I walk into the kitchen cautiously, still very much aware of Axels emotional fragility.

Dana is sitting at the cheap wooden table, legs pressed together and her hands are balled up in the fabric which is being held tightly against her waist.

Her hair is covering her face like a shield and my fingers twitch with the need to tuck it behind her ears to show her beautiful face.
But I can more than understand why she'd want to hide from these men so I leave her.

I lean next to the doorway silently. Neither of them notice I'm in the room yet and so I remain unseen and survey Axel.

He is a hulking man.
He's nowhere near as physically fit as Rosik but his sheer size makes up for the lack of muscle.

Axel is the kind of guy that needs to duck into doorways and physically can't sit without taking up both armrests.
He has stubble growing but I can tell that it's due to lack of self-care and not as a personal look.
It's patchy in places and unevenly shaved across his side-burns.
His light brown hair is tied back in a messy bun like usual but even from here I can tell how oily it is.

This man really is just a pig in human skin.

Now it's Axel turn to fiddle with the camera which is precariously on the stand and facing in Dana's direction. From his creased eyebrows I can tell that technology isn't his strong suit as he continues to jab his thick finger at the petite, cheap camera.

While I'm disappointed that Axel wasn't stupid enough to let Dana actually call her Dad I'm not shocked by any means.

This could still work to our advantage if Dana could think of something to say to hint at our whereabouts.

However as soon as that scheme crosses my mind I toss it aside.
What clues could we possibly offer?
In the country side?
In an abandoned farm house?
Or even better surrounded by bush lands?

I'm sure they'll find us in no time.

"Right. I think that's set up. Now do you remember what I told you? This isn't a live stream so if you deter off the script then I'm just going to start again." Axel promises with a raised eyebrow and Dana finally pushes some hair behind her ears and stares at the camera with a firm nod.

Returning that nod with far less energy Axel clicks a final button and steps back from the camera mouthing the words 'action' and letting a smirk lift his lips slightly.

I remain by the door but hunch over slightly as soon as Dana begins her speech.
Each word punching me harder and harder in the gut.

"Dad I love you so, so much. I'm doing okay and so is Katie. We have been taken to be sold elsewhere and I-I need you to stop looking for u-us."
Tears begin streaming down Dana's face and mirroring Dana my own tears fall, the treacherous drops soon drip off of my cheeks.

"You w-won't hear from us again so stop t-trying. If you don't remove all our pictures from the media then the p-people who have us will provide you with new photo's to post of u-us. Photos that you don't want to see."
I bristle slightly at the choice of threat and glare at Axel's back as he stares intently at the camera screen.

It's hard to resist the urge to run towards the front of the camera and start calling out to my loved ones.

I experience a brief moment of jealousy as Dana pours her heart and soul into her message.
Her eyes contradicting the message and begging to be helped.

I want a moment to be vulnerable, I want a moment to pour out my heart and demand all the support that I know I need.

I don't want to be responsible and I don't want Dana's life to rest on my shoulders.     

But instead I remain frozen against the doorway, unflinching and my face impressively clear of any emotion.
I'm sure I look exhausted.

"So this is our goodbye. I-I love you so much but you are only making it worse by trying to find us. I'm sorry."
Dana finally chokes out before concaving in on herself and burying her face into her arms.

Axel silently clicks the screen before voicing anything, why can't these two be dumber?

"Cut! Bravo darling, quality acting there. I'm sure you'll touch the hearts of many." Axel quips before unpacking the camera.

He turns around and not looking shocked in the slightest to see me all he does is squint with disgust before stomping past me and out the door, lugging the stand behind him.

I watch him stalk out of the room for a moment, until his retreating back disappears around the lounge corner.
I can practically hear the dark thoughts swirling around his brain.

Banishing any facial signs of jealousy I turn back to find Dana staring at the back door with such unguarded hope and desperation that I'm surprised that the door hasn't crumbled under the pressure.

Hair and sheets flying Dana wastes no time in flinging herself out of her chair, tears still moist on her skin and she dives manically for the handle.

I follow her footsteps, right behind her, mirroring her actions.

Just as Dana reaches out for the handle I reach my shaking hand out as well but instead of feeling the cool knob of freedom I feel and clench Dana's wrist tightly.
I can feel her pulse beating erratically and her panting is heavy as another wave of tears film over her eyes.

The hot tears make her glare near striking and I for the first time in my life avoid my cousins gaze and instead of letting her go I softly drag her back to her chair.

Dana slumps after me, her hurt leaving her utterly devastated and I can't help but be grateful for her compliance. After Dana is back in her chair I take the vacant chair next to her and finally raise my blue orbs up to her slightly darker ones.

"We have one shot." I whisper and search deep within her expression. Needing her to understand, begging her to forgive.

We can't be flippant about our escape, we need to ensure that both the men will be away long enough to give us a worthy head-start.

"How could y-" Dana chokes out as her swirling eyes grow fierce and I'm taken aback by the feral look.

Dana is changing.

However before Dana could retaliate Axel rushes back into the room looking startled.

Presuming that he remembered that he left his prisoners unguarded in an unlocked room he looks equally shocked and fearful as he bolts into the room and spots us at the table, the atmosphere tense.

I slowly drag my eyes down his form and I'm unsettled but not surprised to find his gun clenched tightly in his meaty fist.

I swallow audibly before clearing my throat.
I can still feel Dana's glare and for the first time in my life I actually feel awkward around my cousin.

"What are we making for breakfast? We're hungry." I question slowly, still making a point of staring at the gun and hope that Dana follows my eye-line.
Surely that will show her why we can't just go running into the field.
We would be caught instantly.

"I'm not hungry. Can I have a shower?" Dana grits out and I fight the urge to bristle at her tone.

Axel is staring between us quizzically, he can tell that something big has happened while he has been out and if anything he looks disappointed about missing out of the drama.

"Fine. Rosik will be back with your.. Stuff soon. Don't stain anything while you're in there." Axel commands before pointing down the hallway with a tired sigh.

Dana quickly stands from her seat and slides out of the kitchen.
I stare sadly after her figure and Axel follows her form with his own eyes before the sound of the bathroom door closing harshly pierces the air.

"Teenagers." Axel mutters under his breath and I'm sure it's my overall exhaustion and hysteria but I can help but chuckle lightly at what he said.

"Don't you start. You're a whole other kind of trouble." Axel firmly points out but all I do is shrug in neither agreement nor disagreement.

I allow my body to sag in my chair and rest my head on the palm of my hand while my arm props on the table.
While Axels company is never desired it so far has been safer than Rosiks.

Perhaps it's Axels one clear goal of earning cash or the evident exhaustion which clearly matches my own.
Either way I understand Axel far better than Rosik.
He's a simpler person and I have a much easier chance at exploiting him.

"Can I make pancakes?"

"No." Axel replies instantly and I'm taken aback, all this brute does is demand food.

"Okay.. Why?" I question after I realise that he isn't going to elaborate willingly anytime soon.

Instead of answering Axel stomps over to the table and not wanting to look too fearful I remain still as Axel takes the seat across from me.
He places the gun back in the side loop of his pants and I'm grateful not to be looking at it any longer.

"Are you scared of me?" Axel questions suddenly and I drag my eyes up which were originally following the trail of the gun and I now face Axel.

I remain quiet  for a few moments as I actually consider his question.
Yes I feel safer with Axel, less spontaneous things happen when Axel is in the room.

However I'd be stupid to say that I trust him more or like him more.
They are both as bad as each other and yet the longer I ponder the less I'm able to actually dredge up any real fear for him.

I fear Rosik for what he threatens to take away from me.
Axel is sticking to his delivery job, nothing more, nothing less.

"I.. Fear the gun." I finally decide on replying with and Axel creases his eyebrows in confusion.
Obviously not liking my answer.

"Every girl in the past has been downright terrified of me. I was practically a god to them. Yet you two.. something is off about you both.
Your cousin cries all the time and is so fucking annoying but even she isn't scared of me." Axel vents and I clench my hands under the table, his words disgusting me like usual.

When I get out of here I'm going to make sure that every girl that either of these men have transported will get found.
I won't forget about them.

"You are both too cocky. Words aren't enough to keep you in place and starving you apparently is out of the question.. You two are ruining the system." Axel blames and I shake my head in disbelief.

"You call that a system? That's abuse! There is no system to abuse, you just cause mindless pain and manipulate young girls instead of facing whatever is broken inside of you." I burst out and throw my hands in his direction, gesturing to his entire mass.

"Nothing is broken inside of me!"
Axel shoots back and I roll my eyes and lean back in the chair, cringing as it squeaks.

"You and I both know that's a fucking lie but we both also know that I'd rather bang my head on this table than hear about your sob back-story."
At this Axel surprisingly smirks and I struggle to figure out what was amusing about what I said.

"It must take a broken person to recognise another and trust me when I say that I feel exactly the same way. One crying girl is enough."

"Have you ever stopped and actually tried to understand, or even empathise with a crying person? Or do you get a sick sense of pleasure from mocking others?" I question instead of shouting various insults that bite into my tongue.

My desire to defend Dana even when she isn't in the room is hard to ignore.

"Women are good for one thing and that is pleasing a man. I don't need to know how to please a dude so why would I bother trying to understand a woman?" Axel replies and I stare at him blankly for a few moments, waiting for a smirk or a crack of a grin.

But he remains serious and my heart actually hurts at the poisonous words that both men have ingested and believe.
Wherever they train the workers must be absolutely horrific.

Suddenly Axel lifts the gun up again and points it in my direction, resting on the weak wood.

I freeze and feel my mind struggle to understand Axels constantly flickering emotions and motives.
He has the mindset of a four year old.

"Axel, wh-what are you doing?"
I question putting my hands up and keep my eyes glued on the gun which is alarmingly stable.

"You see, one thing I understand is human nature. Humans are all the same deep down. Absolute filth. This whole protecting my family with my life shit isn't sitting well with me."
Vaguely I hear the gravel at the front of the house crunch and I know Axel hears the incoming car as he leans closer over the table.

"You need to stop thinking you're a hero. You're not getting your happily ever after and your humanity is a charade." I'm sure my eyes are as wide as saucers but I still refuse to blink as the gun is practically shoved in my face.

Axels words are ringing in my head but they are blurry and hard to catch.
Like a hose on mist spray, they trickle away.

"I'm giving you until tomorrow night to make a decision. Both you and your cousin are getting us in trouble with base and screwing everything up.
One of you has to go and you and I know who should go. This tape won't deter her Father, but her body will."

I jerk back to life and forgetting the gun I stumble out of my chair and slam my back against the wall, disgust filling my veins.

"No! I won't let you!" I spit out and Axel quickly rises and walks over to my shaking form, the door handle now being unlocked at the front door.

"Both of you aren't going to Russia. Her fate is in your hands and trust me when I say that leaving her with her family is merciful."

"Rosik doesn't know about your change of plans does he?" I choke out as Rosik finally enters the house, humming a low song.

"Tell him and I'll just have to kill you both. Rosik hasn't been transporting Australian girls for as long as I have. He is still learning to steel himself. Make your decision by tomorrow night."
Axel grits out and really cementing his words he presses the gun roughly against my stomach momentarily before tucking the gun away again and sitting back down.

I remain frozen on the spot.

Rosik walks into the kitchen and completely ignores Axel who is still staring pointedly at my shaking form.

I don't look at Rosik but from the corner of my eye I watch him stumble to a halt as he notices my state.

"D-Did you get the stuff?" I ask softly and lazily trail my eyes over to the big brown bag clenched in his hand.

Judging by the time he was gone I'm quite relieved to know that there must be a grocery store under fifteen
minutes away by car.
The bush lands around us must be thin in some places and lead to the town.

"Yes I did. Kitty what's wrong?" I don't even have it in me to shudder at his nickname.

Instead I push off the wall and keeping my gaze down I grasp the bag and muttering a quiet thanks I glide out of the room down to the bathroom which I can still vaguely hear water running from.

I turn the corner, free from the oppressive gazes and taking advantage of the water in the background I allow it to mask my sound as I drop the bag and soon my body follows as I crumble into a heap on the musty floor.

Help us.
Somebody.
Anybody.
Please.