On The Other Side

Chapter 12 - Lies

GEORGE
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3 days later...
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I struggle to stand, my hands pressing against the table for support. The pain coursing through my body feels more severe than ever, I didn't even know it was possible.

Now, not only am I shattered physically, but mentally as well.

Flashbacks from Pablo gripping my hands and pushing inside me replay in my mind like a relentless loop. I shake my head, hoping to stop those memories.

I feel the most vulnerable when I'm naked so I bend down to pick up my clothes and as I do, I hear the door opening again. My heart drops at the thought of Pablo wanting to have sex with me again.

I can barely walk, my insides are destroyed, and I don't even think that I'll be able to recover from what's been happening the past three days.

I don't know what's happening with Clay and if he's even alive. I'm terrified for him. Nobody is telling me anything.

I quickly cover my bruised and vulnerable body by stretching my stained shirt in front of me, my heart racing as I gaze at the door. Suddenly, one of Pablo's men's head pops in through the doorway. His eyes shut tightly as he sees me, and he hurries into the room, swiftly closing the door behind him.

Even though his eyes are shut, he turns towards the wall, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry. I'll wait," he whispers, and I hurriedly get dressed.

I've seen him before. He's the one who usually brings me food. He seems nice, but how genuinely kind can someone be when they work for a mafia leader?

He always wears a hat with a panda logo on it and he has a short beard. He's not particularly tall and doesn't appear intimidating at first glance, but I can sense he's tough and knows how to fight.

"I'm done," I whisper, my voice shaking, afraid of what's going to happen next.

With concern in his eyes, he turns towards me. As he sees that I'm barely holding myself up, he hurries over to the corner where a chair is placed, grabs it, and brings it to me, offering me a seat.

Why is he so nice?

Despite my disgust, I reluctantly take a seat on the chair. The memories of what Pablo forced me to do on this chair make my skin crawl, but my exhaustion beats everything as I sink into its uncomfortable embrace.

"Pablo says that you can choose a meal you'd like to eat," he utters softly, his eyes meeting mine as I furrow my brows in confusion.

My attention falls to the gun tucked in his belt, and I think about taking the gun and holding him hostage. But Pablo has a whole crew, and doing it would only worsen the situation.

"Why's that?" I manage to speak, though my voice trembles and remains barely audible. My throat stings, it's as if my vocal cords have been destroyed, probably because of Pablo's length hitting against the back of my throat with force.

He shrugs and presses his lips together. "He said that you've been very good lately and that he promised you a reward," he explains, his words slightly rushed as if he's uncomfortable discussing this topic.

I roll my eyes. "He told me that I'll be able to see Clay if I'm good," I say, my voice laced with frustration and a hint of bitterness.

"Don't worry," he says, and I look up at him with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. How could he possibly tell me not to worry in the situation I'm in?

"Clay's fine," he adds, and my eyes widen in surprise. I stand up quickly, a surge of energy coursing through my body.

"What do you mean fine?"

"He's locked in a cell. They feed him..." he starts explaining, and I nod eagerly, signaling him to provide more information. He shakes his head slightly and looks down. "I could get in trouble."

"I won't tell anyone, I promise. Just tell me, do they plan to kill him?" The words tumble out of my mouth, laced with desperation and fear.

He nods. "They're beating him up every so often." His voice trembles.

My heart aches and my legs can't support me anymore. I fall back onto the chair, the weight of distress bearing down on me, as my vision slowly blurs with each blink.

"Pablo plans to keep you two hostage until Damian comes and then-"

Banging on the door interrupts him, and his expression twists with fear, so noticeable it seems like he's on the verge of tears.

"Sap!" one of the men yells impatiently. "What's taking you so long?"

"N-nothing. I'm coming!" he yells back, looking toward the door. His face turns red as he glances at me. "I'm sorry," he whispers before quickly punching me in the face.

As the man's fist connects with my face, a burning pain shoots through my skull, blinding me with its intensity. My vision wavers, tilting and blurring, until darkness creeps in from the corners of my eyes and takes over everything. The world spins before collapsing into an abyss of unconsciousness.

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