{Ashley's POV}

I could honestly say that what Hayden told me today before the waitress returned with our drinks, and to take our order was the most meaningful and romantic set of words I had ever heard. I never expected Hayden to tell me such things; that he was with me no matter what, and that I could take that however I wanted. Also, mentioning that there would always be a Hayden and Ashley. I couldn't express how much it meant to me to hear those words from him; my best friend and crush, though, at this point, I think it was safe to say that my feelings for him were above crush-level. I still had to tell him, but I didn't know where to start with that. How did you tell the man who had been your best friend since pre-school, who went out of his way without a worry in the world to rescue you from slavery that you think you might be in love with him? Hayden saved me from Fantasies without a second thought, and he has given me a place to live, a job, helped me get through my forced addiction to Heroin, held me through my nightmares, and helped me bring back pieces of my memory. Hayden has always been part of my life, and I knew now that he always would be. Personally, it made me feel like I could tell I loved him, and even if he didn't feel the same, we'd keep our friendship because all it meant was we weren't destined to be together in a romantic sense. All I needed to do was ring the right time to tell him. Sadly, I didn't know when that was, and I was still working on a few things in therapy.

I understood that I must have undergone harsh punishments upon arriving at Fantasies, even being that I couldn't quite remember when that was. I know it had to be four years ago, and in April because I was just about to turn seventeen, and my Junior Year was almost over. However, that was the problem; I couldn't remember anything between then and the night Hayden saved me. All that comes up is a voice in my head saying; Obey your master, and you won't get punished. I know I had to have been difficult to break, or that's what Hayden and the others say because I was a girl who had a fiery, fearless, spirit who never let anyone walk all over me. As I told Hayden before he said those amazing words to me; this part of my memory was blacked out, and I couldn't seem to unlock whatever happened to me. There was a sense of anger and betrayal, and needing Hayden, but that was it. Hayden mentioned that I had nightmares of being punished, but upon waking up the next morning, I couldn't recall those moments. It sucked because I wanted to remember! I know it might be hard, and painful, but I had to remember, so I could get past it, and move in my life, hopefully with Hayden. I didn't want to offer myself to him as a lover until I became myself again, and I felt like I couldn't be me, the one they all knew until I remembered these past four years; almost five in five months.

I had a theory though, on how I might be able to remember. Hayden had been helping me bring forth memories by taking me to places we spent as kids growing up together. Showing me pictures and videos too. Hayden mentioned that our houses were only eight minutes apart from one another, so what if he took me to my home where my parents were? Surely, that would trigger something, right? I didn't know, but it was worth a shot. I'd been hesitant to ask Hayden if he'd tell me what happened that day where I went missing; I wasn't sure I was ready to know, but I knew I needed to find out. It was part of me, of what happened to me, so I should know. Something else that bothered me; Hayden searched endlessly for me for four years. Why haven't my parents come forward to see if I'm alright, or take me home? I hadn't seen them once since coming into Hayden's care. I felt like that was something I wanted to know the answer to, but was nervous to find out because when I thought about my parents, I felt sadness and betrayal. I didn't understand why, but it was more reasons for me to find out everything. I couldn't tell Hayden I loved him, and give him the Ashley he wanted because right now, that's not me.

Hayden has worked hard to help me remember who I am, and what happened to me. All my friends and even the therapist was trying to bring back the girl I used to be, the one they knew. I couldn't move on in life until she was back, and the only way to do this was to remember everything and work through it. I wanted to be me again, and this last bit I couldn't remember was the part I needed to make that happen. At the moment, Hayden and I were still out to lunch, and he was sitting across from me again as the waitress had just brought our appetizer; Peking Dumplings and Beef Teriyaki sticks. Hayden took three each for himself, and I had the other three since there were six each in one order. I'd never tried the dumplings before, so this out to be interesting.

"Well, go on; try them," Hayden pushed.

"I-I'm trying. I've never used chopsticks before," I mumbled while trying to work them; Hayden made it look so easy.

"Here, let me help you. Okay, don't try to move both at the same time. Hold one of them as if you were holding a pen or pencil with your thumb and pointer fingers," Hayden instructed while showing me what he meant. I looked at my hand and set my finger the way his were. "Good. Next, take the second stick and let it rest on your middle and curved between thumb and index," he continued to explain. I did as I was told until my hand matched his. "Now, all you want to do is move your index and thumb up and down together. Up is open, down is close," he said as I gave it another try, and managed to do it. "There you go. Give it a shot with the food now,"

I opened the sticks and placed them on the dumpling, then closed it and lifted the food to my mouth to take a bite. I didn't drop it! I did it! I smiled broadly while taking a bite; it was delightful tasting too! "These are amazing!"

"See, told you that you'd like them," Hayden chuckled while he continued eating. "It's really good with the sauce," he mentioned. I poured a little of the offered sauce on my plate, then dipped the dumpling in. I took another bite and beamed brightly at how it tasted.

"Wow; it's the perfect mix of flavors," I informed.

"I know. I'm pretty good at that," Hayden replied while we continued to eat. Not more than ten or so minutes later, and the main course was brought to the table. I decided to get the same thing as Hayden because it sounded incredible. It was a small silver dish with broccoli and chicken in gravy. Hayden and I both began to eat again; I loved the food, it was so good. I felt like I should thank Hayden, for what he said earlier. I had been feeling really down about not remembering things, and thinking that I was burdening Hayden, but he changed that with what he said. "So. Have you thought of where you'd like to go today?"

"Well, if it's not too much trouble; I was wondering if we could go to my house?" I said softly, still looking down at my food. Hayden didn't respond right away, and I was curious as to why but didn't want to upset him.

"Why?" Hayden finally asked.

"I know that whatever happened to me; it took place in April four years ago, right before I turned seventeen. I was…a Junior in school with you and the others. I remember leaving a store and going home, but that's when everything blacks out. The next thing I remember is seeing you at Fantasies that night; everything else is blank. M-Maybe going to my house will help me recall what happened after I got there that day," I explained, hoping he'd understand my reasoning for wanting to go.

"If you think it will help, then yes. I will take you there, but we're not going inside because I don't think anyone lives there anymore," Hayden said. I nodded to him and continued eating. Afterward, Hayden and I split the bill and tip between us, then we headed back to his car. Hayden and I buckled our seatbelts, he started the car, and then we were gone; driving to my house, well, the one I grew up in. I glanced at Hayden, and he seemed…serious and tense, but I didn't want to ask him if anything was wrong. I sat back, trying to relax. I pleaded that going here would help me remember because I suddenly felt bad about making Hayden uncomfortable. I know that's what it was; he seemed unsettled by the thought of going. I felt like he knew what happened, but had been told to let me recall it on my own. Hayden had promised earlier that he was with me no matter what, and that's why he was doing this even though I could tell that he didn't want too. Odin bless him for sticking through it for my sake to help me.

{Normal POV}

Hayden didn't want to do this because he did know the truth. Ashley had been working that day, and she went home to find out 'CPS' was taking her away. Of course, this was only to cover her mother's heartless actions. Hayden knew that Asvora Hofferson still lived there with her new husband, and the only reason Hayden didn't want to take Ashley was that he didn't want her to be hurt when she remembered that her father was killed by a drunk driver. Also, Ashley might recall her mother selling her, or maybe Ashley never knew that. Hayden assumed that the torture to break Ashley in as an obedient slave began right away. Either way, he was doing this because he couldn't deny Ashley what she wanted because he knew she was trying to remember what happened so she could recover and heal. Pulling onto the street, Hayden saw Ashley getting nervous but leaning more to the window to look more. Hayden pulled up in front of Ashley's old house and put the car in park.

"There it is. 133 Nadderspine Lane," Hayden said. Ashley didn't say anything; she seemed to just be staring. "Ash? You okay?" he asked. Ashley's breathing began to pick up, and Hayden reached over to hold her hand, but she didn't respond. Flashes were going through her mind while she tried to sort through them and put together whatever it was she was seeing. It was like the floodgates had opened, and that locked memory of what happened rushed forward.

/Flashback/

I saw a man in his late twenties with dark brown hair and a goatee around his mouth, then there was a taller male, bald, with a mustache, and small bit of hair on his chin. My mother sat on the couch, looking a bit surprised that I was home early.

"Uh, what's going on?" I asked.

"Oh, Ashley, dear…these men are from…child protective services," my mother whimpered. Something didn't seem right. My instinct told me to run. I was going to be eighteen come April of next year. Yes, I'd just turned seventeen, about a week ago. So why would child services be here out of the blue?

"Hello, Ashley. I'm Virgil Grimborn, in charge of this case. An anonymous call was placed to our office that your mother has been using drugs, alcohol, and neglecting you. Your mother hasn't denied anything, and unfortunately, that means we have to take you out of this unsafe environment," said the younger male.

"But I'm…going to be eighteen next year, doesn't this seem, a little pointless?" I inquired.

"Oh, at CPS, we don't care how pointless it seems. Our job is to take a neglected or abused minor from their home and provide them with a safe one. Parents are always welcome to get their lives on track and fight to have their rights reinstated. Until then, we have to take you, sweetheart. We have a foster family all picked out," spoke the older one.

"And when I'm eighteen and no longer in the system, what happens?" I wondered.

"We release you, and the case will drop. You're free to stay with friends or live on your own. Now, why don't you go pack some clothes, and we'll get a move on," Virgil smiled. Yeah, something was wrong here. I nodded to him, then went upstairs to pack some clothes. I grabbed things I wouldn't want to lose, or have my mother mess with while I was away, and shoved them into a box with the money I'd been saving. I'd come back for it when I was eighteen, and I'd be all set. Something rang wrong about this situation, and I was protecting my assets if it could be said that way. I moved into my closet and lifted the flap of rug up, then opened the trap door. I placed the locked safe inside, then put the rug back, and made it look like nothing was out of place. Nobody knew about the rug and trap door except for me, so I knew it would be untouched until I came back for it.

I grabbed the bag with my clothes, as many as I could manage to get in the bag, then made my way downstairs. "Don't worry, baby. Mama will get you back, I promise," my mother, Asvora Hofferson cried.

"I won't hold you to that, Mother," I remarked then left the house with Victor and this other guy. I got in their car, and then buckled my seatbelt. The bald male got in the driver's seat, and soon we were off. "S-So where am I going?"

"There will be a lot of other girls there, plenty for you to keep yourself busy," Victor said, his voice seemed colder now. I patted myself down for my phone and pulled it out as I secretly pulled up my messages with Hayden, the last person I'd been talking too. I typed out a quick message, and then the older male saw my device. Virgil turned to see it as I quickly pressed send pressed the lock button on top. I knew they wouldn't be able to figure my passcode. Without warning, Virgil snatched it from my hands.

"Hey, that's mine," I protested.

"Sorry, no cell phones allowed," Virgil said.

"B-But," I began. Suddenly, Virgil tossed it out the window as my eyes widened seeing it go over the bridge, and into the water. "You can't do that!"

"You will find that in our custody, we can do what we feel is necessary," Virgil informed. All I was grateful for was the message I'd gotten to Hayden before the phone was taken. I knew he would figure out something was wrong, and he'd tell his dad who happened to be the Chief of Police for our island; Arc Isle. These people weren't from CPS; I didn't see badges hanging around their necks, or folders, anything. I sat quietly in the backseat; I wouldn't do anything just yet, not until I knew more.

(Archian City)

The drive was close to forty minutes, but soon we'd stopped in a parking garage of a casino. Dragon Eye Hotel and Casino to be exact. Victor opened my door, then pulled me out. "Hey, you don't need to grab. I can walk on my own," I growled a bit.

"Shut up," the older male said.

"Ricky, don't be that way; she'll learn with time. They all do," Virgil stated. I didn't like how this sounded, and I only prayed that Hayden would realize something was off, and he'd come for me. Hayden was amazing like that; he had an uncanny ability to know when something was wrong, and he always protected me. I was taken inside of a back door and set my eyes on everything going on. A few males stepped forward, and I got nervous.

"Ah, is she the new one?" asked of the males.

"Yes, Shawn, she is. Kyle, Shawn, Johnathon, this is Ashley Hofferson. Let's make her right here at home," Virgil informed. The one called Shawn and Ricky grabbed my arms, and I struggled to get away from them, but they were strong.

"Get your hands off me!" I screamed. Suddenly, I felt a hand go across my face, and I stopped quickly in shock.

"I told you to shut up, bitch," Ricky glared. "You belong to my little brother, Virgil now,"

"What…are you talking about?" I demanded to know. The males began chuckling.

"You didn't believe we were from Child Services, did you?" said one male, I believed his name was Kyle.

Virgil put his finger under my chin; I saw him smirking at me. "Dear Ashley. I'm afraid your mother lied to you,"

"You maybe wanna tell me something new? My mother is a drug-addicted, alcoholic slut ever since my father died last year," I huffed sarcastically.

"This is Dragon Eye Hotel and Casino, which I happen to own. However, we have a little secret department down here in the basement for men and women looking for some extra fun while they are here. Welcome to Fantasy, where we make anyone's deepest fantasy come true. You want an entertaining show? We have that. You want half an hour with a beautiful girl; you got it. Get the picture? Your mother sold you to me to cover her debts from the casino, and a little extra to pay off the mortgage," Virgil informed.

"Virgil is your master," said Shawn.

"NO!" I said quickly. Ricky slapped me again, but I refused to cry. I was a fighter; I wouldn't give up.

"You'll do as your told, or suffer the punishments of slaves who disobey orders!" Ricky demanded.

"Brother, easy now. It's new for her as it was for all the rest. I don't want the pretty face all marked up for business, so try to show some restraint, please?" Virgil asked.

"Aye, sorry, Virgil," Ricky bowed his head.

"I'll never give in to you," I growled.

"That's what they all say, princess. Every male or female slave you see here said the same thing, and each of them has broken one way or another. I wonder what it will take to break you, and how long," Virgil grinned before putting a kiss on my cheek. I jerked away, glaring, then he chuckled and walked away. "Do what you must to prepare her, but try not to brutalize her up too much," he ordered. After that, I was dragged away, still struggling, by Shawn and Ricky. I was thrown into a solitary room; then the door was shut tight, and locked from the outside.

/End Flashback/

Hayden saw her start panicking, crying, and holding her head while shaking it. Hayden knew she had to of remembered something, but what could it have been to make her start freaking out like this. Hayden did the only thing he could, he pulled her close and held her. "Ssh. It's okay. It's alright; deep breaths. I'm here," he tried to soothe. For now, it was all he could do until she settled and told him what she saw to make her freak out.