Lily
Lily sat on the porch steps wrapped in her favorite afghan, the one Mama had made her so many years ago. She was 19 and, although it was old and losing its bright pops of color mingled within the deep brown it once held, and true it was tattered with small holes made by fingering the designs one too many times; it brought her a warmth that transcended the physical. A warmth that was needed in these colder days since Mama had passed a year ago leaving her alone with her father.
She sat with her cup of hot tea, the scent of lemon and honey calming her wandering mind, dreaming of a life beyond the endless rows of corn that made up their family's farm. One day she would be free. But not today. Today she had chores to finish before her father returned from town. She had not finished in time just days before and could still feel his rage each time she moved too quickly. Gulping her tea down Lily hurried inside cursing herself for waiting till the last minute yet again. She prayed He would be late.
She looked around the small home making a mental checklist. "Vacuum, dishes, straighten up" The last dish made it to the drying rack as she heard her father's truck in the driveway. Scanning the room, she felt her heart drop as she spotted the hamper of clothes in the corner untouched.
"Too late," She thought to herself as her father stepped in filling the doorway with his tall frame, his gaze following hers.
Before she could move he had already crossed the small space striking her down with the force of his dirt covered palm. She felt her cheek burn as his hand came back across too many times to keep track. She cried out, her pleas landing upon deaf ears. He continued his rain of hits upon her despite her feeble attempts to shield herself.
A noise in the distance stopped His assault bringing him to the window in a rush. His dark hair lightened under the suns beam as he stood watching something in the distance. His chestnut brown eyes narrowing as he turned around with renewed fury.
"ROOM. NOW." The words cut into her and she could feel his heat radiating from across the room. She wondered briefly about what pulled his attention out the window but the thought dissipated as his hand rested on his belt buckle and she ran up the stairs not daring to push his malicious intentions further. She knew better.
Once in her room she sat on her bed crying like all the times before waiting. She knew words would not help her. They never had. Sorry meant nothing to him. Why did she even bother? It was her screams coupled with the begging and the blood that would eventually end his assault upon her. She waited. Nothing. Fear crept in as she heard silence. By now his footsteps would be up the stairs and his hand had already brought her back down and so it would begin till he tired.
But there was nothing. For some reason unknown to her that scared her more now than the sound of his approach. She didn't dare to move in that moment. Fear paralyzed her to that spot and she listened for anything. Then she heard it... The sound of a vehicle pulling up followed by the front door. That must be what drew his attention. No one came here. Confusion filled her but was instantly replaced with the realization... Now was her chance. She grabbed her knapsack and threw the only four things that mattered to her in it. Her afghan, her Mama's picture, her wallet, and her journal.
Slipping out the window wasn't difficult. She had slid out with ease countless times when she was young to escape the sounds that kept her up at night. The sounds she made now when father was mad. Silently she crept across the roof crouching only a moment to the site of two men shaking hands with her father. Who were they? No time to wonder now as she found her footing upon the fence, she crouched to sit upon its top then jumped with ninja grace landing undetected on the ground below. Freedom. She ran feeling the cool morning breeze in her hair. Faster than she had ever run, never daring to look back. She was free and that's all that mattered.
Johnny Boy and Luke
"Your little Lily better be worth this drive" J.B. groaned as he grew tired of the endless crops that had filled the brothers' trip for the last 8 hours. He hadn't wanted to go but his brother was very persuasive. It was true, all his girls were trained and home with their happy owners leaving him with time on his hands and Luke would need help if she was as unruly as her father made her out to be. They would fix that.
"Oh she is, Johnny Boy. Promise. The best flower we'll ever pluck" Luke said excitedly laughing at his own wit and more so at the way J.B. rolled his eyes.
Luke had arranged the deal personally alongside his brother Damien who stayed home to deliver the last of the girls to their eager owners and prepare for their latest projects arrival. There was a lot to do before Lily came home with them. Toys to buy. Rooms to repurpose. Cameras to install. Schedules and training procedures to agree on. She was different. They had never trained as a trio and so changes had to be made to fit their varying styles.
His attention went back to the file and thoughts of Lily. Her father's unpaid debts had landed him an unpleasant visit from Luke and Damien. The father had nothing left and Lily ended up being his only way out next to the obvious. What kind of fucked up father offered his daughter to settle a debt? He tried to distract himself reading her file for any issues even though he knew there weren't any. She was perfect and she was His. He smiled as they made their final turn.
The old white farmhouse sat at the end of the mile-long dirt road with its paint chipping from the wrap around porch and the crimson door opened where Mr. Intribus stood waiting anxiously. J.B. approached in the van taking in everything cautiously. He was the meticulous one of the three. Never missing a detail.
They got out together surveying the area for any red flags. He could hear the corn rustling in the distance and listened closer. There was no breeze. His brother brought his attention back handing him the bottle and rag. Each tucking their rag with Lily's dose into their back pocket. If the father had given them the correct weight she would be peacefully brought out with no problems. That was the plan. They didn't want to harm her. She was precious to them now.
He met them on the porch halfway to the van. He looked nervous as he extended his hand out to Luke first. He should be. Luke thought as he glared at him.
"Is she ready?" Luke wasn't here for small talk as he shook Mr. Intribus hand greeting him as strict formality.
"She is upstairs awaiting punishment now gentlemen, she never learns" He answered shaking his head.
