Page 30 of Corrupted Torment

“Why not?” This is the most I’ve ever spoken to him. My need to help her outweighs the fight within me. I don’t understand why these men do this to us. Use us the way they do. For what purpose could they possibly have to keep us here other than their sick perversions?

“It’s against the rules.”

It’s my turn to scoff. Whose rules? These men make the damn rules.

“She needs help, please,” I beg. My heart sinks, and I try a different tactic. The desperation is thick in my voice, I am not willing to leave her here alone. I don’t care if others wouldn’t do the same for me. Her little whines combined with her trembling body behind me make me realise I could never forgive myself if I left her here.

“Please. I’ll do anything you ask.”

His body tenses, eyes flicking away briefly from mine.

“I’ll take her back to your camp. It’s the best I can offer. First you need your injection, it’ll…” He pauses in thought. “Dissuade the others.” He’s blunt, and I wince. I know he’s not wrong. That once that toxin gets into your bloodstream, the men lose interest.

“I can walk with you. You can give me mine once she’s back at camp.”

“Last offer, Wildcat. Take it now, or leave her here,” his smile is smug. I want to wipe it right off his face. He knew the instant the words left my mouth that I had no hope in hell. I won’t be walking anywhere right now.

“You win.”

My repeated words are not lost on him as his brow raises. I look back towards the girl, unable to linger in his gaze a moment longer. Without thinking, I rub small circles on Katie’s back. His victory is worth her safety. Her shuddering breaths not quite covering the sounds of his purposeful booted footsteps walking ever closer.

The prick of the needle is barely noticeable. I had almost hoped he wouldn’t go through with it, and that this time, things would be different. They never are; it’s always the same.

Maybe this time, at least, I’ll get something of use. Strength perhaps, the last time I’d had that it had lasted for days. As a yawn escapes me, I glare at the man, who now steps around me. So much for safety.

My grey eyed stalker pays me no mind as he crouches down to the woman. To him, it doesn’t matter that I’m angry at his choices. He is in charge here. He frowns as he rests a hand on her forehead, his eyes finally meeting mine.

“I’ll take her now. I’ll be back for you, Wildcat.”

Cradling her lightly, he doesn’t even wince as he lifts her smoothly to his chest. Completely unbothered by the smell now permeating her body, he rises to his feet. No doubt in the direction he turns. Walking at a steady pace, he leaves me behind.

Another yawn breaching my lips. I don’t want to be left vulnerable out here. Desperately, I try to keep my eyes open while watching the pair grow smaller in the distance. Nearly out of sight, he looks back at me, tipping his head. Before disappearing into the trees with the woman in his arms.

My eyes drift closed, and I remember no more.

* * *

I didn’t let it bother me; I’d known a hunter would catch me last night as I held her hair. That by tomorrow, she would probably hate me as I begged for him to take her back to camp. Never crossed my mind that they had given her one of their foul experiments.

I was just a person, helping another in pain.

Katie died last night.

Defiled, ruined, and in unimaginable torment. I hadn’t even made it back to camp myself before her life slipped away. Then again, even if I had, I wouldn’t have been awake.

Like Katie before me, he carried me back to camp, settling me back in my makeshift tomb of a home. The fact he knew exactly which of them is mine is a worry for another day, as I recall the poor broken woman who passed away in the night.

As Katie lay under the stars, the few friends that still remained in camp gathered round her. They held her hand and whispered all the words I didn’t have to give. It’s more than most of us get. I didn’t help her for recognition. I thought she would live. Still, she wanted a message to be passed on; to thank me for not leaving her behind, to die alone. To thank me for my kindness, for stopping.

For bringing her home.

To her family.

CHAPTER13

SOLOMON

Age Twenty

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