40 — Catarina Rowedder
“I can't let it go
The moments in your arms
But they come back again”
Ocean — Lady A.
I hope Tyler can find one of the boys and that this ordeal ends soon. The dull pain has not returned, but I feel that something is not right, as it should be.
No pessimism, girl! You are strong! — I mentally scold myself.
I know I told him that I wouldn't leave here, however, restlessness tells me that I need to do something as soon as possible. I need to put into practice all the teachings I've learned in the last few months, even if I just wanted to cry, I won't give in to it. Nothing in this life happens by chance, everything has its purpose. If, over time, I learned that I am a warrior, now, I will be exactly what my baby needs:
A mother lion who fights tirelessly.
—Mommy is going to get us out of here, my little one. — I caress my still imperceptible belly.
I hear sounds of what appears to be a car approaching. Damn it! I take the stiletto, trying to hide it in a way that I can attack my tormentor by surprise as soon as he approaches, so that he can get out of here. However, the sound of the door opening makes my nervousness increase.
Shit, I think I cut myself, the difficulty of not seeing the exact location complicates everything, but I'm not giving up, I can't.
— Well, well, what do we have here? A bitch trying to escape? — the same disgusting man who was here before approaches.
I remain static for a moment, my mind freezes, my body freezes with each step he takes.
— Look if you don't look like a cornered animal, you bitch! — kicks my legs. — If you thought you were going to run away, give up. — Run your hand over my face. — I'm going to have fun with that mouth — he grabs my chin, making me feel sick —, little bitch!
With his free hand, he undoes the belt on his pants, imagining that I will let fear take over me. I take a deep breath, he won't touch me anymore. He tries to insert a finger in my mouth and I take the opportunity, biting it, then kicking his legs, struggling.
— You bitch! — he slaps my face and grabs my wrists, pulling me to my feet. —Do you think you can intimidate me? — His hand grips my neck tightly.
I try to mumble useless words and, at this moment, I remember training with Thomaz and Beni. That! He positions himself behind me, rubbing himself, I relax the muscles in my body, praying that he brings his face a little closer to my head, so that I can hit him at the right time. And as if my prayer was answered, he does. I feel my skull hit his nose, which causes him to let go of my neck. I don't waste time, I spin around, elbowing him in the stomach.
My body is exhausted, however, now is my opportunity to escape. My opponent loses his balance for a moment, but his reflex is faster than mine and within seconds I am thrown to the ground.
Inferno!
Before he comes up, I manage to retrieve the stiletto that was dropped and I stand up, drawing strength from somewhere inside me, at this moment, he grabs my wrist very tightly, I try to hit him in vain, but to my Luckily, I realize that he doesn't carry any firearms, or he wouldn't be here anymore.
We continue to fight hand to hand. I receive a blow to my abdomen, which makes me howl in pain.
Oh, God, help me! Inhale, breathe, concentrate, don’t get discouraged.
— You bitch! I'm going to tear you in half, you idiot! — he shouts, grabbing me.
I clasp my hands in front of his pelvis, which gives me an advantage in resistance, then I hit his nose with my forehead, using all my strength to break it. The disgusting man staggers, screaming in pain, I notice the place where he was hit is gushing blood, allowing me to hit his groin, which causes him to lose his balance, falling and, before running away, I hit his neck with the stiletto, immobilizing him to buy time. So, I run with all my might, towards the door he left just ajar.
— Come back here, you miserable whore. I will end your race.
— Fuck you! — I shout from a few steps away, taking one last look and seeing him trying to get up with difficulty.
I simply run as fast as I can, it's already dark and I'm afraid of what I'll find along the way. I manage to exit what appears to be the parking lot, and see a small forest on the right side of the road. I decide to take a risk, running in that direction, I need to hide.
I speed up my steps, feeling my lungs burn with accelerated breathing, the adrenaline taking over my body and the discomfort in my lower abdomen only gives me more energy and strength not to give up. I pray hard that the little one was able to find help and that they will finally find me.
I hear a shot echoing in the distance, at least it's that worm trying to corner me. I hide between some bushes to catch my breath and see where to go, I can't get lost and keep circling here. Silence is present, I decide to wait a few more minutes, to continue the race of our lives.
“Daddy, I know you are always watching us, I ask you to guide us to get help, please.”
— Hi, sweetheart, are you okay there? I really hope so, my little one. — I stroke my belly. — I know what we're going through isn't healthy for you, but Mom needs to get us out of this mess, yes good? — I whisper to my baby. — We'll be home soon and I know we haven't received anything we can't handle. We are a strong team. Rest easy, my sweetheart, mommy is going to shake things up a little now, yes good? — I feel that the latent pain is weakening, however, I can't think about it too much.
I look carefully in all directions, looking for any sign of that bastard, but I don't see him, I must have managed to lose him. I run in the opposite direction from which I came. I need to find a highway and a kind soul who believes in me and can give us a ride.
It's going to work, it already has! Positive thinking, Catarina! — I repeat like a mantra.
I don't know exactly how long I ran, I just kept going. I see that I am very close to a road. Now, I'm standing still, with my hands on my knees, trying to find the energy to get there, exhaustion is consuming me and as I ran incessantly, I felt that pain hit me like lightning. All I wanted now was to be able to close my eyes for a moment, but that luxury doesn't belong to me, our lives are at risk. I feel my heart about to come out of my mouth, such agitation, nervousness and adrenaline.
Come on, we're almost there!
I continue my journey, with just a few meters to go before I reach the side of the road, my vision becomes blurred, dizziness hits me, at the same time that I notice a hot liquid running between my legs.
I don't have time to react, because everything goes dark.