2 The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"Run. Run fast. And never look back!" the old man whispered as I held my breath avoiding the stench from his rotten teeth.

I prepared for this. For months, I've trained hard for this. I endured the scorching heat and the bitter cold. I must survive. I must see the daylight on the other side.

He removed the chain tightly bound on my swollen wrists and ankles. The stinging sensation from my abrasion made me clench my teeth as my body shudder. The chain clanged as it fell on the cold and damp concrete floor. I massaged my wrists. I still felt dizzy as I haven't eaten any proper meal since I became captive in this godforsaken place. But, my determination was stronger than my grumbling stomach.

I gripped the hem of my rugged and dirty shirt and prepared to run. My bare feet felt sore being exposed to the jagged terrain and the hostile weather.

"Ready?" he hissed.

I heard him cocked his pistol.

"Run!"

I ran as fast as I could.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I ran in a serpentine motion to dodge the bullets aimed at me. I jolted when I heard another gunshot, I ducked when a landmine exploded beside me.

Running so fast, I felt my feet having wings; I felt the adrenaline rushing through my veins giving me the agility I needed. I ran through the woods. It was dark. It was cold and dark. I rubbed and adjusted my eyes to the endless blackness of the night.

Stolen from one of the guards earlier, I took out the wristwatch hidden in my bra. It's 12 am. Four hours more before sunrise. I must keep moving.

I tried to remember the trail--- the marks I made secretly during those months in captivity. I hovered in the dark stumbling many times and every time, I got up and ran.

"It must be here somewhere," I thought. I was looking for the knife and food I hid preparing for this fateful day to come.

Then, I heard thumps and running footsteps toward my location. The sound of men chattering and beams from their flashlights made me anxious.

"God help me!" I prayed in silence.

I slid into a crevice that was concealed by bushes and ferns creating minimal noise not to attract their attention. Lying on my stomach, I felt an insect, a centipede, crawling on my leg; its sharp legs slowly creeping felt so cold. I was terrified. I bit my lip not to scream until it bled and I tasted my blood. I covered my mouth as the footsteps became stronger and stronger.

"Don't lose her or you'll lose your head," one man commanded with his deep growling voice.

"How much is her virginity?" one man asked.

"Nine zeros! She's already marked by a billionaire in the West," one answered.

"Holy shit!" another exclaimed.

Holding my breath, I waited anxiously for them to leave. They scoured the area for around five minutes before moving on.

Paying attention to my surroundings with my eyes closed, I heard the familiar rush of water coming from the nearby stream. I felt a glint of hope. If I follow the stream, it will lead me to the other side.

Fearing that those men might still be around lurking in the dark, I slowly crept making less noise and movements as possible. I got this. Almost there. Sweat covered my face. I tasted the salt and dirt from each bead of sweat that touched my lips keeping me awake.

When my weary feet touched the icy water, my body shivered. I had no choice but to submerge myself in the cold water because I know that the current could help me navigate faster.

Yes. Faster. Time was running. I looked at my watch, at 2 am. Time was a luxury I didn't have. I had to go. I had to move quickly. I paddled with my feet as I swam with the current of the water. It wasn't strong, but enough to keep me moving. Away from those men hungry for carnal desire.

After about fifteen minutes of being underwater, I couldn't feel my right leg.

Shit!

My leg was cramping.

I panicked.

I screamed under the water to muffle my squeal. My mouth shivered and my jaw began to lock.

No!

The pain was crawling up to my thigh and it began to feel heavy. I twitched in excruciating pain. And every move I made added to my suffering.

I took deep breaths to calm myself.

I tried to get out of the water grabbing anything my hands could touch. I ended up cutting my palms with razor blades of grass.

At that part of the stream, the water was stronger and stones were everywhere.

Thud!!!

My body hit a rock.

Oh no!

My other leg began to cramp. The familiar pain started. I cried in agony. I felt so helpless at that moment and the spark of hope I had began to turn bleak.

Unable to move my legs, I couldn't evade the big stone ahead.

Pakkk!!!!

The strong current slammed my exhausted body against the boulder, head first. Little by little, I felt dizzy. My eyes were too heavy to open and my legs were killing me. I began to sink. I panicked. I don't wanna die. I must not die. Not like this. Not like a pitiful animal chased by a predator.

No!

I. Must. Not. Die.

I am almost on the other side. I am almost there. The sun will rise soon. I have to get out of here.

Then... I felt so sleepy. My eyes wouldn't open and my body couldn't move. I felt my chest tightening and I felt so light as bubbles escaped from my nostrils and purple mouth.