Life hanging on a thread

"Woof woof woof"

After a few sharp dog barks, I told Wrench the person's name.

"Can he really save you?" Wrench looked doubtful, almost in disbelief.

I nodded vigorously, "Trust me, he'll come."

"Alright, I'll figure out a way to find him and ask him to rescue you..."

Wrench seemed troubled but eventually agreed to my seemingly absurd request.

"If he doesn't come, tell him he'll regret it!"

"Got it, I'll remember."

"Bro, thank you... If I survive this, I will never forget your kindness."

Tears started rolling down my face again.

"Don't keep thanking me. You rest for now. I'll sneak back later."

Wrench pressed down on my shoulder, telling me to get some sleep while he went off to find the guy. I could tell this request made him feel desperate and helpless.

The fact that he agreed without hesitation showed how much he cared for me. Even if Ace didn't come to save me, Wrench had done his best. I wouldn't blame him.

"Wait a minute..."

I stopped him before he left and asked him to give the anti-inflammatory pills to the suffering girls.

Wrench sighed heavily but walked to their cages and handed out the last few pills.

I didn't realize then that this small gesture would end up saving me.

"Thank you, thank you!"

The five or six girls cried out, clutching their faces in gratitude.

My heart ached for them. If their parents saw them like this, they would be devastated.

After Wrench left, I lay down to rest. He said the people who wanted to attack me wouldn't come until later, when I'd be at my most exhausted. So I could rest easy for a while.

In this place, killing someone was no big deal. Security thugs and piglets fought all the time, and no one cared if someone died unless they were a big money-maker.

That's why I had to bet on my value to survive. Top earners were treated like royalty, but anyone else could be killed without consequence.

I was betting on Ace to save me. He was the security captain and a favorite of Liu Eleven. If anyone could find Ace, it was him. The terms of my deal with Ace would be discussed when he came. If he didn't come, I was dead.

Ace was my only hope to reverse Liu Eleven's order. Only he could ensure I was no longer treated like an animal.

"Ace, you have to save me. If you don't, may your future descendants be cursed!"

I silently prayed as I drifted off to sleep.

In my dream, I was back home in Hunan, enjoying my mom's sweet and sour ribs and my dad's homemade liquor. My family was all together, happy and content. 

Mom's ribs were so delicious I ate three bowls of rice, and she had to take the bowl away, worried I'd overeat. Dad's liquor was strong and fragrant; I almost got drunk.

"Ah! A ghost!"

A piercing scream jolted me awake. 

I sat up painfully, my wounds stinging. Two masked figures with knives were running towards my cage.

Were they here to kill me? How did they get here so fast?

What should I do?

I saw the watchdog lying on the ground, probably drugged. 

Sweat poured down my face. I was about to scream for help.

"What are you doing? Ace is already on his way here. If you kill me, he'll skin you alive!"

I shouted with all my strength, startling them.

Fortunately, the name Ace had power. They hesitated.

"What should we do?" Bullhead asked Horseface, clearly unsure.

"Don't listen to his lies. Ace won't come to save him. Kill him and let's get this over with."

Horseface swung his knife, looking angry.

Bullhead shook his head, "I can't..."

"Damn coward. If he doesn't die, our boss will kill us."

Horseface angrily slapped Bullhead and walked towards me.

"Don't do it. I really did tell Ace. I know who sent you, and they can't protect you..."

I backed away, gripping the bars, trying to buy time.

For the first time, death felt so close. I was terrified.

"If you keep talking, I'll kill you."

Horseface knelt by the cage, trying to stab me.

"Clang"

The knife hit the bars with a jarring sound.

The cage bars were too close together, trapping his hand. He couldn't reach me.

That was close.

"Ah! Murder! Someone help! They're killing us!"

The girls screamed and started banging their dog bowls against the bars.

"Clang clang clang"

The night was filled with their screams and the clanging of metal.

"Damn it, shut up! If you keep screaming, I'll kill you all!"

Bullhead kicked the cages, threatening them.

But they didn't stop, just covered their ears and screamed louder.

The men who had been sleeping woke up, confused at first, then started yelling too.

But Bullhead and Horseface quickly subdued them with sticks, knocking them out. One woman fainted from the beating.

After silencing them, Bullhead and Horseface came back, knives ready.

Without a word, they started stabbing through the bars again...