AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The man laughs but we keep on. How can this be okay? How can so many men think this is okay?
Surely there’s got to be somebody on board who doesn’t think it’s okay to treat a woman this way, or anyone for that matter. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.
Finally, we stop at door number “25” and Roger twists it open with far more strength than I have.
He shoves me inside, leaving me shackled and cold before slamming the door closed after me and plunging me into a darkness so profound I can’t even see the shoes on my feet.
My stomach empties, heaving and hurling the remaining contents to the side. It’s all I can do not to roll into it as I’m left alone without a word.
I don’t count the seconds, it only makes time slow down and time is slow enough. It feels like weeks since I was left in here but really it has been a lot less. I even try to sleep but my mind won’t shut off.
I’m terrified that if time doesn’t fly, I won’t be rescued, but then I’m also terrified that the quicker time goes, the quicker it is until I’m in the arms of my captors again.
When the ship hums to life and we start to move I scream with frustration and slam my feet against the floor. My chances at survival are getting slimmer and slimmer.
“Somebody, please help me!” I yell out once more for good measure but it does nothing but echo in the dark space.
I rest my head against the metal frame of something to my right and sniffle. Wishing I was home, soaking in a bath, counting down the moments to when I’ve pruned to perfection and can finally get out.
The noise is unbearable. It’s not loud, it’s just consistent. A constant reminder of my looming death.
But then, I’d prefer to spend an eternity listening to it than feeling my heart stop as the tiny circular window above my head starts to shine with a sunrise. A sunrise that can’t be seen as this window is underwater and all I can see through the murky dome is lightening blue for miles. Not a fish or a piece of land in sight.
The room I’m in is a cabin, with rubber-looking mattresses on beds either side of me. They have no sheets or blankets, barren of any kind of homeliness.
I shift until I’m sitting on one in my drying trousers. I stink. I know right now it’s not a priority but I really do stink and I need the bathroom again. The stench of vomit is doing nothing to help with my nausea either.
What kind of hell is this and what did I do to deserve it?
The door creaks and opens but it’s somebody else this time. I keep my eyes on my shoes as heavy boots approach and shut them tight when I’m lifted, turned, pressed against the wall with the window and my bindings are removed. My aching arms burn and clench so painfully I cry out as I slowly bring them around to my front and attempt to lift them to my chest. It’s no good.
“You fucking stink,” the man grumbles.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, hoping to get on his good side. Maybe he’ll save me? He’s gentler than the others.
“Don’t talk to me,” he snaps, holding me between my shoulders. He sighs gravely. “I’ll hafta fuckin’ wait then.”
Wait for what?
“Behave yoursen’ and you’ll be reet.”
What? What accent is that?
He leaves before I dare to ask, throwing a bucket at me before closing the door. I assume I’m supposed to do my business in this, how fucking degrading. I’d rather die.
Another hour passes before the door opens again and a tray of food is brought in. “Ugh… she’s puked, man!” Whoever he is leaves immediately after dropping the tray on the end of the rubber mattress.
I look at the food and my stomach grumbles. I debate not eating the weird-looking soup and bread, it could be drugged, but if I’m going to get out of here alive I need my strength.
Sniffing it as I bring it to my face, I decide it doesn’t smell awful, like beef broth and onions, but my stomach roils and I can’t even manage to swallow a sip.
I cry into my knees, wishing I’d called my mum one last time before I left work last night. I miss her, so much. Wishing I’d hugged Niall and run my hands through his blond hair that he cuts too short.
Why am I here?
I stare out of the tiny window, praying something gives me a clue as to where we are but nothing happens. Nothing appears. Superman doesn’t save me. The army don’t send fighter jets. Niall doesn’t swim over and pry a hole in the side of this fucking boat to get me the hell out.
