The People Traders Read Online Free PDF Page A

climbing quickly into the dinghy. "May I have the blanket back, I'm so cold?" she uttered bravely.
    He shrugged indifferently, ignoring her plea, and climbed in after her. Too frightened to ask again, she winced as the salt water washing about in the dinghy caught the sore areas on her bottom from Assam's belt.
    Time seemed to pass very slowly; her body was shaking uncontrollably, her head spinning. Resigned to the fact that escape was futile, the effort of the swim, the punishment, and now the cold, was taking its toll. Even as strong and fit as she was, Karen sank slowly into unconsciousness.
    Garrett looked at her closely. "This girl's very cold, Assam, I'd better put her straight into a shower when we're aboard. Then just for tonight, stick her in the empty cabin on the lower deck, rather than leave her in the hold."
    Assam looked at her for a moment then nodded his agreement. They had by now arrived by the side of the ship and Garrett leaned over, grabbing a cable which he attached to the bow. Assam grabbed the second and attached it to the stern, then after shouting to someone on deck, the dinghy quickly rose and was swung into its holders. Garrett leaned across to her, splashing cold water from the bottom of the dinghy onto her face, shouting at her to wake up.
    She opened her eyes, at first not knowing where she was, only that she felt cold, before the memory of her ordeal came flooding back. Garrett gave her no time to think; as soon as she seemed awake he grasped her hand and half dragged her off the dinghy and onto the deck. Then he pushed her through a door, down two flights of stairs and along a corridor, before stopping outside a closed door. He opened it and leaned inside. Turning the taps, he waited until the water ran hot and stepped aside. "Clothes off and inside under the shower. Stay until I return."
    She went and did as he asked, pulling the door shut. She'd found a small piece of soap on the shower floor and soaped herself under the hot water, finally beginning to feel warm again.
    Garrett came in and stood watching her. She cowered back in the corner of the shower cubicle, embarrassed at him seeing her naked. "That's enough, kid, take this towel and dry yourself."
    Although embarrassed with him watching her, she did as he asked, and when dry, wrapped the towel round her body.
    "Follow me," he demanded.
    At the end of the corridor they entered a cabin furnished with a bunk bed, a chair and a small table with a cupboard below.
    "If you're hungry, there's a hot drink and sandwiches. I'll keep your clothes, they need drying. When you've finished, get to bed. Tomorrow you'll be given work around the ship. Talk to anyone and you'll feel the strap later. Believe me, you don't want to take that route."
    "Thank you for the food," she replied, still very aware of the risk if she didn't answer quickly enough.
    "Let me see your bottom." he asked, at the same time turning her round and pulling the towel up. Karen stood there, afraid to move or object. However, he only looked then let go of the towel before reaching into a cupboard and pulling out a jar. "You're lucky; Assam's belt's not cut the skin, but it's obviously sore, so use this cream, it'll help ease the pain."
    She took the jar, at the same time thanking him again.
    He grinned. "I'm not a hard man, Karen, play fair with me and we should get on. You're in here for tonight and then it's the hold for you. We have other guests and they are more valuable, but the hold can be chilly so I'll find you an extra blanket if you're no trouble."
    Feeling that the barrier between them had softened, Karen took the opportunity to ask questions. "Can you tell me where I'm going?"
    Garrett was stood at the door looking at her. "To hell kid… To hell."
    A lump came to her throat, tears forming in her eyes. "Why, what have I done?" she whispered.
    There was an uneasy silence as if Garrett was choosing his reply carefully. "Nothing that I know of," he began, "but Whittle paid