ALIA

I'M HUNGRY, EXTREMELY HUNGRY. My stomach grumbled again, making me wince. I placed a shaky hand against it closing my eyes briefly. When is he going to give me food? I only have little water left. It taste weird.

          "Give it back!"

I jumped pressing myself tighter against the wall. The girls started screaming. They always fight, especially about the water. Someone pressed themselves against me making me tense. I glanced to my left. The girl is younger than me, she's about twelve or thirteen. I met her three days ago.

When I woke up I was in another room. More like a container with a bunch of other girls. That's where I met Rosie, she was kidnapped. She told me how the men grabbed her and pulled her into a van before injecting her.

Turns out the same man that kidnapped me, is also a human trafficker. We have been traveling for days before stopping at some warehouse. I've seen different men come in here, pick a girl and then disappear.

I've lost count of the days locked up in the dark and hot container.  I feel like I'm suffocating.

The door creaks open. He steps inside followed by two of his men. I know what's coming, he's coming to play.

_______________

MY EYES SNAP OPEN, air leaving my lungs. Sitting up I ran a hand through my hair, then down my face. My body is sweaty, clothes sticking to my skin. The sound that woke me filled my ears as the nightmare started to fade.

I threw back the sheets getting out of bed. Pulling on the robe that hung behind the door, I padded down the hall. The apartment is spacious, a open plan kitchen with a medium sized living room. Two bedroom, one with a bathroom, which is mine. The other is a guestroom that rarely gets used. And then a bathroom the guests can use.

         "Hello?"

         "Hey sweetheart, how are you doing?" My dad's voice drifted through the voice making me smile.

        "I'm good." I walked into the kitchen switching on the kettle. "Been busy with work and stuff but I'm doing good."

       "That's great to hear!" He cleared his throat. "Will you be coming home this weekend?"

It's the same question he always asks. And every time I make up some excuse to stay here. I don't want to go back. Going back means that I have to remember and I don't want to remember. I've buried it all to the back of my mind, that's how I moved on. I can't run away forever, they are family and I really miss them.

           "I'll see what I can do." I said softly making myself a cup of coffee.

Taking the cup, I walked over to the window staring down at the early morning London traffic.

          "Well if you can figure something out let me know. You're sister's will be very happy to have you here."

         "I know." My chest tightened. "Dad, I have to go. Need to get ready for work, I'll call when I get home."

        "Okay sweetheart, be save." He paused. "I love you."

A second later I hung up leaning against the window. My eyes fill with tears but I pushed it away. It wasn't easy, getting back on my feet after being locked up for a year. It's like learning to walk again, learning to trust. 

It was hard. No one was allowed to touch me. Small spaces has become my comfort zone, being in big spaces made me panic. I found comfort by hiding in my room, in that corner.

Stephen wasn't there and that made it harder. I wanted, no, I needed him to be there but he left. The pain in my chest is never ending, but with time it faded. I learned to accept it, learned to move on.

With the help of my family, of my therapist, I learned to live again. I moved out of town. Away from all the memories to make a fresh start. And I've managed that. For two years I've managed on my own, but it never went away.

The feel of his hands on my skin. The things he made me do. The things I've seen, it's still there. In the form of nightmares. They will never fade until I learn to accept it. Until I remember that he will never be able to touch me or another girl.

He's dead.

__________________

THE PLACE IS BUZZING with people. One of the busiest days this week, not that I'm complaining. More people means more tips. And believe me, the tips are fucking great.

Picking up the black tray, I walked out of the kitchen making my way over to my table.

           "Here you go." I smiled placing each drink in front of them. "Are you ready to order?"

I quickly wrote down their orders before making my way back to the kitchen. Giving in the order I moved to one of my other tables making sure they have everything. I work at a well-known restaurant a few blocks away from my apartment.

My therapist suggested I should take things easy by slowly easing into my old life. Do things I use to do, but that didn't work out. I use to spend my time with Stephen. My heart tightened. I pushed the thought of him away concentrating on my job.

I always wonder where he is. If he's okay? If he has moved on and started his own family with another woman? The though makes me nauseas, I can't imagine him with anyone else.

          "Order up!"

I collected the order taking it to the table. The night continued like usual, the regular customers stopping by for something to eat. I kept busy handling my tables and talking to some of the other waiters whenever I could.

By ten things has slowed down. There's only a few people here and there. A large man entered the restaurant, a thick beard covering half his face. He's tall, muscular and he seemed familiar. I watched as he walked to the back of the place taking a seat at a table mostly hidden in the dark.

           "That's my cue." Sarah smiled picking up her menu and walking towards him.

Shaking off the feeling of familiarity I started cleaning the empty tables. About half an hour later two other men walked in. They made my heartbeat increase and palms sweaty. One is bald with his head covered in tattoo's. The other man have long hair tied in a ponytail behind his head.

I glanced around silently praying that they will sit at one of the other waiter's tables. But luck wasn't on my side today. Sucking in a deep breath, I grabbed two menu's walking towards them.

         "Good evening, I'm Alia and I'll be your waitress. What can I get you?" I smiled handing over the menu's.

The bald man looked at me, his eyes trailed over my body before landing on my face. I took a small step back as his dark eyes locked with mine. I don't like the way he's looking at me.

            "Are you on the menu babe?"

I wince. He reeks of beer and something else.

            "Cut it out!" The other man spoke up not even bothering to look at me. "Bring us two coffee's."

I quickly wrote it down along with the others he gave. Grabbing the menu's I hurried towards the kitchen. As soon as the door closed I let out the breath I've been holding, closing my eyes briefly.

            "You okay dear?" Oliver, the cook, asked me concerned.

I nod placing the orders before going out to finished cleaning the tables. My hands are shaking uncontrollably, heart beating so fast it made me feel dizzy.

             "Order out."

I loaded the plates onto the tray carefully balancing it as I made my way to their table. Placing the food in front of them I straightened giving them a smile.

         "Enjoy-"

         "What is this?" The man glared down at the plate. "I didn't order this!" 

I opened my mouth, but the words died down as he slammed his hands down on the table before standing. I stumbled backwards, straight into another body. My body tensed as a hand is placed against my hip.

The man in front of me sneered taking another step forward. I opened my mouth ready to speak when the man behind me spoke up.

           "Is there a problem?"

My breath caught in my throat. That voice. Slowly turning around I raised my eyes.

           "S-Stephen?"