ELI
I should've just stayed home. I should've listened.
But I was bored….beyond bored. The house felt empty without him in it. I wanted to see Damir. I wanted to be close to him. So I called him.
"Daddy I'm bored can I come to over your office? " I said, dragging my voice with a little whine because I knew how much he liked when I got like that.
His chuckle over the line was low and soft. "Only if you come with guards, baby. No exceptions."
I said yes.
But I lied.
I told the guards he gave me permission to come alone. They looked unsure, but I flashed that innocent smile…the one I know makes people believe anything and they let me go.
And that's where it started.
I thought I could get there on my own. I didn't want all those intimidating men following me. I thought, maybe I could walk a bit, take a short ride… I didn't have any cash. I didn't bring damir's card. And my phone battery was clinging to 3% when I stepped out the door. But I was stubborn.
I just wanted to surprise him.
I walked and walked, but everything started to look unfamiliar. I couldn't see anything I recognized. My phone died. My palms were sweaty. My legs were sore. I started panicking.
That's when I saw him.
Some man on the corner…jeans, worn-out jacket, beard. Looked normal enough. I approached him, shaking, trying to keep my voice from cracking.
"Please, can I borrow your phone? I just need to call my….my boyfriend. I got lost."
I gave him Damir's number.
He dialed. I stood there, heart racing.
Then he looked at me.
Like he was peeling my skin off with his eyes. And the way he smiled… it wasn't right.
"We need to talk about the boy," he said into the phone.
My stomach dropped.
The boy?
I froze. My whole body tensed.
His voice had changed. His tone. His stance.
He took a step closer. I took one back. My legs moved before my brain caught up.
I turned and ran.
I heard him yell behind me, "You little shit! You try to run, I'll cut your fucking limbs off!"
I ran faster.
My feet slapped the pavement. My breath was ragged. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to get away. I had to find someone. Somewhere safe. I had to find Damir.
But then…..
I tripped.
My ankle twisted and I crashed to the ground….hard. My palms scraped raw against gravel. I tried to get up but a hand gripped the back of my shirt and yanked me back.
The man.
He slammed me against the wall. My ears rang.
"You think you're clever, huh?! Walking around here like a little whore…."
He hit me.
A hot flash across my face. My vision doubled.
Then another.
And another.
I tasted blood.
My knees buckled. I was slipping.
His hands gripped my jaw. "You rich little bitch….where do you think you're running to, huh?!"
I wanted to scream, but it came out as a choked sob.
I was going to pass out.
But then….I saw an opening.
He got too close.
I drew up all the strength I had, pulled my knee back, and slammed it into his groin with everything I had left.
He screamed.
I didn't wait.
I ran again.
Blindly.
My body felt like it wasn't even mine anymore. I was dizzy. My mouth was bleeding. My shoulder burned from where he scraped me on the wall. I couldn't even hear straight.
But then…
Then I saw it.
The lights.
The shape of the trees. The distant roof of the gate security hut.
Home.
I sobbed.
"DAMIRRR!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, sprinting toward the metal gate. "DAMIR!! IT'S ME!!! ELI!!!"
I was banging on the iron, screaming until my throat hurt.
"DAMIRRRR!!! PLEASE!!! HELP ME!!!"
I could barely stand. My arms were shaking. The pain in my ribs….unbearable.
And then….
A heat.
A sting.
Like fire cutting into my shoulder from behind.
Something sharp sank into me.
I screamed.
Right at that same moment…..
The gate creaked open.
And there he was.
Damir.
Running.
His face pale,eyes wide.
Mouth open, shouting my name.
I reached a hand toward him.
And then….
Everything went blur.