Chapter 1: Chapter 1. Escape
The moving car accelerated forward, and Larisa jumped out of it.
"Uh! Help me!" She should had died, but getting rid of Larisa Isador would not be that simple. Her arms hurt like hell and her eyes darkned into the void of misery. She instantly rose up from the ground, and plodded into the rural village of Lincasa.
Alone in the busy areas, she limped on injured foot, trying to find a smiley face to save her. Though Larisa was not a princess in need of a prince charming, nor did she liked being a damsel in distress. She needed help now!
She had been kidnapped by Lincoln Santias, the chief of the small village of Lincasa, and she needed help else he would come back for her and kill her. But where to run to when everyone, even the police, feared this unfortunate kidnapper. He wanted to sexually assault her as he normally did to the other innocent ladies of the village, but she had stood up to him. No one was ever foolish enough to do so. But she had to speak her mind, and nicely turned him down. This had raged Lincoln, and so, he plotted to her demise by kidnapping her.
Stains of blood followed her every footstep as Larisa advanced into the market place.
She might had escaped him temporarily, but not for good.
✩★✩
The hired thugs who'd kidnapped Larisa had been searching for her already.
The thugs traced the stained footsteps and found her lead towards the market way, and the followed. After few running paced steps, they located her and before them was the ingrate who'd turned down their master. "There! There she is!" One of the men, the hugest amongst them announced.
Larisa heard the husky voice and turned to see them already gaining up on her trail.
She had no friends in the town, only enemies. Tortuous eyes fell on her as she made her way into the busy areas. Larisa's brown hair had been scattered into a mess, and she was on a tattered long gown that had already been torn and damaged by the hooligans who'd abducted her earlier. Larisa's sharp brown eyes scanned the area for help, but all she saw were hypocrites who only looked in awe at her for the show she was putting on for them.
She never knew her parent, because all her life, she'd lived with her aunt Regina and her family. They treated her poorly because she was a nobody and had nothing. Life had been nothing but hellish for her since she was a little girl. Even if she ran home over to them, they would only return her back to Lincoln and his thugs of friends again and history would repeat itself.
There was no home to run to anymore, and there was no hero to save her. She was her own hero now, and she would save herself from that mess no matter the cost.
There was a huge van in the market area, a container filled with fresh oranges that had just been harvested and was to be taken to the big city of Ettavile.
Just beside her, two people were talking; a man and a woman.
"You, where's Ariane?" The man said to the woman who just stared blankly. "Where is she?"
"I don't know, let's wait till she comes so we can give her the payment."
Larisa saw the van ready to move, then just in that moment, a plan formulated in her head. She stumbled towards the strangers, then plastered on her face a frown of arrogance. "Payment?" She wasn't really asking, she was demanding, her palm stretched out forwards.
The man eyed her with disdain. "And who are you supposed to be?" He must had not known that she was being chased.
Larisa was fast. "It's me, Ariane. Hurry up." There was a loud thump in her chest, as she feared they would catch on with her lies. The men were behind her, and for some reason, they hadn't caught up with her yet. But it was only a matter of time. "Well?" She flashed horrendous stare at them, the man and the woman exchanged caution glares, before handing over the stack of cash to her. Larisa couldn't be sure of how much was there, but it would have to do.
Just as her hand gripped the money, a man's voice yelled out from behind. "There! Stop her!"
The man's face clouded with confusion. "What?"
But Larisa had grabbed the money from her, and was already heading straight to the moving van. Walking was not enough, so she stepped on her pace and started to run. The men ran behind her as well, and she heard the man who'd mistaken her for Ariane, cried out. It was too late of course, she was not going back to him. The van wasn't fast, but as the second went by, it began to increase speed.
Larisa felt her heart beating rapidly, and her leg muscles weakened like they couldn't continue further, however, Larisa wasn't a quitter. The back of the van was opened, and so with all of her strength, Larisa jumped in and rolled into the van, but unfortunately, she had missed a heave of rock that was in front.
Her vision darkened and before she knew it, her eyes grew heavy and shut off.
✩★✩
Why would you put a rock in a van?
Larisa thought as her eyes opened back to life. Thank God she was still alive. The bus driver hadn't noticed a thing, and that was good news for her. Also it meant good news because the truck would be taking her straight to the city where her new life would begin.
Many thoughts crossed her mind as she imagined what life in the city would be like. It would not be easy, but she was determined. She would overcome it and become a powerful woman, even more powerful than Lincoln. Than her aunt and all of her household. It was just a matter of time, and lot of hard work.
The inside of the truck had fresh new oranges filling half of the space, whilst the other half where she'd been staying was empty. Not entirely though, rocks and some woods were there, along with some bags of unknown goods. Larisa picked up one orange and hungrily ate after peeling the skin off. The last time she'd eaten was the night before, and she was only able to manage some bits of leftovers at home.
The truck came to an halt, and she noticed the driver had parked in a desolated area. There was nothing but a long empty tiled road with bushes at it's sides. Heavy footsteps was heard, and they were coming closer.
She hardened her heart and prepared her mind for the worst.