Chapter Five

"Iam so sick of this fucking train! I am never getting on another one if I can avoid it."

In my compartment, I talk aloud, questioning my sanity. I"ve been stuck in this tiny space for almost a week, feeling trapped and restless. Only leaving to use the bathroom. My friendly guard has been nice enough to find me some books to read.

"Something to keep you entertained," he says, with a kind smile.

Danil, finally told me his name on the fourth day of the train ride. He always attempts to treat me with kindness and respect. He brings me extra food, and I can"t shake the feeling that he"s sharing part of his meal with me. I hope I can persuade Lenya to spare this man"s life. He doesn't deserve to die, despite working for Igor.

The hours seem to crawl by as the morning slowly transitions into afternoon. The conductor announces the train will stop briefly and they encourage guests to get out and stretch their legs. Danil pops his head in, "I'll be stepping off to see if I can find any fruits for you to keep in here. For malysh," he motions to my belly. "Simeon will take my place, but when I am back on, I'll replace him."

I nod and give him a friendly half-smile. "Spasibo.(Thank you)"

He pats the frame then closes the door, and I hear it lock. I stick my nose back in my book but I can feel eyes on me. I look up and the guard, Simeon, is staring at me from the little window in the door. His gaze is making me uncomfortable. I have no weapon to protect myself in here. My stomach lurches when I feel the train come to a slow stop.

I watch the other passengers file by in front of my compartment door. Off to stretch and buy things at the little market by the train station. It's just me and Simeon now. He eyes me with a vicious hunger that makes my stomach sour. With a malicious smirk on his face, he unlocks and slides the compartment door open, stepping inside and sliding it back shut.

"Velikaya zhenshchina L'va. Skazhi mne, u tebya zolotaya kiska?(The great Lion's woman. Tell me, do you have a golden pussy?)" He reaches his hand out towards me and I kick it away.

Net (No). I can't do this again.

He grabs handcuffs from his pocket, and he inches towards me, grabbing me by my ankle.

I recoil from his touch, my heart racing with fear. "Get away from me," I say, my voice trembling. Simeon's smirk widens, his eyes filled with a twisted delight. He takes a step closer, invading my personal space. Panic surges through me as I realize the gravity of my situation.

Desperation fuels my instincts as I search for a way to defend myself. I scan the small compartment, my eyes landing on my stack of books. I grab them and begin flinging them at him. Simeon's face contorts with anger, his predatory gaze fixated on my body. He lunges towards me, swatting away my attempts. He grabs my hands, securing one wrist in the cuff. I fight back, using every ounce of strength and determination I can muster. Our struggle intensifies, the confined space amplifying the chaos.

He feeds the cuffs through the metal rungs of the bed, securing my other wrist. I scream as loud as I can. "NET. Pozhaluysta, pomogite mne. (NO. Please help me.)"

But there is no one to hear my screams. Simeon takes his knife and cuts open my blouse, exposing my bare breasts. He cuts the whole blouse off and removes it, leaving me topless. "Smaller than I prefer," he says, cupping one breast in his calloused hand. "But I am not picky."

I can feel the vomit rising up my throat.

Simeon's hands move south, gripping the sides of my leggings, ripping them down my body. His eyes devour me and stop at my now exposed pussy. He licks his lips as he climbs on the bed and spreads my legs apart, keeping them open with his knees.

"Yebat'! Tvoya pizda prekrasna.(Fuck! Your cunt is beautiful.)Lev (The Lion) was one lucky man."

I turn my face away as he unbuckles his belt and undoes his pants. The sound of him spitting into his hand makes me gag. I try to pull myself back away from him, but his free hand grips my thigh with a painful grasp causing my eyes to water. He doesn't waste any time as he then thrusts his cock inside me. I'm not wet and the intrusion is painful. Tears stream down my face as I close my eyes and try to imagine Lenya.

Lenya will kill this man, and I want to watch.

"Don't worry," Simeon's hand palms my breast, then giving it a rough slap, "Your tight cunt will have me coming soon. Defiling the great Lev's(The Lion"s) woman. What." Thrust. "An." Thrust. "Honor." Simeon's thrusts turn to more of a jerking motion as he spills his cum inside of me.

"What a good little bratva whore." He laughs, slapping my cheek lightly as he pulls out. He tucks himself back in his pants, then leans over me to undo the handcuffs. I lie there with my eyes closed, waiting for him to leave. He grips one of my wrists as if to make sure I don't try anything.

Simeon releases his grip on my wrist and retreats, a venomous glare etched on his face. I take a moment to catch my breath, my heart still pounding in my chest. Bruises already begin to form on my wrists and naked, I lie on the bed, with no strength to move. As the train resumes its journey, Danil returns. He opens the door and drops the bag of fruit, assessing the situation, his eyes filled with regret. "Blyat (Fuck)!," Danil grabs a blanket and covers my body. I recount the encounter, telling him how Simeon raped me.

"I am going to get you out of here. I will find a way. There is another stop in about an hour. Khabarovsk. It is the last stop before Vladivostok. The stop is in a heavily wooded area. I can get you out and we can find a way to the town. Dress in your warmest clothes." Danil stands, picks up the bag of fruits, and places it on the table. He leaves the compartment, locking the door behind him.

Alone in the compartment, I gather what little strength I have left and slowly dress in my warmest clothes. The pain from the assault lingers, but I push it aside, focusing on the plan Danil has laid out for our escape. I take one of the apples from the bag, biting into it and letting the sweetness spread across my tongue. Freedom will taste sweeter than this.

The hour trickles down as the train nears a heavily wooded area, and my anticipation grows. I know this is my only chance to break free from this hell. Every passing minute feels like an eternity, but finally, the train comes to a halt at the last stop before Vladivostok.

Danil reappears, his facial expression firm. He unlocks the door and helps me to my feet, supporting me as we make our way off the train and step out onto the busy platform. The cold air bites at my exposed skin, but I ignore it, fueled by the desperation for freedom. Danil hands me a colorful wool platok to cover my head to hide me from view. He throws the hood of his jacket up, he takes my hand in his and we hurry through the open platform of people. The outskirts of the forest are right within reach.

"Don't rush," he says. "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

I nod.

Danil helps me step down off the platform, our boots hitting the crunchy snow. Danil grabs my hand again and we make a break for it, sprinting as fast as my body will allow.

We move swiftly through the dense forest, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of snow. Danil leads the way, his knowledge of the terrain clear as he effortlessly navigates us through the trees. I cling to his hand, relying on his strength to guide me.

After what feels like an eternity, we finally reach a more densely forested area. "Don't give up." That is what I keep telling myself. But I am so cold, dirty, and defiled. My body aches terribly as Danil guides me deeper into the woods.

"How—How far do you think we need to go?" I say, my teeth chattering from the cold.

"Ty slyshal eto?(Do you hear that?)" Danil stops, listening intently.