His Slave

6. What is Going on?

Erin

The Daltons got back from visiting their family yesterday morning. Neither of them had any idea that we took the car. We just have to hope that they don't check the records on any of us from the past few days. Because then we'll all get in trouble.

I'm in the foyer dusting when the doorbell rings and I almost drop the vase in my hand. I glance at the door with confusion. The Daltons aren't expecting any guests today. Must be a salesperson. I get back to dusting, waiting for Thomas to get the door. He enters the room a few moments later, turning the handle.

"Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?" He asks with a bit of a smile on his face. The man smiles back.

"Are Mr and Mrs Dalton in?" The man asks. I glance over at them, wondering what's going on. The man is wearing a fine black suit. He's got brown hair that's slicked back and he has a pair of spectacles perched on his nose. I stiffen as I recognize him. Jonathan Brewer. My caseworker.

"They are," Thomas replies.

"Might I speak with them?" The man asks. Thomas nods, gesturing for the man to step inside.

"If you'll please wait here a moment I'll go get them," Thomas tells him. The man nods and then Thomas turns and hurries off to fetch the Dalton-demons. The man glances around, inspecting the Dalton's house with an unimpressed expression on his features. He notices me working in the corner of the room, and he stares at me for a long time which makes me incredibly uncomfortable.

Finally, Adrian and Leora enter the foyer. Mr. Dalton looks mildly irritated but the expression on Mrs. Dalton's face is one of pure amusement, and it scares me shitless.

"Good afternoon," Mr. Dalton greets the man, outstretching his hand. The man shakes it, smiling at Adrian.

"Good afternoon. My name is Jonathan Brewer. I'm with the court of debts, and I'm here to speak to you in regards to your debtor, Erin Ricoletti." The second the words leave his mouth, I can feel the color drain from my cheeks. Why is he here for me? What is going on.

"Is something wrong?" Mr. Dalton asks, folding his arms over his chest. The man lets out a condescending laugh.

"Wrong does not even begin to describe this situation. Might we have a word, just the three of us?" He asks, glancing sidelong at me. Leora and Adrian both nod, inviting the man further inside. Mr. Dalton turns and starts in the direction of his office, with the man following behind. Mrs. Dalton stares at me as she follows them, almost smirking, but not quite. What does she know that I don't?

As soon as I hear the faint sound of a door clicking open and then shut I drop the duster and hurry back towards Mr. Dalton's office to listen in on the conversation. But all I hear is a few muffled words. It's useless. Mr. Dalton's office is sound proof. I always forget that.

"What are you doing?" Adelaide asks, finding me with my ear pressed against the door. I jump.

"You scared the shit out of me," I tell her as adrenaline rushes through my veins.

"Language, Erin. And I'm sorry. But seriously, what are you doing?" She repeats her question as we step away from the office, and down the hall. I let out a heavy sigh as worry crosses my features.

"My caseworker showed up, stating that he needed to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Dalton in private and," I let my sentence fall, trying to contain my tears. I'm pretty sure I know why Mr. Brewer is here, and the thought devastates me. Adelaide lets out a pained sigh, shutting her eyes tight.

"I'm so sorry, Erin," she whispers, a single tear sliding down her face. I furrow my eyebrows together in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I ask her. She throws her hands out as if she's not sure how to explain things.

"I overheard Mrs. Dalton speaking on the phone," she speaks up and my heart starts to pound a little faster. This cannot be what I think it is. I refuse to go through with this.

"No. I refuse to believe it. I won't. This isn't happening," I reply. My head is spinning.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I was sworn to secrecy," Adelaide adds.

"I'm your best friend," I spit back, hurt that she wouldn't share such awful news with me. Since when have the Dalton-demons ever stopped us from sharing things with each other. They must've threatened her with some horrendous punishment for her to keep this from me.

"I'm sorry, Erin. I really am. I wanted to tell you so badly, but Mrs. Dalton threatened to separate Thomas and I if I tattled," she replies as another tear slides down her cheek.

"I understand," I reply gently, as my hatred for the Daltons intensifies. I didn't even know that I had room in my heart to hate them more.

"So, what is happening exactly?" I ask. Adelaide shrugs.

"I'm not exactly sure. But if your caseworker is here, that can only mean one of two things," she returns, her words dripping with sadness.

And in that moment, my entire world comes crashing down. She's right. There are only two reasons my caseworker would be here. Either I'm getting pardoned, or I'm being transferred.

And with my track record there's no way the court of debts would even think of pardoning me.

That damn bad boy reported me.