One evening Michael came to the living room as Anastacia was watching a re-run of her favorite TV show. They’d gotten high after eating dinner and she was still feeling the effects, laughing louder than normal along with the canned laughter from the TV. The drugs didn’t seem to affect Michael much, he acted the same, high or not. He placed his hand casually but firmly on Anastacia’s shoulder and said “we’re going out tonight.” There was a coolness in his voice that scared her. She stood up silently and got dressed.
In the car, they didn’t talk much. Michael said “I want you to meet some friends of mine.” He offered her another pill and she said “sure, why not,” still feeling the buzz from the evening high. They arrived at a high-rise luxury condo in the nice part of town. A doorman greeted them and called the valet to park the car. Michael guided Anastacia into the elevator, his hand loosely holding her waist.
When they arrived at the penthouse level, he knocked twice on the door. An older man, maybe in his 50s answered the door, exclaiming “Michael! We’ve been waiting for you! Come on in.” They walked down the hallway into a spacious living room where two other older men sat on an enormous sectional couch. There were bottles of alcohol on the coffee table and several glasses. They had been drinking most of the evening. The view was incredible from the penthouse, a sweeping panorama of nighttime city lights.
Anastacia could smell expensive colognes from the men, mixing with the smell of alcohol and the aroma of weed. Before she could mutter a greeting, Michael pushed her toward the two men on the couch and said “Have a seat Anastacia. This is Helmut and Oscar.” Both men laughed uproariously, like it was an inside joke. Helmut put his arm around Anastacia and pulled her close, she could smell the reek of alcohol on his breath.
Anastacia looked at Michael, wondering what kind of friends these were. Michael stood in the center of the living room, hands on his hips, looking coldly at her. He said “I’ll be back soon Anastacia. I have some business to take care of on the other side of town. These guys will take good care of you.” And turned and left. Anastacia’s stomach sank. Even through the high, she knew she was in a bad situation.
Several hours later, Michael returned to the penthouse. Anastacia’s high had long worn off. She was in pain and scared out of her mind. The men had been rough with her after she’d try to fight them off. She was strong for a 15 year old, but no match for three grown men. Once she saw the lack of sympathy in Michael’s eyes, Anastacia decided then and there she was going to escape somehow.
Little did Anastacia know what she’d be escaping to…(part three of she died a queen)
