In a dark room, Zhi started to wake up. she found herself slipping in and out of consciousness. A metallic and slightly sweet smell of blood filled her nose and was then followed by a harsh smell of urine, feces and burning trash. "Where am I?" her breathing became labored until she could only hyperventilate.
Zhi's head was hurting from where she was struck and was nursing an unbearable headache. Shetried but wasn't able to free her hands to check her wounds. Panic sunk in. "How..can..this..be..happening." Each word felt like pulling teeth. No..no.. no..no..no..please God don't let this be happening again. This time, there would be no Tadashi. This time she wouldn't be saved, she will die here. A door cracked open. Bits of light seeped through. Instead of fresh air coming in the rancid smell intensified in the tiny room.
"Good, you're awake. I hate that you made me stay here this long. I'll make you suffer twice as much as I just did. The voice got angry and violent, "I mean, you even made me leave before getting my future husband's name."
Zhi was slapped hard in the face over and over. "Are you listening to me little Ruo?"
Zhi couldn't believe it, it was Shi Cho. Did she kidnap me? "Why?"Zhi asked anxiously.
Shi Cho felt a little better after slapping her and answered with a sweet and innocent voice, "Simply because your life has been bought and paid for. Well, your death was anyway. Your life though...that belongs to me now!"
Zhi's whole body froze. Ever since she was kidnapped at 12 her defense mechanism was to shut down. Her doctors said it was to mentally escape from the pain. She was told some children will alternate between fight, flight, and freeze, in an effort to cope with stress. Zhi found that information to be true. Right now Zhi was barely aware that Shi was kicking her in the chest. She felt the pain but her brain seemed to have turned off. Blow after blow and quietly took it all.
"Scream for me!" Shi screamed out laughing.