The Lion's Den

There were just two men with black shades and black suits standing at my doorstep, they were watching me like a prey immediately I stepped out from the house. Their eyes didn’t blink. Their faces were too strong, too cold. Like stone. I swallowed hard. There was no way a sensible lady could ever admire men with such faces. They were scary. The kind of scary that made your stomach knot.

I shifted my feet a little, pretending like I didn’t notice there intimidating faces. But the truth was, I noticed them the second I stepped out of the house. They were now standing by the limousine, tall and stiff like statues. Both of them looked the same. Same suits. Same shoes. Same scary silence.

I tried not to look at them directly, but they kept staring. I felt their eyes burning through my skin. My hands felt cold even though the sun was already setting. I was sweating, but I felt cold.

One of them, the one on my left, took a small step forward. He moved so still, like a robot. His steps didn’t make any sound. Then he opened the black limousine car door. He said one word, but it was enough to make my heart skip.

"Enter."

His voice was low but firm. Like he was used to being obeyed. No emotions. Just command.

I froze.

I didn’t know if it was fear or just the weight of everything hitting me at once. My heart was pounding so fast, I could feel it in my ears.

"I... I just want to ask something," I said quietly. My voice was barely a whisper.

He didn’t answer.

He just stared at me. Still. Cold. Unmoving.

"Please, can I at least know where we’re going?" I tried again, this time a little louder.

Still no answer.

The other man adjusted his glasses and looked away like I didn’t even exist.

I turned and looked at my house again. The door was shut. Nobody was there to help me. My father had sent me with these men. He said I'm going to be paid hugely just for working for them. He said everything was fine.

But it didn’t feel fine.

My legs were shaking.

I hesitated for one second. My body didn’t want to move. My brain was telling me to run. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not for myself. It was just for my brother. Everything I was doing was for him. His sickness is getting to 8months, I can't watch him suffer. I need to do something.

I stepped inside the car. My heart was beating fast. I didn’t budge. I didn’t say anything. I just sat down and kept my head low. All I need to do is focus. Focus and get as much money as I can. Then leave immediately. That’s all. I just need to endure whatever was coming.

As soon as I was inside, the door was slammed shut. A heavy thud echoed through the car. I flinched.

The windows were slowly wound up until they were fully closed. Then the car moved. First slowly, then faster. I couldn’t tell where we were going. My phone had no signal. I checked it again and again. Nothing.

I clutched my phone tighter and looked at the men beside me. They were like shadows. Not a word. Not a blink. I couldn’t even tell if they were breathing.

"Can I just call my father, to talk to him?" I asked softly.

No answer.

"Please," I begged. "I just need to speak to him. Just for a minute. Please."

The man on the right turned his head slowly. He looked at me like I was a problem. Like I was noise. He didn’t speak, but his eyes said everything.

I looked down.

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I forced them back. I couldn’t cry now. I couldn’t look weak.

One of the men’s cable phone rang. The man on the right picked it.

"Sir, we’re coming with the lady."

Then he turned his face and glared at me. Not a look of kindness. Not a look of welcome. Just a sharp, cold look like I had done something wrong.

I clutched my bag so tight. My fingers were hurting. I could feel the fear rising in my throat.

"So weird," I whispered to myself.

The man didn’t say anything else to me. He just looked forward.

"Okay sir," he said again into the phone. Then silence.

I turned to the window. I tried to see where we were going. But I couldn’t tell. There were no buildings anymore. Just trees and empty roads. Everything looked strange. I kept watching. Hoping to see something I would recognize. But nothing.

I took a deep breath. My voice trembled.

"Please... where are we?"

No one answered me.

I tried again. Louder this time.

"Where are you taking me to?"

Still no response. But then something happened.

The driver suddenly stopped the car.

The car made a loud screeching sound as it halted. I felt my body jolt forward.

I gasped and looked out.

There was a heavy gate in front of us. It was long. Golden. Even though it was night already, I could tell it was painted gold. It stood tall like it was guarding something precious or dangerous.

I stared at the gate. My mouth was slightly open.

Then the driver shouted.

"Shut up!"