A Guardian Angel
Chapter 126
The Grand Finale
Part Two: A Caged Bird's Song
Mei took off once they separated on the main floor. The band was still playing, and back stage bustled with its usual activity. Nobody seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary. Slowing to a walk, she headed to the hopefully empty security office. She wanted to check the feeds, and see what had been recorded. Making it in record time Mei glanced around before slipping into the empty room.
It hadn't been easy to find Declan's office, but once she did, Mei began browsing the security channels running on the multiple monitors. She could see nothing on the cameras of the upper levels. From how everything looked, the cameras had been moved to face the lower levels.
Scanning the footage, was obvious through every camera on the screen, that a majority of the night's events had been recorded. Mei clicked randomly on the feed's recorded time line, and cringed watching herself break the man's leg. It had gone in the completely other direction, and had given him the briefest similarity to a flamingo before he'd crashed to the ground with Kate.
She clicked on the other parts of the feed. Everything had been recorded. Mei began digging around trying to find out how to delete the footage. Lich, she knew, could use this to make it seem as if they were the aggressors if he wanted to. Clicking on the link to edit the night's feed, Mei frowned as a pop up requesting administrative access locked out the screen.
"What the hell?" Quickly she typed her password in watching as it was rejected. She tried again using another administrative password watching as the same box popped up. She tried everything she could; using every password she could think of.
Running her fingers through her hair Mei sighed in frustration. There was nothing she could do. At this point she knew that if she were to get another password wrong she'd risk locking out the system. She had only one try left. Clicking on the password hint, only one word revealed itself.
Next
Now Mei wracked her mind on what this could mean. Suddenly a thought hit her like a truck, Declan's voice echoing in her thoughts.
'You're lucky this numbers in reserve for someone else'.
"I hope this works." Typing in 'Kitten', Mei watched as the box turned green and the profile activated administrative access.
"Oh you sick prick." She began scrolling through the evenings feed. Mei was about to delete it, and as she went to, she noticed an out of place folder on the desktop near the recycling bin.
Curiosity got the best of her. Clicking it open revealing dozens and dozens of dated folders, Mei clicked open the most recent one labeled Kitten and stared in shock. It was filled with endless photos, video stills, and videos. All of them were of Kate.
Kate and Mo walking through the airport. Kate sleeping in her bed, the photo shot through the window. Kate at a farm patting a dark colored horse. Kate sleeping in a hammock, and one of she and Mo inside a barn that was taken from inside the barn. Photos of Kate and Mo at a cemetery. All of them had been taken within the last forty-eight hours.
The photos dated back years. Finally she reached the end of the pictures, finding the very first. Quickly she clicked out of the file, she didn't want to see her friend like that.
Clicking on the other folders Mei watched as different people's photos popped up. It took her a moment to realize that these people, had to be the victims he'd bothered to keep track of.
None of them were labeled by name, but all seemed to have a code name much like Kate's had. Some folders were sparse with but a single photo. Most had a good handful of photos and videos, but none were as in detail as Kate's. Hers had been filled with multiple folders, and was sectioned off by country as well. From what she'd seen the last updated item in this folder was from the previous night. Taking a breath Mei clicked on the most recent upload watching as the video began.
0o0
Crickets were chirping, and the sound of dry grass could be heard as the camera began to focus, everything coming into view. Kate slept with her back to the window. The sound of something sharp, began to tap against the glass. This happened a few times before Kate turned over. He tapped again, now scraping the knife along the glass. At Kate's scream Declan laughed.
The camera grew blurry as he began moving. He'd dropped down, slipping into the basement through a broken out window. In the basement Kate's freak out could clearly be heard. She desperately begged Mo not to leave the house. That something bad would happen if he did. After a few minutes, flashing lights could be seen flashing though the basement windows. He watched the cops come and circle the house. One of the cops seemed to be intentionally hiding the broken out window, as he talked to Mo outside.
The camera began moving again, and this time he approached a set of stairs. Climbing them quietly, he reached for the door knob, slowly turning it. The door cracked open, and moments later another officer passed by. He didn't turn back as he headed down the hall to the bedroom. The door cracked open just a bit wider now. With that extra inch, the camera got a glimpse of Kate as she paced in the bedroom.
The camera focus blurred again as he quietly pressed himself against the wall. He'd moved just as shadows of the officers passed by. There at the door, one could faintly hear Kate and Mo talking. As the sounds of footsteps approached, the door pushed shut. The footsteps walked past but suddenly they stopped.
"Shug?"
"Let's go. Now."
Play Video Again?
0o0
The video came to an end, and digging in her pocket Mei pulled out a flash drive. She saved the main file, along with the evenings camera feed. Going through the computer, Mei pulled up any documentation shared between him and Lich, saving it to the drive as well.
Anything damning or iffy in the slightest, she saved to the drive. To her frustration though, there wasn't much to begin with. Declan she knew, had always been far more adept at covering his tracks than most people.
Closing it all out Mei signed out of the computer leaving everything as she'd found it. The police she figured could handle this. This would go so much further than just local, or county PD. This would bring in State PD or at least the FBI.
Mei was also sure neither of them would be in trouble for this. Not when Declan had been hunting, hurting, and murdering people for years. All they had done was survive him. Not to mention she had the flash drive for collateral just in case Lich got in and deleted things.
Heading back down to the stadium Mei couldn't hear music anymore. All she could hear were screams, and an alarm going off. At this, she knew that Declan's body had been found. Slipping into the crowd, Mei went off in search of Lucas and the rest of the band.
o0o0o
"Oh my gosh! Did you hear?"
"Hear about what?"
"The body."
"The body?!"
"Yeah, it's wild."
"I never believed something like this could happen."
"Do we know who it is?"
"No confirmation yet. Hell I don't even know if it's a man or a woman."
"I heard they found whoever it was hanging in the lighting department."
"Doesn't sound like they were too bright."
At this Lucas looked up feeling anger. He hadn't minded that his stylists had been talking. That's what he expected from everyone right now, especially given the circumstances.
Once the alarm had been sounded, the band had been removed from the stage. They'd only been one song into their encore, so that had been especially surprising.
But still, that comment crossed a line for him. He had no idea who had been found. With the information he had, Lucas knew it could only be one of three likely people: Declan, Kate, or Mei.
He'd already texted Fionna, and had been desperately hoping she knew more than he did. For the moment though, he knew he needed to put his foot down.
"You, shut your damn mouth and have a little respect for the dead. Especially since it's probably one of our coworkers." He said shaking his head in frustration. If Mei could touch base that would be wonderful. But for now, Lucas knew he'd be stuck worrying. He looked back at his phone as the stylists returned to their conversation.
"Regardless of who died, I heard that from what they could tell, it wasn't a suicide."
"So you're telling me we have some murderer hanging around back stage with us?"
"Yup."
"That's creepy."
"Get a grip."
"I'll bet Declan snapped and finally killed someone."
Abruptly standing, Lucas walked from the room slamming the door behind him. He couldn't listen to them anymore. He needed information, and he was going to find it.
The huge crowd that had taken over the back stage had lessened. Back stage access he knew, had likely been revoked for concert goers because of this. He was determined to get to the bottom of things. He hadn't heard from Fionna, Mei, or Kate since earlier in the evening.
Heading to the green room he passed by the larger crowd where the body was currently being moved. There were still too many people, and it was too early to be worrying this much. Shaking his head Lucas continued on finally spotting the Scream Kings and their posse minus two in one of the back rooms.
"Lucas!" Fionna said meeting him at the door. "I'm so glad you're okay. Have you heard anything?"
"No. I was actually coming to ask you the same thing. Have you heard from Mei or Kate?" He asked as Fionna frowned.
"We haven't, and Mochro's missing too so we're hoping that they're together."
"I'm hoping too. I haven't heard from anyone for a long time now. I'm worried Fionna." Lucas said checking his phone again.
"I know you are. We all are." She said resting her hand on his shoulder. Leading him over to the couch, Fionna offered him a seat before going back to sit with Marshall.
They'd all been sitting in the room talking quietly amongst themselves when a phone began ringing. They all began checking their pockets, but it was Ash's phone that had received the call.
"Dude where are you everyone's worried, is Kate with you?" He asked everyone's focus now on him. "Wait, Kate? Calm down, what?"
"Put it on speaker." Fionna said, Ash quickly doing as he was told.
"Kate where's Mo?"
"He won't wake up Ash, he's bleeding. I had to pull over because I'm not okay to drive. I feel really weird, and I don't know what to do." Kate said dissolving into tears.
"Is there anyone around you at all?" Marshall asked quickly.
"No."
"Alright Kate." Ash said grabbing his phone back. "I'm gonna start telling you what to do, and I want you to do it okay? Do everything I tell you, okay?"
"Okay."
"Where's the car, are you pulled over somewhere safe?"
"Yes."
"Are the hazard lights on? If not turn them on." He said listening as the clicking began in the background. "Turn on the interior lights too. You want to make it easy for any emergency responders to find you guys. How's Mo? What happened that he's bleeding?"
"Declan happened. He's cold, but I have pressure on his arm."
"Good job. You might have to use your shirt or your sweatshirt Kate. Tear it into strips and see if you can tie them around his arm to try and slow the bleeding. You want as much pressure as you can get. Please tell me he has a pulse." They all listened silently waiting, their nervousness building.
"He does." Kate said sounding more than relieved.
"Even better. I've got Fionna on the line with the police right now; can you tell me anything about your surroundings? Anything that can help them find where you are?" He asked. Again they listened to the silence.
"I think that sign says mile marker 32."
"You get that Fionna?" Ash asked as she nodded relaying that to the 911 operator.
"Ash I don't feel good."
"I know Hun, that's why we're sending someone to find you two, okay? We're going to get you both home safe." Ash said. "How are you doing?"
"I'm dizzy. I'm really dizzy and everything looks funny."
"You're gonna be okay." He said soothingly.
"I don't feel okay, everything feels so wrong. I shouldn't have told him I was okay to drive."
"Focus on my voice, not anything else. Can you tell us what happened? How you got out of the stadium?" He asked as they all gathered around to listen.
o0o0o
Mei had been just about to enter the green room when Lich grabbed her arm. He began walking her in the opposite direction, and backpedaling, she followed quickly after Lich. He stormed his way to the security office in the stadium, Mei following dutifully along. He had been furiously searching for Declan when he got news of a body. He, Mei could see was suspicious of her.
"I have no idea how we're going to recover after this, if Declan didn't have the decency to die." Lich said as he walked into the office, Mei closing the door behind them.
"Since the body was discovered after the encore, it can't have affected us too negatively." Mei said softly.
The speed in which Lich turned, raising his arm made Mei flinch. He paused though resting his hand on her cheek.
"What do you know?" He asked his voice dangerously soft. His thumb trailed along her cheek.
"I've been helping the stagehands all night."
"Mei, I know you know something." Lich said his hand moving from her cheek, to the nape of her neck clenching tightly in her hair watching as she cringed.
"Tell me what you know, right now." He growled.
"I don't know, I really don't. Nobody does."
"And this is the truth?" He asked pulling tighter, feeling as she began to shake.
"Yes." Mei said her voice tight.
"I know you're lying to me. It's going to be a problem when I find out the truth Mei." He said releasing her. Walking to the desk he began pulling up the security footage.
Mei stood there feeling her frustration growing until finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What's going to be a problem, is if you ever grab me like that again." Mei said watching as he looked up in surprise, before staring her down.
"Excuse me?" He asked his voice hushed. This she knew was her one chance to take it back. She didn't want to.
"You heard me. Everything you did to me as a child, you did because you could. I let you, because I was afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you anymore."
"That's an awfully bold statement from the girl who still cringes having her hair pulled." He hissed taking a step closer. "Don't forget I know everything about you. I know your every failure, and every mistake you've made. The man you tried to kill."
"Do you think I don't have the same leverage?" Mei asked keeping her distance as he approached.
"I know about everything. I've done everything you asked me to do. I was loyal to you, I was your puppet. You think puppets don't learn secrets? You treated me like I was disposable, like I was a toy for you to use at your whim for years! Of course I learned things, I learned things from everyone. I learned secrets about everyone." Mei said feeling a jolt of panic as her back touched the wall. She was desperately hoping this would work, especially as he grabbed her.
"He was going to betray you and I couldn't allow that." Mei said letting her tears fall. "I couldn't let him ruin what you worked so hard to build." At this she could feel his grip lessen.
"What are you saying Mei?"
"Declan was planning on killing you tonight Mr. Lich" Mei said looking into his eyes now. Her hands slowly came to rest on his, pulling them from her shoulders holding them tightly in hers.
"He was planning on making it seem like a deal gone wrong with Feuer Flint."
"And how exactly do you know this? No more lies Mei." He said now holding her chin. "Tell me everything."
"Declan told me himself. He talks a lot when he thinks he's in control."
"Yes." Lich said nodding in agreement. "Yes he does. What happened?"
"I was working with the stage hands like I told you. He chased her up onto the access struts. They were on the upper staging area where I was. Declan had threatened me on our first day back, so I wasn't planning on staying around him all too much. He'd told me that day that once he was finished with her, it would be me next.
"Kate ended up getting away. Her boyfriend was with her and helped her get away from him, he's injured. They got away and Declan took that frustration out on me. He attacked me, and I was forced to defend myself."
"And what exactly did you do?" Lich asked as Mei finally met his gaze.
"I strung him up by his neck like the animal he is. I got him caught in the wires and cords, and kicked him over the side of the walk way. Gravity handled the rest pretty well." Mei said softly as Lich stepped away from her.
"Are there any wounds to the body? Anything that wouldn't be explained by a physical fight and a hanging?"
"I don't know. Nothing from me. But word has been going around that murder is suspected. I don't know what other injuries he picked up tonight." Mei said now moving to the computer, Lich letting her. She changed the camera feed showing the upper levels, surprising him as all the cameras were facing away from where they had supposed to have been facing.
"I think." She said softly watching as Lich gave her his complete attention. "That he wasn't anticipating anyone being on that level. Not himself, myself, or Kate, so he moved the cameras from recording those locations to try and get a better view of his games for further review later."
"Which means the fight between the two of you wasn't recorded."
"Exactly, and the only people able to change the cameras are ones with his administrative password." Mei said now looking to Lich.
"We could make this look like a suicide." He said as Mei shook her head.
"I thought the same, but my only concern would be why he'd want to kill himself?"
"Mei, as you know this is the end of the contract with the Scream Kings. We had an agreement, Declan and I. He didn't want to follow that agreement. As a result he just lost his job, has no family or friends. Who wouldn't want a way out from that?" He asked smirking.
"I honestly don't think that'll work. He moved the cameras yes, but these changes are monitored and time stamped." She said pointing to the section of the screen.
"These cameras were moved this morning. If you were to have fired him and have set him off to want to kill himself, he wouldn't have hidden what he was about to do before the fact."
"So what do you suggest we do Mei? Because the only option left seems to be you admitting to murder. Though self-defense seems to be more likely."
"I think if I explain that I was protecting myself-
"You'll be incarcerated and no use to anyone, let alone myself." Lich said now walking around the room. "No, there's a better option. There's always a better option." He said drumming his fingers on the desk. "I'll just have to figure out what it is."
o0o0o
"We watched him die. It takes longer than I ever imagined for someone to die like that." Kate said her shaking voice trailing off as everyone exchanged looks.
"What happened after that Kate?" FP asked.
"After they got me untied from the railing, Mo and I left. Mei said she had some things she wanted to find. That was the last time I saw her."
"Oh thank GOD." Lucas said sounding relieved. Seeing the looks from everyone he half-heartedly glared back. "What? I can't help that I worry!"
"You okay Kate?" Ash asked. "We haven't heard from you about how you're doing in a little bit. How's Mo doing?"
"I stopped the bleeding for the most part." Kate said sounding more than nauseous. "I feel sick. His bloods everywhere."
"It's gonna be okay Kate." Ash said reassuringly. "Fionna how far out are they?" He asked, Fionna checking with the dispatcher.
"Dispatch says less than five minutes." Fionna said.
"Did you hear that Kate? In less than ten minutes you'll have nothing to worry about. You guys are gonna be okay." Marshall said hoping to reassure her. They heard nothing but silence.
"Kate, you okay?" Ash asked feeling his concern grow. "Kate?"
They listened as she began gagging, before coughing, and throwing up.
"Kate, we need to hear from you, we need to know you're okay."
"I-I can see something."
"What do you see? Kate?"
"Kate are you still there?"
They could hear the clattering of the phone, and moments later the sound of sirens approaching.
"Okay, thank you very much." Fionna said hanging up the phone. "The dispatcher said they're on scene and that they'll be brought to Memorial Hospital."
"Alright, I'm heading over now then." Ash said grabbing his things. "The way I see it, there's no point in staying anymore. We fulfilled our contract when we finished singing."
"This." Ignitus said grabbing his things. "I'm one hundred and fifty thousand percent in favor of bouncing."
"You guys go. Fionna, you should go with them." Marshall said earning their looks. "I'll meet you at the hospital."
"What are you doing Marsh?"
"Someone has to close things out with Lich. I want assurances that this is over and done."
"Look, you can do all this tough man crap after we make sure everyone's whole." Fionna said crossing her arms.
"You really should come with us Marshall. It's not unheard of for these kinds of close out meetings to take place after the final concert anyways." Ignitus said with a shrug. "Hunson does it that way all the time."
Marshall glanced around the room, meeting everyone's gaze. After a look to Lucas, who nodded, he stood.
"Okay. Let's go to the hospital. Lich can wait."
"Let me know how everyone is." Lucas said watching as the group stood to leave.
"Keep us updated on any news." Marshall said as Lucas nodded.
"I will."
o0o0o
Mei walked after Lich as they walked down the hall. He'd come close to locking out Declan's computer in the security office, and it had been her pointing this out that had spared that outcome. They were heading to a private room back stage. The police that had shown up had requested his presence. He was told once they'd arrived that he was to identify the body.
Mei already knew that Lich was planning to lie. Declan he assumed had killed himself. That was his story and she knew he'd stick to it. They walked into the room, and the first thing Mei noticed was the stretcher with the body bag.
"You're the employer?" The first officer asked as the second closed the door behind them.
"Yes officer, Anderson Lich. I hope you don't mind the presence of my assistant?" He asked shaking the Officer's hand.
"Not at all. We've requested you here to identify this individual who was found earlier by one of your staff." He said unzipping the body bag. "Just to warn you, this will probably be a bit jarring."
The moment he opened the bag, Mei gasped turning away. Just as she expected his neck was angled awkwardly. It was bruised, adorned in blacks, blues, and purples. That though wasn't what had caused her eyes to flood with tears. It was the streaks of red that broke her. It had taken her a moment before she realized they were nail marks. Along with the blues and purples of bruising on his neck, were red scratches. His face, and his neck, were covered in them.
"Resuscitative measures had been given. Its how this in particular was found." He said now pulling open the shirt revealing his chest, covered in more scratches with a large bruise forming in the middle.
At this Mei had to walk away. She could handle the consequences of her actions. She knew without question that what she would do was going to kill him. What broke her heart were the scratches. They were a testament to how desperately Kate had been trying to stay alive.
"Can you identify this man?"
"Yes, that's my head of security."
"Can you give us his name?"
"Declan Cromwell. Officer, if I may?"
"Please."
"Mr. Cromwell and I, have been associates for the last three years or so now. Our association began when I hired him. In that short time I have gotten numerous complaints about him, from my staff. I however, have never been given anything substantial to confirm any problems sent my way about him. With no evidence I could not remove him from his position. He did his job well, and I had no legitimate reason to let him go. That being said none of the staff liked Declan."
"If none of your staff liked him, is it safe to say he has his fair share of enemies? Because this." He said motioning to the scratches. "Is unlikely to be self-inflicted."
"Unfortunately there have been a few rumors that reached my ears. It's said that he was particularly fond of the girlfriend of one of my artists."
"Did you take any action on that?" The officer asked.
"I did. This was brought to me by my artist. After I called Declan to my office. I reminded him of what was proper behavior for the work space. After this discussion I heard nothing more about it. Nothing from either party, or through the grape vine. I assumed that my intervention had ended this problem."
"Would you have the names of these individuals? Your artist and his girlfriend?"
"His name is Modestus Cronyn. All I know about his girlfriend is that her name, I believe, is Kate. I have files on all of my artists. If you'd like to meet me at my office, I can give you any information of his that you require so you can get into contact."
"Thank you Mr. Lich. And you Ma'am?" The officer asked now addressing Mei.
"Tell them everything you know Mei. I want this figured out." Lich said staring her down as Mei stared back nervously at him.
"Actually, what we'll do is start taking statements in the next room over." The female officer said opening the door.
"You can come with me." She said motioning Mei along to another room a few doors down.
"I'm Officer Tiffany Morrisy, you can just call me Tiffany if it's easier." She said closing the door behind them.
"So working with the Scream Kings has to be wild." She said now sitting at the table. "Who'd have thought my friend's little sister and her friends would blow up like that."
"You're friends with Fionna's brother?" Mei asked quickly.
"Yup, we grew up together. Actually do you know if she's here? Jake would kill me if I didn't at least check to see if she was okay-
"You need to help us." Mei said watching the look on her face change.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean they're doing really bad things under the guise of being musical producers. I can't prove any of it, I can't right now I know I can't."
"What are they doing?"
"Lich and Declan were working together to traffick people. And it wasn't just a rumor through the grapevine that Declan had a thing for Kate, everyone knew about it. I think it was because she figured it out, whatever it was they were doing."
"Do you think she killed him?"
"No. I absolutely do not. She's a really sweet person, she's not violent. But I think those scratches came from her. I think he was trying to do something to her, and she fought back. She was terrified of him, absolutely terrified of him, and everyone else was too. I think by now they should have their issues with him on public record. I know they called the police a few times because of him."
"Is there anything you can tell me about him?"
"What if I could show you what he's done?"
"How so?"
"I've had my suspicions about Declan, it took me a while but I figured out the password to his computer. There's a folder I found there, one that shouldn't have been there because it's not company information. I think you need to see that file before my boss can get back to the security office. He and Declan were a lot closer than he's letting on."
"Why do I get the feeling you, were a lot deeper in this than it seems?"
"Because I was forced into this, and I want out. I can't keep allowing this."
"Allowing what?"
"I can't keep letting him do these things. Not to me, or anyone else."
"Can you tell me what, actually... What's your name again?"
"Mei."
"Okay Mei, why don't you start from the beginning? When did you start noticing anything suspicious?"
"When I first met him."
"Declan?"
"Lich."
"Okay. Can you tell me what happened at that time, which made you feel as if something wasn't right?"
"I was detained at the police station. I wasn't allowed to leave unless it was with him. I was told by the officers he was a social worker." At this Tiffany blinked quickly starting at her.
"I'm sorry, but say again?"
"I was detained at the police station as a minor child, and was told I could either go with him, or go to jail for the rest of my life." Mei said watching the look of shock grow on her face.
"How old were you?" She asked in a hushed voice.
"I had just turned twelve."
"Did you know him at all? Was he a friend of the family?"
"No. He was a complete stranger to me."
"What's happened to you, up until now?" Tiffany asked.
At this Mei smiled, resting her cheek in her hand.
"You're going to want to write this down on something." She said watching the officer scramble for the note pad in her breast pocket, and a pen.
"Whenever you're ready." Closing her eyes Mei took a breath.
"I'm never gonna be ready, but it's time."
o0 flashback 0o
Mei looked around the cold detainment cell. She couldn't see anything through the two way mirror, she'd already tried looking. Earlier one of the officers had said she was to wait for a social worker. Minutes after though, another had brought her to the room she was currently sitting in. She sat in the chair kicking her feet when the door opened.
"Let's go, your ride is here." At this Mei looked confused. She didn't have a ride. Was the social worker giving her a ride somewhere? She followed him into another room and to her surprise, out the back door of the station where a new man waited.
The moment he saw her he looked absolutely livid.
"That is not at all what I asked for! What the hell am I supposed to do with her?"
"Look, this is exactly how to get what you want. You asked for loyalty. You ever hear the phrase pick 'em young watch them grow?"
"You know exactly what I use these women for. I do not want a child."
"Look at it this way, it takes a little bit of time to train her and raise her up, true. But when she is trained, you have an absolute sure thing for whatever you want."
Mei looked back and forth between the men. What the heck was going on? The man before her didn't look much like how she thought a social worker would look like...He wasn't acting like one either. Something didn't feel right.
"How about this, I'll even knock down the price for you. At this point I'm losing money. Besides if you don't take her off my hands, someone else will, and at a much higher price."
Looking away from the officer, he spared her a glance before looking back.
"Very well." He said handing the officer a thick roll of cash. For the first time he addressed her.
"You, come with me."
Mei looked to the officer who nodded, and followed after him. She glanced around feeling her nervousness grow as they walked to a car parked at the end of the empty alley.
He opened the back seat door for her, and climbing in Mei pulled the door shut. The first thing she did was lean over the front seat locking the doors to the car.
He grabbed the door handle pulling, and glared as the door remained tightly shut. He tried again failing to open it.
"Open this door now."
"No." Mei watched as he sighed, reaching for the keys in his pocket. The moment he slid the key into the lock, Mei opened the passenger's side door, running as fast as she could in the other direction. She thought for the briefest moment that she was going to get away, but her arm was grabbed as she tumbled to the ground.
Mei gasped as the asphalt scraped against her skin, but let out a yelp feeling as painful stinging slaps began raining down on her. Quickly she covered her face with her arms feeling as the blows continued growing harder. By the time he'd stopped, she'd curled into a small ball and was shaking as she cried.
"Get up now." He bit out through clenched teeth.
She stood, trembling.
"Get into the car."
Walking over, Mei did as she was told. Climbing into the car she sat hiccupping quietly. She sat in the middle watching as he flicked the child lock switch on the door before shutting it. He rounded the car doing the same to the other door as Mei scooted as far from him as she could.
He climbed in starting the car, and turning to reverse from his space he paused.
"Are you going to cause me any more problems?" He asked as Mei wordlessly shook her head.
"Good." Turning back he continued driving. The trip was a blur, and eventually they pulled into a fenced in property. The driveway was long, and at the end was a large house. The car was parked and she was walked inside.
"Welcome back Mr. Lich." The maid said opening the door and greeting him. Seeing Mei though, her smile fell.
"Thank you. I want a bath run for the child. I want her bathed, dressed, and in my room in an hour. Under no circumstances is she to be left alone." He said before walking down the hallway and disappearing from view.
"Come with me sweetheart." The woman said her voice gentle. They walked down another hall and she was brought to a bathroom. The maid bustled around the room filling the tub with bubbles and scented oils.
"Get undressed and in the tub little one."
"C-can I have privacy?"
"No darling. We don't want you running off now. I'll turn around, but you're not to be left alone." She said turning facing away from her.
"Be quick. Mr. Lich hates tardiness more than anything." She said still facing away from her.
Mei was slow to undress, watching the woman who never once turned as she stripped and stepped into the tub.
"Good girl." The woman turned back around and began washing her hair. To her embarrassment she began scrubbing her all over with the loofa. Once she was rinsed clean and wrapped in a towel, the tub was drained and she was brought to another room.
Mei's wet hair dripped onto the wooden floors as they walked down the hall. In here the door was again locked, and as the maid began going through the closet, Mei looked around. Her attention was grabbed as the woman returned with an outfit.
"This is the smallest size we have right now. You can dress behind the screen."
Nodding and accepting the items Mei walked behind the screen. Trying on the silky items she found them entirely too large for her. The tank top hung off of her shoulder, and the shorts were tied as tightly as they could be to keep them on.
Now placing a hand on her shoulder, the maid guided her to yet another room. Once there the older woman began blow drying her hair. Reaching for the make-up though, she paused.
"How old are you?"
"Ele-Twelve. I'm twelve." Mei said in a tight voice.
"Oh my, you're so young. This is so terribly unlike him. What's your name?"
"Mei."
"Okay Mei. It's time to go to Mr. Lich."
"What's gonna happen when I see him?"
"That will depend. If he's a good man, nothing." She said vaguely.
"What if he's a bad one?" Mei asked, but the maid was answering no more questions.
Pushing the door open they walked into the room, and the first thing she saw was the bed. This turned her stomach into a ball of nerves, especially as the woman sat her on the foot of it.
"Mr. Lich will be with you shortly." She said pausing for a moment. She seemed hesitant to leave.
"What's gonna happen?" Mei asked in a small voice watching the sadness in the woman's face increase. She looked distressed.
"I don't know." She said softly, her hand gently rubbing Mei's cheek. Turning she walked from the room, leaving Mei alone for the first time as she closed the door behind her.
Mei sat on the bed shivering as she tugged the hem of her pajama shorts further down. They were far too high up her thigh for her comfort, and she was cold. A door opening on the other side of the room caught her attention. Immediately she felt her mouth go dry, it was the man from earlier.
He approached slowly, and stood before her. Reaching forward he ran his fingers through her hair, trailing down past her ear, and to her chin. He tilted her face upwards, and for the first time since he walked in, her eyes met his.
Immediately she began to tear up. She didn't want him to hit her again, and she didn't like how he was looking at her right now. The intensity of his stare was scaring her, especially as his hand trailed down her neck. He almost seemed to be looking right through her as he studied her face. Finally though he sighed looking away from her for a moment.
"Tell me. Do you understand why you're here?"
"No, I thought you were the social worker."
"I'm not your social worker, but your new guardian. I'm here because your friends from the guild don't give a damn whether you live or die." He said watching her eyes widen.
"Yes. I know all about that. They abandoned you. I doubt you had parents before your incarceration?" He asked as Mei shook her head.
"No."
"Good. This will be a much easier transition for you then. As your guardian I have become your new caretaker. I'm not your Father or your Daddy, but I will be sure your needs are met. Clothing will be brought for you shortly. I will have you brought to me when it's time for your lessons. Those will begin tomorrow. Come with me." He said softly. His hand coming to a stop on her shoulder.
Mei could feel the pressure from his hand and knew she was to follow him. Slowly she slid off the edge of the bed. Feeling his hand still resting on her shoulder, Mei followed along as he walked her from the room and down the hall.
"This," He said stopping and opening a door. "Is your bedroom. We will find age appropriate clothing for you. You will be home schooled." He said closing the door as they stepped inside. His hand on her shoulder moved to the back of her head.
"Are you going to cause me any problems?" He asked feeling as she shook her head.
Mei flinched as he grabbed her chin tilting it down.
"Don't look me in the eye. Look at the floor unless I give you permission, is that understood?"
"Yes." She said quickly looking to the ground.
"Yes Mr. Lich. Now, look at me."
"Yes Mr. Lich." Mei said lifting her gaze and meeting his.
"Good girl. You're to come when called, and to follow the rules you're given. Is that understood?"
"Yes Mr. Lich."
"Have you eaten?" He asked.
Mei shook her head, and again he grabbed her chin making her flinch.
"You will speak when spoken to. Understood?"
"Yes Mr. Lich."
"Good. Have you eaten?"
"No Mr. Lich."
"I'll see that you're fed. For now rest, it's late and you have a long day ahead of you." He said walking from the room, pulling the door tightly shut behind him.
Walking towards the door, Mei tried the handle finding it locked. Now she glanced around the room. Spotting a window at the other end she walked towards it. Mei was quick to open it watching as it jammed stuck only an inch open.
Investigating the window she found screws blocking the window from opening. Reaching up from the top she pulled it down watching as it did the same, jamming only an inch open. Looking around the empty room, Mei sat on the bed.
The blanket was soft beneath her hands. Sitting with her back against the wall, Mei pulled the blanket up around her face and fell asleep before she even realized it.
0o0
Opening her eyes Mei was surprised to see a tray of food sitting on her bed. Quickly she sat up looking around. There was nobody in the room but her. The food on the tray was cold, it had to have been there for hours. She poked through it, and after a careful inspection, ate cleaning her plate.
The dresser which had been bare when she'd fallen asleep, now had stacks of clothing on them. Walking over she examined them finding several pairs of various items of clothing. Shirts, pants, dresses, shorts, skirts, and under garments.
Finding the pajamas, she changed out of the short silken set she'd been given when she arrived. These clothes fit perfectly, and with them she was much warmer.
Walking to the window Mei looked out. It was still dark, but at the edge of the horizon she could see the sky starting to lighten. This she knew meant it was at least five in the morning. Reaching for the door, she tried it. To her surprise, she found the door unlocked.
Slipping her head out the door, she glanced around seeing light coming from a single doorway. She could also hear people talking. Looking in the other direction and seeing nothing that way, she snuck towards the light down and across the hall. The closer she crept the more clearly she could hear the voices.
"Never again! Do you hear me? I won't be part of such a thing! That was a twelve year old little girl!"
"Be quiet." He snapped. "I am many things, but I am no pedophile. I didn't touch her. Not in that way, and I would never." He said sounding more than insulted.
"Then what do you intend to do with her? Because forgive me for being forward, but you pay me for my silence about your private endeavors. Every woman that has come through those doors have all been adults. Whatever arrangement you have with them is your business. This is an entirely different matter, and something I never thought you capable of."
"She will not ever have that concern under this roof. I prefer the company of women. The child won't be touched, I guarantee it."
"Good. What are your plans for her?"
"I've been working on it. I believe it will be simple enough. She is twelve. I will house her, and cover her needs for the next six years. When she's of age she can move out. During that time I will train her as my personal assistant for BloodRain. She'll be given employment at BloodRain so she will have money to save.
"That being said as I do pay you for your silence, I'm expecting you to have nothing to say about how I raise this child, just as you had nothing to say about any of my other activities."
"As long as she's treated as a child and not a woman, my silence is bought."
The door opened startling Mei. Gasping she stumbled falling backwards. The maid stepped out quickly followed by Mr. Lich.
"What on earth are you doing eves dropping you little wretch?" He snapped snatching the panicked girl by her hair.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"BE QUIET!" He snarled tightening his grip, the silence deafening. "What were you doing?"
"I don't kno-
She yelped feeling the stinging slap.
"What were you doing?"
"I wanted to know what was gonna happen! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" She cried.
"You'd better not!" He said releasing her as Mei gasped closing her eyes in a panic.
"Please don't kill me Mr. Lich!"
"Alright now, enough of this." The maid said beckoning her up from the ground. "Come with me Mei. I think there are some rules you need to learn." She said walking her back to her bedroom.
0o0
"The house rules are simple enough. What's the most important bit is the schedule. Mr. Lich has stated his intentions for you to become his personal assistant, so that's what your studies will also entail." She said as they stood in the kitchen.
"Every day Mr. Lich wakes at five in the morning and begins his day. He takes his tea and breakfast at six thirty. Your homeschooling tutor has been called, you're being entered into the system as a student today. When they arrive you'll take a test to determine you academic placement. Your schooling once you're completely enrolled will start at seven o'clock sharp. Enough time for you to make Mr. Lich's tea, and the both of you some breakfast. That will become part of your morning responsibilities." She said cracking an egg into a pan, Mei watching it as it sizzled.
"Over the course of the week we'll go over these meals, and you'll make them for me. Once they're presentable, you'll make them for Mr. Lich. You'll solely be responsible for his breakfast and morning tea. Do not be late. You've seen him upset, he's worse on an empty stomach. Normally he goes to work, but when he doesn't he works from home." She said preparing a cup of tea and setting the plate up on a tray.
"When you bring Mr. Lich his tray you'll want to knock on the door three times, and wait for him to address you. Only then should you enter his office. Place the tray on the left hand side of his desk. That's his left, and your right. Wait for him to approve of the food, then once he dismisses you, you may leave."
Plating the eggs and toast she placed the tea on the platter before handing it to Mei, who took it with shaking hands.
"Come now, he eats, then you do." She said leading the way.
Mei followed along as fast as she could watching as the tea that had been filled, sloshed over the side of the cup. By the time they'd arrived to the office from the kitchen, the cup was half empty, and the tray was covered in tea.
"Oh dear." The tray was pulled from her hands and was rushed back to the kitchen. Less than a minute later she returned with a fresh tray handing it back to her. Reaching forward Mei knocked on the door three times.
After hearing him telling them to enter, the maid opened the door pausing.
"Remember, do exactly as I told you." She said softly standing at the door as Mei entered the room.
She walked in carefully, doing her best not to spill a drop as she walked over to Mr. Lich's desk. Placing the tray down she stood waiting.
He said nothing. He had not even sparing her a glance while he worked. The minutes passed painfully slowly, and taking a step back Mei was pinned with his stare.
"Did I dismiss you?" The sharpness in his voice was enough to root her in place, but her lack of a response seemed only to enrage him further. "ANSWER ME!"
"N-No!"
"No what?" He asked pushing himself up.
"No, you didn't dismiss me." Mei said keeping her eyes glued to the ground. This though still seemed to be the wrong answer. She winced doing her best not to cry feeling the stinging burn on her cheek.
"You will address me by name when you speak to me. This is your first and last warning." He said once again looking away from her.
"Yes Mr. Lich." Mei said softly training her eyes to the floor.
"Good." Now he looked towards the maid. "When will the academic assessor be here?"
"Eleven this morning Mr. Lich."
"Very good. You're dismissed." He said now once again looking to Mei. "And you. You will stay. Your private lessons with me start now." He said standing from his desk and walking to the door closing it. "Come."
Mei looked up seeing that he was motioning towards her, and walked across the room to meet him. He'd stopped, standing in front of a towering mirror. As she approached, he placed his hands on her shoulders centering her in front of it.
"Look at me." He said his voice dangerously soft.
Mei glanced up meeting his eyes in the mirror.
"Repeat after me: 'I'd have died on the streets if it weren't for you. Without you I'd be nothing.'"
Swallowing, Mei did as she was told.
"I'd have died on the streets if it weren't for you. Without you I'd be nothing."
"Say it again, this time louder." And she did.
"I'd have died on the streets if it weren't for you. Without you I'd be nothing."
"Say it like you mean it. I want you to keep repeating this. You're going to do this until I feel as though the message has sunk in. You will not move, or stop until I give my say." He said pushing her forward so she was nose to nose with her reflection before moving back to his desk. "Carry on."
"I'd have died on the streets if it weren't for you. Without you I'd be nothing."
It felt like a never ending cycle as Mei continued saying those two sentences over, and over, again. The only way she could tell the time was passing, was the position of the shadows on the wall in the reflection of the mirror. That and Mr. Lich occasionally demanding she speak up, and Mei would do so when he did. This continued on until a knock came to the door.
"Come in." The door opened and the maid entered.
"The academic assessor has arrived and has been situated in the study. He's ready for her."
"Very well. Mei you're dismissed." He said not even giving her a glance.
Mei hadn't even noticed her dismissal. She stood still repeating those words to the mirror, but the gentle hand of the maid caught her attention.
"Come along sweetheart." She said bringing her from the room.
The private lessons continued like this for a week, until the tutor was sent out to begin her schooling. From that point their private lessons had been moved to the afternoons after her homework.
The months passed and each day she felt more and more defeated. Almost like she was being shoved into a mold that just didn't fit.
Six months in after the most recent 'lesson', the maid had come to collect her from Lich's office. Returning to her bedroom, Mei sat on the edge of the bed bursting into tears.
"What's wrong?" The maid asked gently.
"I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want to do this anymore." She said wiping her eyes.
"We all have to do things we don't want to Mei, but I promise I'll be here for you for as long as you're here." The maid said softly wrapping her arms around the crying girl.
"Do you promise? You won't leave?" Mei asked with a sniff. She'd asked this question dozens of times now, and just like every time before the older woman smiled."
"I promise sweetheart."
o0 2 Years Later 0o
Mei had thought back to that moment in her life quite a few times. She was sure things would have been different if her only source of stability hadn't died in a car accident heading home that same night.
It had taken weeks of readjusting. In that time Mei was convinced Lich had only wanted to kill her. He seemed to take his every frustration out on her. In time, Mei learned to read him. She learned to sense the swift changes in his emotions, and the swings of his mood.
She'd made it her goal to throw herself completely into her academics. If she could escape him for several hours a day by burying herself into her work, then for Mei, it was a good few hours well spent. Taking a breath Mei cleared her thoughts.
Now wasn't the time. Mr. Lich was having a business event at the house, and she was involved by serving hors d'oeuvres. This party, this event, whatever it was, Mei was just glad she didn't have to cook everything. His rules had gotten even more strict, but she had finally earned some freedom. Even if that freedom had come with a price.
During his last event a few months ago, Mei had seen a familiar face amongst the guests. She could recognize a member of the guild anywhere. That evening had given her more of everything. Answers, anger, and happiness.
Answers as they'd confirmed Mr. Lich's story. Anger, because it had been a group decision to leave her to the mercy of the system. She'd gotten caught and had to face the consequences. The happiness came when she'd been told that she was welcome back any time. She was also told that there would be a discussion with Mr. Lich to make this happen if they could.
Luckily for Mei it did. Unluckily though, Lich had wanted his pound of flesh and then some before she was given the opportunity. She showed up at the guild the next day covered in bruises from his outburst the previous evening. She was allowed to go every other day, but still wasn't allowed to leave the house without an escort. But it was better than not being able to leave at all.
Heading into the kitchen Mei ate the three bacon wrapped scallops left, setting the now empty tray down with the others. She hated these kinds of events, but with no more trays of food, she was finished for the evening. Walking out through the back of the kitchen, the sounds of the event faded away.
Opening the door to her room Mei stared in dismay at the dress on her bed. Lifting the note on top she read through it and honestly wanted to cry. She was tired, she was hungry, and still she was expected to act as his PA tonight.
Grabbing the clothes, she headed to the bathroom on the upper level to shower. She knew nobody was allowed on the upper levels, so she didn't have to worry about someone accidentally seeing her. After a quick rinse Mei slipped on the dress, and headed down stairs.
As his PA, she was always to be taking notes during any conversations he had with someone. Opening her closet she pulled on hosiery and a pair of high heels before running a brush through her long hair. Grabbing her tablet Mei walked from the room heading back towards the party. The sound of her stomach growling caught her attention.
Those scallops had been the only thing she'd eaten in the last three days.
She followed Mr. Lich around the party recording everything to the best of her ability. If he had follow up questions about a prior conversation, Mei knew she'd best have the answer. Especially if she wanted dinner tonight. His tests always left her hungry.
"As I hunger for information, you hunger for food. For every time you deny me, I'll deny you." He'd told her.
Mei hadn't understood what he'd meant at first, but now she did.
"And I told them, 'If you think you can find someone better than BloodRain, be my guest.'" Lich said as the group of men around him laughed. Turning he looked to Mei who continued to take notes.
"Mei, what was the percentage of that stock increase Nightosphere had last month?" Mr. Lich asked watching as Mei blinked up at him.
Quickly she began scrolling through her notes for the evening. She already knew she had less than a minute to respond before he became frustrated with her lack of answer. By the time Mei got to the bottom of the page she felt a chill of panic. She hadn't been there for this conversation. Glancing up Mei could see the anger building, and pulling up the internet she quickly typed it in.
"Sorry for the delay Mr. Lich. The most up to date data says they had a 45% increase in stocks after their newest band released their debut album." Mei said watching as he nodded turning back to the men he'd been talking to.
The night continued on like this, and as each guest left, it became Mei's job to escort them to the door, while confirming their contact information for future invitations. Once the last guest had been escorted out with their information confirmed, Mei closed the door with a sigh as the security guard waved her off. She wished he'd be leaving with the rest of the guests, but he and his team were the main reason she'd been unable to leave. None of the doors had ever been unguarded.
Turning she headed back up the stairs to the entrance hall, finding Lich waiting for her.
"You did well tonight. Make dinner with whatever leftovers are available."
"Yes Mr. Lich, thank you."
"Where are you in your schooling?"
"I'm in the tenth grade."
"Your tutors have informed me that academically, you're testing above your peers in all areas. You've received a 1450 on your PSAT's and a 5 in your AP exams. I've already spoken with your tutors. Next week you will take another placement test. This will determine whether you can test out of high school.
"Once you pass that test, which I know you will, another testing date will be appointed to you. Once you've tested out, and you receive your certificate and diploma, you will immediately begin your new job at BloodRain as my Personal Assistant." He said walking from the hall.
Almost immediately Mei felt gutted. She loved school. It was the one thing she could get lost in, something that wasn't this miserable life she was living. Walking into the kitchen, Mei didn't feel hungry anymore. This news spoiled her appetite. But knowing him, Mei knew she'd have to be crazy to miss out on this chance for a solid meal.
Catering trays filled the kitchen, and looking around Mei realized that she was going to have to clean all of this up. Filling a bowl with roasted chicken, rice, and some fish she'd found, Mei worked on sorting the left overs. Trashing everything she knew wouldn't be touched, she wiped the counters. Heating her dinner in the microwave, she began setting up for breakfast.
he coffee pot was now ready with tea bags in the canister. Pulling out everything necessary minus food to make breakfast the next morning Mei sighed. Standing there in the kitchen forcing herself to eat, Mei decided on a plan.
0o0
The next week had come and gone, and Mei had taken the test. The results she knew would come in the next week, so when Mr. Lich called her to his office the following Thursday, Mei knew why.
He would tell her she hadn't passed, and had to stay in school to continue on with her studies. Standing in front of his desk Mei trained her eyes to the floor. She knew, even without looking at him that he was furious. She could feel it in his every action as he pinned her with his glare.
"I took you in, I've fed you, I've paid thousands for your private tutors, and given you the best of the best, and this is how you repay me?" He asked, the rage in his voice barely masked as he shoved himself to his feet. "By intentionally failing the exams I pay for!?"
"I-I'm sorry Mr. Li- Mei let out a startled yelp as he snatched her by her hair, forcing her to hold his gaze.
"Do you think this is a game?"
"No Mr. Lich! I just wanted to stay in school!"
"What you want doesn't matter. You'd be dead on the streets if it weren't for me!" He growled leaning close.
"You'd have been used as a whore. Passed to every man that wanted a piece of you! Is that the life you want, you insolent ingrate? Because I'm more than willing to let that happen."
Mei could only shake her head, she was horrified, utterly horrified. He'd always frightened her. She'd been scared of him from day one, after he'd ruthlessly beaten her into the ground. But this was terrifying on a whole new scale. She'd never seen him this furious before.
Mei was dragged to the desk, stumbling as he pulled her, slamming her face down on it.
His weight held her in place, but at the sound of his belt coming loose, Mei burst into tears as she began panicking. She knew what was going to happen. She tried pushing herself up from the desk as she took panicked breaths. Gasping, her arm wrenched painfully behind her back forcing her into stillness.
She heard the snap of the belt before she felt the bite of it, and closed her eyes tightly. He'd only done this one other time before, and he hadn't been nearly this mad.
Mei let out a yelp, as a blazing pain lit up the back of her legs. She heard the snap of the belt again, and felt a new pain as the belt lashed against her backside. She yelped again as the belt lashed against her back, the buckle cutting into her skin.
He continued on, ignoring her screams. They'd only grown louder as the belt slammed down harder on her raw, welted skin.
By the time he'd finished, she'd stopped screaming. Her skin was slick with a sheen of sweat as she panted for breath. Mei could feel the scratchy rawness of her throat and the trembling of her legs. Had it not been for the desk supporting her, she was more than sure she'd have hit the floor long before he'd finished.
Her whole body was trembling. Mei was sure at one point, she'd blacked out from the pain. She felt dazed, and dizzy, and her body ached in a way she never imagined it could. Feeling his hand move along her back, Mei whimpered. His touch sent sparks of pain shooting through her.
"Look at me." He said softly.
Mei looked up flinching as his hand came to rest on her cheek.
"If you want to act like an animal, I'll treat you accordingly. Now tell me. Where would you be if it weren't for me?" Lich asked staring her down.
"Dead Mr. Lich."
"What would you have been?" He asked viciously.
"A- a used whore?" She asked in a shaking voice.
"Yes you would have, and what are you without me?"
"I'm nothing. I'm absolutely nothing without you Mr. Lich." Mei said in a hushed voice.
"That's right." He said gently, rubbing her salt stained cheek with his thumb. "Now, what are you going to do tomorrow when the tutor comes?"
"Tell them the truth, and ask to retake the test?" Mei asked in a small voice.
"That's right Little Pet." He said pushing the sweat dampened strands of hair from her eyes. Leaning down his face was mere inches from hers.
"Now get the hell out of my office." He growled, stepping aside he allowed her to move.
Adrenaline pushed her away from the desk, but it seemed her legs didn't get the memo as they struggled to support her. Stumbling to the ground. Mei let out a sharp gasp as the burning pain radiated through the back of her legs.
Shakily she tried pushing herself to her feet. Wincing she blinked the tears from her eyes as she did. Her whole being ached with a viciousness she'd never imagined she'd experience.
It had taken minutes to crawl from his office. Pulling the door closed behind her Mei moved out of the doorway, laying on the floor. She was going to close her eyes for just a moment, and take a second to collect herself. Then she'd get up and go to her room. Taking a breath she closed her eyes.
Opening them Mei looked around blearily. She was surprised to see the hallway was now engulfed in darkness. She'd completely passed out. Trying to push herself up, Mei gasped feeling the burning aching return with a vengeance. With a whimper she dropped back to the floor feeling her eyes burn with tears.
Swallowing thickly, Mei took a deep breath pushing herself to her feet. Leaning against the wall she moved stiffly to her room, her legs burning. Slipping into her bedroom Mei allowed the tears to fall. She wasn't upset, she was angry.
Angry that he treated her this way. Angry that he scared her so much. Angry that this had become her life.
This was her life, and she hated that there wasn't a single thing she could do to change it.
o0 End Flashback 0o
"At that point I completely withdrew. I went totally robotic...I couldn't keep breaking like that. I did everything he asked, because if I didn't he would beat the hell out of me." Mei said wiping her eyes. "He put me through some of my darkest moments."
"It sounds like he did far more than that. But clearly this is more than just abuse or negligence. You were trafficked." Tiffany said softly. "And you said you can prove this?"
"Not what happened to me, but what's going on right now I'm sure I can."
"Okay." Flipping to a new page, she wrote her name and number, handing it to Mei.
"Reach out to me when you have the information. This is my cellphone call me any time." Tiffany said standing. The moment she did the radio on her shoulder went off.
"You've got Tiff, over."
"The lieutenant wants us to wrap up. The owner will have his employees do scheduled interviews. We're needed to survey the scene. Over."
"Wrapping up now. Over and out." She reached for the door pausing and turning back to Mei. "Is there anything else, before I go back out there?" She asked.
Mei nodded.
"Go to the security office to check the cameras. You specifically. Declan's password hint is 'Next'. He meant Kate. He called her Kitten, that's what the password is. There's a folder on his desk top on the bottom right corner. I saved a copy of that to a flash drive as part of my evidence." She said standing and showing her the drive.
"The originals should still be there. Declan hurt a lot of people, and I think he's killed just as many."
"What's in the folder?"
"More folders filled with dozens of other dated labeled folders. Those folders contain photos of countless different people. The most recent is Kate."
"Do you know who killed Declan Mei? Because from everything you're saying, the last person likely to have seen him alive isn't here to say otherwise. And I know you said it's extremely unlikely Kate did this, but as the only suspect she'll be detained for questioning."
"But she didn't do it-
"You can't say that for sure."
"Yes I can."
"Then tell me. I can't help you if I don't know all the facts."
"I can't tell you those facts right now." Mei said softly.
Tiffany stared at her for the longest moment before she nodded, walking from the room.
Mei waited a beat, and then another, but Tiffany never came back. Part of her had thought she'd return. Another part thought she'd have arrested her then and there for impeding an investigation, but that didn't happen either.
Walking from the room, she was grabbed. For the first time though, she didn't feel pain as she was pulled back, instead she felt warmth.
"Don't worry me like that! I was worried sick, looking everywhere for you!" Lucas said now holding her at arm's length. "Are you okay?" He asked glancing around. Seeing Lich across the way still speaking with another officer, Lucas turned. Spotting the room Mei had just come from still empty he slipped his hand into hers.
"Let's go in here." He said leading her inside. Closing the door behind them Lucas spotted Mei standing there in tears. "Hey, come here. What happened?"
"I told her everything Lucas. Everything he did, what happened to me, all of it. I told her all of it." She said wiping her eyes and reaching for him.
"Oh- Oh Honey." Lucas said softly holding her tightly. "What you just did was very brave Mei. I'm so proud of you."
"I don't feel brave, I'm scared to death Lucas." She said holding him tighter.
"Bravery is being scared and doing something regardless. It was brave of you to report your abuser. It's going to be okay, I won't let anything happen."
"Do you promise?"
"I promise."
Enjoy the chapter, and thanks for the reviews!