CHAPTER 3
1191 Words
AUDREY'S POV
My fingers trembled as I furiously tapped at the screen to see the post that had my picture attached to it on social media.
"RIP Audrey. We're still trying to process the loss of our beloved sister, who struggled with addiction and personal demons. Her tragic descent into prostitution and gambling ultimately led to her untimely passing” I paused reading it to take a shaky breath to steady myself before I continued reading it.
“We'll always remember her for the good times before her darkness consumed her. May she finally find peace.' I finally finished the post and my heart clenched. What the hell was this?
Who had even posted this?
I squinted my eyes at the usernames “Posted by @Emily and @James”
I kept looking at the message over and over sure that there was a problem but no, it was there clear as day.
Sliding down to the marbled bathroom floor, I placed my head in my hands. Tears began to flow down my face as I read it over and over. I had decided to check my social media and I saw this. My step-siblings had done this, was getting rid of me not enough? The only thing I had left was my identity and dignity and they were already sending obituary messages all over.
The thought of all the people who would see this broke my heart even more and I began to sob, throwing the phone face down on the bathroom marble floor.
To hell with all this.
Why were they this hell-bent on not only erasing me from history but also tarnishing my already frayed reputation?
I went to bed that night with puffy eyes and a restless sleep.
They had managed to make my life another hell even though I wasn't with them anymore.
Waking up the next day, I got to somehow find out that something big was happening that day. In the night precisely, I had no idea what exactly. But everone in the mansion has been running around non stop.
Unlike every other day that i stay locked up in my room, oblivious to the happenings around me. Today was different, I was taken to the forest just at the back of the house for what i guess would be a tour. But for over twenty minutes now i have just been seated under a tree, reflecting on my life.
Since no one had come to get me and I was beginning to wonder if they planned on abandoning me in the creepy woods, it happened that the Jerek of a man had left me to go answer a phone call.
I was about screaming for help when..
Suddenly the sound of crunching leaves reached me making my heart skip a beat, I turned in time to see someone walking towards me with wobbly legs.
My eyes widened as I didn't immediately recognize the person but after close observation, my eyes widened.
“Amelia?!” I exclaimed, rushing to her and catching her before she would fall
She raised bloodshot eyes to look at me and surprise filled her features. “Oh my god, you're alive!” She exclaimed, hugging me tightly.
I held her close, my eyes panicked. What had happened to her?
She looked wretched, her gown a size too big for her and red angry welts covering her pale skin.
“What happened to you? my goodness! you are alive!” I whispered, tears brimming in my eyes as I pulled away.
“We don't have much time. You have to leave. Run and don't turn back. These men are not good people..” she blurted out, holding me tight, urgency in her gaze.
I frowned at that. “What ..what.. are you talking about?” Holding both her hands, I dragged her to a shade just behind us before turning my full attention to her.
Damn! she looked like a bereaved ghost! what have they done to her!
How the hell did she even get here.. what..
"Audrey! Audreyyyy!! are you listning to all I have been saying?" She boomed, snapping her fingers across my face.
"huhhh?..Amelia.. come on.. you are not making sense.. " I shot her a puzzled look.
“You have to leave.. One way or the other!” She yelled, tears streaming down her face. “You can't live here. This luxury… it's only temporary!. You can't be happy here. They're just trying to make you feel at ease” she hissed at me.
“No, Amelia. He's different. I can feel it.. he takes care of me..” I countered, trying to assure her. Or assure myself. i wasn't sure either.
Why was I even defending him? I shouldn't be defending him, I barely knew the man.
She groaned and held me tighter, her eyes shining. “So what? You'll live here happily?! Listen.. carefully.. There's a big consignment coming up in Atlanta, all of them will be gone for a while. Use that as your chance to escape. Run! you have to run as far as you can! Don't be deluded. You aren't special. Trust me." she explained in a hurry.
I couldn't still understand what was happening but I tried to keep up. “What about you?.. who are you with.. why do you look sooo.... ”
“You're lucky, I'm not. The one who bought me.He.. you know the man who had yeelled out the loud ENOUGH?.. He has my family and he's going to kill them if I run but you have a chance. Promise me you'll go” She held me tighter, waiting for a reply.
The sound of footsteps nearing us could be heard and her eyes widened, her hands gripping me tighter. “For f***s sake! Promise me!” She whisper yelled, her voice tight with pain.
“I promise, I will miss you so much.. I..” I said, hugging her just as the person came into view. Jerek!.
“Okay times up,” he said, pulling her up gently and leading her away.
I couldn't believe what I had just heard.
Hours later, I lay tossing and turning in bed, trying to come to a decision.
No, I had made a promise. I would escape from this place. She was right. I just needed to bid my time.
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ADAM'S POV
I puffed on my cigar, eyes fixed on the security feed in front of me. Audrey's room. She was restless, tossing and turning in bed. My gaze narrowed as I watched her silently again and again.
Suddenly, she sat up, her eyes staring blankly at the wall and the phone clutched to her chest.
Leaning back, I kept the cigarette between my fingers as I looked at the monochrome feed. This better go well. It was the only chance. The hunt will soon begin and I needed to have my head in the game.
I took a drag, exhaling slowly as I picked up my phone and dialed a number.
The phone was picked up almost immediately, without mincing my words I instructed "Get her ready.."
- Writer
