12 The Dungeon

When the butler left. I put on a black cloak I found in the wardrobe and headed down the winding stairs, leading to the dungeon. My heart leaped as I went closer and closer to the forsaken place.

Neverland Castle was indeed a castle built on top of a medieval castle. It resembled a Disney palace, full of joy and optimism. It's used as a school, giving opportunities to young women to fulfill their dreams. From a distance, it looked like a magical paradise. It had that captivating quality that drew more and more visitors and enrollees each year, unknowing of the harsh reality that's happening under their noses.

Beneath the benevolent facade lurked a darker castle. The formidable walls served their purpose well as a protection from the unforgiving weather and a soundproofed the place, perfect to commit nasty crimes and no one would even suspect about it.

It was full of secret tunnels that I explored in secret years ago. I was thankful that I dared to wander into them and when the right time came, my memory was a great help.

I held my breath as I tiptoed at the corner of one tunnel then I heard footsteps! The only light was provided by torches so it was easier for me to hide, given the distance of the burning flames.

My fear was if Andrei discovered that I had been missing, I could imagine his wrath. I stood still, clasping the hem of my cloak, and waited for the footsteps to go away.

"Shit!" I silently cursed.

"Oh fuck! I heard the master's lover is hot. Scorpion told us a while ago. Her beauty is no match to that lady you just had anal sex with," a man said. His deep, scratchy voice gave me chills.

"Really? Now I wanna see her and taste her myself!" another man replied.

"Master was very possessive of her. Our chance is thin," the other one said.

"Well, if he gets bored of her, we'll surely have our piece," the man with a deep voice claimed. They cheered.

"Right! Look at what we did to his wife! One day, he was protecting her from us. The next day, he gave her as a present! Oh, I could still remember how we nearly tore her ass!" the third man replied. Their raucous laughter reverberated inside the tunnel. I froze. I even held my breath, fearing that even the air I breathe would create a sound.

After a couple of minutes, I couldn't hear their voices anymore. What a relief! But I had to act fast. Time was precious. I had to find Rose before Andrei finds me missing.

One last turn and I would arrive at the dungeon. I sneaked into the gate and the familiar sounds of lascivious acts echoed in the entire dungeon. This could have been my life hadn't I escaped. I closed my eyes in both pain and relief.

I searched for every cell. Those women looked miserable. They looked gaunt from days without food. It's already been fifteen minutes since I started looking for her but no one matched the description of her parents.

I couldn't just ask them. It might cause an alarm. As I turn to one of the cells at the far end of the dungeon, I heard Andrei's voice. I was apprehensive. There wasn't any exit aside from the entrance so there's no way I can get out without being noticed. I jolted when I heard his thunderous voice.

"Find her before she comes down here! And if anyone of you touches her, I'm gonna kill you. I will punish her myself! Are we clear?" he roared.

I was sweating. My heart was pounding. "Think! You must think. There must be away," I whispered as I close my eyes, trying to remember the secret tunnels I've been.

Footsteps came closer. I ducked behind a barrel. But, when I turned around to run, I knocked the barrel, causing a loud thud as it rolled down the alley.

"Shit! Who's there?" one of his men shouted as he flashed his light in my direction. I panicked.

I held my breath as he approached. Before he even reached where I was, the woman in the cell adjacent to my location caught his attention.

"Mister... mister!" she called.

"Shut up, bitch!" he yelled.

"Are you looking for a woman?" she asked that caused the man to stop advancing.

My eyes were rounded as she spoke. I was literally shaking in fear. What if she told him where I was? I'd be dead before I even fulfill my mission.

"Have you seen her? Was she down here?" he heckled.

"I saw her on the palace grounds before I came down here. She seemed lost, so I knew she's not one of the recruits," she replied.

"Are you certain? If I caught you lying, I'm gonna...,"

"Yeah. Yeah. You'll gonna kill me? I'll be waiting. Off you go before she comes down here or else, your master will chop your head off and feed it to his hungry beasts," she said, even making a hissing sound. The man weighed her honesty then he ran back to his master, telling him the information given by the woman. I cried in relief.

"Psssst. Woman," she whispered after Andrei and his men ran upstairs. I walked to her and thanked her.

"Listen to me. You must act quickly. Follow that tunnel. It will lead you to the rear of the garden above. You have to be there before them or else, we'll both be doomed," she whispered and warned. I nodded thanked her again. Then I ran as fast as I could. I had to outrun Andrei.

The tunnel was dark but using my memory, I traversed quickly, groping in the dark. My heart was pounding. My feet were aching. I held my breath when I finally saw the end of the tunnel.

I checked myself for any dirt that would indicate where I was. Everything was good as new. I took a deep breath before stepping out of the tunnel. I made sure that nobody was around. The hedges were tall enough to conceal me as I walked back to the castle.

It was chilly outside so it helped me with all my sweat. I also crushed some rose petals and applied its oil on my clothes and skin.

"Allondrah!" Andrei roared as he ran towards me. "What are you doing here?" he asked. There was no hint of anger whatsoever in his voice which was totally different from moments ago. He ordered his men to leave us before he gave a savage kiss.

"Tell me why I shouldn't punish you?" he hissed.

"Depends on what kind of punishment," I teased.

"Take your clothes off!"

"It's fucking cold, Andrei!"

"Exactly!"

"I will eat you in this cold!"