Forced to Marry a Cruel Husband

After hours of pain and sadness, I finished the task of mourning my mother's body and burying her with her siblings. A feeling of despair enveloped me as I stared at the newly laid headstone, alone in the cemetery. A grumble of protest tore from my throat. There was no one but me to say goodbye to her, not even that horrible man she had called her husband for so long.  

"At least you're free of that monster, Mom," I muttered as I wiped the tears that insisted on falling from my face.  I'm going to have to learn to live on my own and face the punishment you left for me." 

I was just getting home when hurried footsteps came towards me, making me twist my neck. My heart raced as I came across the figure of some men walking towards where I was. I knew one of those faces well, and I didn't like seeing him there. 

"Mason," my voice escaped in a whisper just as I slowly stood up to look into his eyes. He came closer and closer. "What the hell is that bastard doing here at this hour?" 

My eyes ran around the empty place as if looking for something to take refuge in, but there was nothing but fear standing before me. I took a few cautious steps backwards, frightened. I knew Mason's cruelty, and I knew he wasn't there to pay a visit in the middle of the day. 

"Are you trying to escape, Emma?" My movements didn't go unnoticed, in front of my stepfather. "Did you think I wouldn't come to collect the debt your mother left for me?" 

"What are you talking about?" I said between my teeth as I felt my voice tremble with fear. I couldn't say anything else. 

"Your mother's bitch died and left you a huge hospital bill to pay," he spat the words, and a wave of pain swept through my heart." I'm here to settle our accounts." 

I looked at the faces of the men standing next to Mason, and I didn't like what I saw. What do you mean, settle the debt my mother had left? What was Mason up to? To my horror, the men approached, forming almost a menacing circle around me, their gazes fixed on me as if they were going to devour me at any moment. 

"Take her," Mason ordered.  I'll be kind enough to let you know that I've sold you to a wealthy man, for a sum that will not only pay off the debts your mother left behind, but will also make me comfortable for a few years." 

"Shit!" My eyes burned with intense anger, but I wouldn't have time to question him. I had to get away. 

"They won't sell me like a commodity!"

I acted out of survival, dodging the attack of one of them and landing a blow between the legs of the second. How I had done it, I had no idea. I knew I had to escape if I wanted to be rid of Mason forever. 

A grunt of pain escaped the lips of one of them as, spinning on my heels, I began to run. Mason shouted right behind me for them to catch me. 

Wearing a skirt, I had to lift it up to the middle of my shin, and that cost me precious seconds. However, my speed wasn't enough and when I looked back, one man was just a few centimeters away from me. I felt his hands grab me before he threw my body against the hard, wet ground. 

A cry of pain echoed through the space, and an unbearable ache ran through my entire body. The man put all his weight on me, while I, with tears in my eyes, struggled to escape a second time. My efforts were in vain; in a single gesture, the man lifted me up and placed me back in front of my evildoer. 

I stared steadily into his cold, empty eyes before feeling a slap on my face. I shuddered as I felt my cheek burn and a chill run down my spine.