Chapter 25
Every part of her hurt. Her wrists were bleeding beneath the binds that held her in place.
She had been strapped to the bed for days and only given water to drink.
Jorge had inflicted so much pain on her, that she only stayed conscious part of the time.
Her skin was littered with bruises and burn marks.
A thin layer of blood covered her inner thighs from where he battered her insides.
She prayed for death every moment she was awake.
Katya had nearly given up hope she would be found.
And then she heard it. Shouting and gunfire from the outside.
The sound of metal crumbling and men’s voices filled the hollow room.
“Madre de Dios,” she heard someone utter into the warehouse. Her eyes were swollen from the beating Jorge had given her the day prior, so it was difficult to see who was speaking. Men talking in Spanish filtered into her head.
Katya flinched when a hand touched her shin. “It’s ok. You’re safe now. Jesus, cut her hand free,” The man shouted to someone.
Katya felt the binds loosen as the feeling returned to her fingers. The other man who had touched her, cut her legs free.
“I’m going to wrap you in a blanket. Ok, Dama?”
Katya grunted, unable to speak.
“Call Miguel. Let him know we have the girl and she needs medical attention, alright?” Katya felt the weight of a blanket cover her body. “My name is Carlos. My boss is working with The Anastasi’s and Silva’s. I’m going to lift you and get you to safety.”
“Matias,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. Her throat was raw and sore from all the crying she’d done over the last few weeks.
“It’s going to be ok. I promise.” His muscular arms lifted her, causing her to whimper in pain. “We’ll get you some help. The monster who did this will pay. You have my word. Open the door, Jesus.”
The sunlight burned against her flesh as he carried her to the car. Even through the swelling, her eyes ached with the piercing orange of the sky. Carlos climbed into the backseat and cradled her in his arms. “Let’s go.”
Katya listened as, who she assumed was Jesus, spoke to Carlos. “Miguel said to take her to Antonio’s place. Their sister Catarina will wait to assess her. Massimo and the others are about two hours away. They’ll meet us there.”
“It won’t be long. You're safe now.”
Katya whispered into the car, “Jorge… my father?”
“Gone. They others are looking for them. Don’t worry. The motherfuckers are as good as dead when we get them. They won’t hurt you anymore, Katya.”
Every bump, every turn, created agony throughout her body, reminding her she would forever hold the hell she endured in her soul.
“I’m going to lift you again,” the soft timbre voice of her savior spoke as he slipped his arms under her broken body. She whimpered as he carried her up what felt like steps.
“Holy shit. Get her inside,” a woman’s voice penetrated the fog she was covered in. It felt like she was floating through space. “Lay her on the bed. Sweetheart, can you hear me?”
A woman leaned over her body; her profile was fuzzy through Katya’s swollen eyelids. Katya flinched as her hand tried to reach for her.
“Ye…” her voice squeaked, unable to finish the word.
“Get my brother in here, NOW!” The woman screamed.
“Holy shit! Catarina, I came as soon as Massimo called me.”
“Madison, this is bad. I think she’s been,” she paused, trying to gather her words.
“I know. We need to get her in the shower. Here, help me get her back up.”
The two women eased her off the bed and half-carried, half-walked her to the bathroom. Since she was still naked, there was no clothing to remove.
“She can’t get in alone.”
“I’ll get in. I have a change of clothes here somewhere, and if not, then Antonio can give me something.”
“Easy, Madison. She’s unsteady.”
Katya felt the needles of water hit her skin, her body tensing with the burning pain of her wounds soaking in the water.
“It’s alright, Katya. I have you. My name is Madison, and that’s Catarina.
I’m Massimo Anastasi’s fiancée and she is his sister.
Matias saved my brother-in-law, Antonio.
We’re going to help you, ok?” Katya nodded slowly, tears falling and mixing in with the beads of water dripping from the showerhead.
“I’m going to wash off the blood, I’ll try to be gentle. ”
Katya winced and cried out as the two women cleaned her skin. Her head stayed bent, her eyes straining to see through the black and blue lids. She could see the water turning red with each pass of the washcloth until it finally ran clear.
“Alright, Catarina is going to wrap the towel around you.” The water cut off and her body was encased in a soft blanket of cotton.
Madison helped ease her out of the bathroom and gently laid her down on the bed.
“I’ll be right back. I’m just going to change my clothes.
Catarina is a nurse, so she is going to see to your wounds, ok? ”
Katya tried to smile at Madison, but her body was too weak. She felt like closing her eyes and giving in to the darkness for good.
“I’m going to start an IV of fluids. You’ll feel a slight prick from the needle.”
After all the pain she’d endured, she couldn’t feel anything. She’d become numb to everything around her. Part of her worried she was changed forever—a prisoner to the darkness and torment that held her for the last several months.