Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven: Back in the Devil's Arms

ANABETH COLLINS

I can't take it anymore. 

 

Every night, I am filled with constant fear for my safety. My only companion is myself and the silence surrounding me in this mansion. Yes, I'm alive, yes I am treated fairly, and yes I am treating the injured members, but this isn't the life I deserve. This isn't what I dreamed of. 

 

And so even if it's dangerous, even if it might cost my life, I took the chance I had and escaped. It was the first time I left the mansion after a week, and I was in the car being transported to a hospital to get everything I needed. I was only accompanied by one of Uriah's men, and I took advantage of that by running away from him. 

Luck was on my side because the street was filled with people and I lost him in the middle. I looked over my shoulder every two seconds to make sure he wasn't following me, and sighed in relief when I was sitting in a bus that will take me home. I felt sorry for Liam because Uriah will surely punish him, but I need to think of myself first. 

I must go home and I must not stay longer than an hour to avoid Uriah capturing me again, and this time, he might take my mother as well if she shows up. I need to leave the city and hide in the farthest city or country. Somewhere Uriah can't find me.

 

Before I left, I left a note under my pillow, my heart was heavy with regret and guilt that I couldn't say goodbye to my mother. With a small backpack and what little money I saved from working in the hospital, I left. I went to the terminal, got on a bus that will take me to the airport. From there, I will buy a ticket to Asia or Europe and hide. 

The bus moved, taking me away from the city, from my mother, and away from him. Uriah King. 

Unfortunately however, I hadn't reached my destination when the bus stopped for a checkpoint, and I saw a face I never wanted to see again. 

 

"Ana..." He called my name as if he didn't just leave me and my mother for some woman. 

 

It was my father.

 

"Come with me, darling. We need to talk about something."

 

"We have nothing to talk about." I responded coldly and dismissively. 

 

I thought he would leave me alone, but Dean grabbed me with force, and no one dared to help me. I tried fighting him but he was much stronger and he successfully dragged me off the bus and I can only watch it leave with my shoulders slumping in defeat. 

Only then I realized he was with a woman, the woman he left us with. She had a smug look on her face mirroring his. They look deranged and desperate. 

 

"Do you know how much you owe me?" My father whispered while covering my mouth, dragging me to the darkest part of the street. "It's time you pay me back."

 

I screamed and fought with all my might. I screamed to get someone's attention and ask for help but no one was around. They took me somewhere and it was too late for me to realize where they took me. 

It was an auction where they sell women like me. 

 

 

He handed me to the men without any trace of guilt, in fact, he looked rather relieved. They dragged me further inside, and I continued to scream for help but they threatened to hurt me. They took me to a room where they bathed me against my will. Forced me to wear revealing lingerie and covered my face with makeup. 

"Stop this, please! I don't want this!" 

 

My pleas were unheard as usual. They forced me to stand in front of a sea of perverted men feasting over my body. It left me feeling exposed and naked no matter how much I tried to cover my body. I could smell the alcohol in the air, I could hear them whispering perverted words about me, I could see them licking their lips hungrily, and it made my skin crawl. 

At that moment, I was like a pig in the market, and they were the buyers. 

 

"We have a virgin young lady. As you can see, she has soft skin, large breasts, and a beautiful face. They did not find any scar on her body," the auctioneer said as if he didn't just describe me like that. "Let us start the bid!" 

 

 

An old man with a rough-looking face immediately raised his hand. As seconds pass by, the higher the bid is. I breathed heavily and I felt like passing out. I don't know what's more terrifying, these men fighting to get me or my father who sold me to them to save himself. 

Either way, they are all monsters. 

"Fifty thousand!"

 

"A hundred!" 

"Five hundred thousand!" 

 

My eyes rang and I drowned out their voices, but suddenly, there was an explosion that shook the place. 

 

Boom! 

 

The concrete wall crumbled to the ground, creating a huge hole in the theater-like room. Everybody screamed, but me because I couldn't seem to find my voice. They started running while I remained frozen in place. In the middle of smoke and dust filling the air, a figure appeared like a savior in a war. 

 

It was Uriah, the man I escaped from. 

 

"None of you will have her," Uriah said coldly, carrying a gun in one hand while staring at me. "She's only mine." 

 

"W-Wait!" The auctioneer screamed in fear. "This isn't—"

 

A shot resonated in the room when Uriah shot one of the guards who tried to stop him. 

 

"Do you have any more complaints?" He asked while approaching the stage with confident and fearless steps.

 

Finally finding my strength, I ran down the stage but he caught me in his arms. "I told you, didn't I? You can't escape me, Anabeth," he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I will find you even in hell." 

 

He was holding me around the waist in a tight grip. He was staring at me with anger, sadness and possessiveness. 

 

"Why are you doing this? Why do you need to do this?" I asked weakly. "I thought I'm only a nurse? One of your servants." 

 

 

"You are not my servant," he answered. "You are mine. I own you, and I am the only one who has the right to hurt you or... save you." 

His voice was cold and it sent a chill down my spine. His hold was so tight and strong that I could barely move. It's like he never wanted to let me go again. 

 

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw my father who's trembling in fear. He tried to run but Uriah's eyes snapped in his direction with a blood lust look in his eyes.

 

"Uriah, don't!" 

 

Another shot was fired, and I shut my eyes, refusing to see it with my own eyes. I didn't ask if he was still alive and honestly, I don't care anymore. Uriah wouldn't have caught me if he didn't bring me here. 

And now I'm back in the Devil's arms. 

Uriah carried me in his arms and I did not complain, not finding any energy left to fight. What for? When there is no escaping this time. Outside, cars were lined up, waiting for their leader to come out like in the movies. But this is real, and I am the main character in a nightmare. 

 

The whole ride was silent. When we reached the mansion, Uriah forced me to face him. 

 

"From now on," he started in a hard tone, "You belong to me. Nurse or not. Prisoner or not. Debt or not." 

 

"I don't belong to you," I hissed angrily. "I will never stop trying to escape so you better cut off my limbs so I wouldn't."

Uriah's face hardened. "Then so be it."