♥ Chapter 9♥

Aurelia Dusk.

But even in the face of overwhelming despair, I knew I couldn't give up. I needed to find the strength to resist, to fight for a ray of hope in the midst of the darkness. Even though every fiber of my being cried out for escape, I had to find the courage to face another day in that hellish prison.

'' Hurry the fuck up!!! '' The policeman shouted furiously, his voice echoing down the corridor with an implied threat.

'' We're coming! '' Hina's voice was a mixture of fury and determination, her courage inspiring me even in the darkest moments.

We turned off the showers and got dressed quickly, each movement a struggle against the pain and humiliation that still burned on my skin.

The policeman escorted us back to the cell, his oppressive presence looming over us like a sinister shadow.

''Go eat!!!'' he ordered, and Hina held my hand, determined to protect me even in the face of such cruelty.

''We have to get something for Trix. ''I said it with difficulty, my throat still burning with pain.

'' I know that. '' Hina's voice was firm, her determination unwavering even in the face of adversity.

We descended the iron steps and headed for the queue to get our food, my stomach churning with revulsion at the idea of feeding myself after what had happened.

''Good morning, girls! ''Tina's excited voice cut through the air, but when her eyes met mine, her smile faded into concern. '' Honey, what happened to you?

I looked down, unable to face her, my shame and pain crushing me inside.

'' Hawkeye forced her to perform oral on him. '' Hina spoke with restrained ferocity, her voice trembling with suppressed anger.

''That's the son of a bitch. ''Tina hugged me tenderly, her sympathy enveloping me like a warm blanket in a storm. ''It's going to be okay.

I know she's trying to convince me of this, but her words seem so distant, so impossible to believe in the midst of my own darkness. It's as if I'm sinking into a bottomless abyss, with no light in sight to guide me back to the surface.

'' Thank you. '' I murmured, my words a faint whisper amidst the chaos around me.

She kissed my forehead and we returned our attention to the queue, picking up our food and heading to a table away from the others.

''Where's Trix? ''Dora asked when we sat down at the table.

Hina and I let out a shared sigh, the memory of what had happened weighing like an anchor in our hearts.

''She protected me from being raped by the Executioner... Now she's in bed. "I murmured softly, the words escaping my lips with a mixture of gratitude and regret.

'' That fucking bastard, if I had the guts, I'd kill him. Because I'm sure he wouldn't die from just one stab wound, but several. But that man is too big. "Dora said, her voice filled with impotent rage.

A faint smile curled my lips at her determination.

''Well, let's eat and then we'll go check on Trix. - Hina said, and we nodded in agreement.

As we ate, the cafeteria was invaded by the other prisoners, a constant buzz filling the air. I ignored it, knowing that it was practically normal there.

Suddenly, silence overtook the cafeteria, and I looked at Hina with a questioning expression.

'' What's going on? ''I asked, and my heart started to beat faster in my chest.

She let out a heavy sigh.

I looked in the direction she indicated and saw a tall, muscular man, his body adorned with various tattoos, and his expression was far too serious for my comfort. He looked like the devil himself incarnate, a specter of power and authority that dominated the surrounding space with an aura of imminent danger. Every tattoo on his skin was like a mark of his cruelty, and every tense muscle was a promise of contained violence.

He sat down at the table where the Dragon was, and began to eat in silence. I noticed that everyone around him began to move again, but in an uncomfortable silence, as if they were all hypnotized by his imposing presence.

I saw Nebula approaching him and kissing him, a scene that made my stomach turn in disgust.

"That bitch wastes no time," Tina said, her voice full of contempt and disdain.

I looked back at the "couple" kissing, and then, as soon as they stopped kissing, our eyes met.

I was petrified to see the color of his eyes, so black that they seemed to absorb all the surrounding light. It was as if I were staring at darkness itself personified, an endless abyss that threatened to swallow up everything in its path. Every glance was like a sharp knife, cutting through my soul and exposing all my deepest fears and darkest secrets. I felt entangled in his gaze, unable to escape his hypnotic influence, as if I were trapped in a nightmare from which I would never wake.

'' Aurelia! '' I was startled by Hina's scream, feeling my heart racing in my chest.

''What is it? ''I looked at them, seeing the surprise on their faces. '' What's the matter?

'' What are you doing? Never look him in the eye. ''Tina spoke, her voice full of concern and urgency. ''He hates anyone who challenges him; we warned you.

A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the warning. Fear seeped through my veins like a poisonous snake, leaving me paralyzed with sheer terror.

''Holy shit!'' I exclaimed, covering my face with my hands, as if that could protect me from his penetrating gaze. ''I'm very unlucky.

They remained silent, but I could still feel that man's gaze burning into my back-an icy, sinister sensation that made me shiver to my core, as if I were being watched by a beast lurking in the darkness.

Shit, what have I done?