CHAPTER 21: ANOTHER TURN

The strange figure and his words stayed in Lauren's mind like a shadow she couldn't escape. She thought about it all night, trying to understand what it meant, but no answers came to her. She felt overwhelmed, trapped not just physically but also mentally.

Her body ached from hunger and thirst, and she hadn't had a proper bath in days. The dirt on her skin and the stale air around her made her feel worse. She couldn't rest properly either, as the hard crate offered no comfort. Everything about her situation left her feeling hopeless and weak.

The morning came, just like the previous days since her capture. Nothing seemed to change except that this time, they had moved her from the crate to the floor. It wasn't an improvement—if anything, it felt worse.

Lauren tried to think of a way to escape. She wanted to get away from these people, but the more she thought, the more impossible it seemed. She didn't know where she was, how many captors there were, or even what kind of weapons they had. Worst of all, she couldn't stop thinking about the strange figure she'd seen. Were there others like him out there? Were they worse?

Her thoughts became heavier as the hours passed. By noon, she felt drained, her eyelids drooping as exhaustion overtook her. Then she heard noises outside—something was different.

The door suddenly burst open, the sound of creaking hinges slicing through the silence and jolting her fully awake. A group of men stormed into the room, and with them were three strangers.

Lauren forced herself to sit up despite the protests from her stiff, aching body. She looked at the newcomers, trying to figure out who they were and why they were there. One of them, a short, middle-aged man with a round belly, stood out. Even though he wasn't tall, the way he carried himself demanded attention. The men around him treated him with respect, speaking carefully in his presence. He was clearly the leader.

Lauren's heart pounded as his eyes landed on her. Slowly, he walked toward her, his steps deliberate and heavy. She could feel the intensity of his gaze, and her instincts screamed that she was in danger.

When he stopped in front of her, he didn't hesitate. He reached out, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and yanked her head back. Pain shot through her scalp, sharp and unbearable. Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to cry. She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm, even though her heart raced with fear.

The man leaned in close, his face just inches from hers. His breath reeked of tobacco and alcohol, making her stomach churn. She wanted to turn away, but his grip on her hair was too tight.

For a moment, he just stared at her, his eyes lingering on hers. Lauren could tell he was fascinated by her unusual eye color. After what felt like an eternity, he sneered and let go of her hair roughly, causing her head to hit the wall behind her.

"She's got spirit," he said with a smirk, looking at the men around him. "She'll fetch a good price."

Lauren's stomach dropped. She didn't fully understand what he meant, but she knew it wasn't good.

The man turned to leave, barking orders as he walked out. "Take her to join the others. We're moving out soon."

One of the men stepped forward, grabbed Lauren's arm, and pulled her to her feet. She stumbled, her legs weak, but he didn't care. He dragged her toward the door.

Lauren's mind raced as they stepped outside. The word "others" echoed in her head. What others? Were there more captives like her? What did these people plan to do with them? The questions made her chest tighten with dread.

The fresh air outside was a small relief. For the first time in days, Lauren felt a cool breeze on her skin. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the clean air fill her lungs. It was a small comfort, but it didn't last long.

"Move!" the man behind her barked, shoving her forward. She stumbled again but managed to catch herself before falling.

They walked down a narrow path, surrounded by tall bushes. After a few minutes, the path opened into a clearing. Lauren's heart sank at the sight before her—a wagon filled with people.

As they got closer, she noticed that most of the captives were girls around her age. Their heads were bowed, their bodies hunched in fear. Some were trembling, and a few were quietly sobbing.

"Get in!" the man growled, shoving Lauren toward the wagon. She hesitated for a moment but obeyed, climbing in and sitting near a girl who was crying. The girl's face was red and swollen from tears, and her hands shook as she tried to wipe her cheeks.

Blindfolds were handed to each of them, and Lauren knew she had no choice but to put hers on. As the cloth covered her eyes, the world around her disappeared into darkness.

The wagon jerked forward, and the journey began. Lauren sat still, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of what was happening. The silence inside the wagon was suffocating, broken only by the occasional sniffle or whispered prayer.

Her thoughts raced. Where were they taking her? What would happen when they got there? She didn't know, and the fear of the unknown was worse than anything she could imagine.

The hours dragged on, the wagon's wheels creaking with every turn. Lauren tried to focus on anything that might give her hope, but the darkness and silence offered no comfort.

The girl beside her whispered something under her breath, so softly that Lauren almost missed it.

"What?" Lauren asked quietly.

"They're going to sell us," the girl said, her voice trembling.

Lauren's stomach dropped. The girl didn't say anything else, but her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Lauren clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She didn't know if the girl was right, but the thought made her feel sick.

As the wagon rolled on, Lauren forced herself to take slow, deep breaths. She couldn't let fear consume her. She needed to stay strong, to think clearly. She didn't know how or when, but she was determined to find a way out.

The journey stretched on, each minute feeling like an eternity. The blindfold blocked out the world, but Lauren's mind refused to stay quiet. She thought of her parents, of Moa, of everything she had lost. But she also thought of everything she had survived.

She wasn't ready to give up—not yet.