"Hello. I'm Robert. I've lost my phone and need to call my family. Can I use yours?"
"Um, sorry, I have no call service," he says – an obvious lie.
"How about a message?"
"Sorry, nothing works. I've got to go." He heads off in the opposite direction. I must look as bad as I feel.
The lingering medication makes walking feel like I'm pulling a car. I sit on the sidewalk, lean against the building and slam my hand on the cement.
Pip sits beside me. "Master, are you okay?"
"Yea... I just need a stupid phone."
"I can try."
At least I've got her on my side. "Okay, just stay in my line of sight." I won't be able to live with the guilt if she gets taken.
"I will." She heads off towards a young woman. She slows down as she gets close. I guess she's nervous.
I can't believe my eyes when the woman starts following Pip. She got it on the first try?
"Here is my master," she says as she helps me to my feet.
"Hello. I'm Robert. Can I make a call?"
"I'm Julia." She hands me her phone. "Your pet sure is adorable."
I nod while typing in my sister's number.
She answers. "Sarah?"
"Rob! How are you? Where have you been?"
I tend to avoid calling her. It's the only way to avoid the guilt. I haven't put her through university like I promised. It's like I lied so she'd run away with me all those years ago.
"I'm sorry to call like this, but I'm in a bit of a pinch. Can you fetch me on the corner of Larkfield Street, Rosslin?"
"Oh, of course. I'll come as soon as my shift ends tonight."
"Thanks." I hang up and hand the phone back to Julia and thank her.
* * * * * * * *
"Master, I um... I'm hungry."
"I know. I'm hungry too. We'll eat tomorrow morning."
She looks at her feet.
"It's late. You should get some sleep."
She lies on the concrete with her arm as a pillow. It'll be early morning by the time my sister gets here. I thought it would be best to wait in an alley, out of sight, until she arrives.
"Don't leave while I'm asleep," she says.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
My gaze drifts through the stars as I try to piece together where it all went wrong.
An hour later, my attention lands on Pip's small form. She's curled up in a ball, shivering.
"Still awake?" I ask.
"It's cold." She doesn't have much in terms of clothing. Just a thin dress and an old hoodie. It's not enough when you're stuck outside on a cold night like this.
"Come here."
She crawls over and stares at me with her big brown eyes. They're not filled with fear like when I first got her.
I pick her up, lay her against my chest and zip up my jacket. It should help being sandwiched between my jacket and shirt.
She shuffles around to get comfortable.
YOU ARE READING
From Chains
FantasyI'm working every waking hour. You'd think that smuggling would pay better, but nothing has been easy since the war. I can't go on like this. I need someone to take the load off my shoulders. I need a slave. --- Robert has had nothing handed to him...
Chapter 11: Regret
Start from the beginning
