Ch-6: Trapped!

Miley's POV:

‘Run… I need to run… as far as I can, before these bastards end my life.’

This was the only thought screaming inside my chest, louder than my heartbeat.

But I held my breath, not even daring to breathe too hard, fearing I might get caught.

I listened carefully… Emily’s footsteps were fading… getting softer with every second. I waited– one minute, two, then five more...

Just in case she came back.

Only when I was sure- absolutely sure, that she wasn't coming back anytime sooner, I allowed myself to open my eyes.

Tears spilled instantly.

Her words echoed, like shards of broken glass embedding into my mind.

“From now on, you will be humiliated and abused, and you'll have no choice but to endure it.”

“I thought about killing you first, getting rid of you once and for all. But… I think, what's the fun in that? And I have changed my mind now.”

“Death is too good for you.”

“This is just the beginning of your suffering.”

Why? Why was she doing this to me?

My chest tightened until I thought it would burst. I curled into myself, nails digging into my thighs through the thin hospital gown.

But the pain wasn't bad… I would take anything to stop the tears… to feel something else.

My mom.

Her voice, her laughter, her warmth– all gone. And she wasn't just dead! She was murdered.

And all because she trusted him, and just like her, I trusted him.

The charming, manipulative devil named Robert Godfrey. If she hadn’t let him into our lives, would she still be alive?

A sob tore from my throat. My fingers pinched my legs, bruising them… trying to hold back the flood of grief.

Robert was just a beast in disguise, and Emily, his daughter born out of an affair…! she was no different. In fact, she resembled him more than I did: cruel like her father, and evil like her mother.

I shouldn't think about it…. Specifically not now. If I let myself feel everything, I would lose all strength. I’d shatter.

And I couldn't afford that. I couldn’t stay here and wait for the next attack, because I might not make it alive this time.

I swung my legs out from under the blanket, ready to run… ready to crawl if I had to. But the moment my foot touched the floor, pain shot through it.

Like a thousand needles piercing my skin at once!

“Aahh—!”

I cried out, my legs buckling, but two hands caught me.

“Whoa! Careful, sweetheart!”

The hands were gentle, guiding me back to the bed. I blinked through the tears and looked up– it was a woman. She was petite, maybe in her mid-thirties, with a warm smile and kind brown eyes.

“You’re safe.”

She said softly, brushing hair out of my face. “You are in the hospital, okay? Just sit down and breathe. Let me take your vitals, alright? You woke up at the perfect time.”

Safe… I wasn't too sure about that.

But I let her help me. I pushed my messy hair back and forced my voice to work.

“H-how long have I been unconscious?”

The nurse smiled.

“Just a day and a half, dear. You’re recovering really well. Strong girl.”

She checked the monitor beside me, made a note on a small chart, then patted my hand.

“I’ll be back in a little bit to check on you again. Just promise me you won’t try to get down on your own, okay?”

“…Okay.”

She left with one last reassuring smile. I stared at my feet under the blanket.

They were right there. Just a few inches from the floor. And yet, I couldn't use them to stand.

I felt so useless… so powerless. I couldn’t even save my life.

My breath hitched as shadows moved across the frosted glass of my hospital room door. How could I think that I would plan my escape, and my father wouldn't be keeping an eye on me?

Of course, he must be keeping an eye on every move, because he didn't want me to expose his precious daughter.

I had to leave, before Emily’s so-called solution for me became reality. But how? The door might as well have been a prison gate.

Maybe, waiting would be the only option I had.

The sweet nurse could only assume that I was watching the time, waiting for someone to visit.

"Your family will come soon, dear. Don’t you worry."

She sighed, shaking her head.

"So young, so beautiful. Such a brave girl… How did you end up like this?"

Her voice was soft, making a knot form in my throat. A strangers cared more about me than my own blood.

As night fell, the hospital corridors grew quieter.

Now. It's time!

Gritting my teeth, I pushed back the covers. My legs trembled as I swung them over the edge of the bed. The second my feet touched the cold floor, pain shot up my calves like fire. I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.

Move. Just move!

I took one step, then another. My knees buckled, and I crashed to the floor with a muffled gasp. The impact sent sharp jolts through my already bruised body.

Get up.

I dragged myself forward, gripping the bedside table for support. My arms shook as I pulled myself forward, but I fell once again.

My skin burned, scraping against the rough hospital tiles.

By the time I reached the door, sweat was dripping down my temples. I leaned against the wall, trembling.

Then, I heard some voices. Two people, just outside.

"That woman is so cruel, isn't the one inside her sister? Does she actually want to take her to a brothel?"

My blood turned to ice.

The words echoed in my skull, drowning out everything else apart from Emily's voice ringing in my ears: ‘I will make sure you curse yourself for staying alive, when you had the option to die!”