Halt! I heard a rough voice.
I think I fell asleep along the way. Though my fear kept me awake for how many hours, the long travel made me weak and caused me to slumber. Fitting my body into a medium casket seemingly deformed my body.
Last night, I've been tossing to and fro. I couldn't sleep not until before midnight. I was finally able to get my sleep but then I suddenly woke up due to a loud thud noise outside. I walk towards the door but it wouldn't open. Looks like something blocked the opening, it wouldn't budge no matter how hard I try to push it.
However, after a few minutes, I could see smoke escaping from the holes into my room. Fire? I'm sure about it! is the house burning?! Help! I've been knocking at the door and been striking the walls hard. I need to get out as soon as possible.
Oh wait, Grace! Is she awake? I kept calling her name. Oh please Grace, please be safe! I kept praying inside me.
Then I remember the small balcony so I rush to the window and opened it. Without hesitation, I jump outside and somehow slipped my foot on the ground. Ouch! I think I hurt my ankle! Anyway, I must find Grace at all cost. I was limping my way to the door but some men suddenly blocked my way.
Though the night is dark but the fire lights up the surroundings a bit. The men from the restaurant this afternoon! I was startled. No. At that very moment I know I am doomed.
"Y-you…" I staggered backwards planning to run away from them. But Grace is inside the house. I must save her.
"Hello Missy." The bald man spoke giving a creepy smile. And without any warning they held both my hands and tied me down. I was wiggling though I know I can't stand a chance against them.
"Please let me go. My friend… my friend is inside! please!" a tear escaped from my eyes. but too late, someone knock me down and I slowly lose my consciousness.
"Grace, I'm sorry…." was the last thing my mind could ever say…
Whenever I think about what happen last night, I can't help but shed some tears. Grace. Did she ever make it?
"Hey! Eat this!" a small stout man threw a piece of meat on the ground before me. dang! what do they think of me? A dog??I snorted.
"Hey! Am I your pet?" I squeaked. Oh yes you can say I am too brave for my situation but I couldn't help but scold them. "I bet the meat you cooked is delicious but only dogs can enjoy that stuff lying on the ground." I scoffed.
"Whatever woman! if you don't want to eat then don't." the small stout guy responded.
"What a heartless guy you are. Are you going to treat a woman like a thrash? Aren't you a gentleman--- at least?"
"Unfortunately, you can't find any gentleman in this place, Missy." I heard him spoke then they all laugh together. Tsk! I scoffed even louder. I think these guys left their conscience somewhere else.
I am thinking of a way to escape from them and is trying to think of words to coax them when I suddenly saw a shadow from a far. I'm sure I saw something… or maybe I was just hoping to see someone. Haist!
I know I have thought about death the past few days but I never thought I would die like this. what could they possibly do? are they going to butcher me? sell me? kill me? or worst… oh please! My mind is in frenzy.
"Y-you… what are you going to do with me? I don't have any money nor any family member that you could extort money to, so why don't you just let me go? I promise I will repay you someday." I pleaded but they only looked at me with contempt.
"Why should we let you go when someone paid us a big amount to kill you?" the bald man stood up and came near me. "And why should we let go of a gold fish? I'm sure you'll cost us a fortune." He held my jaw but I pulled back.
"Someone paid you to kill me?" I was confused. Who would even do that? although Liam hates my presence but I'm sure he wouldn't go to such extent as this…. "W-who paid you?''
The man must have seen the confusion in my eyes so he stood up and went back to the others. "You don't have to know it Missy. But you should know not to trust your so called friends, you'll never know who is true from who is not." Then they mockingly laugh altogether.
I heard him but I'm having a hard time processing his words in my head. All I know is that someone paid them to kill me… but who could it be? I don't have much friends in this place nor made an enemy while staying here. Those people from Ikarai, I believe they won't betray me this much.
Liam! he is the only one who dislikes me. He wanted to send me off as soon as possible. But will he really go to the extent of paying somebody else to dispose me? can he really do it? My heart aches so much as I think about it. Does he hate me that much? Unknowingly, a tear escaped from my eyes. Well, who else but him hates me that much?
Mom… I never knew I am capable of being hurt so much like this… the man I like the most wanted me to die. Though for the past few days I've been feeling lifeless, but knowing that someone instigated my death is a different story. The man I trusted my life with…. Mom, he wanted to kill me. Ah! this heartache is too much to endure… Now I started talking to myself.
"Then why don't you just kill me now?" I muttered.
"Kill you? though the person wants you dead but it would be a waste if we do that. I'm sure your worth a million! Ha-ha-ha!"
"Y-you're going to sell me?" my eyes widened when I remembered the shrines that the twins mentioned to me before. No! I don't want to be a prostitute! Over my dead body! I must… I must escape at any cost! Now my life is on the line!
They're done eating and was taking some time to rest. However, the sun is scorching hot since it was already mid-afternoon. Guess they also wanted to sleep since some of them are yawning.
"I'll be taking a bath at the river. make sure to guard that woman cautiously." The leader stood up and took his bag with him.
"I'll go with you."
"Me too…"
"I need to wash up also. Delio will stay here to guard the woman." said the fourth man who stood up and followed the others.
"Fine! go! I can handle this alone…" the man lazily laid down on the grass while picking his nose.
A few minutes later….
"Shhhh….." I heard a voice of someone behind me. "Don't make any sound." I turn my head and was surprise to see a young lady having a hard time untying me. good thing the man guarding me doze off a minute before the lady appeared.
"Please be fast." I whispered. I bet the other men are on their way back.
"I'm almost … almost… done…wait!" she's really doing her best.
"Hey you! what are you doing?!"
I jerked upon hearing the leader shouted. Damnit! We're doomed!