Belle raced through the dense forest, her breath ragged as she stole quick glances over her shoulder. The men were relentless, their pursuit unwavering. If it had been just one, she might have deceived him, weaving through the trees to lose him in the shadows. But three? How could she outwit three men who moved with such speed?
"Stop running, girl, and let's have some fun!" One of the men bellowed, his crude words slicing through the night. The distraction cost Belle dearly. Her foot caught on a root, and she tumbled to the ground.
"Ahh!" She gasped, the impact clashing her injured forehead. Pain shot through her skull, and she felt a faintness threatening to overtake her. She was already weakened from blood loss, and her strength was waning fast.
Determined, Belle forced herself to her feet, but dizziness overwhelmed her. Her head throbbed, and her vision blurred until the trees around her became indistinct shadows.
As she staggered forward, one of the men caught her by the hair, yanking her backward. His arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her against him in a hold that made her skin crawl.
"Let me go, you vile creature! Unhand me this instant!" Belle screamed, writhing in his grasp. But he only laughed, a wicked sound that sent chills down her spine.
"Such spirit!" He sneered, rubbing himself against her in a vile display. His laughter echoed through the forest, mocking her struggles.
Tears welled in Belle's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She would not grant him or his companions the satisfaction of seeing her despair. She knew their kind thrived on fear and weakness, and she vowed not to give them either.
"I swear I will see every one of you dead!" She spat, her voice trembling with rage.
The man chuckled darkly. "Bold words, but let's see how brave you are once I have had my way with you," he hissed, his tongue flicking out disgustingly as his hand crept toward her breast.
Before he could touch her, Belle seized his wrist and twisted it with all her might. He yelped in pain, but his anger flared. He shoved her to the ground, looming over her with a sinister grin.
"You little wench! I was being gentle, but you have pushed me too far." His hands gripped her shoulders, forcing her down as he reached for her gown.
Belle fought with all her might, batting his hands away each time he tried to grab hold. But he was stronger, and soon the fabric tore, leaving her undergarments exposed.
Panic surged through her as the reality of her situation set in. Her breaths came in rapid gasps, and for a fleeting moment, despair crept into her mind. She imagined the shame she would endure if she returned to the palace scarred, violated, and humiliated. The thought of Quinn's smug delight at her downfall sent a fresh wave of fury through her.
That fury became her strength. She grabbed the man's manhood and squeezed it with every ounce of force she could muster.
His scream pierced the night, and he crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony.
Belle didn't hesitate. She shoved him aside and ran, her legs moving as though propelled by sheer will. She didn't look back, didn't care where she was headed, only that she put as much distance as possible between herself and the men. The forest closed in around her, its shadows deepening, but Belle pressed on, her determination as unyielding as the trees surrounding her.
She would rather die than endure such a violation. It was the most devastating fate she could imagine. If she could not fend off the men, she resolved to take her own life before allowing them to strip her of her dignity.
"Mother, help me!" She whispered desperately as she stumbled through the forest, her voice trembling with fear and exhaustion. She clung to the faint hope that her late mother's spirit might intervene and save her from this nightmare. Just when her life seemed to have found some semblance of peace, this ordeal had descended upon her, leaving her with what felt like a mere sliver of a chance to survive.
Would Hezekiah realize her absence in time to rescue her? Had Mia managed to escape the forest? Was Aurora safe? The questions swirled in her mind as tears welled in her eyes. She brushed them away and pressed on, her steps faltering but resolute.
For a fleeting moment, she thought of Quinn. Perhaps he had noticed their disappearance. But why would he save her? The thought felt futile, and she pushed it aside.
A cave loomed in the distance, and relief washed over her. She hurried inside, grateful for the narrow shaft of light that pierced through a hole above, faintly illuminating the space. She slumped against the wall, her breaths ragged as she tried to calm herself.
Inspecting her torn gown, she felt a small wave of solace that only the upper part had been damaged. She could make do until the danger passed. Once the men left, she would find her way back to the carriage and hope Mia and Aurora were waiting for her there.
The exhaustion of her escape finally overtook her, and her eyelids grew heavy. She drifted into a restless sleep, her body surrendering to weariness.
"Oh, sleeping beauty," a voice sneered, shattering her fragile respite. Belle stirred, thinking she was dreaming, but as her eyes fluttered open, a shadowy figure solidified before her.
Her breath hitched, and panic coursed through her veins. She tried to push herself up, but the man was quicker. He raised a curved blade in front of her face, his eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement.
"I don't mind fucking a corpse, you know," he said, his voice laced with malice. "Your body is to die for." He laughed, the sound echoing in the cavern like a death knell.
Belle trembled but steeled herself, forcing her voice to remain calm. "Why do this? If you help me out of this forest, I will give you as much money as you want." She clasped her hands together, pleading as exhaustion weighed heavily on her.
The man sneered, feigning pity. "Money? If that's all I wanted, I wouldn't have to chase you through the woods. Ever since the king gave women their 'rights,' it's been harder to find a good fuck." His voice dripped with disdain as he reached out to caress her cheek, his touch sending a wave of revulsion through her.
"Are you not afraid of the king?" She asked, her voice trembling but determined. "He will find out about this."
The man laughed, his tone mocking. "Afraid? Of what? There are millions of men in the kingdom. How will they ever find me, especially when you are dead?"
Before she could respond, he seized her by the hair and yanked her toward the center of the cave. Belle's heart raced as she realized the depth of her situation.