GRACE'S POV

Hunter's mansion,
11:44 pm

I rolled down on my bed for the millionth time but sleep was nowhere in my eyes. I sighed sitting up.

Who were the men in the truck?
Does Hunter know they are here?
Why do I have a feeling that something bad is gonna happen? Should I go and check?

Yeah, Grace, you should go and at least have a look.

Listening to my inner voice I quickly wore my slippers and decent downstairs. The huge hallway was silent and dark only some golden dim lights were shining on the dark walls.

God is in my favor, there wasn't anyone I took it as a big chance and tiptoed making my way towards the basement.

At every step I was taking, the weird sounds were getting louder so my heartbeat. Gathering all my courage I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it.

I pushed the door slightly open only to hear the gasps of some people but I wasn't able to see them in the darkness.

Soon my eyes got used to darkness as I walked in further. I saw a girl sitting on the floor with her head buried in her knees, her shoulders were shaking, some hiccuping and sobbing sounds were coming from her.

I immediately sat on my knees near her gently placing my palm on her hands.

Her head snapped up and she tried to back off but the wall behind her didn't let her do so.

" Hey ". I said softly.

She looked up meeting my gaze. The lights coming from the door were hitting on her face showing scars and buries. She looked so vulnerable.

" What are you doing here? Who brought you?". I asked making her ocean blue eyes get bigger.

" Aren't you one of us?". She asked taking my hands in her grabbing it tightly like she has found something she has been craving for.

" No". I replied confused as I didn't know what she meant by us.

" Please save us. They are drugging and selling us out of the county for money". She pleaded as her eyes started streaming tears.

Her words remained me of myself. I was in the same condition as her years ago. Scared, hopeless, weak.

" Nothing will happen to you, I promise". I assured creasing her cheek. She seemed elder than me but I felt like giving her some comforts. " Where are others?". I asked.

She pointed her shaky finger backward. I stood up releasing my hands from her tight grip and went to have a look behind the wall.

I gasped looking at the bunch of young girls. Some were crying, some were scared, some were laying lifelessly on the freezing floor of the basement.

They seemed completely hopeless, like waiting for death to embrace them.

The sound of some footsteps from the door side was enough to alert them all. They all got alarmed and stood up quickly scooting together. I got stuck between them.

Some men walked inside taking girls outside with them one by one. I felt a tight grip around my arm. I turned to see the same girl I consoled a minute ago.

" Help us". She whispered not turning her eyes from the men standing in front of us. I nodded.

A man approach us and grabbed my arm harshly. " I'm Grace". I said enough for someone to get sweat at my name. Everyone here knows that I belong to Hunter. And touching their king's property is like inviting to death.

" So?". He asked raising an eyebrow as he didn't recognize me. They are outsiders.

Grabbing my hand tightly he dragged me outside the mansion. I started shouting, trying to call some bodyguards but got a tight slap on my face in response to my little stunt.

He's gonna regret it so badly.

They threw all girls like trash along with me in the same truck that I saw a few hours ago and closed the door behind.

The sound of painful sobs was all I was able to hear. The truck started moving. There wasn't a single window to look outside.

I was trapped but somewhere in my heart, I felt like I'm getting freedom. Maybe it's another hell but at least I'm not under his control now. I'm breathing outside that suffocating place now.

" Are you smiling?". I turned towards the same voice I heard in the basement. " Is there still a way?". She asked making me nod my head.

" There is hope outside his prison". I replied.

After a long drive, we stopped at an airport. I glanced outside as for the first time in ages I saw something besides the black walls of his mansion. I breathed under the open sky.

Those men took us with them to a private plane and made us all sit properly. They gave us some packages of food that all the other girls started eating without any second thought. They all seem hungry. I gave my package to the girl who was glued by my side all the time.

" What's your name?". I asked brushing her hair back from her face.

" Violet. You can call me Vi". She replied chewing her food. " What's yours?".

" It's Grace". I replied.

Finally, the flight landed. Vi was asleep all the way but I wasn't able to get a blink of sleep after all this mess.

Those men were ushering us the way but a girl suddenly started throwing up in a corner. Everyone gathered around her including guards.

I and Vi was the one who got off the plane at the last and was walking behind everyone all the time.

I roamed my eyes around. The clock said it's two forty-eight. Airport wasn't crowded and the men seemed busy because of that girl.

" Vi". I whispered Intertwining our fingers.

As she looked up at me with a confused expression I placed my index finger on my lips and signaled her to follow me silently.

We tiptoed turned behind the wall. Taking some turns blindly we approach near the reception where we saw an exit glass door.

The moving vehicles on the road outside made my hopes up. There's my freedom. I just have to pass the gate and I'll be free. We'll be free.

"Act normal". I said removing her hands from my grip.

We both walked towards the gate and luckily an old watchman was taking a nap. I slowly opened the door indicating Vi to go first while I was glancing back in case someone is following but there wasn't anyone.

Suddenly I bumped into someone while walking outside as I was looking behind.

" I'm sorry". I apologized picking up the walkie-talkie that he dropped when we bumped into each other. He nodded looking at us both suspiciously.

He was one of them but he didn't recognize us. I made proper eye contact with him while handing him his walkie-talkie back before walking past him.

" Count the girls". I heard an orderly voice coming out from the walkie-talkie.

" STOP". He ordered turning towards us but we didn't. " STOP OR I'LL-". He searched for his gun in his back pocket that I already had stolen when I bent down to pick up his walkie-talkie. "F*CK". He cursed.

I grabbed Vi's wrist tightly and spoke. " Run". I dragged her with me.

Descending the stairs I heard him shouting from behind. " TWO GIRLS ARE ESCAPING, COME TO THE BACK DOOR FAST". With that, he started chasing us.

We ran and ran until we found a truck to hide behind in an alley. I sat on the road behind the truck and pulled Vi down too. We both were breathing heavily because of running.

" Listen to me carefully now". I said removing my rings from my finger. I took her hand in mine and placed it on her palm. " These will be enough for you to hide at least for a month or maybe more". I said closing her palm.

Her eyes widened when I hand her the gun too. " I-I don't know how to use it".

" Nor I". I confessed making her frown her brows. " Do you have a family?". I asked gaining a whisper like no in response.

" This will make it hard for them to find you. They will be here in any second. Only a girl is missing in their calculation". She made a confused face at my words. "Run Vi, Go and start something from the beginning. You have a whole life in front of you. Don't miss the future because of the past". I encouraged.

" What about you?". She asked with concern.

" I'll be alright". I removed my hand from her palm. " Go". I mouthed.

" Thank you". She pulled me into a tight hug before we both stood up. Taking some steps backward she turned and started running away.

Freedom. I unknowingly smiled looking at her figure disappearing in the dark.

" Freeze ". I heard a deep voice from behind.

• Some mistakes take us to the right place.

Chapter published on: 07 December 2021