𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐀 ✔︎ (ongoing)

|26| caught

My breath catches in my throat. Someone's grabbing me, rustling me into a van. Screams and shouts are pounding my eardrums.

I'm suddenly experiencing a dreadful moment of déjà vu. We're being thrown into the back of a van, the engine rumbling underneath us.

How didn't no one spot them? There's no way they managed to be successful in catching us again.

"Hello!" I hear the most disgusting voice from the most disgusting person. "I'm Richard, Marina's father. I came to take the kids back. Thank you so much for looking after them."

Ridiculous acting. He sounds like a robot.

I try to get up but familiar hands are squeezing me down with a cloth clamped over my mouth and nose.

"You're in for a surprise." I can hear the smirk in Charles' voice.

Richard continues talking to Saleh and Naima. "I best take the kids back now. Thank you, thank you."

"I understand that you want your children back," Naima replies. "But isn't this strange? Why would you get people to throw your own children into your vehicle?"

"They're not his children." I hear Saleh's firm voice. "Sara is Moroccan. There is no way–"

"Marina is my child." Richard ruthlessly cuts him off. "These children happen to run away from their parents. I'm here to take them back. They deserve to be punished. By their own parents, of course."

I don't hear any more. Very slowly, I'm drifting into unconsciousness.

***

I wake up panting in a similar cell I was held captive in before. My eyes blur as I adjust my sight to my surroundings. The lighting is so bright, I have to squint.

I'm all alone. The whole room is white-washed and I'm lying on a bare mattress.

I get up sluggishly, swaying a little to the left.

Yeah. We've been caught. I knew it. Sam should've listened to me.

I'm moving forward but something suddenly pulls me back into the mattress. My heart pounds in my chest. Then I realise I'm tied to the spot with some harsh ropes.

The ropes dig into my skin, their rough fibres pressing tightly against me. Each movement sends a sharp wave of discomfort through my body. I feel the burning sensation spreading, mixing irritation with a sense of helplessness, as the tight grip constricts my freedom, leaving me aware of every ache and throb.

I let out a cry of pain. Suddenly, the door unlocks and opens.

"You woke up, huh? Good sleep?" Charles snarls.

"Shut up," I groan.

He smirks like a clown as he walks towards me. I glare at him, keeping my head held high. I don't want him to think I'm scared. Or weak.

As he begins to untie the ropes, I feel my skin tingling with pain. He's untying them in a way that's rubbing into my skin deeper. I keep a straight face, trying my best to show him his indirect torturing methods aren't affecting me.

He leans to the side which makes me catch a whiff of stale cigarettes and expensive cologne making my stomach churn with nausea. "You know, I thought you'd be more grateful. After all, we're giving you a second chance. It's your friend Marina you have to thank though; if it weren't for her, Richard would treat you all like sinners in hell." His breath smells like garlic and I try to stop myself from retching.

"Grateful for what?" I retort, my voice shaky but defiant. "Being a target?"

He chuckles, a low, sinister sound that fills the sterile room. "Save your devious comments for later. You'll need that spirit when the real fun begins."