Chapter 23

Kleena

Kleena’s heart pounded a wild, desperate rhythm as the Jorvlens circled them, their lewd remarks and mocking laughter slicing through the oppressive silence.

Every vile comment sent a chill down her spine, but the thought of what they might do to Erhan truly terrified her. Her eyes darted to him, worry for his safety eclipsing her own fear.

What if they kill him? What if I never get the chance to tell him how I truly feel?

She could feel the malice radiating from their captors, a palpable force that made her skin crawl.

Erhan’s reaction was ferocious. Despite the cuffs and chains that restrained him, he lunged at their captors with a rage that shook the cold metal walls of the ship.

“You touch her, and I will kill you!” he roared, his threats reverberating with a raw, primal intensity.

His tail lashed out violently, and his muscles strained against his bonds, turning him into a force of nature fueled by his need to protect her. Every movement, every surge against his chains, was a testament to his unyielding spirit.

The Jorvlens responded with brutal efficiency, beating him mercilessly to subdue his defiance. Each blow landed with a sickening thud, and Kleena’s screams filled the air as she watched in horror.

“Stop it! Please, stop!” she cried, her voice cracking with desperation.

The sight of Erhan being beaten, his body writhing under their assault, was a nightmare she couldn’t escape.

The sound of fists meeting flesh, the grunts of effort from the attackers, and Erhan’s pained gasps created a horrific symphony that echoed in her mind.

How could I let this happen? How can I save him?

When the captors reached for Kleena, their intentions clear and malevolent, Erhan’s fury seemed to reach new heights. He lunged again, every ounce of his strength channeled into a desperate attempt to keep them away from her. He bit, hissed, bared his fangs, and used his tail to fend off the attackers, sending one of them flying across the room.

Kleena screamed, her heart leaping into her throat, grateful it wasn’t Erhan’s body that lay crumpled on the ground. Her fear for him was a living, breathing entity, constricting her chest with every passing second.

How far would he go to protect me? I can’t stand this!

In retaliation, the Jorvlens forced Erhan into heavier chains, thick links encircling his neck with a sinister clink.

The sight of him, bound and restrained, tore at Kleena’s heart. His defiance was palpable, his eyes blazing with unyielding determination even as his body sagged under the weight of the chains. She could see the raw anger and protectiveness in his eyes, a reflection of her own desperation. His spirit was unbroken, and she felt a surge of pride amid her fear.

“Please,” Kleena begged, her voice trembling with fear and love. “Do what you want with me, but leave him alone. I’ll do anything you ask. Just don’t hurt him anymore.” Tears streamed down her face, and she looked at the Jorvlens with a pleading intensity.

She could see the cruel delight in their eyes, their enjoyment of her torment, and it made her stomach churn. The Jorvlens’ laughter echoed around them, a chilling promise of the twisted entertainment they planned to derive from their suffering.

How can they be so cruel? How can they find joy in our suffering?

“Oh, how touching,” one of them sneered. “This will be more fun than we thought.” The words were laced with malice, and the implication of what was to come filled Kleena with dread.

The thought of what they might do to Erhan was a torment she could hardly bear.

Kleena’s voice cracked as she cried out, “I love him! Do you hear me? I love him so much that I will die if anything happens to him!”

Her declaration hung in the air, a desperate plea mingled with a confession of the deepest truth in her heart. She had never imagined herself capable of such a proclamation, but in that moment, it was all she could offer.

Erhan’s eyes met hers, a mixture of agony and fierce resolve burning within them.

For a moment, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them, their love and fear intertwining in a silent exchange. Then the Jorvlens’ cruel laughter shattered the moment, dragging them back into the grim reality of their captivity. The bond they shared was a fragile lifeline amid the encroaching darkness.

As the enemies tightened their grip and prepared to carry out their vile intentions, Kleena’s heart pounded with a mix of fear and unyielding love.

She clung to the hope that, somehow, they would survive this ordeal together. Her thoughts filled with a fervent prayer for their salvation.

The Jorvlens cackled, their eyes gleaming with perverse delight. Kleena’s breath hitched as they reached for her, their hands rough and calloused against her skin. She recoiled instinctively, her mind screaming in protest, but her body remained rooted to the spot, paralyzed by fear.

The Jorvlens laughed, their amusement evident. “Is that so?” one of them taunted, his grip on her tightening. “Then prove it.” He shoved her forward, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees.

Kleena gasped, the impact jarring her, but she forced herself to look up and meet their gaze with as much defiance as she could muster.

Erhan’s chains rattled as he strained against them, his eyes blazing with fury. “Leave her alone, you bastards!” he roared, his voice filled with raw, unbridled rage.

The Jorvlens dragged Kleena to her feet, their hands rough and merciless. “Let’s see how much she’s willing to sacrifice,” one of them sneered, his eyes gleaming with cruel anticipation.

Kleena’s heart pounded, she could feel Erhan’s eyes on her.

As the Jorvlens’ taunts and laughter echoed around them, Kleena’s resolve hardened. She would not let them break her, not while Erhan still fought for her. She would endure whatever they threw at her, if it meant keeping him safe.

I don’t care what they do to me. I will stand strong. For Erhan.

One of the Jorvlens grabbed Kleena by her hair and twisted it, pulling her head back. “Scream!” he demanded again, his voice filled with sadistic glee.

Kleena’s vision blurred with tears, but she remained silent, her resolve unbroken. She wouldn’t give them the pleasure of hearing her pain. The captor’s frustration grew, and he struck her across the face, the force of the blow snapping her head to the side. Stars exploded in her vision, but she remained steadfast. Her silence was her defiance, her way of fighting back. She couldn’t let them win.

Erhan’s roar of rage filled the room as he watched Kleena being tortured.

The captors seemed to take perverse pleasure in their torment, their laughter echoing in the cold room.

“Your defiance is admirable.” One of them sneered. “But it will only make things worse for you.” He tightened his grip on Kleena’s hair, his eyes glinting with malice.

Kleena’s mind raced. She couldn’t break. She couldn’t give in. Erhan needed her to be strong, to show these monsters they couldn’t break their spirits.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm despite the pain. “Do your worst,” she spat, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “You won’t break us.”

The captor’s eyes narrowed, and he struck her again, the force of the blow making her vision go dark for a few seconds. But she didn’t scream.

Erhan’s roar filled the room “You’ll pay for this,” he growled, his voice a promise of vengeance. “I swear, you’ll pay.”

The captors only laughed, their amusement a sickening contrast to the pain they were inflicting. They enjoyed this, the power they had over their prisoners, the fear and pain they could cause.

It was a game to them, a twisted form of entertainment.

Kleena’s mind raced with thoughts of escape, of how they could turn the tables on their captors.

If only there was a way to distract them or to break these chains… anything!

She had to stay strong, for Erhan, for herself. She had to believe they would get through this, that they would find a way out. “Stay strong, Erhan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “We’ll get through this. I swear it.”

She said the words with confidence, but in her heart, she didn’t know if she could keep her promise.