ELI
I should've taken an Uber.
That was the first thing in my head as I pouted and stared down the familiar cracked pavement that led home. My legs were starting to ache, the inside of my thighs felt rubbed raw from my too-tight uniform pants, and my stomach growled in protest with every step. I missed Damir's horrible cooking. I missed him, period.
I kicked a little stone out of the way with the tip of my shoe and huffed, curling my arms around myself. "Stupid Lian and his dead phone," I muttered under my breath. "Stupid me and forgetting mine…"
If I had a license, I would've just driven one of the cars Damir gave me, God knows he's gotten me enough. But nooo, I had to be a goody-goody and wait for everything to be legal. And now here I was, sore, starving, and wandering home like some lost kitten.
The breeze picked up, fluttering my shirt and causing my thin frame to shiver. The street was quiet…eerily so. A couple of cars passed by without slowing, and I tried to focus on the birds somewhere up in the trees or the rhythmic pat of my loafers against the ground.
I was halfway through planning how I'd dramatically burst into Damir's office and beg for food like a wounded puppy when I heard it.
The slow purr of an engine. Close.
I turned my head slightly and caught the sleek gleam of a black-tinted car pulling up behind me. It wasn't a usual car for this area. Not the kind of car you just… see in broad daylight on a dusty side street.
I swallowed hard and turned back around quickly, hastening my steps.
Nope. Not today.
But the car crept up beside me. I tried not to look. I tried to convince myself it was nothing. Just someone lost. Maybe they'd ask for directions.
Then….
Smack!
A loud, stinging slap landed across my ass.
I screamed subconsciously high and sharp and then bolted.
But I barely got two steps before they were on me.
"Whoa there, sweetness," a man's voice rasped into my ear as strong arms yanked me back.
"Let go of me! LET ME GO!" I shrieked, kicking and thrashing.
One grabbed my arms. Another wrapped around my waist. Hands groped at my thighs, my chest, my neck. I sobbed, twisting violently.
"So soft," one muttered, "I see what Damir sees now…"
My blood went cold.
"You bastards! DAMIR WILL KILL YOU!"
They laughed. Cruel. Twisted.
"We know. That's the fun part."
"Blindfold him. Get him in."
A rough cloth was shoved over my face. I screamed and bit down on the nearest arm. The man howled in pain and slapped me hard across the cheek.
"You little….!"
"Shut up! We need him untouched! Not bruised!"
"Too late."
They shoved me into the car. The leather was cold. I felt them reach for me again.
Hands tugged at my shirt, yanking buttons until I heard the rip. My chest was exposed, cool air teasing my sensitive skin. One of them dragged fingers down my ribs.
"So fucking pretty…"
I bucked and screamed again.
They tore my uniform open like it was tissue. I kicked and flailed, but it only earned laughter and mocking coos.
"Mmm, this one moans real sweet, doesn't he?"
I gagged when someone's hand slid up my inner thigh.
"STOP! STOP IT! DAMIR!"
A slap across my face made my ears ring.
"Hurry! Drive!"
The car lurched forward.
I was sobbing now. Loud and raw. My skin burned where they touched me. I wanted Damir. I wanted my dad. I wanted anyone to wake me up from this nightmare.
Time blurred. I was crying so hard I barely heard the tires screech as they stopped. They dragged me out. My feet scraped pavement. Then I was tossed on the cold ground of a warehouse. Concrete? It smelled like rust and mildew and something darker….blood, maybe.
They didn't even wait.
I was held down. Arms pinned. Legs spread awkwardly. I screamed so hard my throat ached.
"Hold him still!"
"No! No! Please! I'm sorry! Please!"
Then I felt something press to my lips. A tube? A bottle? I clamped my mouth shut.
"Open his damn mouth."
Fingers forced my jaw. My mouth was pried open. Something cold and metallic tasted on my tongue.
Then they poured.
It burned.
FIRE.
LIQUID. FIRE. POURING DOWN MY THROAT.
I screamed.
Or at least I tried to. It came out as gurgles. My body convulsed. My stomach felt like it was being ripped open.
"APPA!" I sobbed. "DAMIR! PLEASE!"
My fingers clawed at nothing. My legs kicked feebly.
My mind….
I saw Russia. The snow. The first day we arrived. I was wearing a too-thick coat and Dad was holding my hand too tight.
I thought we'd be safe here.
I thought….
"YOU IDIOT!" someone screamed. "That was the acid! ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
I was barely conscious. Floating. In pain beyond words.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS THE APHRODISIAC! YOU SAID TO HURT HIM!"
"NOT LIKE THIS! DAMIR IS GOING TO SKIN ME! WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE HIM DESPERATE, NOT KILL HIM!"
"HELP HIM! TREAT HIM! SEND THE DAMN VIDEO BEFORE HE DIES!"
I felt them scrambling. Fingers pressing on my stomach. My torn shirt being lifted. Something cold pressing to my lips. Nothing worked.
My body trembled violently.
My skin felt like it was melting.
But the pain began to dull. Darkness swept over me like a gentle tide.
And all I could think about….
Was Damir.
His smile.
His cologne.
His laugh when I caught his blown kisses.
"Damir…" I whispered.
Then everything went black.