“Come in my precious rose blossom. The dress I bought you makes you all the more like a vibrant luscious red rose walking amid our decaying town.” the voice oozed like oil from the doorway.

“No. I can’t .. ” Anna stuttered. Thoughts tried to rise through murky consciousness but she could not focus. She pounded her thigh hoping the pain would make her lucid. “Damn it what have you done to me?” she screamed.

“Oh my dear newborn junkie blossom have you forgotten the special bubble tea we made just for you!” again the voice flowed slowly out the door. Sort of a whisper gaining volume as it enveloped her.

What tea? I didn’t have any tea. I’m on vacation aren’t I? She beat her thigh again. Nothing. She swayed like a rose bush in the wind.

“No my prized blossom you are not on vacation. I sent you the money. Yes, I know you thought you won the prize. You are mine until you can pay the loan back, the dress, and the shoes.â€? The voice covered her like a slick of crude. Under its weight she fainted.