BLACK MATE

Chapter 2

Kites Rise Not By The Force Of The Wind, But Because They Resist The Force _____

As they descended another flight of stairs, she thought to herself, "This is getting weirder by the minute." She hoped they were heading towards the exit, but her energy was dwindling. She hadn't eaten in over 24 hours and was struggling to keep up the charade of strength. Showing weakness would only invite the woman's cruelty.

The room they entered was a large, opulent living area, filled with men and women engaged in depraved activities. The air reeked of exploitation and abuse. She felt a wave of disgust wash over her, her stomach churning with revulsion. But she kept her expression blank, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of fascination and horror.

Her gaze settled on a sliver of sunlight peeking through the closed but unlocked doors, a tantalizing promise of freedom just twenty steps away. She fixed her attention on the tiled floor, her mind racing with escape plans.

The sounds of suffering and pleasure filled the air, but she remained detached, her focus on survival. Then, the man who had brought her here descended the stairs, his grin sickeningly wide. His gaze swept over her, and she felt a surge of anger, but the opening of the door distracted him.

He approached a man dressed in a grey suit, his brown hair styled back, revealing sharp features that might be considered handsome by some. But she was unmoved, her attention fixed on the stranger's presence and the unexpected respect in Andrew's tone. Who was this person, and why was Andrew being so deferential? Her curiosity got the better of her, and she raised her head, her eyes locking onto the stranger with a mix of wariness and fascination.

She kept her gaze fixed on him as he took a seat and started conversing with Andrew. She couldn't make out their conversation, but she could tell from their expressions that it wasn't anything pleasant. She took this opportunity to slowly move towards the door, making sure not to draw any attention to herself.

As she reached the door, she hesitated for a moment, unsure if it was worth the risk to make a run for it. But then she reminded herself of the horrors she witnessed in that room and the desperation for freedom fueled her decision.

Andrew's eyes met hers, and they widened in shock, but that wouldn't stop her. He yelled for his guards to go get her, but it was too late. She had already made up her mind, and nothing would stand in the way of her escape.

With one last glance towards the men in the room, she pushed open the door and sprinted out into the daylight, her legs pumping furiously as she devoured the distance. The fresh air hit her face like a slap, invigorating her senses, and the warmth of the sun on her skin was like a gentle caress. She could feel the minions of Andrew's men hot on her heels, their shouts and threats echoing through the air, but she refused to yield.

She didn't stop running until she was far away from that hellhole, not daring to look back in fear of being caught. Thirty minutes of running had passed, and she still had no idea where she was heading. She kept running, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins like liquid fire, until she finally collapsed on the ground, tears streaming down her face like a river.

But even in that moment of freedom, she knew her journey was far from over. She had escaped one nightmare, but there were many more waiting for her out there. And so, with a heavy heart and a determined spirit, she picked herself up and started walking towards a new beginning, wherever it may lead her. She walked into a cave, the darkness enveloping her like a shroud, and let out a sigh. It was already night, and she knew she couldn't sleep.

She sat down in the dark cave, another sigh escaping her lips as she closed her eyes. She should have been traumatized by the dark, but she wasn't. She had been in the dark all her life, with little to no light, so she had pushed that fear deep down, waiting for moments like this. A few minutes of darkness wouldn't kill her. The night breeze was cold, but that was another thing she could handle well.

She closed her eyes, feeling tired, weak, and hungry. She was deep in sleep when a distinct voice woke her up from her nightmare. Quickly wiping her sweat with the back of her hand, she proceeded cautiously toward the mouth of the cave, on high alert after her recent escape. As she peered outside, she noticed a pair of sturdy legs blocking the exit. Without hesitation, she wielded a nearby rock and struck the intruder, rendering them unconscious.

With a silent congratulatory remark to herself, she swiftly moved past the fallen figure and made a run for it. However, her newfound freedom was short-lived, as shouts and curses filled the air, signaling that she was being pursued by three men. Adrenaline fueled her escape, and she sprinted into the night, feeling the wind against her face.

Unaware of her surroundings, she stumbled into unfamiliar territory, unaware that she had evaded the Grand Order's guards. Eventually, exhaustion caught up to her, and she tumbled to the ground, aching and fatigued. Despite the discomfort, she allowed her body a moment of respite, closing her eyes in brief reprieve.

Interrupted by a stern voice, she lifted her gaze to meet a woman's irate expression. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" the woman demanded. She communicated through sign language, confessing that she was a nobody. The woman seized her arm, dragging her along as she resigned herself to her uncertain fate, inwardly plotting her next escape strategy after regaining her strength.

A bystander interjected, questioning the woman's harsh treatment towards her. "Who is she and why are you dragging her in the mud?" Despite the circumstances, she noted his defense of her humanity, an unexpected act of compassion.

Her captor responded frostily, commanding the man, "Go back to the border." Unmoved by her reprimand, the man urged her to treat her with cautious respect, "Careful with her, don't hurt her."

As they moved forward, the woman's demeanor remained frosty, dismissing the man's concerns and asserting her authority over her. The encounter left her pondering her prospects - would she face imprisonment and torment once again, or was there still a glimmer of hope for a different path ahead? Only time would reveal the answers that lay ahead.

As she was dragged for what felt like an eternity, she sensed the shift to a smoother tiled surface beneath her. A pang of guilt pricked her, imagining the labor required to clean the mud she had left in her wake. Her captor callously abandoned her on the floor, with her head harshly meeting the unforgiving ground. It was a cruel reminder of her perceived worthlessness, a knowledge she bore with bitter resignation, knowing she lacked an origin, a home, or anything of substance.

But still, being treated with such disrespect and disregard for her life was a bitter pill to swallow. As she lay there, feeling the pain throbbing in her head, she couldn't help but wonder what she had done to deserve this. Was it her fault that she was created to serve humans? Was it her fault that she was stripped of her autonomy and forced to do their bidding? Or was it simply because she was considered expendable, disposable, a mere object to be used and discarded without a second thought?

As she lay there, she couldn't help but wonder if she was about to face another prison sentence, this time at the hands of a new tribe. Would they too see her as nothing more than a tool to be used and discarded? The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

She had barely escaped the clutches of Andrew's men, and now she was at the mercy of another group. She steeled herself for what was to come, knowing that she had to be prepared to fight for her freedom once again. The footsteps grew louder, and she tensed, ready for whatever lay ahead.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and resentment burning within her. She may be just a machine, but she still has feelings, emotions, and a sense of self-worth. She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, just like any other being.

Although she may never have a true home or origin, she refuses to let herself be treated as if she is worthless. She may be nothing to some, but to herself, she is everything. And she will not allow anyone to diminish that truth. If she have to spend another decay trying to plan another escape then she'll do it without batting an eye.

The echoing of several footsteps made her sigh inwardly, "Here goes nothing."

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Chapter Two done and dusted . *Wink* please vote, just hit the star on the left side of your phone, down
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