Chapter 4: I will be the villain in your story.
The worst off were the rebels or troublemakers. If one was able to reignite the flame of hope that had long been extinguished in those poor innocent lives, they were seen as a threat that needed to be taken care of. If they still had their will to fight, then they were a problem, as others might follow their lead and riot.
In those cases Blackstone made an example out of them. A loud and clear warning to the rest. Resistance equals pain. What better way to show this cruel message than by breaking the one that believed in the hope of a way out?
Torture. Slow and ancient methods would be their fate. The pain of the ones carrying the hope would be shown to everyone. The terrifyingly efficient methods were too much for anyone to bear in silence. The agonizing screams would terrify the others into silence and obedience.
'Hope only hurts. It's better to obey than suffer' was the message instilled in each of them. After the troublemakers served their purpose, they would be killed in front of everyone. The bigger the offense, the slower the death. A silent warning of the consequences of disobedience. No one who ever resisted survived. Their deaths were witnesed by everyone.
The best chance at a better life was to remain silent and pray whoever ends up being their master is at least one-tenth of a decent person. Saying that Blackstone was cruel was an understatement, but hey, at least the pay is nice. What was the whole purpose of this sickening game? It was money.
It's frightening how far some are willing to go for it. Some believe money is power, and people like that crave that kind of feeling. The feeling that you're on top of the world, having enough power that no one would be able to contest your will. So much power where you are the law.
His eyes gleaming with an evil tint. "Watch and learn, kid." Jack smirked at the teenage boy, the smile so horrifying the children scattered further into the dark. Jack grabbed one of the older girls. She hardly resisted at all. Having spent so much time trapped in this hell, the horrifying message was carved deep into her bones.
A beauty like her would be sold for a delightful price. Mesmerizing emerald eyes, long wavy hair, and pale skin. They would make good money on her, and he knew it. Tears streamed down her face, somehow her pain making her look more angelic. Her gaze never lifted off the floor. Scared that if she looked up or even made the slightest sound, she'd have the same fate as other kids before her. She long gave up and accepted whatever hell would come her way. Jack showed her to his subordinate, grinning wider, satisfied at her lack of resistance. That's what he wanted to see: total submission.
"We'll make good money on this beauty. She's pretty, obedient, and most importantly, silent. That's how all of them should be. The client would be pleased." Of course by 'we' he meant he, himself, and him. The boy was just too loyal to see he was just being used as just a tool in the great scheme.
As Jack took her, Liam could see the pure rage in Ashley's eyes, like a volcano waiting to erupt. He could see Ashley's fury looking at the poor girl's silent tears and undeniable fear. Ash was about to snap and do something reckless, and what would happen if she did that? She would earn the title of troublemaker, and her fate would be sealed.
NO! He can't lose her too. Desperation crept in. He already lost too much; he can't lose her too. Hearing his pulse in his ears, the fear that Jack instilled in them guided his actions as emotions clouded his judgment, taking control of his body. He mumbled more to himself than anyone else, like he was trying to justify his own actions in some sort of way.
"You're definitely going to hate me for this, but it's for your own good." He grabbed her, pulling her back and holding her tight. He can't lose her; he won't lose her. No, not like this. He'll gladly be the villain in her story if it means she'll live to see what tomorrow holds. //We came so close and went through so much. It's almost over. // were the things he told himself each day. Were the things that kept him going. The things that kept him sane.
It was challenging, but he was older and took her by surprise, so he was able to stop her from making the worst decision of her life, and probably the last. His hand covered her mouth, muffling her protests and frustration. She wasn't happy about what he had done, but at that moment he couldn't care less. Maybe it was selfish; it didn't matter to him. She was like a sister to him. She was the only family he had left, and he refused to lose her too.
Liam won't let her become the next one; he'd have to watch their slow, painful death. Jack's influence left a huge invisible scar that Liam never realized he had. Blackstone mentally ironed into the children that disobedience would lead only to pain. Some, like the blonde girl, were scared into submission and obeyed, praying for the best.
Others, like Ashley, and the ones labeled as troublemakers, like the ones before her but whose lives ended tragically and painfully, grew more and more frustrated, a spark flickering in them that grew with each tear, with each scream, with each prayer of those who gave up. If not dealt with, they'd start a riot, so Blackstone dealt with them the moment they showed signs of resistance. Liam will not let her lose her over this. He would rather have her hate him than lose her.
When Jack left, dragging the sobbing girl after him, Liam let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. This small slip-up, a split second where his guard lowered, gave her the opening she needed to escape his grip. Looking at him, a storm of emotions twirled and swirled in her gaze. Glancing at the door, which locked the moment it closed, she could still faintly hear the quiet cries. Whether it was only in her mind or she actually heard it, she didn't know. Looking back at him, her eyes were now hollow but determined. She understood his fear, and a part of her shared it. However, she refused to sit still; she wanted to take action.
In a steady and monotone voice, which almost seemed cold and distant, she said, "All you did was delay the inevitable."
She knew the price she could be paying, but she knew for sure it was inevitable. Her life was in their hands the moment she was brought here. If she did nothing later, she'd pay the same price. If she did something now, she'd pay the price now, but there's a chance that others might not have to do the same. Whether she took action or not, the outcome would still be the same.
Her logic sounded perfect, but that was real life, not some fairytale where the hero selflessly sacrifices themself to save the others. It's bound to be more challenging than she thought, and if she doesn't think about it carefully, she'll lose her life for nothing. What was she even expecting to change? Bravery without a plan is just foolishness.