Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 28: The Girl with the Cigarette

(Warning: violence and hints at assault. Pls read at your own discretion)

Her chest hurt as if trampled on by a 100 feet, small cuts formed on her limbs as small jutting stones pierced the bottoms of her feet. It was like a nauseating nostalgic nightmare. It was like the night at bluestone hotel when she ran from Arin. Reliving the moment, Pari felt like she was running in circles unable to escape her reality. The jungle was dense and hard to see through, but she kept running in the same direction hoping to reach the building on the other side of the island. She hadn't heeded to Arin's warning. 

The last few days had passed in a blur. Arin barely left her side, making her food, taking her for a walk on the beach, a swim in the pool...he did everything hoping they would go back to the way they were. Emotionally fatigued on building a wall against Arin which he constantly tried to break down, Pari even considered trying to forget it all. But she couldn't, the violent and scary side of Arin kept haunting her, she knew so little of him and it scared her. During one of their walks around the compound, Pari noticed there was a blind spot behind a bush that the cctv didn't catch. It was her chance. 

Every night she stayed up chalking out a plan. She wouldn't be able to escape in the night as Arin slept sprawled over her, caging her even in his sleep. The bathroom of their room faced the jungle, if she could climb through the window and slid down the pipe, there was a chance she could run away. And so she did. She blasted the music and left the water running in bathroom as she prepared to climb over the window. The only time she was glad to be a late bather, she had atleast an hour before Arin figured something was wrong. 

And here she was, running through the thick jungle. This scene had played a thousand times in her head, she couldn't believe she finally made it. Yet it felt too easy of an escape. What if Arin already knew she was planning to run? What is this was one of his sick games of breaking Pari's spirit? Pari tried to shake off his warning that kept echoing in her mind. She was scared. It had been atleast an hour by now. Pari kept running with nothing but darkness surrounding her. The sun had set. 

The jungle was awfully quiet, no crickets but occasional rustling sounds. Everything hurt, her mind, her body...everything. Pari finally stopped when she saw a water pump, she was near. She crawled to the side, trying to hide herself as she took a moment to catch her breath. 

"Who are you?" A voice suddenly broke the chilling silence. Pari squealed as she searched for the source. To her side, a silhouette leaned against a tree. It slowly walked towards her till light finally lit her up. She was beautiful. A woman not much older than Pari lazily strutted with a cigarette between her luscious lips. Her dress was revealing, her makeup overdone but her beauty still showed through her sunken sleep deprived eyes. A seductress. 

"A new face? I don't remember seeing you here" her slurred voice snapped back Pari to the present as she was busy admiring her. 

"Y..yes" she stuttered. 

"Why are you running then? You look haggard "

"I want to leave this island" The women arched her eyebrow with a bewildered look "well, that's new. But yea, that makes two of us" she took another puff

"Then, how do we get out?" Pari asked anxiously

" we dont" the women replied bluntly, with a sense of finality that seemed worn down.

"Why not?"

"It's impossible. Forget about that, tell me your story" the women squatted in front of Pari. Her finger moved across she jaw as she held her chin. "Who broke you?"

"Broke me?" Pari questioned.

"Was it your parents, your pimp, or a bad customer?" She smirked. Pari was shocked. What's happening? Did she think Pari was a prostitute? Why though? What is this place?