Star's eye darted the dimly lit room,scanning for any possible escape route,her survival instincts on mode.She couldn't just sit here and wait for whatever fate had in store for her.
One of the men on standby couldn't help but get irritated by the boss' reaction.
"Boss, can't we get to complete this job already,we were instructed to wrap things up quickly".
The others could not help but glanced at him in silent pity wondering where he got the nerve to speak boldly.
The boss chuckled darkly, Today is a lucky day for you as I wouldn't want the damsel to witness a horror scene here.
He turned to his men. "Have her cleaned up,fed and sent to me. I need to…..check on her personally ", he said while sizing her up with his gawking eye.
"Yes sir," and they swift into action.
As Star was being pulled to her feet by those two men,Star summoned every ounce of courage and fought back. She yanked her arm free from one man's grip and delivered a swift kick on the other's groin. Before the first could react, she flipped him over with a forceful maneuver and smacked him to the ground.
Ever since her last attack,Star had been taking self-defense classes. It had not been long,but she had learned enough to give herself a fighting chance.It is better to try and fail rather than not trying at all.
The two men groaned in pain writhing on the floor. The daggered-shaped scar face man couldn't help but watch with mild amusement.
He clapped slowly,"interesting".
Without wasting another second,Star had picked her race and ran back towards the room she had been held captive. She scanned the space again-no clear way out. But if it came down to being violated or dying with dignity,she knew which she would choose.
Elsewhere,Louis gripped the steering wheel tighter, anxiety etched on his face."Please be safe…..please be alive," he muttered under his breath as he pushed the car to its limits.
John,used to these high-speed missions clung to the side of the vehicle, following Louis' plans and issuing instructions as they approached the outskirts of Silveromore.
Back in the room,Star realized,She could only opt for one option which is to come down from the window side.The drop would leave her injured,maybe worse–but she didn't care. She has to try first.
Just then,she heard the leader's footsteps approaching. His voice echoed behind the door. "Ah,I love hide and seek. Keep hiding, little mouse.I'll catch you soon".
She knew she was doomed for.Star grabbed the nearest heavy object and began smashing the window sill. The noise led the leader to believe she was still struggling to hide. "Take your time", he taunted. "I'm coming".
She hoisted herself onto the sill, then jumped.
She landed hard on her feet,cried out in pain. "Ahh!" She whimpered,her ankle in pain as she dragged herself off.
Hearing the wimps,the leader's expression changed instantly. That sound wasn't from inside the room-it was from the outside. He had really underestimated the girl. He had thought she was weak and fragile. Clearly,he was wrong.
"Break down the door!" he barked.
The men burst into the room,only to find an opening in the room and Star is missing.
The boss rushed to the opening and he smiled wickedly, she mustn't have gone far judging from this height.
"Go now,go search for her,she mustn't have gone far from here and she knows no way of escaping from here,she mustn't slip off your hands or else you are dead" Clear!
The men immediately barged out,rushing out to search for Star.
At that exact moment,Louis and his team arrived at the outskirts of Silvermore. He turned to John who was still clinging on the other side of the car.
"Are all stations on standby?"he asked sharply.
John nodded. "No backing down–not until we find Star."
The rescue team sprang into action immediately, with Louis dashing forward to lead the search. The entire area was quickly covered-unbeknownst to Star and her captors,help was already closing in fast.
Meanwhile,Star had made it into the woods. She was cold, exhausted and barely able to push through the pain from her injuries. Her limbs ached,and her breathing shallow, but she kept dragging herself forward. She knew she had to keep moving cause by now she is being followed. A shadow flashed across, quickly she pressed her back against a thick tree trunk, holding her breath as she tried to remain hidden.
Suddenly, barking echoed through the forest. The rescue team's dogs had picked up her scent–along with the faint smell of blood. Their loud bark had triggered a rush of footsteps as the search team changed direction,heading straight towards the signal.
Panicked by the noise, Star bolted out of her hiding place and dashed into the woods again. But before, she could get far,she was intercepted. She tried to run backwards,she found she had no place to run now,two of the captors moved quickly and grabbed her roughly, covering her mouth not to make any sound. In seconds,she was overpowered and bundled back towards their hideout–just moments before the rescue team could reach her.
She was shoved to the floor forcefully by the men.
"Boss," one of the men said breathlessly, "this place is no longer safe, someone knows our hideout".
The boss waved him off, "The hideout is safe."
He walked towards Star,lifting her chin.
"Tsk,tsk… what a pity!" He said mockingly.
You could have had it easy. Now look at what you've done to yourself,what a waste. I already lost my appetite.
Then he pointed to one of his men who has been eyeing her with sick excitement.
"You. Have your fun. While I watch the show."
The man grinned,"Thank you,boss"
He approached Star touching her with his filthy hands.She bit him hard.
He landed a slap on her face so hard that she fell,dizzy and disoriented. He dragged her up again, trying to force himself on her.
Star was too weak to fight back. All hopes was fading.
Suddenly–the door to the hideout burst open. She could barely make out a tall silhouetted against the light….. before everything went black.