Caged (Caged series Book 1) Read online

  There was a person in my old cage shielding her eyes. She was wearing a pink night gown that had small spots of blood on it from her lip.

  "Hey," I whispered, "Hey, it’s okay," I walked over to her and got on my knees, then I sat the flashlight down so it was out of her face, “Are you okay?"

  The girl shook her head, "I want my mom," she cried.

  I didn't respond. I wanted the same thing, "What's your name?"

  "....Winee."

  I reached my hand through the cage bars, "I'm Rose."

  Winee hesitated, but when she saw the smile on my face, she lightly took my hand and shook it back.

  That was the beginning of a very long and loving friendship. Another girl, locked up, just like me, and someone who wanted her family just like I did. Soon enough we became so close that we were like each other’s own family, and we forgot about our old ones. It was just me and her.

  Chapter 8

  The next day was uneventful compared to yesterday. Jessie didn't bother me, or even take the time to look in my direction. She just came late to class and ignored my presence, and as much as I enjoyed the lack of attention I felt as if something were wrong. Jessie was up to something, and I had no idea what, but for the time being I’m just going to have to go with the flow and leave things alone. My plan to get answers had faded.

  I didn't see Lorena, which made my day less exciting, but Abigale and Cameron made things look a little brighter. Cameron was a funny guy that always had some kind of corny joke. He was liked by the majority of the girls at our school, and the ones that didn’t like him are the ones he most likely turned down. I don't blame them though, he is a cute boy. Abigale, on the other hand, could relate with me on just about everything, on every level. She was more of an outcast at the school, but still admired by many. Some students liked her because she was so cool and laid back, and nothing close to judgmental, but some disliked her because she was so different.

  Me, I don't really know how I fit into the equation. I'm just that girl that everyone is trying to figure out, which makes me pretty popular, but once they all find out that I'm just an empty shell, I'll probably be more of an outcast than Abigale.

  I saw Miss Shy at the end of the day. She smiled at me and waited for one in return, but I didn't want to share that with her, so I just picked up my pace and continued down the hall.

  "See you tomorrow," Miss Shy said. I sighed at the thought of having to sit in the office with her again.

  When I got out of school I decided to head to the library instead of going straight home. There was nothing that Shannon could do about me not coming back when she wanted me to. If she was really worried, all she has to do is call my phone.

  The library was only a block away from the school which was very convenient. I could go there to do my homework, and also get a few books. When I lived with Arnold, reading was one of the few things that I was allowed to do. I always chose the fantasy genre because I liked the thought of having super powers, and traveling to other worlds. Anything that could distract me from reality kept my attention back then.

  When I got into the library I went straight to the librarian and applied for a library card. While I was doing that, I spotted Abigale at a table, alone, surrounded by open books and papers.

  "Ab...." I whispered.

  She looked up and waved for me to come over to her. I took my library card and slipped it in my pocket, then I walked over to her table and sat down.

  "Wow, what class is this?" I asked.

  "Fucking government," She answered, "What are you doing here?"

  "Nothing, just here to do some work, and then maybe check out some books."

  "What? You read?" She chuckled, "I can't stand reading warning signs, let alone books."

  "Yeah, it’s a bit of a hobby for me."

  Abigale shook her head and got back into her work. I decided to go ahead and start mine. It didn't take long at all to finish, and I was even done before Abigale and decided to help her with hers. I already knew a lot about the subject so we started to pick up the speed dramatically.

  After about twenty minutes, I got a phone call from Shannon. I just texted her where I was at and left it at that. She still called back, but I didn't answer.

  "Who's that?" Abigale asked.

  "My crazy ass aunt," I sighed, "I'm gonna get ready to head back."

  "Alright, thanks."

  I nodded and headed over to the fiction section of the library. They had such a large variety that I couldn't choose from what I wanted, and I got stuck in picking between two books that had both looked so good, but couldn’t figure out which one was better.

  "You should try this one," Lorena had walked up to me and pulled out the black book covered in stars, "I read it a long time ago, and it turned out to be really good."

  I smiled at the sound of her voice, but then my smile faded when I made eye contact with her. She looked unhappy. Her joyful voice was just a cover up so that no one would think that there was a problem.

  "Is everything alright?" I asked.

  Lorena faked her smile, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just haven't been feeling well. I mean I'm alright now, but earlier I felt horrible."

  I decided to go along with her, "Or, that's just an excuse not to go to school."

  She giggled, "You could be right." She turned towards the books and started looking through them. "You didn't strike me as the reading type, Rose."

  "What you tryna say? Even Abigale said something like that. Do I come off a little slow or something?"

  "No, not at all," This smile was real, “After our last talk, I just saw you as the sports only type of gal."

  “You got me all wrong. I like to take long walks on the beach, watching the stars, and occasionally writing poetry."

  Lorena looked at me to see if I was serious, and I kept a straight face for as long as I could, but when she smiled, we both started laughing.

  Lorena finally chose a book and quickly flipped through the pages, "Alright, well I guess I'll see you in school tomorrow."

  “Hope so,” just slipped out, and I felt embarrassed.

  Lorena just looked back at me with a confused look, "let me know what you think of that book."

  I nodded, and then she turned around and walked away. Now, she probably thought that I was kind of weird when really I just felt...comfortable. If I wanted to be her friend, I'm going to have to warm up to her slowly. That way she doesn't think I'm some crazy stalker or something.

  I pretended to look through books as I watched her check out and exit the building. I wonder what was really wrong with her. When she spoke, she sounded sad, and her movements were slower. She could have actually been sick like she said that she was, or something else was bothering her. Like her leg. Lorena covered it up perfectly, but she couldn't fool me. She was limping.

  My phone rang again, and once again I ignored it. Shannon must've been going crazy by now. It’s been an hour since I've been out of school, and I still haven't arrived home yet.

  I went ahead and checked out the book Lorena had chosen for me. It was called Once Loved. It didn't really seem to be a fantasy book, but it’s good to venture onto new grounds sometimes.

  Once I left the library, I power walked home, excited to go read the new book I checked out. Back in California I only read when I had to. I was always fighting, or training, or sleeping, and never had time to do the other things that I enjoyed. It was all to distract my mind, but it didn't do me any good.

  Once I got home, I stood in the living room and waited for the screaming and yelling to start, but there was nothing.

  "Shannon!" I called out, but there was no reply. I shrugged, and started for my bedroom when I heard a car pull up and stop with a loud screech. I sighed. Just when I was about to escape.

  The car door slammed shut, and it wasn't long before the front door flew open, "Where were you?!"

  "The library," oddly, I kept my cool, "I sent you a te-"

  "I told you to come here
right after school Rose! Right after!"

  "I had work to do!" I yelled back, but tried to keep my cool.

  "You are supposed to come straight home! We had an agreement-"

  "No, you had an agreement! I didn't say I was gonna do that shit, you did! I had fuckin' work to do. What’s so bad about me being somewhere other than here anyway? I can take care of myself!" Now I was getting mad. It's almost like I could never have a good day with this woman!

  Shannon took a deep breath and calmed down. She was always the one to calm down first, "Look, I just need to know that you’re safe, that's all."

  My anger turned into confusion, "Shannon, I'm a walking human weapon. My hands are licensed, and I am the best at what I do. Who, or what the hell could possibly hurt me?"

  Shannon sighed and walked passed me, "You shouldn't be so confident."

  "You shouldn't be so worried. You shouldn't even care, you didn't before-"

  Shannon stopped and turned around, "Well I do now, and I want you to come home right after school for now on."

  "No," I shrugged.

  "No?"

  "I'll let you know where I am where ever I go, but if I don't want to, I won't," I walked passed her and headed to my room.

  "Well if you end up missing again, I won't come looking for you."

  I acted as if that didn't bother me, but that one hurt like hell.

  Right before bed, I got in the shower. Hot water always calmed me down to a relaxed state, where all I could think about was how good the water felt. I even decided to put my hair under the shower to add onto the good feeling.

  When I was little I went days without showering. I just had cold soapy water thrown on me, and a sponge tossed inside the cage. I had to scrub the best I could in that small square, and then air dry. When I was finally given a real bedroom, I was allowed to use the shower. I spent any free moment I could in that warm water. With such hard training, torn muscles, and healing bruises, the shower was the only thing that could relax me, and now, I just love taking showers.

  Before I was taken away, I would take baths by myself, or sometimes my mom would come and make sure that I washed up right. She was always such a clean freak, but I could understand how she felt. I used to walk into the house covered in mud with my dog by my side. Sadly, he didn't get to take a bath with me, so I would have to take him out back. My dogs name was Leon. Like Leo but with an N at the end. My mother named him for me.

  I really wish none of this ever happened, and that they could watch me grow up. Maybe I would be different. Maybe the incident in California would have never happened.

  Once out of the shower, I went to bed. Once again, I avoided doing my daily routine, but it didn't bother me as much as it used to. I could actually sleep without thinking about it.

  Chapter 9

  Abigale popped up at my house early the next morning and gave me a ride to school. I was surprised that she knew where I lived, but she said it wasn't hard to find my place because she saw me walking home yesterday.

  We didn't talk much this morning. Mostly because I was reading Once Loved. So far, it was about a girl who ran away from home and tried to make a life of her own. I didn't get very far into it, because the school was right around the corner.

  When we parked and got out of the car, Cameron spotted us and joined us on our way into the building. All three of us had the same homeroom class so we walked together. Abigale stopped at her locker, and I went to mine with Cameron following behind me.

  "So, you ready for tryouts?" Cameron asked.

  I took my book bag off and began putting my books away, "Sort of, I haven't really been training, but I'm not that worried."

  "Mmmmm, you should be," He smirked, "We are pretty good."

  "Well, I'm probably better," I said with confidence.

  "We’ll see about that, I'll make sure he puts you against me. What you weigh like 140? 145?"

  I slammed my locker shut, and he jumped. "130," I laughed, and was starting to walk away when he grabbed my hand. He was gentle about it, and for once I didn't react aggressively. Still, I pulled my hand away because I wasn't used to soft touches, or affection period, "Already? I've only been here for like three days."

  Cameron smirked and shook his head, "You’re interesting, and I want to get to know you."

  "So does half of the school, and I'm sure there are a lot of girls here that want to get to know you," Looking around I saw a few females give me dirty looks, "Besides, you find out what I'm really like, and you'd want to keep your distance," I turned around and walked to my class. My stomach was fluttering with butterflies, and my face felt hot. It was a feeling that I was very unfamiliar with.

  I walked into the class and sat down next to Abigale, trying to slow my heart rate by taking a deep breath.

  "You okay?" Abigale laughed.

  I nodded and slouched down in my chair. I don't even dress like an average female. What could he possibly be attracted to?

  Cameron walked into the classroom with his friends and sat down. He smiled at me, and then went ahead and started talking to them.

  "Ooooh," Abigale nodded, "Be careful with that one."

  I bit my lip and turned away, "What are you talking about?"

  She smiled.

  When class ended, I went straight to my second period class. I was the first one to enter and sat down quietly as I waited for class to start.

  Everyone entered the room accept Lorena. She missed, yet again, another day. I sighed and ignored Mrs. Pond’s teachings most of the class. Where was she?

  When the bell rang, I wasn't in such a hurry anymore. It was time to go and visit Miss Shy. My counselor.

  "Is everything okay?" Mrs. Pond asked, "You seemed a little distracted today."

  "I'm fine," I picked up my books and slowly made my way down the hall towards the office.

  On my way there, I spotted Jessie headed in my direction and felt heat building in my chest. She was walking with two other girls that I wasn't used to seeing, but then again, I'm not used to seeing anyone just yet.

  Jessie looked up and smiled as she passed me. It was a pretty smile, and the heat in my chest died down, which was weird. I ignored her and kept moving forward thinking that I had to learn how to completely ignore her.

  Once I got into the office I sat down in the lobby. As soon as the bell rang, Miss Shy opened her door for me to come in.

  "Hi!" She said in a joyous tone.

  "Hello," I walked in and sat down.

  "How are you today?"

  "Fine."

  "Great," She sat down behind her desk.

  "So, we talking about colors and favorite foods today?" I asked.

  "Is that what you want to talk about?"

  I just stared at her. Hell no, I didn't want to talk about colors, that was boring the first time.

  "I didn't think so-"

  "Let’s talk about you," I suggested.

  "Again?"

  I didn't respond.

  "How about we play a game?"

  I squinted, "Like some psychologist game for you to get into my head?" I laughed, "You gonna show me pictures?"

  "No.....I'm going to tell you something about myself, and then you’re going to tell me something about yourself that similar to mine."

  "So, you want to see what we have in common?"

  Miss Shy smiled, "Smart girl."

  I sighed loudly, “You’re white, and I’m mixed. You’re old, I'm young. You have a job, I don't."

  "You think I'm old?" She blushed, slightly, "I'm only twenty-eight."

  I didn't respond. I figured she was about to start telling me irrelevant stories about her life and started to space out. I was looking around her dull office for any pictures of family and saw that she had none. It was just her and her cat, once again. In our last session, she told me that she had no children and no husband, not even a boyfriend, but she didn't really go into detail. I could see it in her eyes that something bothered her about telling me why, but I di
dn't really care.

  "Shall I begin?" She asked.

  I just shrugged.

  "I guess I should start with a story," She was scratching her brow in thought.

  "How about family?" I smirked.

  Her smile faded a little bit, “Hmm, well, I was adopted when I was ten. I had the average family. A mother, a father, and two older sisters, with a dog."

  “No cat?"

  “No cats," She laughed, "mom couldn't stand cats, and I don't really think they liked her either. We stuck with a dog named Ronald. You have any pets?"

  “I had one," I answered. I haven't talked about anything that's had to deal with my childhood before I was kidnapped. It made me feel queasy and anxious.

  “What was his name?"

  “Leon," I looked down at the floor and tried not to think about him.

  “What about family?"

  I had a flash of my mom and dad and bit my bottom lip. I didn't want to think about them right now, "Don't have one."

  Miss Shy folded her hands, “Well, who do you live with?"

  "My crazy ass aunt. You know that."

  "It doesn't seem like you like her too much-"

  "Well why would I? She-" I stopped when I realized what I was doing. I was about to start ranting on about all the things she's done. It wouldn't hurt to talk about it, but it’d make me seem like a victim, and I refused to be one of those.

  I realized that I was letting myself get too comfortable, and started to feel angry. She almost got me.

  "You said you were adopted, right?" I leaned forward and let my arms rest on my knees.

  "Yes," She nodded.

  "Well, I heard stories about crazy ass parents that adopt children and abuse them. I mean, they adopted you when you were ten. What does a family want with a ten year old girl when they already had two?"

  Miss Shy smile was completely gone.

  "I mean, I'm just curious, did any of those crazy things happen to you? You know, like rape, abuse, torture..."

  "Did it happen to you?" She looked calm, but I could tell that I was getting to her.

  I clenched my teeth at the thought of my past. I hated thinking about those times. My heart rate would pick up, and I would get all sweaty, then I would start freaking out, and it would feel like I was really there.