Chapter Two
Larissa's POV
"I have lost everything, but I can't lose you also, Larissa. Either I kill you or you follow me," Ramon said, pointing his gun at me.
"If you're going to kill me, shoot the trigger. I won't go with you," I said with tears streaming down my face. Following him might be the biggest mistake in my life. He would use me more than he has been using me because I'm the only girl he has left.
"Ramon, I'm done packing. Let's move; the police will soon be here," his guard said, walking in with Ramon's money case. Maybe the money might be the reason why I would follow him. I could poison him, steal the case, and go find somewhere to settle down. While I was lost in my train of thoughts, the police walked in.
"Drop your weapon," she said.
"Really? We should have left, Ramon," Ramon's guard said as he kneeled down and put his hands on his neck, but Ramon refused to lower his hand, his gun still pointed at me, ready to fire.
"I repeat, drop your weapon," she repeated. Her colleagues were ready to fire at Ramon. "For the last time, drop your weapon."
Ramon bit his lip in regret and said, "We go down together." He was about to pull the trigger when the inspector shot him in his head. Ramon's guards were all arrested, and we were taken to the police station. My heart was filled with joy as the bus was moving, knowing that I didn't have to live this kind of life anymore. I tilted my head and looked at Lucia beside me. I gave her a smile, and she gave me a hug with tears streaming down her face.
We disembarked from the bus as we arrived at the police station. The air that welcomed us as we alighted from the bus was so cold and cool; it was indeed the air of freedom. The young ones among us were sorted out first. They were all sent to orphanages, while Ramon's men were all filed to court.
After two hours, we were attended to. We all wrote statements. The woman who shot Ramon seemed to be in charge of us. She was an inspector. Since we got here, everyone had been calling her Inspector Alicia.
She talked to us and gave us all a sense of hope, making us understand that we could still make it in life without using our bodies. She knew that most of us might want to continue as prostitutes. Prostitution isn't something I can do again, but I don't know what to do or where to go. She released us all after her speech. Everyone was happy, and they walked out of the police station, but I remained in the chair with Lucia sitting beside me.
"You don't seem to be happy that Ramon is dead," Lucia said.
"You think? I'm the happiest person alive right now. It's just that I have a shred of confusion," I replied.
"What're you confused about?" she inquired.
"Where are you going when you're out of here? Because right now, I have nowhere to go. I have always prayed for freedom, but I never planned for what to do after I gained it."
"Larissa, I'm planning to leave Madrid for now," Lucia said.
"Why?"
"I don't know. It just doesn't feel safe."
"Lucia, wake up. Ramon is dead. I was there when he was shot," I said, trying to tell her there was nothing to fear.
"I'm sorry, I can't risk it. I'm leaving Madrid. Will you follow? I have some cash with me," she said. She must have stolen the money from Ramon. She was one of those few ladies who managed to steal from him.
"I'm not leaving Madrid," I said.
"Okay," she said, bringing out all the money she had and sharing it into two. She gave me half. "Take this. When you change your mind, come meet me in Barcelona."
I took the money from her and smiled. I stood up from my seat and hugged her.
"See you in Barcelona, girl," she said, and I watched her walk out of the police station.
After two hours, I was still in my chair, indecisive about what to do. Then Inspector Alicia walked over to me.
"Hey girl, you still haven't left. Why are you still here?" she said, approaching me with a smile on her face.
I took a deep breath and confessed, "I have always prayed for freedom since I was put in that sex den, but I never planned what I would do when I gained it. I don't have anywhere to go."
Inspector Alicia smiled at me and said, "I hadn't thought of that. I'm certain that all of your colleagues also don't know where to go. They're still happy about their freedom, but soon they'll realize they have no plans unless they want to continue as prostitutes." She placed her hand on my shoulder. "I know how you feel, and I'm willing to help you. Come stay with me until you have enough money to pay for an apartment."
I was stunned by her offer. Without thinking twice, I hugged her and said, "Yes, I will. Thank you."
She put a smile on her face and said, "You're welcome. I will be off duty in the next hour. We will go together."
I broke the hug and said, "I really appreciate it. I promise to be on my best behavior." She smiled and left. I was so happy. I finally had a place to stay. It seemed there was light at the end of the tunnel for me. I just wished Lucia were here with me. I know we will meet again, but I hope we meet in a better state than this. I believe she will survive. The real world out here is easier than the world we're coming from. It's much harder where we come from than the outside world.