Curiosity won, and like a cat, it may get me killed.
The ringing stops, replaced by a sinfully delicious voice. Deep and raspy, yet toneless.
“I was hoping you'd call.”
My lips part, so incredibly unprepared that I'm at a loss for words.
Oddly, he waits. Doesn't even question if I'm still on the line.
After a few moments, I get my shit together long enough to eke out, “Who is this?”
“Legion,” he answers simply.
“And what do you want? How did you find me?” My tone grows increasingly aggressive with each word, the gears in my brain switching from shock to suspicion.
“I saw you at the mechanic and witnessed what transpired between you and your boss. You looked like someone who needed help, so I followed you home. Of course, I didn’t want to make you feel more unsafe than I already have, so I let you decide to make contact.”
I blink, unable to formulate a single coherent thought.
“Would you like my help?” he asks evenly.
“I— What does that entail?”
“A new life where you would be safe, comfortable, and provided for.”
Again, I blink, my mouth now hanging open. Then, my lip curls .
“You’re a freak, aren’t you? Expecting me to fuck you in return or something? You think I’ll willingly walk into another prison, you sick fuck? Go to hell.”
I hang up the phone before he can respond, my hands trembling violently. I feel sick to my stomach, and all those old memories resurface.
Doting on men and offering them pleasure at the expense of my own sanity. I was ‘taken care of and provided for’。 I had a roof over my head and food in my stomach at Francesca’s house, too.
But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t dying a slow death. That I wasn’t being tortured alive and driven fucking insane.
I would rather be independent and struggle than have a monster provide for me. At least when I’m alone, the only demons I’m fighting are my own.
The phone rings, startling me out of my thoughts. I jump, the phone tumbling to the ground and flying under the bed.
Cursing to myself, I get on my knees and fish it out, only to see Unknown flashing across the screen.
I’m tempted to smash the phone beneath my foot just so he can never reach me again. But something in my gut tells me to answer it, even if it’s to curse him out again.
Just before the last ring, I flip it open and answer it.
“Listen, asshole, I don’t want you call—”
“I assure you, I want nothing from you.” His deep, calm voice chases away the rest of my threat.
“W-what? Why would you do this? No sane person would offer something like that with no strings attached.”
“I only want you to go to a specific location and meet one of my trusted men. He's safe, and he’ll set you up with a brand-new life. I’ll drop a car off for you with the keys inside, the location on the GPS, and plenty of cash for you to do with as you please. It’s your choice to go, and no one will force you. No sex. No requirements outside of that. I promise you.”
This is a joke. A prank. It has to be.
The sigh from the other end of the phone is almost discernible.
“I recognized you, Molly. And I can see from a mile away that you're not in a good place. I won't tell a single soul about your identity or location. I just want to help you get somewhere safe, that's all.”
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. FUCK.
My heart can't take this abuse. It's only a matter of seconds before it gives out on me completely.
“Why?” I snap, my flight mode beginning to kick in. Someone did recognize me. And that could be catastrophic.
“It's what I do,” he responds.
Not good enough of an answer.
“What's the catch?”
“You tell no one where you're going or about what my friend will do for you. Nothing else. Just your silence.”
“And if I don't?”
“We will disappear without a trace before anyone could find us, and never be at your disposal again.”
“At my disposal?” I repeat dumbly.
“You will come to learn that I am a valuable friend, should you ever need me again.”
He speaks with a poise and confidence unlike anything I've heard before. It's almost as intimidating as it is comforting. An odd combination, and one that I feel is deadly.
I would be incredibly stupid to entertain this. Meeting with a complete stranger who is making an offer that seems far too good to be true. Especially when I've been recognized. This could be a trap. A ploy to use me for something nefarious.