chapter six
799 Words
"My name is Juliet," the voice said.
"I'm Lyca," she replied.
"Lyca, like a lizard?" Juliet chuckled.
"Of course not," Lyca rolled her eyes.
"I have a cellphone with me," Juliet said.
"What? How is that possible?" Lyca asked.
"How would I know my cell number? I was thrown in here," Lyca said.
"Look at the walls," Juliet instructed.
"23E," Lyca read aloud.
"Oh, that crazy woman's cell," Juliet said.
"If you make the phone call and you get saved, you have to come back for me."
"Ten years... I may be dead, but still, bury me and my love," Juliet's voice cracked.
"I promise, I'll be back," Lyca vowed.
"But how do you have a cellphone?" Lyca asked.
"I traded something for it," Juliet replied mysteriously.
"What?" Lyca's curiosity piqued.
"You don't need to know," Juliet said firmly.
"The guards would be here soon. I'll tell him to pass it to you. Remember, call someone you trust."
They waited in silence until footsteps echoed outside Lyca's cell. A plate of food was dropped in front of her, and she shuddered.
Something else clattered on the ground, and Lyca saw it was a cellphone.
"Just games, right?" the guard asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes, yes," Lyca hurriedly replied, snatching the phone.
About an hour later, Lyca made her call.
"Hello?" her voice cracked.
"Who's this?" an aged voice came from the other end.
"Uncle Shen, it's me, Lyca. I'm not dead. I'm being held hostage at Zheng's place. I need help," she cried.
"What? How did he let you have a phone? He told us you wouldn't..." Uncle Shen trailed off.
"Uncle Shen, you knew," Lyca accused.
"Of course, I knew. I have kids to train. Your father was a stingy bastard. I have to tell Zheng before you call someone else," Uncle Shen said nonchalantly.
The call ended abruptly.
After a prolonged silence, Juliet spoke up.
"He betrayed you, right?" Juliet asked.
"I can't believe it," Lyca whispered.
"Zheng will come for you. Don't implicate me or the guard. Say it's your phone. That's the least you can do," Juliet warned.
"Okay," Lyca croaked.
"Lyca, don't trust anyone," Juliet added.
"But Uncle Shen...he's family," Lyca protested.
"Family can be the deadliest poison," Juliet's voice faded into the darkness.
Lyca's mind reeled with uncertainty. Who could she trust now?
Hurried footsteps echoed, and Lyca realized this was it; she was done for.
The door to her cage swung open violently, and she was yanked out.
This time, she wasn't blindfolded; she had memorized the route, just in case.
She was pulled in front of Zhenyi, and a sharp slap struck her face.
Zhenyi swayed slightly in front of her.
"So, I throw you in jail, and you have the audacity to call someone, claiming you're not dead?" Zhenyi mocked.
"I...I..." Lyca stammered.
"I should have killed you. You brought a cellphone? How dare you, you little brat!" Zhenyi's face contorted with fury.
"Strip her!" he ordered.
The guards tore off her clothes, leaving her in just her underwear.
Lyca's pale skin made the guards gulp, and Zhenyi let out a laugh.
"I see you all find her appealing. You should have your fun and bring her to me when you're finished," Zhenyi said, his voice laced with malice.
He vanished into his study.
"Madam Lyca, please take off your clothes yourself. I prefer it gentle, unlike Master," the head guard chuckled.
"I'd rather die than let you scum touch me," Lyca spat.
"When you decide to kill yourself, then we'll have our turn," the guard sneered.
Lyca's gaze locked onto the guard's, her resolve burning fiercely.
Just as the guards were about to reach for her, Zhenyi halted them.
"Not now. We have an important visitor," Zhenyi stated firmly.
The guards stepped back, confusion clear on their faces.
Uncle Shen entered, his commanding presence demanding attention.
"Zhenyi," Uncle Shen's voice resonated.
"Father," Zhenyi responded.
Lyca's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father?" she stuttered. "How... what?"
Uncle Shen let out a chuckle.
"Ah, he may be a bastard, but he's certainly useful," Uncle Shen remarked, glancing at Zhenyi.
Lyca's mind spun.
Uncle Shen and Zhenyi? Father and son?
The betrayal cut deep.
"I told you not to humiliate her," Uncle Shen added, his gaze sweeping over Lyca.
"Sorry, Dad," Zhenyi replied, sounding submissive.
"And lose that excessive weight you've gained. You annoy me," Uncle Shen criticized.
"Yes, Dad," Zhenyi acquiesced.
"The burial has been completed. We shouldn't let her grave stay empty for long," Uncle Shen stated, his eyes icy.
"Yes, Dad," Zhenyi answered.
"And take care of the other one in the cell too. They might have collaborated," Uncle Shen commanded.
Lyca's thoughts spiraled as panic took hold.
Juliet's fate, her own fate, hung precariously in the balance.
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