The People Traders by Keith Hoare Read Free Book Online

beaten up everyday by some drunken husband. This way you've a chance. Play along and maybe someone will want you so much they'll take you home and give you a good life with children and all that. Otherwise you'll end up in a brothel, opening your legs ten times a day."
    She rubbed her eyes. "I'd rather die," she whispered.
    He held his hand out and touched her gently. "Death's too easy, and never comes without pain and distress."
    He stood and then asked her to help with the dishes. For the next hour or so they said nothing. Karen was deep in thought, somehow she must gain the trust of the two crew members and at least they might call her parents and tell them where she was, or where she was going. Alternatively, they may help her to escape, but in the meantime, she would do as this cook asked and pretend she'd accepted his advice.
    It was late when Assam returned. "All right, Screwer?"
    Screwer nodded. "Yeh... she's worked well."
    Then he turned to Karen. "Come," he demanded.
    She followed without a word. Eventually they arrived at his cabin and Assam sank heavily into his chair. She stood, unsure what to say or do.
    "Sit," he said pointing at a chair on the other side of his desk.
    She sat quickly.
    He leaned over to the side-table and switched on a television. The picture was grainy and breaking up but he ignored that and began fiddling with a video. Eventually a reasonable picture appeared. She was confused; they seemed to be watching the news. Suddenly her name was mentioned and Karen's ears pricked up.
    "The whereabouts of Karen Marshall, a schoolgirl abducted in a bizarre set-up yesterday, has taken a turn for the worse." The announcer began. "Police have begun lifting the car, believed to be the one used in the abduction, from the sea. The man police were actively seeking in connection with Karen's abduction, Frank Whittle, was found by local fishermen at lunchtime today. The police estimate he'd been dead for at least ten hours. According to sources close to the investigation, police now believe both he and Karen were in the car that plunged two hundred feet over the cliff. Karen's body is not, I stress not, in the car, but the impact burst the doors and, like Mr. Whittle, they believe she was also thrown out. Locals tell us that the currents are very strong and she could be far out at sea or washed, like Mr. Whittle, further down the coast. We have also heard the search is now scaled down and no other persons are being sought in connection with the incident."
    Assam stopped the video and switched the now hissing television off. "I recorded that news clip forty minutes ago as we left British waters."
    With her head bowed, looking down at the floor and gripping her hands together, Karen was close to tears, not knowing how to reply.
    "It would seem you're all but forgotten, Karen, from this day on I own you. I decide if you live or die; nobody else, just me."
    She looked up at him and their eyes met. "So what are you going to do, kill me?"
    He grinned, showing rows of shining teeth. "Do you want me to?"
    Karen shrugged. "Whatever I said you'll do what you want, so why should I bother to answer? That's unless you want me on my knees, begging for my life? That I'll never do and, as you so bluntly put it, I have no life now."
    The room fell silent except for the constant background noise of the engines often vibrating items about the room as the ship encountered the resistance of waves, making the engines work harder.
    "You know," Assam began, "for a pretty girl like you, life may not be that bad. Plenty of men would want to be with you. So it's really up to you to make the most of what you've got. See it as a challenge and maybe, just maybe, one man will want you enough to think about a family life with you."
    Karen sighed, ' The same words as the cook, do they really think I'm going to fall for it? ' she thought to herself. Then she looked at him watching her. "You're saying the only choice I have for the rest of my life