The Journey

Sahithi was gazing at the photo frame that depicted her full family taken in happier days. She had been in 9th class (9th grade) then. The family had gathered in the garden for a group photograph. While her grandparents looked as ancient as ever, her parents seemed to be aging for the first time. Everyone seemed to be happy, though she could detect the lack of deep happiness in the eyes of her aunt. There was something that her aunt was unhappy about though she didn't know what it was. Nevertheless, she ignored the feeling of unease and finished her packing making sure she had everything that she loved the most. When she came out, her uncle was waiting for her. He appeared calm as ever but what struck her as strange was the absence of her cousin and her aunt.

"Shall we go?" she nodded, unwilling to speak. She was surprised to see her uncle's car waiting for them.

"What happened to our car?"

"It is engaged on another task."

"What task?"

"Taking your aunt and your bava home."

"Who is taking them?"

"Raju." that explained the absence of her trusted driver. "Get in." he indicated the passenger seat in the front while he climbed behind the wheel. The journey was pleasant; as pleasant as it could be for two individuals who sat like robots, barely speaking to each other. Her uncle took the NH-16 road and rove silently till he reached Kurellagudem where he stopped for tea. Sahithi decied to eat as she knew this might prove to be a long journey.

She rested her head and fell asleep during the second leg of the journey. When she opened her eyes, she was staring at a motel. Her uncle was shaking her awake and shi didn't mind it. "We need to spend the night here." He said. "I booked two single rooms. We will have dinner in the room. Order what ever you want." She took the opportunity to order the costliest dishes on offer. "Why not?" she said to herself. "Let us see how much he is willing to spend." The room was comfortable and not what one usually observed in roadside motels. She was able to sleep well and peacefully.

***

The room was devoid of any furniture except a strange device that suspiciously looked like a chair without a seat. The girl whose wrists had been tied to a hook in the ceiling, was barely standing on her toes. From time to time she moved, trying to ease the discomfort of being in that position for hours. Her eyes closed, the girl was sleeping with a drooping head. The room was silent except for the steady breathing of the tied up girl. The door, that appeared to be part of the wall, swung in, revealing two men in a strange uniform. Both men, whose faces were blurred, entered the room after having closed the door behind them. Both were tall, well-built men, looked young and appeared to be trained for combat. They came to the captive girl and stopped, checking her out from all angles. The shorter of the two men, spoke with the confidence of someone used to being obeyed by others.

"What do you think?"

"She is the perfect one."

"I wonder how she would be without the cover."

"Shall I reveal what is beneath then?"

"Yes, but let her know what is happening." The second man sprinkled water on the girl's face and she woke up. All she could see was two masked men standing before her. There was a fear in her voice as she realised they were her abductors.

"Who are you? What do you want? Why did you kidnap me? What will you do to me? Please, I have done nothing. Please leave me."

"That's a lot of questions for someone who has been hanging for more than three days." The taller man seemed amused. "Look at yourself first." The victim looked down and screamed. She was exactly as she was born - stark naked. Even the light p***c hair had been shaved off revealing a smooth p***y. The milky white t****s, the stiff, supple b*****s jutting out proudly like the twin peaks of mount everest, The slim waist, all pointed to an extraordinary beauty in the making.

"Interesting!" the man remarked. "It would be very interesting to see you on the horse."

"What!" her confusion at his words was increased when she was untied and carried to a contraption in the right corner of the room. It was a typical wooden horse you would see in village fairs. However, there was one difference; on the back of the horse, right where a rider would sit, was a small pole instead of a saddle. This pole appeared to be well oiled. The girl realised what they meant by sitting on the horse. They wanted her to sit on the oiled pole!

****

Sahithi woke up from her dream, her body ice cold from the sweat, despite the Air conditioner in the room. She drank some water from the bottle on the bedside table and looked at the clock. 5 a.m. She held her head in her hands in frustration. "God! What else do you have in store for me? As if it is not enough to take away my family from me, you seem to take pleasure in tormenting me further. Why do I feel that I am going to a prison instead of a school? Please god, don't torment me further." She prayed fervently.

Later that day, they checked out of the motel after breakfast and another long silent journey ensued, her uncle choosing not to talk while Sahithi reflected on the starnge nightmare she had had that morning. She did not even bother to notice where her uncle was taking her, since she was sure it would be of no use to her. How wrong she was! The car sped on the national highway for more than half a day and swerved into a restaurant in a small town. They had lunch and rested for an hour before resuming their journey. This town led to a forest area that few people cared to venture. After travelling for six hours on the rough, forest path, they reached a castle that appeared so old that it gave off a vibe of being haunted by ghosts. The signboard "Shanthi Group of Institutions" seemed very ominous and foreboding instead of soothing the nerves of any newcomer. Her uncle stopped in front of the rusting iron gates and got out. Sahithi felt that she had been brought to the den of some cult who believed and practiced banned and evil traditions. A shiver ran down her spine simply by looking at the horrifying ambience.

"Why are we here?"

"This is school."

"What?"

"You will be studying here till you finish your Masters degree." There was a tone of finality in his voice. "This is non-negotiable." He said and pushed her forward into the school.