Halfway up, I hear the shattering of glass, my captors hot on my trail.
Fueled by terror, I scramble upwards, the jagged edges of the rusty pipe tearing at my skin.
"No matter what it takes, I'll find you!" I whisper to myself, hoping Yara will somehow hear my promise.
With a defiant scream, I swing my leg over the fence and leap into the unknown.
But the feeling of freedom doesn't last long. I grunt as a heavy object smashes into my back and everything fades to black.
My heart races as I watch in horror as two of Gerald's men drag Yara away, her terrified cries tearing through my soul."Yara! Be brave, my love! I will come for you as soon as I can." But the look in Gerald's cold eyes tell me my words might not be enough.
"She won't, Yara. She's lying," he taunts, "You're about to start a new life. Not the one you dreamed of with your mother, but a new life nonetheless. I can't wait to introduce you to my highest-paying clients. I think they'll be quite satisfied with you."
"G-Gerald," I gasp.
A chill runs down my spine as I turn to face him, his perfect features twisted in anger. His eyes flash with rage. "Oh, Alina, did you really think you could escape me?"
My stomach clenches as his words sank in.
I want to scream, but I know it would only scare Yara more. "Don't listen to him, Yara!" I plead, my voice shaking, "I will come for you. This will all be over soon."
I can't bear to think of what they might do to my innocent child. And this is all my fault. How could I have put Yara in this position?
"Please," I beg Gerald, desperately, "Just... anything. But don't touch Yara, I'm begging you."
Gerald's smile sends shivers down my spine. "Oh yes, you'll do anything if Yara isn't touched? Is that right? Anything at all? I just want to make sure I heard that correctly... in which case it's a bit of a shock, seeing how you just tried to escape."
"Yes, absolutely," I say quickly, without a second thought. My voice drops to a whisper. "Anything. And I'm so sorry I climbed outside. I don't know what came over me."
Gerald appears thoughtful, and he lifts his gaze to mine. "Alright then. In that case, she's safe... for now. But only if you do one thing without complaining."
I nod, not sure how to respond.
"You're in my world, now, Alina," his cold voice purrs as he approaches me. I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest as hismuscular arm wraps around my waist. My head swims with panic, my earlier defiance evaporating like mist in the sun.
He yanks me against him, his cold nose brushing against my ear. "And now that I have you, I'm never letting you go. Not without a fight."
My vision blurs with unshed tears. "You're insane. Haven't you done enough?"
"Insane or brilliant?" his lips curve into a sardonic smile. "I'll let you decide that after you've met my latest acquisition."
The door opens, and a man with steely gray eyes and a scarred face appears. A shudder ran down my spine as I immediately recognize him. Maxwell. The stories I've heard about him... people speak about him in whispers.
"Take her," Gerald orders, gesturing towards me. "Make sure she's... prepared for tonight's event."
"No!" I struggle against Maxwell's iron grip, but it's no use. He half-drags, half-carries me into the adjoining bedroom, my stomach seesawing violently.
Tonight's event?
Maxwell locks the door behind us, his expression impassive. "Strip," he commands, his voice a low growl.
My hands tremble as I fumble with my clothes, desperate to stall for time. "W-Why?" I manage.
He doesn't even spare me a glance as he lights a cigarette. "You're the entertainment," he drawls, smoke curling around his head like a macabre halo. "And your little Yara? She'll be joining us later."
The breath leaves my lungs in a rush.
"Now!" Maxwell barks, and the coldness in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine. He's just like Gerald.