My breathing came to halt as I felt his arm around me tighten, pulling me towards him all the more. My hands curled to a fist behind me, hatred mingling with each breath I took.

They say the eyes are windows to the soul, but in his? I saw none. He gazed upon me with cold eyes, empty of any emotion.

I never thought that through a change in proximity I'd see in him something other than a monster. But now as he was only a breath away, I saw a man – his face finely chiseled almost to perfection.

Striking almond eyes seemed to look through my soul, a straight nose as those I've seen in carved images of Greek gods, full lips from where the warm breath upon my cheek was drawn. But all of it was a mask, for inside his comely face, was a heartless monster. A murderer.

I felt rage bubble to my core once more, and with this, I wriggled away from his touch. I thought I had finally succeeded, but to my dismay just as he let me go, he gripped me all the more, spinning me around and shoving me forward until my chest was against a tree.

My heart raced, apprehension flooding my being as I felt the blouse I tucked in my jeans pulled upwards. My gaze widened, an image of the stories I've heard of what happens to women who were taken by terrorist groups flashing before my eyes.

"No!" I pushed myself from the tree, shuddering as I heard my blouse rip, "Get your hands of me!" I screamed. But instead, I heard the ripping heighten, the tearing now reaching the blouse's front.

"Please!!!"

In an instant I felt him pull away, cold wind blowing against my back as he did. I peered over my shoulder, the whimsical smile in his face filling my vision.

"Doing it here wouldn't be any fun," Baffled, I looked over to my hands; my wrists were once more bound with... the fabric from my blouse. I felt my cheeks burn.

He stepped forward and bent towards me. "Don't you dare run away again," I felt his breath on my neck, his hands clutching my arm, "Or there will be consequences."

---

Intense heat raged all around me, beads of sweat sliding down my face like waterfalls from my forehead. I gazed sideward, my eyes occupied by the vast grassy lands we're traversing. I panted for breath, strength draining off my body with each step I took.

Why.

Why didn't I just die in that cliff?

Once more I found myself walking, walking through the seemingly endless alps that stretched forth before us. My throat badly craved the comfort of water's cool, my body longing for rest of any kind.

It had been hours, yet no food or water had touched my mouth. The sun was now beginning to set, the skies beginning to dim with each passing moment.

You should've just let me die. I gazed towards the dimming skies. You should've just taken me. Did you let me live so I can suffer even more?

I suppressed the bitterness that bubbled from my heart, remembering once more His voice that for a long time had been imprinted in my very being.

I wanted to scream, to be mad at Him for being absent in my time of need. I wanted to curse His Name, but each time I tried I felt tears restrain me. Would doing so make things any better? Or would that rid me of the only One that can bring me deliverance?

My mind was tired.  So tired of trying to come up with reasons why He would allow such tragedy in my life. After all, hadn't I spent all my years preparing to live for His cause? Why would He allow this to happen?

I shut my eyes forcefully.

Lord, I don't understand!

A tear escaped the confines of my lids.

I don't understand. I'm too dumb to understand Your plans! I'm too lowly to comprehend Your will. I felt my being surrender to the pain, my eyes again shedding incessant tears. Please... please make me understand. Why is this happening to me?

Wonder claimed my thoughts as the men gradually came to a halt. I squinted through the fog, images of men coming to view from afar. They wore the same uniform, equally armed as the men that surrounded me.

I wasn't sure, but the atmosphere grew more tense as the two groups collided. A man among the other group stepped up, walking towards the man before me with a salute.

"Captain Eli," the man addressed. Ah, so his name is Eli.

"Captain," Eli replied, reciprocating his salute.

"Hmm," I tensed, lowering my gaze in haste as the man anchored his eyes upon me, "I see you've brought a woman, Captain," He remarked.

"Yes, Xander," He nodded, "From the church on one of the villages in Tinglayan."

"Ah, a holy one!" The man remarked, licking his lip as he surveyed my form.

"She's the Minister's daughter."

"Really?" The man grinned, "Must be great to bring home the trophy after winning the game, Captain!"

"Yes. She will be a good addition to the women back in camp."

"I see," I swallowed hard, biting the inside of my lip as he gazed at me once more, this time lasciviously. "Well then if that's the case, can I open a negotiation with you, Captain?"

Negotiation? What did he mean by that? And why did it seem as though I was involved? I shifted my gaze to the man beside me. Eli only looked at him, brows furrowed as he heard his words.

"As you have probably seen, the east camp is filled with well-trained men, all willing and able to fight for our cause, but, unfortunately, when it comes to some things, we are lacking. There are no women in our camp."

I felt my heart race as I heard his words.

"So what is it that you're suggesting, Xander?" I heard Eli ask.

"You already have a handful of women back in the west camp, as you said. I'm willing to exchange three of my men for this woman, Captain," He plainly said, "There are many responsibilities she will be able to fill," He took a step forward, lifting my chin with his hand. My gaze came in contact with his, and with this, I felt my heart come to a halt. "-especially with a beauty like her,"

Eli shifted, and immediately the man withdrew his hand. I glanced to the side, eyes widening as I saw Eli point a gun towards him, "Touch her again and I'll kill you," His voice echoed low, all the more increasing the tension in their midst. For a moment I was able to breath, relieved as the other man stepped back.

The others all lifted their weapons, responding in a snap to Eli's action. My hands curled to a fist, the nervosity doubling as I scattered my gaze.

The other man forced a laugh, "Come on, Eli," He began, lifting both his hands in surrender, "She's just a woman. What's with all this fuss?"

"Yes," Eli spoke, lowering his weapon, "And the woman is my captive. I wish to keep what is mine."

A silent scoff escaped my lips. I could only stare as I listened to their words. Were people property to them? That they can switch and trade whenever they find convenient? I lowered my head – appalled. Weren't these terrorist groups fighting for a so-called equality? How their systems operate is so self-contradictory.

The other man shook his head, his lips curling up in indignation. "Fine," he blurted out, "But let it be known, Captain, that I will not forget this day." He took a step back, nodding towards the men behind him as they began to leave.

We watched as the group walked away, disappearing into the darkness with each step. With this, the men around me resumed to walk, all advancing forward at their captain's word. I eyed him from the side, mind in a pool of thoughts as I traced his face out of the darkness that covered us.

Why? Why keep a woman when he could gain three well-trained men? The answer that came to my mind frightened me. I shut my eyes forcibly, the memory of what had taken place earlier in the cliff flashing in my mind.

Oh Lord, Lord just let me die instead. If I survived that cliff just to be defiled by these savages, I'd rather just be killed. 

Slowly my attention began to alter, wonder taking over as I saw the men around me one by one come to a halt. I lifted my gaze, inclining it towards the clearing before us. Small huts and tents glowed red from the inside, and at our arrival, I saw people step out of the small dwellings.

"We're here," I heard the man beside me speak, his hand upon my arm as he urged me forward. "This is the camp,"