Chapter 13

I had convinced my mother to let me drive there in my own car that way I could leave as soon as I got the chance.

I really wasn't fond of the Callahan's, they had a few slaves and they treated them badly and that always made me feel terrible knowing I couldn't do anything about it.

It literally made me sick to watch the way they treated them, the last time I was there I had to leave in the middle of dinner because I started crying.

I sat in the leather seat with my eyes closed trying to block out the memories.

I let Corey drive since I didn't think I was up to it, my stomach was already doing flips.

I sighed and opened my eyes, it was dark out and I could just make out Corey's features in the glow of the lights from the dashboard.

"Is something wrong?" Corey asked glancing over at me with one hand on the steering wheel and the other running through his messy hair.

"No." I lied.

"You sure?"

"Yeah,"

"You seem...uneasy."

"It's nothing I just don't really like the Callahan's." I replied.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because...I just don't like them." I said looking out the window.

"Okay..."

We reached the house a few moments later, I took a deep breath and got out of the car Corey and I followed my parents and brother up the steps of the porch to the huge house.

"Hey Arabelle, you gonna be okay?" Drake asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah,"

"I know that kind of stuff really gets to you but it'll be alright we won't be here long." He said with a reassuring smile.

I nodded and smiled back.

Corey had a confused look on his face.

My Father knocked on the door and a second later someone answered it.

It was one of the slaves I believe his name is Adam.

I smiled at him as we walked inside the house.

As we were led down the halls we walked past the 'punishment room'.

It was a room where all slaves that misbehaved got punished (tortured).

The room had stone walls and concrete floor there were chains attached the walls and whips hanging on them as well. There was a chair in the middle of the room that a man was sitting in with straps binding him to the chair. There was another man standing above him holding a huge cleaver knife in one hand. The room was covered in blood; there were bloody hand prints on the walls and floor.

I quickly walked past the room feeling sick and desperately wanting to get out of this house.

We were seated at a long wooden table; I sat in-between Corey and Drake while my parents sat across from us next to the Callahan's.

There were other people seated at the table as well I faintly recognized some of them.

The slaves served us our food shortly after we sat down, I didn't even touch the food I just sat there with my hands in my lap.

(I wonder if my parents would notice if I left.)

I was surprised Corey wasn't begging to leave especially after one of the slaves dropped a plate and Mr. Callahan hit him.

I had to look away when that happened; I tried my best not to start crying and I managed to hold myself together.

A few minutes after that I was ready to go whether my parents liked it or not I had no doubt something else was going to happen throughout the night and I wasn't going to be here when it happened.

(Especially if it's something worse)

Horrible images flashed through my mind and I quickly blocked them out.

"Corey?" I whispered to him.

"Yeah?" He whispered leaning in towards me.

"Can we leave?" I asked.

"Why?"

"Can we just leave, please?"

"Sure,"

I grabbed Corey's hand and dragged him out of the dining room.

"Jesus slow down Arabelle, what's wrong?" He asked as we walked down the halls.

I held his hand tightly in mine and walked quickly to the door ignoring his question.

We got in the car and I sighed with relief.

Corey started the car and drove back to the house.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Corey asked.

"I don't like it there." I stated.

"That's obvious but why don't you like it there?"

"I don't like the way they treat there...slaves. It upsets me."

"Apparently. I didn't know you felt that way." He said.

"Well I do."

"Is that why you looked like you were going to cry the whole time?"

I breathed a laugh, "Yeah. The last time we were here I had to leave in the middle of dinner because I started crying."

"Wow..."

It was silent after that; we had a long car ride home it took us 2 hours to get to the Callahan's.

"Arabelle...?" Corey said.

I looked at him, "Yeah?"

"I think I missed judged you, you're a really good person and I-uh- I'm sorry for being kind of mean." He said his eyes fixed on the road.

I smiled, "Thank you."

He looked over at me and flashed a dazzling smile.

I smiled back.

After what seemed like forever we finally made it back to the house.

I was laying in bed dressed in a black silk nightgown that fell just above my knees.

It was just after midnight, the room was glowing with the lights from the black candles I had lit. The small lamp on my nightstand was on and I had pulled back the curtains to reveal the moon shining in the dark sky outside. Corey was downstairs getting the ice cream I had asked him to get. I had the small flat screen TV on and was watching cartoons. Corey came back in the room and handed me the ice cream.

"Thank you." I said.

He took off his tie and shirt then slipped off his shoes and pants revealing his dark blue boxers and got in bed.

He lied down and put his hands behind his head, "Cartoons?" He asked me.

"Do you have a problem with cartoons?" I asked.

He breathed a laugh, "No."

I finished my mint ice cream and placed it on the table beside me.

I leaned back against the pillows and sighed.

I looked over at Corey and he was looking at me.

He flashed me a mischievous smile.

I gave him a confused look.

"So what do you say to a midnight snack?" He asked me.

"I just ate." I replied.

He laughed, "No I mean for me."

"Are you talking about biting me?" I asked.

"Yes."

"I don't think so."

"Aww come on it won't hurt." He said.

"Sure it won't."

He moved so he was lying on top of me with his hands on either side of me.

"What are you doing, I said no."

"You said I don't think so that doesn't mean no." he replied licking his lips.

"Get off me Corey." I said.

"No." He said.

I felt his hand on my thigh, I let out a nervous laugh, "Seriously Corey get off me."

He chuckled, "Are you scared?" He asked.

"Um-yes." I said, "Corey I'm warning you, do not bite me."

He leaned in towards me and whispered into my ear; "Don't worry you'll be fine, I promise."

Before I could protest anymore he bit me.