Disappearance: A broken Wing

Welcome back

It had been a week since we left for the mountains, and now we were finally heading back to Hito's house. As I was packing my things, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. My first thought was Hito. I tensed, but when I turned around, I found Baxton standing there instead.

"You should stop," I whispered urgently, "before Hito walks in here and catches you. Then we're both in trouble."

"He's downstairs barking orders," Baxton replied with a sly smile. "We've got a solid ten minutes before he comes up here to bother you."

Since the day we kissed, it had been impossible to keep my heart from pulling toward Baxton. He was my first love—hell, my only love—and no matter how hard I tried to push those feelings aside, they always came back stronger.

"I really should finish packing," I said, even though my heart wasn't in it.

"Yeah, yeah," Baxton teased, leaning closer, "but can I get a kiss first?"

I sighed. "Fine."

The second our lips met, I felt a rush of warmth wash over me. There was something about being in Baxton's arms that made the darkness of this place disappear, even if just for a moment.

"I WANT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR NOW!"

Hito's voice boomed from somewhere below, making both Baxton and I pull apart instantly. We scrambled to finish packing just as Hito burst through the door.

"What are you doing in my room?" Hito demanded, his tone sharp and suspicious.

"I asked him to help carry my stuff," I said quickly, my voice calm even though my heart was racing. "I don't think pregnant women are supposed to lift heavy things."

Hito studied me for a moment, then grunted. "Whatever. Take everything to the car. I'm ready to go home."

"Yes, sir," Baxton said, his tone clipped and obedient.

We grabbed the last of the bags and headed downstairs.

"Babe, get in the car," Hito instructed, his eyes briefly scanning me as if I were something he owned.

I climbed into the backseat, watching through the window as everyone else loaded up the car. As we started driving, I rolled the window down, letting the cool mountain air whip through my hair. For a fleeting moment, I closed my eyes and let myself breathe, realizing just how peaceful the mountains were compared to the hell that waited back at Hito's house.

Several hours later, we finally pulled up to the property. The peace I'd felt on the road evaporated instantly. The sight that greeted me was the same nightmare I had left behind—women beaten, bruised, and forced to do back-breaking labor while guards barked orders at them like they were animals. My chest tightened.

I didn't miss this place. Not for a second.