Chapter 24

Chapter 24

They lay in silence, each locked in their own torment. Mia's distress had gradually morphed into her worst coughing fit yet, during which she'd almost passed out due to lack of oxygen. In the end, the teenager just about managed to master herself and thereafter had lain flat on her back, her chest rising and falling erratically. She was in a bad way, struggling now to get sufficient air into her lungs, her breathless panting the soundtrack to their incarceration.

It was a sound that broke Naomi's heart. Her new friend was so young, so ill, and there was nothing Naomi could say or do to help. They were trapped in this hole without hope of salvation, slowly fading away in the inky darkness. Yes, Mia was in a much worse position than her, but who was to say that she wouldn't follow in time? Already the damp seemed to be settling on Naomi's hair, creeping into her airways. Was it this place, this dank cell that was the problem, as much as Mia's past experiences?

Naomi was so wrapped up in her thoughts that at first she didn't notice Mia move. Now, however, she became aware that her friend was rising to her feet, moving back to her corner. Instinctively, Naomi clambered upright too and now she heard it. A noise above. A door slamming. The sound of footsteps.

Naomi pressed herself against the brickwork, wishing she could disappear into it. She heard the sound of objects being tossed around outside, then suddenly the wall sprang open once more, light flooding in. Naomi turned away sharply, shielding herself from the onslaught and, when she turned back moments later, their captor was already stationed on the other side of the room, looming over the cowering Mia.

‘Please, no …'

But Mia's abductor paid no heed, unchaining the teenager and grabbing her by the wrist.

‘I'm begging you …'

Ignoring her pleas, their captor yanked Mia hard and she half fell, half stumbled towards the door. Naomi watched on aghast at her friend's terror, a fierce anger growing inside her.

‘Leave her alone, you piece of shit.'

Advancing towards the pair, Naomi lashed out, kicking viciously at her attacker. She caught him square in the shin, pleased to hear him cry out in pain. A second later, she had reason to regret her rashness, the back of his hand connecting hard with her cheek, knocking her clean off her feet. She crashed to the cold floor, hitting her head sharply, yet somehow managed to bounce up onto her knees, scrabbling quickly to her feet.

‘No way. You're not taking her.'

But Naomi was too late, too slow. They were already out of the cell and as she lunged toward them, the doors swung shut, plunging her back into darkness.

‘Come back here, you …'

Naomi couldn't find the words, fear and desperation overwhelming her. What the hell was happening? What fate awaited Mia on the other side of the wall? Pacing back and forth, her anxiety rising with each passing second, Naomi became aware of a dull ache in her mouth and, pressing her fingers to her lips, was surprised to find blood trickling down her chin. Ferreting inside her mouth, she discovered that one of her teeth was missing and that her lip was swelling up. She touched her wound, then instantly recoiled, a searing pain shooting up to her brain and back again, making her feel lightheaded and bringing tears to her eyes.

She wiped them away roughly, determined not to be cowed. Moving back towards the hinged wall, Naomi advanced as far as she could before the chain bit, then rotating her ankle for maximum leverage, she raised her back foot off the ground and leaned forward, getting as close to the door joint as she could. Balancing precariously on one leg, she listened intently, praying that she might hear the pair returning. But there was no sound of movement at all outside and for a brief, terrifying moment, Naomi thought the pair had left the building. But then she heard it, the sound of Mia's shrill voice. Naomi couldn't make out the words, but she seemed to be pleading, before a loud slap silenced her. Once more, fury flared in Naomi. What made this piece of shit think he had the right to treat young girls like this?

Naomi strained to hear and this time she picked up sounds that struck fear into her soul. There were other voices, male voices, in the room just beyond. Where had they appeared from? Naomi hadn't heard anyone arrive. Were they already there when their captor threw the doors open? Part of Naomi wanted to retreat, to return to the sanctuary of her corner, but her feet seemed frozen to the floor. Outside, the voices were getting louder, as was Mia's, who'd started begging again. Agonized, Naomi held her breath, praying that their abductor would take pity on her, hoping against hope that Mia's heartfelt pleas would be heeded.

But they were not.