Page 39 of Red Waters

When my knees gave, Yury scooped me up. He yelled at the slave, “Leave us be!” His head caressed mine. “Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

“Master, she is in shock, and not only the mental kind. Her pupils… All signs are showing medial shock. Her lips are so dry. Most likely dehydrated.”

I didn’t know how Grey Eyes knew all this medical information, nor did I have the energy to care.

Distracted, Yury nodded. “She may not have eaten well since I’ve been gone.”

My neck, incredibly weak, couldn’t hold up my head. Limp, I laid in the arms of my abductor. He told the slaves, “Follow me.” As he walked, the hall lights on the ceiling held my blank stare. He gave out more instructions that my spinning mind couldn’t fully comprehend. “We will take my car. I have a jet waiting…”

Trying to ease the ringing in my ears, I let my head fall to the side. It was a mistake. As we passed another room, I saw two bodies. Blood was spread to the point I knew their deaths had been gory. Moaning, I looked away and rested my cheek to Yury’s chest. The blood on my face, from Yury’s kisses, were my rapists’. I tried to find satisfaction in the revenge… but there was none to be found. The tragic circumstance was now heinous.

Carrying me up the basement stairs, Yury kept giving out directions. “As quickly as possible, go search bedrooms for clothes that fit, and shoes. There is snow on the ground.”

Once in the mansion, I realized it was dark outside. The slaves went up the stairs while Yury took me to the kitchen. After flicking on a light, he sat me on an island in the middle of the kitchen then went to a cabinet. Numbly, I sat there watching him grab a glass, shuffle in the refrigerator, and return with a glass of orange juice. The beautiful sight only reinforced my shock. The orange liquid danced in the glass, entrapping my lost mind.

I coughed after Yury squeezed my cheeks to purse my lips and force juice down my throat. Fully dressed slaves entered the kitchen as Yury forced more juice.

Grey Eyes claimed, “She is too malnourished—”

I vomited the juice.

“—for that acid.”

Yury set the glass down while grabbing a small towel. “What do I give her?”

“Besides an emergency facility and an IV? Water.” The slave took the towel and wiped my mouth. Grey Eyes asked, “Do you have a doctor available?”

Yury’s jaw locked. “Only my uncle. Not an option.”

“How long has she been with such neglect?”

Yury’s nostrils flared. I thought he was going to defend his actions against me, but he held up a finger to his nose as his eyes raced around our surroundings.

The black slave whispered, “Cigar smoke.”

Yury scooped me back up and rushed to the rear kitchen door, fear suddenly blanketing the air around us all. Three slaves raced to follow. As soon as he opened the back door, we experienced two blasts of coldness. One from the freezing wind outside, and one from the malicious voice coyly calling Yury’s name. As the voice lingered from another room, I could see Yury’s mind spinning. He whispered, “It is my uncle.” Then he looked to the males. “You will have to run for it.” His eyes met mine. “I will stay. Buy you time.”

The beast had found his heart…

The black slave nodded and grabbed the female’s hand, preparing to drag her across the vast backyard if needed. Grey Eyes whispered a warning to Yury, “I don’t know how severe her shock is. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures could be deadly.” He reached out for me as if willing to run for his life, me in his arms, slowing him down. “I will do my best to keep her alive.”

The slaves could’ve run to save themselves but were trying to rescue others.

There it was. Humanity… in Hell.

Through all the chaos of life and death, humanity was present.

I was proud of the smile I gave with pure honesty. Even though I was sealing my fate, I wasn’t going to be responsible for one more death. “Go,” I whispered to Grey Eyes. “Save the savable.”

As the three slaves ran across the backyard, soon to take cover in the forest, their chances of survival were also slim due to the weather, but at least they had a chance. My eyes welled, sorry to let my brother down and not make it back to the one waiting in the blue waters.

I love you, Link.

With me still in his arms, Yury closed the door.