Chaptertwo:therealization
1080 Words
Mia—
The flashlight dropped from my face and faced the floor, casting erratic shadows across the walls.
I blinked against the sudden dark, my heart pounding as panic and curiosity set in. Breathing became a little bit labored.
I could see the figure standing in front of me but i could not see his face clearly enough.
Well..well..well..
That voice.
It couldn’t be.
It shouldn’t be.
But I knew it.
The sharpness. The edge.
The barely-masked irritation under every word and the distinct feminine tone i could never forget.
It was burned into my memory from years ago.
From tense holiday visits and whispered arguments behind slammed doors.
From the last time Mom had screamed his name like a curse.
“Uncle Dean” I rasped, my throat raw and trembling.
“What—? What is this? What are you doing here?”
He didn’t answer immediately. Just stepped forward, and "click" the overhead bulb flickered to life — a soft buzz before a sickly yellow light bathed the room.
I finally was able to see him from my half swollen and puffy eyes. i could not see the puffyness but i could feel the sting as i blinked. "My mouth wide open"
He was older now.
More gray at his temples. A heavier gut under his tailored coat.
But his eyes were still the same: flat. Cold.
Like they’d forgotten how to feel.
“Look at you,” he said finally, his tone disturbingly casual. “Still got your father’s eyes. Shame.”
I froze. The words hit me harder than the metal cage I was trapped in.
He never liked my father but
“What the hell does that mean?” i said it as soon as it registered in my head.
He crouched, face now level with mine, and smirked.
“Means your father was a sentimental fool. Always pretending he wasn’t from our blood. Your mother the same. Self-righteous bitch.”
“Where am I?” My voice cracked, desperation and panic bubbling. “Why am I here?” i hoped in my mind he was here to rescue me, he was my family.
He leaned in just slightly, and suddenly, all the warmth I’d once hoped he might possess — gone.
“Because now you’re worth more to me in chains, and at least your father made something i could use, Mia.”
Something? i did not realize immidiately that i was the something, but it clicked as the statement replayed in my head.
Silence stretched for a second too long.
Then I laughed.
A hollow, bitter sound. at least it had to be a prank. “This is a joke, right? You can’t be serious. You—You kidn*pped me?
He didn’t blink. “No, sweetheart. I sold you.”
My breath caught. my mind tried to process what that meant.
“What?”
He stood, brushing off his knees like we were having coffee, and it was a wrap.
“That little deal you heard about on the news?” he said. “The one with the pharmaceutical syndicate that collapsed last month? That was mine. And I needed insurance.”
He looked down at me, and his voice dropped low and deep, trying so hard to erase the feminine tone.
“You were the insurance.”
“No,” I whispered. “That’s not possible.”
You cant do this Uncle, you cant say that we are family...
Family? Your father treated me like trash and kept me away from his family. and when he died like a coward
“Your mother thought cutting me off would keep you and your brother safe. But blood always pays its debts. And in this business, sometimes your own blood pays it for you.”
His words felt like acid on my skin.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I was in shock now
“You sold me to a—what? Trafficking ring?”
“Don’t be dramatic Mia", he said with a shrug. “They don’t just traffic. They do deals, experiments, trades. You’ll probably end up in Europe somewhere, new name, new role. If they don’t kill you first.”
But what is the big deal he continued "youre worth lesser than a pile of rubbish anyways.. i hope your father and mother can see this from hell" Bastards!
My stomach turned violently. I felt all the feellings at once, Anger, hatred, regret, shame, hopelessness and a thousand more emotions... my head felt heavy
He didn’t flinch.
“I trusted you,” I whispered hoarsely. hot tears pouring down. “Mom trusted you once. We let you in our home…” even when dad warned, she still gave you a chance but you hurt her..
“She was naïve,” he snapped. “She never understood the world we came from. Your grandfather—God rest him—built an empire of connections. Your father ran from it. but he always made it seem he was above us. I inherited it.” he scoffed "Honest living my ass" he died like a coward,
He spat on the floor
My fingers clawed at the bars, my wrists screaming in protest.
“You’re a monster.”
He smiled. “I’ve been called worse.”
I wanted to lunge at him. Tear the smirk from his face. But my body was weak, my limbs still trembling from the drugs. The reality hit like a blow: I was completely at his mercy.
“But why me?” I croaked. “Why not just take the money and run?”
He tilted his head. “Because you’re useful, Mia. Not just as a Whitmore, but because they believe you have something valuable — bloodline, background, who knows. You tick some box on a profile. You're desirable.”
I shook the bars now with my hands now numb, the rage fueled with the little strenght i had.
“Oh, and one more thing,” he added as he turned toward the door. “Don’t bother hoping your brother is coming for you. He won’t even know you’re missing until it’s too late. And even if he did... he can’t afford the cost.” Lunatic.
He started walking away.
“No! "Wait! —Uncle Dean—please!” I screamed, my voice ripping from my throat. I had to beg, maybe that would work...
He didn’t even look back.
The door slammed shut.
And I was alone.
Again.
- Writer
