Abby came out of the little room with a disgusted look on her face.
"Well?" Mark said jumping up.
"Nothing, he don't know nothing, Victor probably had one of his boys pay him to try to try to kill you. He's some crack head that was looking for a fix." Abby said.
"So were back to square one?" Mark asked.
"Yea pretty much, he'll lie low for awhile, and then he'll try again. Next time, hopefully he'll want to do the job himself." Abby said.
"Let's get back to the hotel, you look exhausted." Mark said.
Abby climbed out of the shower and dried off. She pulled on sweats and a t-shirt and went to the room. She stopped short. Mark was lying on the small couch looking ridiculous.
"What the hell are you doing?" Abby asked.
"Trying to sleep." Mark snapped.
"Idiot get in the bed, we are both adults, the bed is huge. I don't think there is going to be a problem." Abby said.
Mark sat up looking relieved.
"You sure?" He asked.
Abby sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Well lets see as you pointed out today, I'm not attractive, I have a crappy personality, I'm a bitch, I'm frigid and I don't know how to kiss a man, I don't think I have to worry about you falling under my charms do you?" Abby said.
Mark had the good grace to look embarrassed. He got up and sat on the bed.
"Do ya mind if I watch TV for a while?" Mark asked.
"I don't care." Abby said and turned out the light and lay down.
Mark lay on his side of the bed and found an old episode of the Walton's.
"I know this is sappy but I can't help but like it." Mark said laughing.
Abby turned over to watch.
"I know, I admit it, I like it too." Abby said.
"I forgot all about dinner, you're probably starving." Mark said.
"It's okay." Abby said.
Mark jumped up and grabbed some change off the nightstand and disappeared out the door.
He came back in a few minutes with some sodas, chips and candy bars.
Abby sat up and took the soda from him.
"Not much of a dinner." Mark said.
"I've had worse." Abby said.
They sat in silence and ate then Mark threw the trash away and climbed back in the bed.
"What do you like about this show?" Mark asked, just really trying to make conversation.
Abby didn't answer for a moment.
"It kind of reminds me of my family. We had this big house back in the mountains of North Carolina. We were a big family; you know I had 5 brothers and one on the way. My daddy's word was the law just like on here. I guess it's kinda dumb." Abby said.
"Naw it's not dumb." Mark said quietly.
Mark wanted to ask her what happened but he didn't. He sensed she couldn't really talk about it. Just from the little he knew Abby had a rough life. One thing Abby had said had been nagging him all day like a toothache.
"Abby what ya said to John this morning about him belting ya, was that true?" Mark asked.
He liked John but the more he found out the less he liked him.
"I shouldn't have thrown that back in his face. John did what he had to do to keep me safe, when I screwed up in training he had to set me straight. If it was real life, it could cost me my life. He did me a favor really. Those whippings insured I didn't ever make those same mistakes again, probably saved my life in the long run." Abby said.
"Did he hurt ya?" Mark asked.
Abby thought back to the harsh whippings he had gave her. He always used a belt. The next day she would have a hard time walking her legs and butt hurt so badly. She remembered the first one in particular. She had thought he would never stop. The first time she had cried and pleaded and begged for him to stop. She had finally broken down sobbing crying for her daddy and he had stopped. She had realized real fast this was her new life and her family wasn't coming back.
"Yes." Abby whispered and rolled to her side.
Mark watched as she went to sleep. What kind of monster was John, hell he hid it so well, or was he just a man so driven by his own desires he had forgotten Abby was a child to be loved not programmed.
Mark closed his eyes. He needed to get some sleep they had a long drive tomorrow.
