Chapter 6

       

                    ⚜ Torture      ⚜

  After repeatedly calling for help, we gave up. I didn't know how long time had passed but finally, someone unlocked the door and was met with an awful stink which made him cover his nose with his hands. Among the fourteen women, only three fainted. If the man hadn't arrived I guess there would be more including myself.

He shouted. "Pacho! Rico! Carlito! Boys? What have you done? Quickly get the doctor"

I was too drunk with the stench that I didn't bother covering my nose.

The man spoke. "Don't worry ladies. I am getting you out of this hole"

Pacho popped in panting. "What's up, man?"

  "What the fuck did you do? Is this how you will take over the gang by mistreating the cargo?" This man somehow held some kind of power.

Richard with the help of some other boys helped carry the women who had fainted to the doctors.

The remaining of us were escorted to another room which at least had better lighting than the previous room.

The man who found us was furious as he shouted at Pacho. "CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHO THE FUCK TOLD THE WOMEN TO SHIT IN THAT ROOM?"

Pacho scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know anything man"

  "Let's see what the big enchiladas have to say when I tell them about this"

   "Mm? mmm. I see. let's see what the big enchiladas will say when they hear about this!" He turned to leave but Pacho stopped him.

 

    "Lionel, wait man! Don't sell your boys out. We only did what we saw best for our gang and on behalf of the boys, I am sorry we undermined you and boss man. Punish me instead but don't report this to the enchiladas, they will kill us"

"Fine. I won't say a word but treat them cargo well. Get them clean clothes as these are soaked already and have the doctor come here later and check them", Lionel said.

   "Sure patron...right away" Pacho spoke.

We changed into clean clothes except for the innerwear as they didn't give us and later the doctor examined us again and confirmed we were okay.

  As soon as the three girls walked in we clapped in unison and hugged them. Later Lionel told us to cooperate if we were to survive. Due to the lighting from the windows, we could tell when it was morning or night time plus the meals they gave us twice daily also made us aware of the time. One week later when we were having our morning meal(I wouldn't call it breakfast), we heard gunshots followed by women screaming. By now I was used to all of that. Suddenly the door was kicked open and Lionel, the boss man and other boys came in.

"Get up bitches! Stop what you are doing!" the boss man said.

"Facundo? Humberto and Frank get the boss somewhere safe and call once you settled" Lionel ordered.

"Lion, my brother stay safe too. You are now in charge" the boss paused then continued. "Go to go! Boys help him get the cargos safe! You know which road to take, call me with the satellite cells"

  It seemed they were running from someone more dangerous than them. I was praying with all my might that the police or DEA or anyone saves us and at the same time I was scared. They covered our faces with some clothes and masked our mouths.

  "Move move! Get moving bitch!" one shouted.

   "Lio, We cannot fight them for long. We got 6minutes before they get us, hurry man"

I remember being kicked on my back to move faster. The next thing I know we were in a truck and I couldn't tell much as that's what I heard them say.

"Pacho. Get in the truck. Go with them I will cover your back" I heard Lionel yell.

"No man. I can't leave you behind" Pacho muttered.

"JUST DO WHAT THE FUCK AM TELLING YOU TO. GO!" Lionel shouted. I  could hear gunshots getting closer and then the truck was closed.

Suddenly  I heard someone shout. "NO. NO OOOOOO....! LIO. Lio...."

Another said. "We've to go man...they will catch us".

"F***k them! I won't spare them." Sobbing he continued. "Can't believe Lio is gone. Our best guy. I  have to inform the boss ASAP!" Pacho said.

  Based on the way the truck moved I could tell for sure we drove through a rough potholed road and after a while, the truck moved smoothly on the road. With the turns, the truck took, we were headed east. Being a nerd sometimes helped. I counted every turn and bump we passed. We were on the road for more than 2 hours and with the truck slowing down I was sure we had arrived at our destination.

  "Quickly off-load the merchandise first and  the bitches last"

Bitches? That was our new name.

   "Where should we put them Pacho?"

     "In the boss's office"

       "I'm on boys "

After a while, I heard. "All done Pacho"

   "Cool. Now get the bitches out! Put them separately from the other workers" Pacho ordered.

Ince, we were out of the truck, they removed the clothes and masks covering us and told us to wait. What was more fun in the waiting was the fresh air I got to breathe after a week of suffocation. Also, it felt good to feel the heat of the sun. Pacho came back with a woman much older than us. "This is Sarah the matron. She'll take it from here"

"Come. Come. Let me show you to your rooms and you can shower and change"

Guess how happy I was having heard about the shower

Sarah took us to an open room filled with more than ten double-decker beds. She also showed us the washrooms and clothes set she had picked for each one of us.

Something was fishy. Why the sudden treatment?

   As I stood under the shower I reminisced about home. I cried as the water dropped through my body. I knew everyone back at home was worried. After the warm shower, I put on the dress Sarah chose. Everyone looked beautiful with their clothes on but also kind of slutty. The dress was too short and very revealing. Sarah walked in with another man. "This is Elvy. He needs to fix your hair and nails. Please no questions"

I was used to some ponytails but Elvy let down my hair. Everyone's hair was fixed in different styles; Some buns, others cornrows, some I don't even know.

  Later Sarah brought some food which was no different from the one we used to have just that the plates were clean. "Now, I'll take your photos. I need you to pose your best. At least pretend you look happy!" We faked those smiles.

   "Those who are done eating come here. I need to take individual photos. Smile..."

After the photo session, he ordered us to go to bed. After a week of sleeping on the floor, I finally laid my head on a mattress though not comfortable as the hotels.

The hotel...oo oh, Yadhy and Joaquin must be worried sick too!!

I couldn't sleep and I kept hearing weird noises. Somebody screaming, laughing, some music playing. Guess my mind was playing tricks on me or it was just fatigue.

  The next day after the morning meal, Sarah gave us a pep talk on what was going to happen. She even taught us how to behave, move and walk around people.

  "People who come here are very influential. Please behave" I kind of knew what she meant but chose to ignore it. The boss arrived later in the afternoon.

  "Sarah. Sarah. You are always the best mami. See how you've turned bitches into princesses? A big reward awaits you"

   "You know me, well Boss, this is my talent"

He looked at me from head to toe and spoke.         

   "Blondie looks gorgeous too. That dress can kill any man. Sarah. Watch out blonde here is feisty"

   "Don't worry boss. Not for long though. Can I get you one package for hit and run before the big bid?" Sarah asked.

   "Why not. I might as well confirm if they are good"

Sarah looked at all of us then called Becky. By now we all knew each other by names. Becky didn't want to go but with a gun pointed at her head, she had no choice.

  "The rest of you go back to your room," rah said.

From our room, we could hear Becky shouting but couldn't do a thing. It seemed this was going to be our fate. We also heard the boss shouting Becky's name more than twice. After two hours, Becky was brought in by Sarah who patted her saying, "Good girl. You know what's best for you! Here are some jewellery from the boss"

When the matron left we all were bombarding Becky with Questions of how? what? why? Without asking are you okay?

She cried. "That bastard raped me. I know am not an actual virgin but he raped me twice."

  "Poor thing! Come here" I said while hugging her.

   "He said I will be his bitch even after being sold today"

    "What? so you mean we are dressed to be sold?" Sandra panicked.

    "Come on Sandra, don't tell me you didn't know from day one that this person prostitute women?" Elena interjected.

"No, I didn't. I thought they were making us drug mules"

  "It's a fact. The screams? All this dress up and makeover was for some pigs to buy us. I wonder how my parents and fiancee are doing?" Vanessa cried.

   "There's nothing we can do now," Mary uttered.

I stood there listening but didn't have the strength to take part in the conversation. It was too much for me, too much already that I chose to stay put.

  "Ladies, it's time. Remember all I taught you? Don't let me down. It's not a request it's an order!"Sarah declared.