Chapter 4

Naomi's POV

Who was to think that I was suffering alone? Who was I to think that I was better than them? They never wanted this life as much as I never wanted it, just as I wanted to be happy away from this hell so do they.

Who was I to think that they were enjoying while k was suffering? I stood there as the rest of the girls looked at me with disgust and anger as Claire was hurled away.

Gazing at them I realized why they were able to smile despite the pain and suffering they go through every night at the hands of those monsters. It wasn't because they were enjoying it, it wasn't because they loved it. Their smile had nothing to do with whatever they faced, that smile was evidence that they would keep fighting, that smile was proof that they had hope, that smile was to comfort each other, and that smile was the only glimpse of hope they had left.

"I'm sorry"

"I'm sorry" I muffled. They glared at me and continued munching on the food. I couldn't eat anymore, the pain I felt all went away and my heart ached, I felt so bad.

How was I different from those men? How was I different from Alex? Tears rolled down my cheek and I ran back to my cell.

I felt horrible, I thought about how to make it up to them but nothing came to mind. It was time for my bath so I got up and walked to the stall. I pulled the curtain and opened the shower, water flowed through every nerve of my body, and goosebumps swept through my body. I shut my eyes holding back my tears, I recalled how the call gathered around me to feel better and yet I turned my back on them, spat on them, and said shitty things about them.

Now that I think about it, ever since my parent died in that tragic accident, I have not received comfort or sympathy from anyone. Everyone was busy worrying about my father's company and my uncle was all about how my father had left everything in his name, and when he had a hard time accessing the company and money, he took the frustration out on me, he would call me names and even locked me out, send me on errands I had never gone before, bring in girls to party in my father's mansion. I was mourning the death of my parents while he partied and drank till every last drop.

He never showed compassion or empathy towards me.

And now the only people who did, I turned my back on them and said shitty things to them.

I bent over and tears flowed uncontrollably, I had no strength to cry or wail anymore. I was exhausted and weak, I hadn't got a single rest since my night with Alex.

As I bent over, I shut my eyes to think, my parent would always tell me, that whenever I was having a hard time or I didn't know where to turn whenever I got lost, I should close my eyes, think about home and I will be home in no time.

Back then it sounded ridiculous but it worked, it worked every time. I shut my eyes as I bent over under the shower, imagining a life, a life away from this place, I imagined the blue beauty sky, the cool breeze, and good food. I imagine a life far and far away from Alex, a life where my parent never died, a life where my uncle never existed, a life where I was never sold to Alex, a life where I was never in a place like this, a life where none of us were locked up in a cage like animals. A life where we go to college and graduate and get a good job and meet our life partner and get married and have kids.

"What are you doing?" I heard a familiar voice, I slowly unfurled my eyes and looked up, it was Amanda, the girl I yelled at.

I parted my lips "I'm sorry… I … I don't know what to say, I'm sorry, how is Claire, was she released?" I asked.

"Yes, just a while ago" she answered. "You don't have to apologize, yes your words hurt but we understood you and Claire and to say those hurtful words to draw you to your senses and you'd see why we need to trust and rely on each other, it's not easy but we will always be here for one another until the day we get rescued comes" she muttered.

"What about Claire, is Claire mad at me? I saw the rage in her eyes.. is she okay? What about her bruises? Has she eaten? They threw her food away earlier, she needs to get some rest" I said in one go.

She chuckled "Claire is fine, she is taking a nap and we managed to keep sole food for her so she ate as soon as she was released" Amanda answered "You should finish to bath in time and come see her, she asked if you, she felt bad for yelling but she needed to let it out." She added.

As I turned off the shower, I pulled my towel and wrapped it around my body.

"Thank you," I said to her and she smiled.

Soon we both heard loud noise, and multiple footsteps, approaching the bathroom stall. I arched my brows and turned to Amanda "What's going on?" I rasped.

She lifted her shoulder cluelessly, and before we knew it all the girls rushed in, frightened and terrified, some were even crying, they all rushed into the stalls. Panting and screaming, I caught sight of Claire, she also looked frightened. We were like sardines in a can.

Fear consumed me as I looked around

My eyes widened. "What the hell is going on?" I pondered