BURNING PASSION

low and menacing as they spoke to one another in a language I couldn't understand. Sophia's hand gripped my arm, her nails

de my bones creak, and I gasped in pain as he yanked me away from Sophia. Her voice, high with fear, reached my ears

ther and mock us. One of them shoved a coarse black sack over my head. The fabric scraped against my skin like sandpaper, stifli

Russian accent--growled, "Ah, she hit me!" A moment later, a punch landed in my stomach, and the air rushed out of my lungs

m. The only sounds were the heavy thud of their boots and the muffled voices that I coul

distant voice echoed through the darkness. My leg chains were unlocked, but my hands remained bound. They hauled me along, speaking Russian. I saw the faint outline of Cyrillic letters on a sign. The sound of distan

ssi

aughter and shouts were muffled, but their malicious intent was unmistakable, like a cold wind that sent shivers down my s

ir. My legs buckled beneath me, weak from the rough handling, and I was shoved up a set of creaky stairs that gr

, high window let in just enough light to cast deep shadows, and the air was thick with the smell of mildew, stale sweat, and something more sinister-something I couldn't quite name.

ows, small and hunched, like a wounded animal. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, my mi

other occupant. Through the moonlight, I saw a small stainless plate on the floor, l

e a bird taking flight. "You

was smaller than me, but she carried herself like a fighter, as though she was used to survival. Her eyes bored into mine, and I immediately

g shut. "Stay away from me, weirdo, unless you want

her. The last thing I needed was another enemy. Her lip curled into a

ess in her, a fierceness that sent a chill down my spine. She wasn't going to b

ng hunger that clawed at me. Sleep refused to come, and the darkness around me seemed to press in even harder as the hour

decay wafted through the air, mingling with the stench of sweat and fear. I gazed around, taking in the drab s

ke me, she wasn't shackled. Her net-like clothes clung to her body, exposing her bruised neck and tattooed legs. A pink-tinted lock of hair

p staring at me, or you'll find your eyes on the ground," she g

udden urge of fear that flooded me. "Someo

venom. "What did you say?" she demanded,

spoken my thoughts aloud. "-I'm s

d shooting out to grab my arm. "You better s

rm back, my patience at its breaking point. "Alright," I s

cheeks reddening as she leaned

her face. She stumbled back, eyes wide in shock as a red mark blossomed on her cheek. Just as she was about to pounce, the door cre

sound sharp and frantic. One of the men approached me, unlocking the chains around my wrists with a g

the roughness of the chai

psychopath," I said, trying to

ft. I was alone once again, my thoughts swirl

ed up, making my stomach growl with hunger. I hesitated, wondering if it was poisoned, but my body betrayed me, and I devoured the food like a starving

one of them barked in his thick Russian accent. I attempted to struggle, but their grip was unyielding. With a man on either side, their hold on my arms like a vice, I reluctantly obeyed and followed them out of the cell. There was no escape, no hope. The passa

d to my right, completely naked, with another maid holding towels and dressed in the same attire. A girl cried while bathing in front of me, her sobs echoing off the tile walls. The men pushed me forward, and then a maid approached me. "Remove your clothes," she ord

new they wouldn't hesitate to kill me if I delayed. So I reluctantly removed my clothes and showere

and I wrapped it around my shivering body, the fabric rough against my skin. I followed her to a dressing room-like