At first, I couldn't understand why I had woken up - then I felt the icy fingers close around my wrist . I struggled to stand and saw the sun shining in it's horizon, my head was banging and I had no idea how and why I was laying there . The last thing that was on my mind was the nun at the orphanage telling me to move out , that they can no longer look for a home for me and I had outgrown my stay. I had to depend on myself and with no qualifications they didnt find me work or a place to stay. My head ached even more , I looked back and saw nothing but woods and then I started walking slowly while trying to pull myself together. I had walked for an hour when I came across a barn , " hello! Is anybody here?" I yelled and yet no answer.. There was a tiny house besides it and I knocked but still no answer, I pushed the door open and walked around ,it looked deserted. The electricity was still on and so was the water and the furniture looked new with a traditional design . After checking the inside ,I checked the barn and no animal was there except for a white horse that looked well taken care of and besides it was a basket of carrots and other vegetables. I moved closer and opened the stall to touch it , it was delicate and smelled nice . " Who's your owner big guy? ". I stroked it's head then headed back inside, took a shower and laid down in the bedroom.
Loud banging noises and screams woke me up . I panicked as I realized they where coming from this particular house and I hid in the closet ,panting and panicking and trying not to make any sound . I whispered to myself "of course this house had an owner. How can someone leave such a nice decor in the middle of nowhere". Then I heard voices outside " until I get back do not try leaving or causing me any trouble do you get!" A man's voice shouted and I heard a woman whimpering then the door closed and locks then cars left. I came out and looked outside the window and at a distance I saw 4 SUVs driving away from the house. I started checking the house and in the kitchen I heard sobs, soft sobs and a voice said " who is -their?" , The voice was shaky and a woman around my age or slightly older came out from behind the counter, she'd bruises on her face , arms and legs , she wore a white dress that was half torn and had blood splatters on it and she wore no shoes , she was shaking and looked tired and overwhelmed. " I'm sorry to barge in." I said . She looked around checking all the windows in the house then said " you better leave before they come back. Your not safe here ." She grabbed my arm and took me to the back door " please go!". I pushed her hand away and moved back ,while scared she said " you don't know what you're getting yourself into . These people are dangerous and if they find you here they'll kill you" . " I've no place to go!" I shouted " I used to live in the orphanage downtown but they chased me out and now I'm completely homeless". She walked back into the kitchen and said " that orphanage burned down last night. All the children died and nuns too" she sighed " how did you survive?" She narrowed her eyes at me and I quickly washed my face by the sink " I don't know" I shrugged" I know I'm a stranger but please help me out ". " How do I know you didn't burn it down?" She asked. " I'm better than those men mistreating you" I said. " Okay fine theirs a basement below the house you can hide out there until you get back on your feet. They don't check it out". She boiled some water and made tea then showed me the basement, it was like a bombshelter with a bed , a tv and some basic essentials . " Stay away from the upstairs when you hear them . I'm Cassidy by the way" she smiled. " Mar..... Ocean, my name is Ocean".
Cassidy talking about the burning orphanage brought back memories that I chose to forget on purpose . I saw myself standing in front of the orphanage, hearing all the children screaming and the nuns praying outloud , all windows shut and doors trapped and I smiled and everything after that is a blur. The door opened " you wanna go to the fields with me " Cassidy asked. I nodded and she handed me a fresh bunch of clothes and I quickly freshened up and joined her outside. She had her horse and she looked better than yesterday, with her hair tied back and her bruises covered up as if nothing had happened. We started walking towards the corn and rice fields. " I thought they locked us inside" I said. She just smiled at me and said nothing then I added " who are they anyway?". " His my fiance" she gasped " Colley Patel ". Everyone knew Colley Patel, a wealthy business tycoon and some said he was a mafia , the man was truelly dangerous as he had his own bad qualities but was never caught and nothing linked him to the murders they accused him of . I looked at Cassidy and said " aren't you happy to be with him ? " . " Would you love someone who took away everything from you ?" She said blankly and sounded a little hurt, something in her voice didn't seem right as she'd changed her tone. We reached the fields and started picking corn then some vegetables and in a distance we heard cars coming. " Go hide Ocean". I saw fear in her eyes , I quickly ran down the rice field circling it while going back to the house and she put her basket on the horse and walked majestically. I got in from the back and squeezed myself in the kitchen drawers then footsteps approached and then stopped near me . " I saw you with someone" a man's voice said . " I was alone with my horse " then the tap started running " sit down and I will quickly make something for you" . " Well you behaved yourself " the man laughed and sat on the counter top . " Do I've a choice " Cassidy said as she opened the drawer and saw me , I smiled and she quickly closed it " go in the living room and I will bring the food there when it's ready " . " No I want to watch you make it ". Half an hour of me sitting in their and getting claustrophobic with them just having small talks . She finished and led him to the living room and came back to open the drawer , she whispered " of all places you chose the kitchen? Why not the barn? ". I crawled out and said " I panicked". She handed me a plate of food and told me to go to the basement quietly. It seemed forever and I was getting bored in their , I took a peek of the kitchen then made way for the barn . I grabbed the horses strap and gently led it outside heading for the fields and rode it . As it passed the corn fields , I felt the warm breeze on my face and I felt alive and care free,it was like I was leaving everything behind to start fresh and just be allowed to be me . I let go of the handles and spread my hands , tilting my head backwards and let nature ran it's beautiful masterpiece through my body and a moment of greatness is always ruined,there was a loud ringing sound and as if set on auto pilot , the horse ran back to the house disobeying every kick and order I gave it . I jumped off and started running back to the fields and the men where behind me on their motorcycles. I was tackled from behind with a large fishing like net and carried on one of the motorcycles back to the house, I saw Cassidy crying and begging him to let me go but he just sat there staring as they put me down and took the net off. He stood up and said " stand" I started breathing heavily in fear and he shouted " I said STAND!". I stood up immediately trying so hard not to whimper or show any weakness . He then walked in circles admiring me and whispering something to his men in Spanish, he signaled them and I was carried to the bedroom and in a distance I heard Cassidy say " she's just 18 please let her go and deal with me " . " You should have thought of that before you hid her here" he said . " She has no place to go . She's homeless" I heard her sobbing. Then footsteps approached and it was him, he took off his shirt and kept his gun on the side table then said ' take off your clothes " . Tears where already rolling down my innocent cheeks and I did as I was told . A few men where also in there holding guns while others stood in the living room with Cassidy making sure her attempts where in vain. He told me to lay flat on the bed and close my eyes , I felt his cold fingers on my inner thighs and I cried as he slid them inside of me , took them out then raped me and when he was done the remaining men in the room did the same . It went on for sometime and after it was over , I locked myself inside the bathroom and noticed the windows where all blocked from the inside and outside. The words ' observe,obey, survive' kept circling back in my head but I couldn't help but cry out loud.
I woke up to soft rain sounds and Cassidy's voice singing as she moved about the house. To her all this seemed normal, I opened the bathroom door and saw her in the kitchen baking, to my feet I saw fresh clothes and a sweater . I quickly ran to the basement and changed then held on to my lighter , the same one I had the day I woke up with a headache,the day the orphanage burned. I put it in my pockets when Cassidy arrived. " You wanna join me in the fields today " she asked while smiling. " Haven't you harvested enough" I glared at her . She chuckled softly then said "it's a big field and I'm all alone , theirs so much to do". I nodded to her and we both headed for the fields picked the remaining tomatoes and veggies and I noticed the outer skates, it looked like a lake or river was down there with more fields and lots of trees . I turned to Cassidy and said " why didn't you help me yesterday?" . Her face went blank but I knew she meant no harm , she stared at the outer skates then said " I used to go there with my father and the day he died he told me to not give up on myself and always stay true to what I know " . " What does that have to do with me ???" I asked. " Your a strong woman Ocean, you can help yourself no matter what" I felt her heavy warm breath as she struggled to keep it steady and she continued " I was never strong like you and I will help you escape just do me one favour" she sighed heavy and put the basket down "do not tell anyone what you witnessed here " . She the baskets on the horse and we headed back . I was silent the whole way and upon reaching we found Colley and his men on the verandah, he stood up and led the horse to the barn while Cassidy brought the baskets inside, I followed to the kitchen and made sure I was always behind her . He later came and smiled at the both of us " aren't we a happy family " he stroked Cassidy's hair . I got annoyed and clenched my fists hoping I get a chance to pounce on him but Cassidy's warm smile cooled me down. " So did you like kidnap us ??" I said hesitantly while avoiding eye contact. He laughed and sat on the dining " this isn't kidnap , you came on your own ". " Then why can't I leave ?" I moved closer to him . " Everyone knows you survived Oceans Mary , they know you burned down that orphanage,the moment you leave they'll get you " he angrily said " I'm keeping you safe , I'm protecting you" he shouted. " Oceans Mary???" Cassidy said with a suprised face , she let go of the knife she was holding and headed for her room and we both followed. She took out a photo album and showed me a picture of my mom and dad on there wedding,I held it and tears rolled down. " Your mom and my dad where related . They never abandoned you" Cassidy said as she teared up and offered me her hands , I embraced and within tears said " then what happened? Why didn't they come back?" I said. She just cried and held on to me tightly and I knew Colley Patel had something to do with this . " Go make dinner now " Colley pushed Cassidy down and dragged her to the kitchen . I followed and watched as she wiped her tears and transformed her sad face into her usual joyful self, that's what Colley wanted a nice environment without any trace of abuse or anything and I was going to take him down . After eating I asked Cassidy to put me to bed while Colley stayed in their room , we went to the basement and Cassidy locked the door " don't show him that you figured " . I nodded and said " I noticed . Thank you so much Cassidy" I hugged her . She took out a necklace with a key ,put it round my neck and left without saying a word.
I heard screams of Cassidy crying and begging followed by pounding, panting and panicking with wheezing breathing then silence . I ran to the door but it was locked , I started pounding on it and searching for something to open with but to no use then I heard Colley say " trash this place down if you must but find her and bring her to me immediately" then footsteps retreated and then cars . For some hours I heard them bang and drop things as I remained hidden and then I remembered the key chain on my neck , I sighed in relief and made sure they where gone and came out . The whole place was in ruins and Cassidy lay on the floor bleeding, I rushed to her and knelt down " Cassidy! Cassidy! You're gonna be ok " I said with tears as my only hope was now gone . She gasped for air , smiled then say " I may not be there but always smile Mary, you'll get what you want by smiling" . " No Cassidy don't die on me " I stood up rushed to the barn and hot the horse , put Cassidy on and headed for town . It was starting to rain Abit and she was loosing more blood every minute by the time we got there the nurses pronounced her dead . I held back my tears and smiled and took off with the horse not knowing where to go or what to do next but fully aware of who I was gonna be this time . Not a ran away .
