Part 5

I ran into my cell, panting like an animal which was about to be slaughtered. I could not believe what had happened. He could not have done this to me. No,  I refuse to believe it. I trusted him. God! What's happening? How could this happen?

Suddenly I was crying bitterly. Sebastian was not at the cell. I did not know where he was but, I did not care.

"Do not tell anybody what happened here. No one needs to know..."

Those words kept repeating in my mind. Should I tell Seb when he comes back?

I threw myself on my bed, sobbing into my pillow. Feeling so guilty about what happened. If I really wanted this, then why was I like this? Why was I hurting so much then?

I heard someone open the cell bars but I did not even bother to look up. I felt a hand on my back which got me sprawling up real quick. It was Sebastian. He looked at me, confused. I had so much tears in my eyes. I was shocked to see him up here, on my bed.

" Where were you last night? And, why are you crying? his eyes searched my face, as if they were looking for answers.

All I could do was cry more. Then I just hugged him, still crying harder. He held me and stroked my back, hoping to calm me down.

After some minutes of crying, I softly said, " You were right, Seb. You were so right. I should have listened to you. I should have stayed away from him".

" What are you talking about? What happened?" he asked worriedly.

I saw the concern he had in his eyes. I wanted to tell him everything. But,  I was scared at the same time. What if he did not believe me? What will I do?

" Talk to me, Dave. What happened? Did he do something to you?" he had this sudden seriousness in his voice.

I slowly nodded. I decided to tell him everything. Sebastian listened to me. He did not interrupt ever, he just listened till I was done.

After I finished, he was still quiet. He shook his head, then looked at me. " I should not have allowed them take you there in the first place. I thought he would not try to hurt you".

" What are you talking about, Seb?" I asked him.

He looked at me. He looked very sad. Like, he was about to cry. " That man, did the same thing to me, even worse", he said softly, almost like a whisper.

"What? Why did you not tell me, Seb? Why didn't you say anything?" I raised my voice angrily.

If he had said something, or even given a hint, I would have protected myself, somehow.

" Please, bring your voice down. I know I should have told you. I was just scared. And it was hard for me to talk about it", he whispered.

Everything was clear now. All the warnings Sebastian gave me, it was just to protect me. He did not want me to go through the same thing he went through.

" I had just been brought here when the General noticed me. He began showing interest in me and promised to protect me from the other bad groups here. I was happy because I had no one. I was alone in this world. My parents had died. And I was in prison for theft. So when he gave me that option, I was elated. I did not think twice about it. I accepted his offer. I worked in his office. I cleaned the place for him everyday. I made sure his office was clean and tidy.

Then one evening, he invited me over. I did not think anything of it because I was used to being invited there. I was just innocent. He took me to that room, his private room. That was where he took advantage of me. I was so sad and angry. I trusted him so much and he betrayed me. I had no one to turn to. He warned me not to tell anyone, so I kept it to myself.

As time went on, the abuse never stopped. Sometimes, he will tie me up, and let his officers have their way with me. I felt horrible. Until one day, it just stopped. I promised myself I will get myself far away from him. I started to work on myself and began to fear him less. I never allowed him to come close to me again."

I was so shocked to hear all this. Sebastian went through all of this in his own. And yet, he is one of the strongest people I know. But I do not think I can fight the General . I don't have it in me. Back then, I always thought I was on top of the world, but I realised that I was just like a rat here.

Sebastian told me his painful past without shedding a single tear. I just sat there and shook my head.

" I am not as strong as you. What he did to me, made me angry, yes. But, I don't think it's ever going to end. I can't fight him, Seb. He has the power in here, and he can do whatever he wants with me and nobody will be able to stop him", I said in tears.

Sebastian hugged me again, and stroked my back. " I won't allow him to hurt you again. I will do anything to protect you from him, do you understand? I will not let him hurt you again".

I just nodded, and cried some more.

" Have you eaten anything?" Sebastian asked, when he felt I was calm

I shook my head.

" Well let's go to the kitchen. I can help you get something to eat", he smiled

" Come on,  Seb. You know breakfast time is over, how do you expect to get food there by this time?" I asked.

" Don't worry, I have my ways. Now, come with me before anyone else sees us", he said and grabbed my hand.

" How are we going to get out of our cells, even? It's not allowed to go out after you get in", I complained

He just looked at me and shook his head. " Aww ye of little faith. Have some faith in me".