

With a newfound sense of confidence and courage, I made my way towards the daunting building, ready for the day.