A battle I won't lose

Part 4

Take a breath in, and exhale. Everything will be just fine. Fine. Is it?

The last thing I'll do is let them know they can hurt me. I won't break down in front of them.

It had been a couple of days since that night. Katherine had never experienced anything like it—it felt like complete torture. She was covered in bruises, cuts, scratches, marks, and bite marks. The constant hands on her, and the pain she endured, was something no girl her age should ever go through. All she wanted was for it to end, for her soul to escape the suffering in her body. The stinging marks on her body had turned blue and dry, a grim testament to the agony she endured.

"How long will this life take? Can't I just die? Maybe I'll ask Nanny how to die without pain. I can't even move. I want to die, but how?"

Suddenly, the door creaked open, revealing Katherine huddled in a corner, her head buried in her knees, partly unclothed.

Nicole rushed to her side, her voice trembling with anguish. "Oh god, sweetheart, I-I should have come earlier. They weren't letting me in," she sobbed. "I'll get you out of here. You're just a kid. You shouldn't have to deal with this. No, you won't."

"Will you really get me out?" Katherine's voice wavered, tears streaming down her face.

Nicole nodded fiercely, her eyes filled with determination. "I can't bear to see you like this anymore. I'll do my best to keep you away from him, but you have to listen to me first..."

She paused, gathering her thoughts as she gently held Katherine's trembling hands.

"About that book..." Nicole began cautiously, her voice lowering to a whisper as she glanced nervously around the room. "Katherine... just trust me on this."