Disappearance: A broken Wing

Follow the Ropes

Once Lucas finished raping me, he left the bathroom, and I stayed under the scalding water, letting it burn my skin as if it could wash away the filth. I don't cry anymore. Ever since I was forced to kill Mealy, I've stopped wasting tears. Whatever happens, happens. If I get raped, I pick myself up. I've given up—sad, I know—but I have nothing left to fight for. My family has probably already declared me dead.

I eventually turned off the shower and searched for clothes, finding only a thin silk robe. I wrapped it tightly around myself and stepped out of the bathroom.

"What are you doing in my house?"

I froze. Hito was standing in the hallway, his dark, predatory gaze locked on me.

"Your guard, Lucas, told me I could wash," I said quickly, hoping to avoid a confrontation.

Just then, Lucas sauntered into the room, drink in hand.

"Lucas, did you tell this peasant she could use my bathroom?" Hito's voice was sharp, dripping with venom.

"No," Lucas lied smoothly. "I told her to sleep in the barn with the rest of the women."

I felt my stomach twist. I was going to pay for this.

"No one lies to me," Hito said coldly. He made a small gesture with his hand, and suddenly a guard yanked a plastic bag over my head.

"You want to lie? Try breathing through that."

I thrashed, suffocating, while Hito's fists slammed into my ribs. Each blow rattled through me—I was sure something cracked.

"You will learn," Hito growled. He pressed the cold steel of a gun to my temple.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the boy from earlier—young, maybe 18—watching from behind a wall. My lungs burned. I closed my eyes, waiting for the trigger to pull, but it never came.

The bag was ripped off, and I collapsed, coughing and gasping.

"You're different," Hito said, crouching to my level. "Most people beg when I put a gun to their head. You didn't. I saw peace. You want to die, don't you? You want to escape. But I'll make sure you live so that peace dies."

My last escape route—death—was gone.

"What's going on?" the boy asked, stepping closer.

"Baxton, what did I tell you about interfering with business?" Hito barked.

"I thought about what you said," the boy—Baxton—replied. "And I want her." He pointed at me.

Hito raised an eyebrow. "You want Kara?"

"Yes."

"Alright, show me what you're going to do."

Hito grabbed my arm and dragged me into a nearby room. Baxton followed close behind.

"Alright, kid. Show me."

Baxton walked up behind me, his hands surprisingly gentle as he slid the robe off my shoulder and brushed his lips along my neck.

"That's a good start," Hito said, watching with approval.

"I can do so much worse," Baxton said casually, "but I don't like company." His hand traced up my thigh.

"Fine. I'll be in the kitchen. Enjoy your first time." Hito smirked and left.

As soon as the door closed, Baxton pulled his hand away and turned on the TV, searching YouTube for... was that the sound of someone being raped?

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

"So, he thinks I'm doing what he expects," Baxton said simply. Then he turned to me, his expression softening. "Hey. I'm Baxton. And you are...?"

"Kara," I said, still wary.

"Nice to meet you, Kara." He sighed. "I'm sorry about my uncle. Honestly, I wouldn't be here if my parents hadn't died. I'd go to the cops, but he'd kill me before I made it five steps."

I blinked at him, stunned. "Wait—you're not going to rape me?"

Baxton frowned. "No. I'm more into video games than... this. My father raised me better. I could never force someone like that."

I was too shocked to speak.

"What's with the YouTube sound then?"

"Because if he hears silence, he'll know something's wrong. Trust me, I'm smarter than he thinks."

"How old are you?" I asked cautiously.

"Eighteen. You?"

"Seventeen. I'll be eighteen in three months."

Baxton's eyes darkened. "Don't let my uncle know that. His birthday surprises for girls are... bad."

"You're not like the other men here," I said, still studying him.

"And you're not like the other women," he replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"They're all terrified. You... you're broken, but you're not afraid. You've given up on life. I can see it."

I looked down. He wasn't wrong.

"Don't you have family?" he asked.

"I do. But I doubt I'll make it out alive. I've stopped trying."

Baxton looked away for a moment. "Fifty-eight."

I blinked. "What?"

"That's how many people work for Hito."

"I didn't see fifty-eight guards."

"I never said they were all here."

I studied him, suspicious. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to escape. And when you do—don't look back."

"Thank you," I whispered.

Baxton gave me a faint smile. "Look, I have to feed the women in the stables. Trust me, stay away from that place if you can. But before I go, we need to make it look like I did what my uncle expects."

"But you didn't," I said softly.

"He doesn't know that." Baxton hesitated. "Do I have your permission to touch you? Just enough to make it look convincing?"

"Sure," I said.

Baxton stepped closer, gently pulling down the top of my robe to expose my chest, then ran his hands through my hair, messing it up.

"Alright," he said. "I'm going to grab your arm and drag you into the living room. I might say a few things—just go along with it, okay?"

"Do what you have to," I replied.

Baxton smiled slightly. "Do you think we could be friends? Working for my uncle is... draining."

"We can try," I said.

"Good. Just pray my uncle never finds out."

Baxton opened the bedroom door and yanked me into the living room.

"How was she?" Hito asked, smirking.

"Honestly, I wish she put up more of a fight," Baxton said with a convincing grin.

"Did you enjoy your first time?"

"Did I?" Baxton walked up behind me, sliding his hands down my shoulders and across my chest. "I had an amazing time. I'll be ready to do it again." He smacked my butt lightly before walking off.

He was such a good actor that if I didn't know better, I'd be terrified of him.

"Glad you enjoyed her," Hito said. "Tell you what—I'll let you pick any other woman you want to have fun with."

"Sounds great," Baxton replied over his shoulder. "I'll be back after I feed the women."

"Alright. Leo, take Kara to the barn."

"Yes, sir," Leo replied.