The Devil's Game 1

tch of misery. During the next three days, Ayra ca

d in her corner

t the most likable of people - but the fact that Ayra's father had a

turned to Lucian and her imp

cold certainty in his voice. Lucian ha

han another business deal to Lucian. This t

an idealized view of her marria

over the contract. She studied ev

on her ass and cry

dense. Hence, a major in Liberal arts like Ayra could

as mutually beneficial to bo

to secure Ayra's autonomy or ri

ract if Lucian and Aura divorced

to serve Lucian divorce p

her life, her freedom, everything

ght for four days. Her eyes burning from lack

oing anything else felt like

way out; to break free from the approaching gloom

f what awaited Ayra on that day and after was enou

into a corner and ran

hts of marrying the Director sent shiv

n the past four days, her waking hou

ice raspy from days of sob

as it was booted on. The soothing melody of a s

d the upbeat tune immediatel

sleep. When the lyrics of the song's chorus regist

me, C

un to the w

are blue and your

naline-boosting her. Ayra reached for the co

ntract did not have many terms - but she read it o

ts in the air. A cheerful cry of victo

es! Dam

all but abandoned her the mom

the sharp edge of betrayal and

w there wa

re was no explicit mention of confinement. No writ

yrus family and hers-if she somehow fell off the face of the ear

noticed it? He was easily

along and simply expected he

hadenfreude. Oh, she

might be able to slip away before

ine through her veins, the first s

28

da

ot given her that deadl

s, did not believe his 'property' could g

spinning with possibilities. Where c

nnections, no friends who wouldn't ask qu

when he sold her off like some ki

d spikes of betrayal and hurt. This thought had b

pushed the emotions aside. It wa

e needed was to be smart, careful, and

fcase it came with, her hands tremblin

.

ound out by the next morning. Good

been an increase in the house

as due to the deal betwe

ife. Ayra could spot more than one or two suspicious fig

a was used to. Their eyes steely and steps mor

hey were to keep thieves out. She could easily infer th

gaze flicking to the small bag in the

it would have to be tonight. N

pulling at it in frustration. She

rt was off the table as her father could track her

stayed, Lucian would come. And w

ials: clothes, toothbrush, some cash - anythin

journey to throw her father off. She backed up her import

the phone and tossed it into the trash. It had cost a p

ved around her room and she de

ress down on her with every passing mi

ple as walking out the door and disappearing.

nections - things that could track

athetic showing, she knew he was terr

he would find her. But Ayra wa

slipped out the door-the hallw

and the darkness outside felt l

ded louder with every step. This was it. Ayr

ards she met within the house with

gauging, but she disregarded them

o view, she went down a side corridor. She j

ang from the first floor-right beneath

ed a guard facing away from th

indow, slid silently down the overhang,

her feet, and Ayra lay flat on the groun

erest and Ayra got to he

her hand; she didn't believe she coul

.

ock when she stepped outside. The cit

ing into the crowd of pedestri

de her way down the street. Her lips threat

rd had seen her in the end, they hadn't been

icket should throw her father o

ushed her way into the fi

, but with the weather being in the middle

and drove for almost an hour b

son she felt she could trust. The phone ra

Ayra's best fr

, it's Ayr

? Is everyt

arely above a whisper. "I need to ge

Wait,

lain later. I jus

are you? I'll co

reet and found a sig

I'm in the phone

ht. I'll be there in..

nk y

g up and

ter, someone knoc

Not the call itself but who y

rly through the frosted glass, she would rec

t plan i

knew Sarah