NOTHING

**The following chapter contains very graphic scenes of abuse and torture. Viewer discretion is advised. Please don't read this chapter if these types of topics trigger you. You can just skip to the end. **

ADELINE'S POV

I'm dragged out of my room by Veronica's guards and brought into a dark room. When they turn the lights on, I'm met with Colton tied up to a chair, blood seeping from his shoulder and in front of him is a naked girl who looks no older than sixteen. I stare at her scared face and realize how similar she looks to Colton, they have the same nose, the same eyes and the same wild look in their eyes.

That must be his sister. Today is the day Colton's sister was supposed to be saved by Dante. Today is the day Colton was supposed to leave this place. So why? Why is he here? Why is her bloody and why is his sister standing naked in front of him? This can only mean one thing. Veronica caught up to the plan. Tears immediately start falling from my eyes as I stare at the scene in front of me.

"No…" I whisper as a sob escapes my throat. I don't even try to fight. I stay down and, on my knees, as I stare at Colton wincing in pain as he tries to keep his eyes open.

"I'm s- sorry Adeline…" He says weakly and I shake my head aggressively as I take in his wounded body.

"Colton, don't try to talk. It's okay. Everything is going to be okay." I say in a futile effort to comfort him. I know what is going to happen. I know what Veronica is going to do to Colton but I cannot even imagine what she plans to do to Colton's sister. The little girl's mouth is taped shut as she trembles and breathes in and out aggressively. Her hands tied behind her back as she takes in the scene around her with scared eyes. She's naked. She's fucking naked and I want to run to her and give her whatever garment it is I have on no matter how small it might be.

There's a guard eye fucking her from behind, close to where she stands. I can only suppose they must have threatened her to stay put already but I cannot even imagine how uncomfortable she must be standing so naked and vulnerable in a place she doesn't recognize. She must have so many questions.

Colton looks like he could burn this entire place down with his gaze when his eyes finally open fully. His mouth hangs open in shock and guilt and regret every time he looks at his sister. He averts his gaze almost immediately when his eyes land on his sister. He must not be able to look at her in this state which is totally understandable. I want to help, but I cannot.

"God, do you ever stop crying?" Veronica's voice echoes in the room as she walks in with Adrian. I want to slap the wide smile she has off her face. I want to pray to whatever god will listen to me for any amount of power that they are willing to give so I can break out of this place but I have long since realized that no gods exist in this place. in erotica, Veronica is the only god. She makes all the rules and everyone else just listens to her.

"Please. Please just let m sister go. She doesn't know what's going on. She has nothing to do with this. It's me you want so just kill me. Kill me and get it over and done with. I'll do whatever you want but p-please…" Colton coughs up blood before he can finish his sentence. I look over to his sister and see tears effortlessly flowing from her eyes.

"Please just let her go. She's just a kid," Colton pleads. Veronica walks in front of him and grabs his hair, raising his head so he's looking up at her. His nostrils flare. If looks could kill Veronica would be dead by now.

"None of this had to happen Colton. You were a great guard and I had great plans for you. I never wanted to hurt your sister or you for that matter but you brought this upon yourself. Actions have consequences Colton. You knew what would happen if you ever betrayed me." Veronica says with a cold voice. There is absolutely no emotion in her words.

She is a monster. She has decided to completely shut off her humanity. She feels nothing and she is nothing but an empty and hollow shell of a woman.

"Torture me all you want. Just-" Colton says weakly.

"Oh, I plan on doing just that." Veronica replies, cutting him off before he can finish his sentence.

"Just let my sister go Veronica. She has nothing to do with this." Colton begs. His voice is so weak and he's bleeding out. It looks like he's going to pass out soon. It looks like he has a bullet wound on his shoulder and he's also bleeding from his thigh.

I start asking myself what exactly it is that I am doing in this room. I don't need to see this. I don't need to be in here right now. As much as I feel sorry for Colton and as much as I have grown to care about him, I don't need to see these things happening to him with the knowledge that there is nothing I can do to help him or his sister.

This is all my fault. I made him make a deal with Dante. I was the one who gave him the idea to work with Dante in the first place, knowing that he had a sister to worry about. He cared about me and now look where that got him.

"Please…" I let out a sob as I kneel on the floor. "Please let him go. Please just let Colton and his sister go. You don't need to do this. Please…"

"You don't get to talk bitch!" Adrian snaps and I feel a slap on my cheek. It stings so much that I immediately get a headache as I fall to the floor, tasting blood inside my cheeks. I almost forgot that he was in the room with us. I hate this man so much I can hardly breathe when he's around. I know Dante will still be coming on auction Day. He has never been one to give up. All I want is for him to give Adrian Wellington the most painful death ever. I want Adrian to get nothing short of what he deserves.

"Adrian! Calm yourself. Auction day is only in a couple of days and we'll be rid of her soon. All the girls need to be in good shape so please, refrain from putting your hands on the girl!" Veronica scolds Adrian as she stomps towards him. She raises my head and inspects my face, probably to check whether or not the slap will leave a bruise.

She's supposed to make so much money from me on auction day. That is all I am to these people. A means to an end.

"The girl is only here to watch what happens to the people who betray me. She's here so that every single bit of hope that she has left in her will be immediately died down. I need her to break so she never does anything stupid like make plans behind my back ever again!" She says as she inspects my face and then tosses me to the side. The guard behind me grabs me and places me on a chair, holding my head up so that I have no choice but to watch whatever is about to happen unfold right in front of me.

"What do you want?" I ask as I sob.

"Didn't you hear what I just said Angel?" Veronica says in a menacing voice. "I want you to watch what happens when someone betrays me. I want you to watch what is about to happen to Colton. Besides this is all your fault. You're the one who corrupted him with all your fantasies about escaping aren't you? And now you haven't only just ruined his life. You're ruining his sister's life too. I want you to remember this day and then I want you to rethink your place in erotica. You are nothing Adeline. Absolutely nothing!"