HUFF! HUFF! HUFFF!
Subordinate Woman ran fast, her boots pounding against the rough stone floor as she went past many curious gazes. The tunnel air was thick and stale, heavy with the smell of damp earth and unwashed bodies. It pressed against her lungs, making each breath harder than the last. She didn't stop, just kept running with desperate determination, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she thought it might burst through her ribs. Sweat already began to bead on her forehead, trickling down her temples in warm streams that stung her eyes.
WHOOSHH! TAKK! BOOMMM!
Suddenly, something hit her leg hard from behind, making her tumble forward violently. Pain exploded through her shin like lightning, sharp and burning. She fell to the ground with a painful crash, her palms scraping against the jagged rock surface. The impact drove the air from her lungs. Tiny pieces of stone bit into her skin, and she tasted copper in her mouth where she'd bitten her tongue. The metallic taste of fear filled her mouth.
WHOOSSH!
Before she could even try to get up, before she could catch her breath, several people appeared and blocked the tunnel toward the outside exit, cutting off her escape route completely. Their shadows stretched long and menacing across the ground, swallowing what little light there was. The tunnel felt smaller suddenly, closing in around her like a trap.
"Kekeke! Give up, Subordinate Woman! You will be ours to play with! Hehe!" Several men and women laughed cruelly, their voices echoing off the tunnel walls and multiplying into a chorus of mockery. Some started coming toward her with predatory grins, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent, while others blocked the way behind them, forming a human cage around her position. She was surrounded.
"Agh!" Not having any other option, she scrambled to her feet frantically, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up her leg from where she'd been hit. Her shin throbbed with each movement. She started running deeper into the tunnel, away from the blocked exit, her mind racing desperately. There had to be another way out. There had to be!
HUFF! HUFFF!
She kept running frantically, her legs burning with exertion as she dodged some attacks from the people chasing behind her. A rock whizzed past her head, so close she felt the air move. Something grazed her shoulder, tearing the fabric of her suit with a ripping sound. Slowly, her speed started decreasing as the reality sank in like a stone in water. No one came to help her. Everyone they passed just turned away, averting their eyes as if she didn't exist. They were used to this kind of thing happening in the tunnels. Nobody helped anyone here. That was the rule. Survival meant looking the other way.
The tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly before her, a maze of shadows and stone that all looked the same. Her breathing came in ragged gasps now, each one scraping her throat raw like sandpaper. Her chest ached. Her legs felt heavy, like someone had tied weights to her ankles.
"Agh!" She didn't know how much time had passed. Minutes? Hours? It all blurred together into one endless nightmare of running and fear. But her whole body was now drenched in sweat, her clothes clinging to her skin uncomfortably, making every movement feel sluggish. She finally stopped at a random place in the tunnel, her legs trembling beneath her like they might give out at any moment. She started breathing heavily, desperately trying to pull air into her burning lungs. They felt like they were on fire, screaming for oxygen she couldn't seem to get enough of no matter how hard she gasped.
"Hehe, finally ran out of steam! Kekeke, go grab her! Tear all her clothes! Hehhe!" The man ordered with gleeful cruelty as people started closing in on her with predatory movements, like wolves circling wounded prey. Their footsteps echoed in the enclosed space, getting closer, closer.
Subordinate Woman didn't shout or say anything. All the running drained the life out of her, leaving her hollow and empty inside. Sighhhh... I guess this is it. She just smiled sadly, a broken expression crossing her features as she kept looking down at the ground. Her vision blurred with exhaustion and unshed tears. Her one hand touched the cold rock wall for support, the rough surface grounding her to reality even as everything else seemed to slip away. Some tears fell from her eyes, hot against her flushed cheeks, leaving wet trails down her face. Sorry, Boss. I couldn't help you more. Hehe, at least I could die my own way.
Subordinate Woman smiled sadly and stood straight, forcing her trembling legs to hold her weight. Her whole body shook with the effort. She turned around and looked at the rock wall, trying to find the courage for what came next. She was about to bite her own tongue, to end it on her own terms before they could touch her, when she suddenly saw something through a crack in the rock. A thin sliver of light, movement beyond the stone. Her eyes focused intently, drawn to it like a moth to flame. She leaned forward, peering through the narrow opening, pressing her face close to the cold surface.
That!
Recognition hit her like a physical blow, making her forget everything else. She suddenly forgot the men closing in, the danger breathing down her neck, even her plan to end things. She got closer to the rock, her heart now pounding for an entirely different reason. She looked intensely through the crack, big enough to put her arm inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw what lay beyond. Subconsciously, she smiled widely with realization, hope blooming in her chest like a sunrise breaking through darkness. The boxes. The ones Boss was looking for!
Hmm.
Suddenly, Subordinate Woman felt many hands grabbing her body roughly from all sides, yanking her backward with brutal force. Their fingers dug into her arms, her shoulders, her waist. "Ah!"
WHOOSH! THUMPP!
She was pulled away violently from the wall and thrown to the ground hard. The impact knocked the wind from her lungs, leaving her gasping. Many people grabbed her hands and feet, their grips like iron manacles, pinning her down in one place with her back facing the ground. Cold stone pressed against her spine, hard and unforgiving. Suddenly, she realized what was happening, what they were about to do, and panic surged through her veins like ice water. She shouted desperately, her voice cracking with fear and urgency:
"NO! NO! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! PLEASE! I FINALLY FOUND THEM! I HAVE TO TELL BOSS! PLEASE LET ME GO!"
She begged frantically, trying to move, thrashing against their grip with everything she had left. But with so many hands holding her down, on her arms, her legs, her shoulders, pressing down with their full weight, she couldn't move an inch. Her muscles strained uselessly against them. She didn't want to commit suicide right now, not when she had finally found what Boss was looking for. Not when she could actually be useful for once. Not when it finally mattered.
"Please, just let me go!" Her voice cracked with desperation, breaking on the last word.
SOBB! SOBB!
She started crying again, tears streaming down her face and disappearing into her hairline, blurring her vision of the tunnel ceiling above. The stone looked fuzzy through her tears.
"Hehe, sure, sure! You can go to Boss, but only after we enjoy your milky white body! Hehe!" One of the men stood over her menacingly as he bent down slowly, savoring her fear like it was something delicious. His breath was hot and foul on her face, reeking of alcohol and rot. It made her stomach turn. He started opening her zipper from her neck with deliberate slowness, drawing it out, making her feel every second of it.
ZZZZRRRRRRRR!!
The sound seemed impossibly loud in the tunnel, rasping and harsh. Slowly, he made the zipper go down, revealing her skin inch by terrible inch. Her white, soft cleavage came into view as the men licked their lips hungrily, their eyes gleaming with lust that made her feel sick. Even some of the women smirked at the sight, enjoying her humiliation, feeding off her powerlessness.
ZZRRRR!
He opened it more, and half of her chest was exposed now, vulnerable to their stares. Cool air hit her skin, making her shiver. Her bra came into view, the only thing left protecting her modesty, the last barrier between her and complete violation.
"NOOO!!!" Subordinate Woman closed her eyes tightly, unable to watch, while crying and biting her lips so hard in desperation she tasted blood. Shame and fear warred in her chest, both equally suffocating, crushing her from the inside. This can't be happening. Please, please, no.
WHOOSSHHH! KCCKKK!!
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a sound rang out sharp and clear, cutting through the air like a blade.
BOOMMM!!
The man above Subordinate Woman fell down sideways onto some people with tremendous force, his body crashing into them like a thrown sack of grain. The impact sent them tumbling. The hands holding her loosened in shock, their grips going slack with confusion.
"Sighhh... Can't you guys just stay still? Why are you targeting my subordinate woman? Didn't I warn you before?"
The familiar voice cut through the chaos like a knife, clear and calm and absolutely unmistakable. Hearing it, Subordinate Woman's eyes shined with hope, fresh tears springing up, but these were different. These weren't tears of fear. Relief flooded through her like warm water, so intense it made her dizzy and weak. With renewed strength born from pure desperation, she shrugged off the already stunned people around her. She got up quickly, stumbling slightly on shaking legs, then ran toward Zack and hid behind him protectively, her hands gripping the back of his clothes tightly. Her fingers clenched in the fabric like it was a lifeline.
Her zipper was still open, and her cleavage and bouncy breasts rose up and down from her deep breaths, a mixture of nervousness, excitement, and overwhelming relief. She was safe. Boss came for her. He actually came just in time.
"Grr!" Some people, seeing this interference and not recognizing who had arrived, ran straight at Zack aggressively with weapons raised, their faces twisted with anger. But without any visible effort, Zack killed them swiftly. His movements were precise and economical. Their bodies dropped before they even got close, hitting the ground with heavy thuds that echoed in the tunnel.
"Agh!" Seeing this brutal display, watching their companions fall so easily, the remaining three people backed off fearfully. Their bravado evaporated like morning mist. They spoke in loud voices, trying to reason with him, trying to find a way out. Their words came out rushed, desperate, tumbling over each other.
"Boss! We knew she wasn't your woman, so we were just trying to have a little fun with her! We didn't break any rules. You weren't present here. According to the rules you set yourself, we're allowed to do whatever we want, right? And since she isn't your woman, you have no right to kill us!"
One of the men spoke up, his voice growing bolder with every word as he thought he'd found a logical loophole, a way to survive this.
"Hmmm, you found out?" Zack paused thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly as if considering their argument seriously. "I guess that's it then. Fine, I won't kill you." He turned around toward Subordinate Woman, his expression unreadable. "Hey, Subordinate Woman, unlucky you. I guess our teamwork ends here."
Zack spoke while turning fully around, his back now to the remaining attackers. He then shook her hand formally, and spoke loudly for everyone to hear: "You're on your own! Best of luck!"
Zack just went past her casually, walking away with unhurried steps, waving at the remaining people as if nothing had happened. As if she meant nothing. As if everything they'd been through together was worth nothing at all.
Subordinate Woman just stood there frozen in shock, unable to process what was happening. Her mind went blank. Her hair was a mess, tangled and wild, sticking to her sweaty face. Her clothes were dirty, torn in places and covered in dust and grime. Her zipper still hung open in the middle of her chest, exposing her. She kept looking down at the ground, her hands twitching nervously at her sides, not knowing what to do. He's….I…Boss how…please...…
.
.
Seeing Zack walk away without looking back, without a single glance, the remaining people laughed triumphantly. Their confidence returned like a flood. "Hahahaha! See? Even your boss gave up on you! Hahaha! Now there's nothing you can do! Why not just accept your fate? Kekekk!"
Two men and one woman laughed evilly and walked forward, surrounding Subordinate Woman who just stood frozen in place like a statue, like she'd turned to stone. Their shadows fell over her, blocking out the light.
ZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
The woman grabbed the zipper roughly and opened it all the way down to her waist with one hard pull, the sound harsh and violating. Subordinate Woman's breasts bounced freely beneath her bra. Her sweat-drenched, half-naked body came into full view, glistening in the dim light.
"WOO-WOO!" The men whistled lewdly, the sound crude and degrading, as they came closer and slid the outfit from her shoulders with rough hands that felt like claws on her skin. They made her upper body fully naked with just a bra covering her soft white breasts. The air felt cold against her exposed skin, making goosebumps rise across her flesh.
"Hehe, so good!" The men from both sides got close to her, pressing against her from either side, and their obvious bulges touched her thighs, which were still covered in the black outfit. The contact made her stomach turn with revulsion. Then both of them started touching her arms sensually, their fingers trailing across her skin like slugs, and….
SLP!
They kissed her shoulders from both sides, their lips wet and disgusting, leaving trails of saliva on her skin.
The woman got down on her knees in front of her and started licking her belly slowly, her tongue leaving a trail of wetness.
"Grr!" As soon as the man kissed her shoulder, something inside Subordinate Woman snapped. Like a wire pulled too tight finally breaking. She spoke something in a very low voice, barely above a whisper, but filled with venom and rage that had been building.
"Huh? What did you say, my lovely woman?" One of the men looked at her face, which was covered with some of her untied messy hair as she kept looking down, her expression hidden in shadow. He then tightly grabbed her cheeks with one hand and forcibly lifted her head up, squeezing hard enough to hurt, his fingers digging into her face. "What did you say, bitch? Speak properly!"
As soon as he brought her head up, forcing her to meet his eyes, he saw tear-filled eyes glaring at him with pure, seething anger. Her gaze burned with hatred so intense it could melt steel. Suddenly, she spoke in a loud, fierce voice that echoed off the tunnel walls:
"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME WITH YOUR FILTHY HANDS!"
WHHOOSSHH! KKKCCCKKK!
Suddenly, Subordinate Woman's left hand moved with lightning speed, a blur of motion no one expected. She struck precisely, hitting the neck of the man on her right side with the edge of her palm. The strike was perfect, instant, hitting exactly the right spot. The man's eyes went wide with shock and pain, his hands flying to his throat as he staggered backward.
Then, without wasting a single moment, without hesitation, she released a metal sharp object from her palm, something she'd been hiding this whole time, and grabbed it with her right hand while falling into a crouch.
WHOOSSHH! KCCKKK!
"AGHH!"
The other man, still busy kissing her shoulder and not paying attention, didn't react in time. His eyes went wide with shock and pain as the blade found his throat, sliding in smoothly. He died with his eyes opened wide, disbelief frozen on his features. Both men fell down heavily as blood splattered onto her shoulder. It trickled down slowly, mixing with her sweat, creating pink rivulets that dripped from her fingertips to the ground below. Her breathing was calm and steady now, the panic was gone, burned away by rage and replaced with cold, hard purpose.
Then she looked down and saw a shivering woman who had stopped licking her belly. The woman sat hard on her butt and tried to back away, scrambling backward like a crab, but her fear wouldn't let her move far. Her legs wouldn't work properly, shaking too much. She just kept staring up at Subordinate Woman with wide, terrified eyes that reflected the dim light.
Subordinate Woman walked slowly toward her, each footstep echoing ominously in the empty area. Blood dripped from the blade in her hand. Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound seemed impossibly loud in the sudden silence.
"PLEASE! I'M SORRY! DON'T! WE ARE FELLOW WOMEN! THEY FORCED ME! PLEASE! PLEASE!" The woman begged desperately, her voice breaking into sobs, her hands held up defensively in front of her face. Tears streamed down her face, leaving clean tracks through the grime. "I didn't want to! They made me! Please believe me!"
But Subordinate Woman didn't stop. Her expression remained cold, as she reached near her….
WHOOSSH! KCCKKK!
She didn't hesitate and killed the woman by stabbing her neck swiftly, the blade sliding in and out with efficiency. The begging stopped mid-word, cut off into a wet gurgle.
Subordinate Woman stood straight, taking deep breaths and releasing them. Her mind suddenly went blank as she kept staring ahead without focus, seeing nothing. The bodies lay around her, still and silent, their blood pooling on the tunnel floor. What had she done?
SOBB! SOOBB!
Slowly, some tears started falling down her cheeks. She couldn't hold them back anymore, couldn't keep being strong. Her half-naked, slim body covered in sweat and blood made her look like a broken beauty standing among the carnage she'd created. She started crying while standing there, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The reality of what she'd just done crashed over her like a wave, threatening to pull her under. I killed them. I killed three people with my own hands.
"Don't cry, Subordinate Woman. It's their fault." Zack suddenly came back, materializing from the shadows where he'd been watching, and stood beside her. He didn't look at her exposed state but stared ahead respectfully, giving her privacy in her moment of grief. "Sorry I forced you to kill them."
"Umm, no..." Subordinate Woman shook her head gently, unable to get more words out past the lump in her throat, past the tightness that made it hard to breathe.
They stood side by side for a while in the quiet tunnel as she slowly calmed down, her breathing gradually returning to normal. The tears stopped falling, drying on her cheeks. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand, smearing blood and dirt. Then she spoke in a low voice, filled with self-doubt and shame:
"Sorry, Boss, for being so useless. I couldn't even protect myself. I don't want to be a burden to you, but..." She let her head drop down slowly and bit her lips in frustration, tasting blood again,. I'm weak. I'm always USELSSS!. What good am I to anyone?
"Hmm, useless? When did I say you're useless?" Zack's voice was calm. "If you weren't here, then my job would be more annoying. I'm actually thankful to you and Rugged Woman for helping me. You're not useless. In fact, no one is useless at any time or anywhere. Even a small rock is useful in its own way."
Zack bent down and picked up a very small rock from the ground, holding it up to examine it in the dim light. Then he flicked it at her arm playfully.
TTAAK!
She felt some pain in her arms where the rock hit. "Ouch! Boss!...Despite the slight sting Subordinate Woman got very happy after listening to this, warmth blooming in her chest like sunshine breaking through clouds, then "
She suddenly raised her head up quickly and saw Zack looking ahead, his expression serious again, his hand now going down as he spoke again with quiet sincerity:
"You've done great. If you have to survive in this world, especially as a woman, then learn to tackle problems yourself. So keep your head high because you're doing great. Good job Miss Subordinate"
Zack smiled warmly, still looking ahead rather than at her exposed state, and that small gesture of respect meant more than he probably knew. It meant everything for her.
Huh!
Subordinate Woman saw Zack smiling for the first time since she'd met him. The sight of it caught her completely off guard, stealing her breath. Without realizing it, she kept staring at him, mesmerized by the transformation it brought to his usually stern features. His whole face changed when he smiled, becoming softer, younger, almost gentle. Her face got red with emotion, heat spreading across her cheeks like fire. In a trance, she suddenly came forward and stood in front of Zack, stepping closer into his space, and spoke with desperate need:
"Do you mean it? I'm useful?" She asked, her eyes shining with hope and need for validation. She needed to hear it again, needed to know she mattered, that she wasn't just taking up space in the world.
"Agh! Yes, truly," Zack tilted his head sideways deliberately and spoke in his usual serious tone, his gaze fixed firmly on the wall, very deliberately not looking at her.
Hmm.
Subordinate Woman first felt immense happiness wash over her like warm water, filling all the cold, empty places inside that had been hollow for so long. Then she followed his gaze and saw her boss deliberately not looking at her. She suddenly realized something. She was still half-naked, her zipper down, her chest barely covered. Her face burned hotter.....
"KKYYAAA!!!" She turned around quickly, her face burning with embarrassment, and spoke loudly: "SORRY, BOSS! PLEASE GIVE ME A MINUTE!"
As she was about to run away to cover herself, moving to find somewhere private to fix her clothes, a soft cloth came onto her head from behind, landing gently like a gift. Zack had given her a spare cloth he had at his waist. Then he turned around completely, scratching his cheeks in embarrassment, his ears slightly red.
Subordinate Woman glanced back and took the cloth with grateful hands, pulling it down to look at it. The fabric was clean, soft, still warm from his body. She smiled sweetly, her heart swelling with gratitude, she brought the cloth up a little and sniffed his smell, hehehe, she smiled sweetly then she cleaned herself with that cloth. She carefully wiped away the blood from her shoulders and arms, the sweat from her neck and chest, taking her time. She properly wore her outfit again, zipping it all the way up this time, making sure everything was in place. Then she tied the cloth around her waist like a belt, knotting it securely. Then she spoke with renewed confidence:
"Boss, thank you for everything! And I have happy news for you. I found people carrying those kinds of boxes!"
Subordinate Woman spoke with her head held high proudly, standing straight with her shoulders back for the first time in a long time.
"Huh? Where?" Zack suddenly turned around quickly and asked with urgency, his full attention on her, his eyes sharp and focused.
"There!" Subordinate Woman brought Zack to the crack in the wall eagerly, pointing it out with excitement, and let him see through it. She stood beside him, waiting anxiously as he looked, her heart pounding with hope that this was really it.
After a few minutes of silent observation, studying what lay beyond carefully, he nodded with satisfaction. "Yes, they're the ones. They're using some hidden passage. It looks like we were looking in the wrong place this whole time." He straightened up and turned to her with approval in his eyes. "See? You're so useful that you've contributed a lot. With this, we can save many people's lives... Right now, you've done a great merit for our city. Thank you!"
Zack put his hand in his pocket casually and spoke in genuine praise, and she could tell he meant every word. It wasn't empty flattery. He really meant it.
Subordinate Woman's eyes sparkled with delight, practically glowing with happiness, as she shouted enthusiastically: "YES, BOSS!"
"Good. We have to go right now. Where is Rugged Woman? We'll need her help," Zack asked while already planning their next move, his mind working ahead.
"AH! I forgot! She's still fighting!" Subordinate Woman fidgeted nervously, her hands clasping together, as she blamed herself for forgetting about her friend in all the chaos. How could I forget? She's fighting alone!
"Hmm, don't worry. She's not weak. I'll go and check on her. Until then, you put these bodies away outside and find some entrance where we could sneak in, since there is this big crack I am sure there must be a hole somewhere." Zack ordered and went away with fast steps, already moving before he finished speaking, his figure disappearing into the shadows.
"YES, BOSS!" Subordinate Woman stood straight and looked at Zack's back as he walked away, his figure getting smaller in the distance. She smiled warmly, touching the cloth tied around her waist with gentle fingers, feeling the soft fabric between her fingertips. It was proof. Proof that she mattered, that she was useful, that someone cared enough to protect her modesty even in the middle of chaos. She clenched her fist, pumped herself up with determination, and started carrying the dead bodies outside with renewed purpose, dragging them one by one toward the tunnel exit. The weight didn't bother her. Nothing bothered her right now.
She had work to do. Boss was counting on her. And this time, she wouldn't let him down.
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END OF CHAPTER
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AUTHOR BLABBERING
Hello hello, good day to all of you! How's life treating everyone? Are you well and thriving? It's early morning here, and your author is sitting with an empty stomach. NO! breakfast yet for this incredible author!!!!! They say breakfast is the "most important meal of the day"… but why exactly? ---- Well I don't care and neither should you, so go away and let me prepare my food!
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