From Chains

Chapter 4: Deception

"Got it."

He hands me the keys and his phone number.

I tap Pip on the shoulder to indicate that we're leaving. I lock her in the back of the truck, and we drive to the warehouse.

I close the warehouse door and open the truck's cargo hold. "Alright, Pip, listen up." I unlock her cuff and hop out the truck. "There's a bunch of different things here. Only load the boxes which say 'compressor' on the label." I tap on a box. "Like this one."

"Okay."

I head to the door. "I'll be back in a couple hours."

* * * * * * * *

After a satisfying meal, I head back to check on Pip. I brought back some take-away food for her.

I'm pleased to see a big pile of boxes are already loaded. Only when I get a closer look, do I realise something is off. Less than half of the loaded boxes are labelled 'compressor'.

"Pip!" I shout.

She hurries over.

"What instruction did I give before I left?"

She takes a step back. "Um, to-to load the boxes with 'compressor' w-written on them."

I grab a box from the truck and shove it in her hands. "And what does that say?"

"N-Not compressor?"

"Read it."

"It-it.." Her eyes dart between me and the box.

"Stop wasting time and read it!"

"I-" Her mouth hangs open.

"Can't you read!?"

She stands frozen.

"Pip!"

She shakes her head.

"You can't read!? What the fuck!? So that whole thing about you being smart was a lie?"

She's trembling, but she gives a small nod.

"What else was a lie?"

"I..." she trails off, taking another step back.

I step forward. "What else!? Did you even work as a slave?"

"N-no."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to lose it. "And all this random coughing? Are you sick? Did you lie about that too?"

"I-"

"Don't bother." I interrupt her. "Just tell me how long you've had it."

"Since last year," she says barely above a whisper.

"That fucker," I groan to myself. My eyes land on the boxes. "I got ripped off. I paid good money for an illiterate diseased human."

I look back at her. "You're going right back to that pet shop, and I'm getting a refund."

"No..." Her eyes mist over, and she takes another step back.

I reach for her, and she bolts.

"Pip!" I chase after her. I'm not in the mood for this shit.

She runs inside an old janitor's closet and slams the door behind her.

I turn the handle, but it's locked.

"Open this door right now!"

I kick the door, only hurting my foot.

"Open it!"

The door doesn't move.

"Pip!"

I take out my gun and aim at the deadbolt.

No, this is too dangerous. I could hit her. I put the gun back and take out my phone. This won't work either. I can't see her, and the bracelet's shock could cause her to fall and hit her head.

I slam my fist against the door. "Fuck!"

I sigh and lean against it, letting myself slide down until I'm sitting. This is such a mess.

I take deep breaths, trying to relax.

I hear her. It's quiet, but it's definitely her. She's crying. Fuck. Why is she in such a state? She lied, so she's going back to where she came from. It's as simple as that. Does she think I'm going to attack her or something?

"Hey," I call in a hushed voice, "are you okay in there?"

"I... I just didn't want to die."

"What? I'm not going to do anything like that."

"The shop owner said that I'm worthless, and that if I wasn't sold by the end of the week... then he'd put me down... No-one even wanted to look at me, until you came. I needed you to buy me. You were my only chance."

My jaw drops. I'm not just sending her back to a shop. I'm sending her to her death. Shit.

Wait, why do I care? I shouldn't care. It's not my fault she's unwanted. But the thought of her begging to live and then being snuffed out makes me sick to my stomach. She hasn't done anything to warrant death. The poor thing.

I can't afford medicine to treat a sick slave, but I can't send her back either. I sigh aloud.

"Listen," I begin, "I was just a bit upset earlier. I said some things I didn't mean. I won't send you back."

"No. It's not true. You don't want me," she says between her sobs.

"I do want you, Pip."

"No. You're lying. Now that you know I'm worthless, you're going to send me back and buy a better human."

"Do not say that. You are not worthless. Everyone has value. I won't let you die, and since that means I have to keep you, I will."

"You will?"

"Yes, I will."

She goes quiet.

"Now, do you think you can help me carry some boxes?"

The lock clicks, and I stand up.

The door swings open. She lunges forward and wraps her arms around me.

Her hug catches me by surprise. I just awkwardly stand there.

She pulls tight, pressing her face into my shirt.

I pat her on the shoulder. "It's okay."