"No! Just no." Dana yells out after she's finished her sandwich and I twist and turn my hands harshly in front of me due to nerves.

I waited until Dana had eaten before telling her of my plan to go upstairs and judging by her pale expression I hope the food stays down for her sake.

"Dana..." I begin softly and I take a seat next to her at the table, I attempt to grasp her hand in my own but she places them firmly in her lap.

"No Katie! You're not allowed away from this floor without Rosik."
Dana obviously points out and I nod slowly in understanding before attempting to ease her again.

"He won't even know I'm gone. I promise. I'm just going up to talk to some of the others, get some more evidence and then I'll be straight back here." I explain, I don't want Dana to know about the plan simmering away upstairs.

I don't want to add more stress to my cousin.

"You shouldn't be leaving me."
Dana points out and I avert my eyes to the ground for a moment, her words tugging at my heart painfully.

"She's not leaving you. No need to be so dramatic. We're all as scared of that Russian maniac as you are. She'll be just be a few minutes." Paris interjects and Dana tenses, not appreciating the side input.

"Dramatic?! What will be dramatic is Rosiks punishment for me when he finds me down here alone. The punishment he'll give you two for taking his precious kitty away without his say will be dramatic. We will all pay for her bloody curiosity."

Dana seethes and not being able to handle my worried gaze Dana shoves herself away from the table and begins making her way out of the door.

"Do we need to lock you in a room to make sure you don't rat on us?"
Paris calls out, blocking Dana's exit and I quickly stand up.

"Go on then. Dig your grave deeper." Dana spits and the atmosphere is tense in the room as I quickly make my way over to them.

"Stop it. The both of you. I'm an adult, I make my own decisions and if Rosik does find out then only I will be dealing with him. But I'm trusting my instincts. I'm asking you to trust me and that's it Dana, you won't be involved in any other way." I cut in and giving Paris a stern look she shrugs and steps aside allowing Dana to leave the room.

"Dana?" I call out as her retreating figure heads down the hallway and I wait for her answer.

"I'm going to my bathroom. I'm trusting my experience and I know for a fact that Rosik can't beat me up too much in there. There isn't enough space to swing." She calls out blandly and I feel fury boil my blood at the thought of Rosik daring to hurt my cousin.

The only thing that keeps me focused is the knowledge that he is going to pay for everything he has done, this time he won't be getting away.

I remain standing there with my fists clenched right up until my cousin slams her bedroom door shut before my shoulders sag.

I feel a small hand weave into my left palm and I gratefully smile down at Mia who returns the smile.

"Let's go." I say sternly and Paris leads the way to the elevator.

She hesitates for a moment before digging into her outfit once more, producing the key card with a shaking hand.
Before she places the card on the screen I place my free hand on top of her own.

"I won't let Rosik hurt you again."
I promise glancing sadly at her swollen cheek and Paris rolls her eyes as she beeps the card, the door opening instantly.

"That was nothing. You really have no idea what kind of power he has around here. There are so many ways to make a person suffer... I'm lucky to still have my tongue after that comment."
Paris explains and I remain silent as we enter the elevator, her words highlighting a side to Rosik that I still have yet to meet.

I know he's a monster, I know he's done unspeakable and unthinkable horrors to thousands and yet the most pain I've seen him inflict on another person firsthand is, as terrible as it sounds, a few slaps and punches.

I've heard so much about this man and yet I've seen and experienced so little.

Everything towards me is sexually charged, his obsession while dangerous has not yet proven to be life-threatening and I know deep down that Rosik plans to keep me until he dies. Perhaps then he'll end my life, on his deathbed, just to ensure he can trap me in whatever afterlife he believes in.

What a bleak thought.

I underestimate this beast.
But that doesn't make my hatred for him any less potent.

He has filled me with loathing for what he has done to my family, being away from him only proved that the resentment festers in me whether he's there or not.

Simply knowing he's alive is not acceptable for my mental health.
Before this, all of this. I never got angry, never thought violent thoughts, I barely thought of insults and look at me now.

What would teen Katherine think of herself now?
I've already killed a person...
What have I allowed this man to turn me into?

While I'm kept silent by my thoughts both the girls with me remain silent out of panic as the elevator pulls itself up a floor terrorisingly slow.

Mia hops from foot to foot and keeps her grip firmly around my hand while Paris takes deep, lung filling breaths before releasing them with a 'whoosh' after a few seconds.

"You're not going to like what you see. But you can't make any comments about it do you understand me?
Keep your head low and your mouth shut until we tell you it's safe. It's early, so the chances of bumping into a guest is low but we still have our regulars." Paris hurriedly explains as the machine grinds to a halt and I don't have a chance to answer before the doors open with a friendly ding.

My eyes drop to the ground instantly as Mia and Paris both loop their arms through mine and begin dragging me down the hall.

The first thing I notice is the lighting.
Contrasting the bright, fluorescent lighting on the bottom floor the lighting up here is dim with an orange undertone.

Mushroom shaped light fixtures cover the hall but as we pass them I notice that you rarely come across two next to each other that work.
The hall branches off on either side of the doors, both ends looking the same except for the infrequent lighting and I find myself slightly marvelled by the length of this floor.
It must stretch from one side of the ship to the other.

Next I notice the smell and the lack of sounds. Paris wasn't kidding when she said this is their quiet time.
Not a soul can be seen or heard and for that I'm grateful.

I don't know if I could stand back idly if I was confronted with the horrors that night must bring for these poor people.

The smell however is prominent.

The place reeks of bodily fluid, including worryingly the scent of dried blood.
I don't allow my thoughts to lurk over the scent for too long as we pass a bathroom door and glancing in I see gritty tiles and a wall filled with showers.

No doors in sight as a few girls wash themselves robotically.
Not even bothering to glance up as we scurry by.

"The ring leaders will all be planning in a bedroom coming up." Paris murmurs and two girls begin walking down the hall towards us.

I can't help but glance up and assess their features as their gazes stare blankly ahead.

Both of the girl are blonde and are skin and bones.
Their flesh only gaining warmth from the lighting and my eyebrows furrow as I notice their dilated pupils.

Is that how they keep the girls under control?

However my question is answered the moment the girls wander past as Paris notices my stare.

"They choose that. The drugs. The guests bring whatever they want down here and most of us will take what we can get. If it's one less nightmare then we'll pay the price later." Paris explains and I fight the judgemental look off of my face.

I have no right to judge these women, I have no idea what's its like to be in their shoes.
Or lack thereof I duly note as I notice my company are both shoeless.

We pause outside a door that's a dark wood and the handle itself has no lock as Paris easily turns it smoothly without knocking.

However just before we push it open the door from the next room suddenly opens and Mia gasps as a man stumbles out.

Paris lets go of the handle as if it's burnt her and the girls naturally shuffle in front of me while I fight to keep my gaze trained to the ground.

The man doesn't notice us for quite sometime as he closes the door behind him and begins buttoning up his shirt.

I tentatively glance up and I'm disgusted by the satisfied smirk over his dark features and the various lipstick stains seeping into his flesh.

His pants are on backwards I notice and I wish this situation could be turned comical however the anxiety keeps the hallway throbbing.

"Oh hello ladies." The man finally grumbles out, his voice surprisingly low and my eyes drop down once more as he flashes his teeth at the three of us.

Paris remains silent and I follow suit as the man leers at us and I feel sweat prickle at the back of my neck as he continues to search us.
All I can hope is that he hasn't seen me upstairs with Rosik, getting caught is not an option.

"What, no hello? Ouch loves, surely those pretty lips work..." The man teases and he reaches down and roughly squeezes Mia's cheeks together causing a soft whimper to burst out of her.

The man tilts her head either side and I feel bile crawl up my throat as he licks his lips.

I can't help but take a step forward, my fists clenched and ready to swing but Paris takes a step at the same time, blocking me once again.

"I don't know about these gals. But I was utterly speechless... You took me by surprise..." Paris calls out in a voice that is soft and the man is instantly captured by her sultry comment.

"Mm is that so? Well I have plenty more surprises in store for you hot stuff." The man groans and I cautiously reach out and clasp onto Mia's small arm, tugging her backwards and firmly by my side.

"Well let me show you to my room...
I don't share." She airily jokes and my eyes are wide as she casually sways up to the man and links her arm in his own.

Paris begins tugging him down the hall, even going so far as to giggle when his hand finds her ass.
I'm left feeling utterly shocked, disgusted and guilty for putting her through this.

But my respect for her only grows as she finally sashays into a room that I'm assuming is her own.
Her spirit is stronger than mine.
She's a true hero.

Once the door clicks shut Mia tugs my arm and following her direction she opens the door and pulls us into the dim room with power that I didn't expect.

Her grip travels to my wrist and stays there as the door shuts behind us and I notice her frown and clenched grip, understanding her frustration of the hell she's been surviving.

"Who the hell are you?" A sharp, high pitched voice calls out and my gaze snaps to the double bed in the centre of the room.

Sitting on the ground at the foot of the bed I see a small circle of girls, all of their gazes hard and unwelcoming.

Their bodies are stiff and all of them are avoiding so much as leaning on the bed and it doesn't take me too long to figure out why.
I'd be surprised if they even slept in their beds.

There are six girls in total.

Their ages all appear to be around my age although their health is contrasting mine greatly.
Each of them are severely malnourished, mimicking my cousins appearance and my heart begins to ache.

"She asked you a question." A brunette snaps and I notice her elegant long legs first before I take in her ruby bralette and matching booty shorts.

"We haven't hit a new dock since yesterday. Where would a newcomer like you be hiding for a whole day?"
A dark blonde is next to question and her hair is greasy and unkept, her set of lingerie is ripped in some places and squinting through the bad lighting I notice that she has a busted lip.

"My name is Katherine." I lamely reply not knowing where to start and the girls only glare harsher at me.

"Mia, why is she here? Have you changed your mind and decided to join in?" The girl in the centre calls out and I recognise her voice to be the one that called out to me first.

This girl is wearing a green nightgown and staring at her features I appreciate her freckles that cover her skin.

She has red hair similar to my shade but her style is a straight bob, far easier to manage than my unruly curls.
Her brown eyes are highlighted with long lashes which analyse Mia.

Mia shakes her head erratically and taking a deep breath she pulls me forward and gives me a knowing look, inclining her head to the girls.

She wants me to talk.
She wants me to fix this...
I don't even know where to start.

"Um right. I'm a cop." I state blandly and reaching into my pocket I pull out my badge and I hold it out in front of me, feeling awkward.

The girls all snap their faces back to me and a short girl with large dark almond eyes snatches the badge and begins passing it through the group which begins muttering.

I'm reminded of the day I was at the primary school with the children, except instead of childish glee and wonder I find these girls features are filled with disbelief.

"Do you have your gun?" The blonde questions hopefully and her gaze travels down my attire which is still swamped by Rosiks coat.

I shrug it off and it falls to the ground which I then kick in disgust.

"No. That was taken from me."
I respond and the badge is lightly thrown back at me.

"Then why do we care? I used to be a nurse but what good does that do me here?" The blonde continues and I twist my hands nervously.

The redheaded girl rises and I notice her eyes are trained to the jacket.

"I know about your plan okay? I'm here to let you know that there are better choices out there." I rush out forcing my attention back onto the group rather than the redhead who slowly makes her way to the jacket.

It's not until she picks it up that I finally look back at her and my eyebrows crease as she smells the fabric harshly.

"This belongs to Rosik." She suddenly whispers and the girls all hurry to their feet gasping.

Mia reaches forward and snatches the jacket, holding it firmly against her chest but the damage has already been done as the redhead looks at me strangely.

"You're her aren't you?..." She whispers and I avert my blue eyes and try to focus back on the conversation at hand.

"I have my notepad and I'd like to write down your accounts ladies. Then we'll wait until we hit the next dock and we'll all escape. With my evidence we can put a lot of people behind bars."
I continue my voice strained and I attempt to take a step closer to the girls but the redhead grasps onto my arm.

"You're Kitty." She exclaims and I rip my arm from her grasp, offended.

"I am Katherine!" I explain slowly and all the girls take a step back from me.

"I just want to help you all." I softly respond and I hear Mia whimper behind me, her faith sizzling.

"No wonder Rosik hasn't been around my room lately, he now has the real deal." My eyes widen at her words and I take in her appearance once more.

The green dress does bring back memories from all those years ago...
I suppose the slight differences in our features wouldn't really matter in a dark room.
The thought turns my stomach.

"I am so sorry." I whisper after a moment, my gaze burning into her own cool one and she shrugs.

"Has he fucked you yet?" She casually questions and my disgusted expression is answer enough.

"Well good luck to you. That man is fucking loopy. Had me doing all sorts of tricks. The worst part was that he didn't like compliance, I couldn't just lay there and take it or go to my happy place. He preferred me fighting the whole damn time..."

"Stop it." I command, my expression pale and the girl arches an eyebrow.

"I am here to help you girls. But I need your cooperation." I attempt to refocus the room and thankfully the redhead waves over the other reluctant girls, making them circle around Mia and I now.

Having their full attention I clear my throat to discuss our options but the redhead starts talking before me.

"How did you get up here?"
She questions.

"Paris and Mia brought me up, but please, I can't stay long so if I could just get one of you to start you account then-"

"Where is Paris?" I take a deep breath, swallowing my frustration.

"She distracted a man to get us in. She shouldn't be long if you prefer to work with her." I say slowly and digging out my notebook and pen I look at them expectantly.

"Us girls need a minute." The redhead chirps and I nod, cueing them to back into a corner and start whispering.

I turn to Mia to find her expression pale and her eyes narrow in on the girls.

"Tough crowd." I joke but Mia's expression remains stiff.

I feel the tension in the room but I'm hoping that Paris will be able to calm everyone down once she returns.

"So we have decided that we will take your help." The redhead who I realise is the ring leader which means this is presumably her room states and I smile in gratitude.

"Let's make a deal to help each other out." She calls out holding out her hand and I'm so relieved that I eagerly walk towards the girls and latch onto the redheads hand.
Leaving Mia distressed by the door.

The moment my hand interlocks with the redheads however she clamps over my hand and tugging me forward I cry out as the six girls all grab onto me.

I begin thrashing as I feel hands wrap in my hair, clench around my arms and even some grasp my waist, leaving me bucking and kicking, attempting to unravel them.

It's not until I feel a blade at my throat that I unwillingly cease all fight.

My body is led to the bed and I cringe as I'm forced to sit down on it.
Most of the girls release me and to my further disgust all I can do is watch as the remaining girls dig through the bedside table and produce bundles of rope.

"This isn't necessary." Or sanitary.
I think to myself darkly as the girls tie up my legs and arms.

I glance over at Mia only to find her silently struggling in the blondes grip before she to is wrapped up and thrown next to me.

"We were planning to get the keycard off of Paris all along. But now we have extra leverage to make it all the way to the edge. Nobody will touch us if you're leading the pack." The redhead taunts and my face pales.

"No! I don't want to do this, you all shouldn't want to do this!" I cry out and I attempt to wriggle once more but damn these girls can tie well.

"Please. I just found my cousin again. You don't understand." I beg as Mia begins to cry next to me, soft sniffles escaping her.

"Oh right Dana. She'll be fine. She's the only fucking one here that actually looks like she enjoys the work. That girl will do anything to please.
For a cripple she sure does know how to move."

I see red and screaming suddenly I attempt to lunge at the redhead, tears bursting from my vision and I feel as though my chest is collapsing.

She's lying, Dana hasn't been on this floor, Dana told me!

"Why, even last night she had men lining up at her door." The girl shoves me so that I'm on my back and nodding at another girl I growl and even attempt to bite as a piece of fabric is forced into my mouth.

The moment the fabric is lodged into my mouth I gag and silently sob.

That's why I was drugged...
So that Rosik could pimp out my cousin.

I'm going to fucking kill that man.

But first I need to avoid going swimming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget to let me know you exist and have opinions! 💕