Chapter 5

Astrid “What are you talking about?” I stammer, my heart racing. The look on his face says it all. The man is up to no good. “You’re coming with me, Astrid,” he informs me, practically pushing me back into the house, and he locks the door behind him after he gets in. “Coming with you where?” I ask in a shaky voice. “Look, cooperate, and let’s get this done. I have till noon tomorrow to bring the collateral,” he says again, and my breath hitches. What collateral is he talking about? “What collateral, Axel?” Casey asks with a surprised look on her face as well. “We’re not giving up the house!” She suddenly spits. “No, not the house. They want human collateral, and I told them I have two daughters, so they asked me to bring one,” he explains in a clipped-off tone, and I stop breathing at that moment, realization dawning on me about what my father means. I am the collateral. “And what did you tell them? What are you going to do?” Casey asks, and her eyes land on me. “Are you taking her right?” She points at me. “Yes, Astrid is going to be my collateral,” Dad announces, and I begin to hear a high-pitched sound in my ears. My father is going to give me away. “Good, because there’s no way I’m going to allow you to take Harper,” Casey states with a look of relief on her face. “But you’ll allow him to take me?” I manage to find my voice, asking. My eyes brim with tears threatening to fall any moment later. “You’re not my daughter!” She yells, and the first tear slips from my eye. “Dad–” I sob, turning to face my father. “Get ready, Astrid. Or I’ll drag you there myself,” he says, and no hint of emotion crosses his face. He’s already made his decision. “But, Dad, you know how the Mafia is; they use women as sex slaves. You can’t just hand me over to them. You can’t,” I mutter, shaking my head in denial. He’s handing me over to monsters. My father is handing me over to monsters. My. Fucking. Father. “I don’t have any choice, dear. They’ll kill me if I don’t bring anyone.” “And you don’t think I’ll die when I go to them? I’ll become a sex slave; I’ll be passed around among the men, and when I’m worthless, they’ll kill me,” I cry, my voice trembling. I still can’t believe it and wish it was all a dream. “At least we get to pay off our debt,” He shrugs, and I freeze, staring at him in disbelief. He doesn’t care at all. That man doesn’t care. “Do you even love me?” I scoff, tasting the salty taste of my tears. “I love you, Astrid. You’re my daughter.” “And it doesn’t bother you that thousands of men are going to rape me!” I yell at the top of my voice, causing Casey to cover her ears before she says, “You’re shouting. My ears hurt.” “I’m not coming with you,” I announce, wiping off my tears. “Astrid–” Axel begins. He’s no longer my father. He’s lost the right to be called that. “Don’t fucking call my name, Axel. Get out of the fucking door; I’m leaving this house!” I announce, and the next thing I feel is a hot slap on my face. “How dare you?” Axel growls. “I’m trying to be lenient here, and you’re acting stubborn. If you don’t come willingly, I’ll tie you up.” He threatens, his voice cold and angry. “Just get out of my way, Axel.” I cry, feeling the coppery taste of blood on the side of my lips. That’s how hard he slapped me. “The effrontery. She’s calling you by your name. This girl has lost her respect!” Casey snickers, but I completely ignore her and attempt to push Axel aside. My efforts are futile as he abruptly pushes me back. I miss my step and fall on the ground, the side of my head hitting the base of the chair. I wince as pain shoots all over my body. A new wave of tears starts streaming down my eyes as I feel pain all over. I bring my hand over to the spot that hit the base of the chair, and when I bring my hand back to look at it, I discover that I'm bleeding. I feel a sudden tug on my leg, and my eyes widen at my father trying to tie me up. Before I can react, Casey has already held me down. I scream, I thrash, and plead, but it all falls on deaf ears. After successfully tying my legs, Dad ties my hands backward and places tape on my mouth to muffle my screams. "Will you be free tonight?" Casey asks as Dad heaves me onto his shoulders. I squirm under his hold, but he holds me tight. "They'll let me go once I deliver her," he replies before walking out of the house. I struggle and cry all through the journey to wherever my dad is taking me. I don't know how long it takes until he finally arrives at the house. I can't see much. He carries me out of the car. Some scruffy-looking men approach, and they're just as big as the ones back at the club that night. They ignore my screaming and place a plastic bag over my head. I'm carried again to God knows where. One of the men carrying me suddenly drops me, making me sit on the ground. "Is this your collateral?" a deep, almost familiar voice asks. "Yes," Dad replies. "Name?" "Astrid Russell," Dad replies, and my heart begins to race as my chest heaves. The voice sounds so familiar. No, it can't be.