They all tried to smile but were too worn out, and several had bruises all over them. Ella guessed she looked the same way after Teddy’s treatment.
Emily tapped her shoulder. “Go to sleep. You’ll need your strength tomorrow. I’m praying hard that he won’t give you to his friends.”
“Has that happened to you?”
Emily shook her head. “No. I haven’t fought him, and I do what I’m told. A few of the girls here have had to do that, and they never come back the same.”
Oh, Lord. What would she do if she had to go through that? She’d rather be dead than gang-raped and tortured by a group of guys and then put out on the street to prostitute. She tried to sleep, but whenever she heard something downstairs or one of the girls moan, she’d jerk awake.
The women woke up with the sun shining through the barred windows to hear a few guys talking and yelling downstairs. The women scrambled up when the door opened, and a guy she hadn’t seen before threw bottles of water and packages of donuts at them.
“This is all you get until tonight, sluts, so enjoy it,” the man said, and closed the door.
The girls struggled up and divided the food between the seven of them. Ella shook her head.
“No, you guys take mine. You’ve gone without food longer than I have.”
One of the women spoke as she chewed. “You’re going to need your strength.”
Ella nodded. “I know. I’m just not hungry right now.”
The girls separated her food and ate like they were starving, which she knew they were by the looks of their thin bodies. A few of them even looked beyond thin and more emaciated.
That fucker was going to pay.
“How long have you guys been with him?” Ella asked.
“Theresa has been with him the longest. Two years and nine months.”
“Jesus Christ.” Ella guessed that Theresa was one of the girls Teddy gave to his friends because there was no life in her eyes. She was able to walk and talk, but her spirit and soul had died a long time ago. Emily patted her leg and looked up at the camera in the corner. Ella exhaled and nodded.
“Can you tell me your names and how long you’ve been here?” Ella asked.
“I’m Bridget, and I’ve been here eight months.”
Another one spoke up. “I’m Rachel, and I’ve been with him for over a year.”
“I’m Mindy, and I’ve been with him for close to two years.”
“I’m Tessa, and I’ve been here for one and a half years. But we haven’t been in this house long.”
“Where did you used to be?” Ella asked.
“We move about every four to six months,” Bridget said.
“He moves us when people start asking questions,” Tessa said.
“Do any of you have a family?”
Bridget nodded. “Yeah, I have a husband and a little boy.”
God, it just got worse. “Why did he take the risk? He had to have known your husband would look for you.”
“That’s part of the reason he moves us, too. He told me I was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.”
“I have my mom. I know she’s so worried about me.” Rachel started crying. “I miss her so much.”
Mindy hugged Rachel against her. “I had a boyfriend. We were pretty serious, but I know he’s moved on because it’s been so long.”