Chapter 4 EXPOSED

CHAPTER 4

My eyes went wide with terror as I was dragged away, locked in a room, and left to await my fate. I was trapped, with no escape in sight.

As I sat in the dimly lit room, tears streaming down my face, a young woman with a kind expression entered the room. She couldn't have been more than a few years older than I was, and her gentle demeanor immediately put me at ease.

"Hi, I'm Joanna," the woman said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been sent to prepare you for the chief's visit tonight."

My eyes widened in horror, and I felt a wave of despair wash over me. "No, please," I begged, my voice trembling. "Don't make me do this. I'll do anything, just please don't make me go through with this."

Joanna's expression was sympathetic, but she didn't offer any false hope. "I'm sorry, miss," she said, her voice filled with compassion. "I really am. But this is the way things are around here. It's not the best but you have to make due with it, as long as you satisfy the chief then you'll be fine."

Tears continued flowing down my cheeks, but Joanna quickly intervened, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll take care of you," she said. "But first, let's get you cleaned up. We'll go to the bath house and get you ready for tonight."

As we walked to the bath house, I couldn't help but notice the way Joanna seemed to move with a quiet resignation, as if she had long since given up hope. I sensed that Joanna was a victim, just like me, and that realization sparked a sense of solidarity between us.

As we bathed and prepared for the chief's visit, Joanna struck up a conversation. "You should have accepted the chief's offer to become his wife," Joanna said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "It would have been easier for you. At least that way you would have had some status and protection."

My eyes flashed with anger, and I felt a surge of resentment towards Joanna. "How can you say that?" I demanded, my voice rising. "You know what he's like. He's a heartless monster. And you're telling me to just accept it?"

Joanna's expression was calm, but I could see the pain in her eyes. "I'm not saying it's right." she said. "I'm just saying it's the way it is. We have to make the best of it. And sometimes, that means making difficult choices."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that Joanna was trying to help me, in her own way. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I just feel so trapped. I don't know what to do."

Joanna's expression softened as she reached out to take my hand. "I know how you feel," she said. "I've been there too. But you have to be strong, Lyra" ........."I know this is probably the last thing you'd like to hear, but you have to do your best tonight to satisfy the chief so he'll consider taking you out of the brothel to serve him personally. It's not ideal but it's better than the alternative of becoming a prostitute. You're a beautiful woman, Lyra, and the chief won't let you go to waste. You'll be his alone, and that's...that's something, at the very least."

My face contorted in disgust as I began to yell and scream at Joanna. But Joanna didn't flinch, instead, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me close as I sobbed.

As my tears subsided, Joanna whispered, "I'm sorry, Lyra. I'm so sorry. I wish I could do more to help you, but...but this is all I can offer." Joanna leaned in close and whispered, "When the chief comes tonight, tell him You're experiencing your monthly cycle. He won't believe you, of course, but it might be able to buy you a little time. And I'll...I'll help you. He'll probably call someone in to confirm if you're speaking the truth or not, and I'll be the one to confirm, supporting your claims."

My eyes locked onto Joanna's, and I saw a glimmer of solidarity there. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much."

Joanna's expression was somber, but she nodded. "It's alright, I'll do whatever I can to help you. But we have to be careful, if the chief finds out we tried to deceive him the consequences will be great."

I pulled Joanna in for a hug in an attempt to express my gratitude, but as we were mid-embrace I noticed a strange girl lurking by the window. The girl's expression was one of displacement, as if she had been displeased by our conversation.

"Who's that?" I whispered to Joanna, nodding towards the girl but unfortunately the girl left before Joanna could see her.

As the chief entered the room, walking towards me, I immediately stood up, my voice shaking as I stammered, "I'm...I...I just got my period. I...I can't."

He burst out laughing, his face twisted in amusement. "Seriously, you think such a stupid excuse would work on me?" he sneered. "I know you're lying. Come on, lyra. This isn't the first time I've heard that excuse, if you wanted to lie so badly, you could've at least been creative with it. I'm not dumb enough to fall for that."

My face contorted in desperation as I tried to convince him. "I'm not lying! I'm telling the truth! You can call someone to check if you'd like!"

He raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Oh really? Fine I'll call someone in to confirm your claims" he said as he calmly exited the room.

A few minutes later Joanna walked into the room, it was just as we planned. My eyes locked onto hers, pleading for her to confirm my story. Joanna nodded, her expression somber. "Yes, chief. She's indeed on her period."

He stared at me blankly for a moment before heading out. Just as he was about to leave, the strange girl I saw earlier, from the bath house barged into the room, falling to her knees as she begged for forgiveness. "Please, chief, I'm so sorry I didn't inform you sooner. These two women are scheming in hopes to deceive you. They're lying to your face!"