Five

Lucy was taken out of the underground in silence. No one said a word as they led her to Barry’s mansion. By day, she stayed in one of his grand rooms, resting and recovering. But at night, she was taken back to the underground, like a shadow moving between two worlds.

Her room was next to Barry’s. It was as large and well-furnished as his own. The bed was soft, the curtains thick and heavy, and the closets were so big they could fill a boutique. Lucy’s mouth had fallen open the first time she stepped inside. The luxury didn’t comfort her. Instead, it made her uneasy. What exactly was going on?

It was her third day in the mansion. She hadn’t seen Barry since the night she passed out. The maids brought her food, clean clothes, and anything else she needed. No one spoke much to her. She wanted fresh air, to feel the sun or breeze on her skin, but she was too scared to break any rules. For now, she stayed inside.

That morning, Lucy woke early. The room was quiet except for the soft chirp of birds outside. She stepped into the bathroom and took a long shower, trying to wash off the fear that clung to her skin. After drying off, she stood in front of the mirror, rubbing lotion onto her arms and legs. The cool cream felt good against her warm skin.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Barry walked in, his face as cold as stone. His dark eyes swept over her, but he showed no hint of surprise or desire. It was as if he had walked in on someone brushing their hair, not a half-naked woman. Still, Lucy gasped and grabbed the towel, pulling it over her chest.

Barry’s voice was low and sharp. “Get dressed. Now.”

Lucy’s heart raced. “What...why did you come in here like this?” she asked, trying to sound annoyed, but fear made her voice shake.

He stared at her, his gaze like ice. “I said get dressed,” he repeated, his tone colder this time. “I don’t have time for questions.”

Lucy froze. No one dared argue with Barry, not in his house, not in his world. She knew that. Still, she couldn’t stop her words. “You came to look at me, didn’t you? Is that it?” she said, her voice small, trying to hide the tremble.

Barry’s eyes darkened. His glare was enough to silence her. He didn’t raise his voice, but the threat in his words was clear. “Don’t test me, Lucy. Put on your clothes before I lose my patience.”

She swallowed hard. With shaky hands, she reached for her dress and slipped it on, fingers fumbling at the buttons. Her cheeks burned with shame, but Barry didn’t look away. He watched her as if daring her to speak again.

When she was done, he stepped closer, his boots heavy on the floor. “The next time I tell you to do something,” he said, voice low, “you do it without talking back. If you want to stay alive in this house, learn fast.”

Lucy’s breath came quick. She hugged herself as if that could protect her from his cold words. “When am I leaving?” she asked softly, hardly believing she had the courage to ask.

Barry laughed, but it wasn’t warm. The sound was bitter and empty. “Leave? You’re not leaving. Not until I say so. A million dollars doesn’t just go away. Unless you have a plan to pay me back, you’re mine until then.”

Her eyes widened. “A million dollars? My brother stole that much from you?”

Barry didn’t answer. His silence said more than words. He moved closer, making Lucy back away until she hit the wall. His gaze dropped slowly down her body, and she felt his look like a touch. Her arms shot up again to cover herself.

“You don’t fear me enough,” Barry said after a moment. His voice was like gravel, rough and cutting. “That’s your mistake. You think you can argue. You think you can look at me like that and not pay for it.”

Lucy’s fists clenched. She was scared, but she wouldn’t let him see how weak she felt inside. Her chest rose and fell fast, but she kept her eyes on him.

Barry smirked. “Still trying to act brave. I see it in your eyes. But you’re scared. I can smell it on you.”

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her throat felt tight, her mind spinning. What did he want? What was he planning to do to her?

He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “You think this is bad? I haven’t even started.”

Lucy shivered. Her heart pounded so loud she thought he could hear it. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to gather strength. Don’t break. Don’t let him win.

Barry stayed close. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I could make you beg, Lucy. I could make you beg so bad you wouldn’t even know your own name.”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She felt his breath on her skin, and it sent chills down her spine.

He tilted his head, his mouth close to her ear. “You don’t know what it means to be mine. But you will. Soon.”

Barry’s smirk grew. He was enjoying her fear, testing how far he could push without touching her. His voice stayed cold, but there was something dark in it, something that made Lucy’s skin crawl.

Lucy’s thoughts raced. 'Would he really hurt me? No...he wouldn’t. I’m still useful to him. He needs me alive. That was the deal. I just have to stay strong.'

Barry pulled back just a little, studying her face. Her lips trembled, but she stayed silent. That amused him even more. “Good,” he said quietly. “Maybe you’re learning.”

Then he turned, his coat brushing against her arm as he walked toward the door. Before leaving, he paused, looking over his shoulder. His eyes were sharp, cold as steel. “Stay in your room. Don’t test my kindness.”

And then he was gone, the door closing behind him with a soft click that felt louder than any shout. Lucy stood there, heart still pounding, body shaking. The room felt colder now, empty and still.

She let out a long breath and sank onto the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket around her like a shield. Her mind was a storm of fear and confusion. But one thought burned clearer than the rest:

I have to find a way out of this. Before it’s too late.