He cursed under his breath, his jaw tightening in frustration. With a rough sigh, he sat down beside her and opened the bag. A soft aroma escaped it—warm rice porridge, still steaming faintly. He hesitated, his face twisted in visible disgust, as if just the act of caring for her was beneath him.
Then, without warning, he reached for her.
Julie flinched as he pulled her into his arms, her frail body barely reacting. He lifted a spoonful of porridge toward her lips.
"Open your damn mouth," he snapped coldly. "I don't want you dying yet—not before you pay for what you did to me."
She didn't move, but he didn't wait for her permission. He forced the spoon into her mouth. The porridge was warm, bland, but nourishing. She swallowed slowly, her throat aching from dryness and exhaustion.
As he fed her, bite after bite, Julie's mind spiraled in confusion. Who is Juliana? What did she do to make him hate me so much? What could drive someone to treat another person like this?
She didn't resist—she couldn't. Each mouthful brought a little warmth back into her hollowed frame. She ate in silence until the bowl was empty. Her eyelids grew heavy, her limbs heavier still. Without realizing it, she drifted off in his arms. Sleep claimed her like a tide pulling her under.
When she awoke again, the cabin was quiet and dark. She was alone once more, and the warmth from the porridge had faded into a dull ache across her back and limbs.
She sat up slowly, her stomach growling even as it throbbed from the meager meal. She reached for the bag he had left, hoping for more food. Her fingers trembled as she opened it. Nothing hot, but a few scraps remained—a crust of bread, some rice stuck to the bottom.
She ate with desperation, chewing every bite like it might be her last. The food filled her, if only for a moment, and soon exhaustion pulled her back into sleep.
But her rest didn't last long.
A loud BANG at the door jolted her awake. Her heart leapt into her throat.
She turned in panic—and saw him.
David.
He stood in the doorway, dressed in dark pants and a plain T-shirt. But it wasn't his clothes that chilled her—it was the whip he held in his right hand.
Fear clutched her chest like ice.
She couldn't breathe.
No…
She'd thought hunger was the worst thing that could happen. She would've welcomed the gnawing ache in her stomach a hundred times over the sight of that leather weapon curling in his hand.
David stepped forward slowly, his eyes scanning the cabin until they landed on the empty food bag at her feet. A cruel smile twisted across his face.
"Good," he said, nodding. "You're full. That means you'll be able to stand what's coming."
Julie's blood turned cold.
"No… please—" she started, backing away—but it was too late.
The first lash struck her back with a searing crack. Pain tore through her like lightning.
She screamed.
The second blow followed. Then the third.
Each strike ripped through the thin fabric of her shirt, through her skin. Her cries echoed against the cabin walls.
"Why?!" she sobbed. "What do you want from me? What did I ever do to you?!"
He paused only to laugh—a dark, bitter sound that chilled her bones.
"Don't play dumb," he growled. "You really think I'm stupid enough to fall for that? Where's the money, Juliana?"
"Money? I don't know anything about money!" she cried.
"Liar!" he shouted, eyes wild. "Did you give it to your lover, huh? You took my money and gave it to him? You bitch!"
He swung the whip again.
Julie's body jerked violently with the impact. The pain was excruciating—white-hot and unbearable. She screamed louder, her nails digging into the wooden floorboards, trying to anchor herself, to escape the agony.
She wished he would stop.
She wished she could disappear.
She wished she could die.
But the blows kept coming.
When the beating finally ceased, her body was still. Blood soaked through the back of her shirt. Her breathing was shallow. Darkness began to cloud her vision—and then everything went black.
She awoke in silence.
Everything hurt.
There was no light. No sound. Just the weight of her own pain and the overwhelming stench of dried sweat, blood, and mold. She tried to sit up but cried out at the sharp sting that raced across her back.
Carefully, inch by inch, she crawled toward the couch, using her elbows and knees. She couldn't bear to lie on her back—every part of it throbbed. She lay on her stomach, trembling, tears slipping silently down her face.
That night, she cried herself to sleep.
And somewhere between the sobs, a decision rooted itself deep in her heart:
The next time he opens that door… I'm escaping.
The next morning arrived with no sunlight.
Julie had hardly slept. Her body ached more than ever. Her shirt had stuck to the wounds on her back, and any movement sent a wave of pain shooting through her. She gritted her teeth. The dried blood had stiffened into a painful crust.
But she was alive.
And she had a plan.
She spotted an old wooden plate on the floor. It wasn't heavy, but it was solid enough. She limped toward it, every step agony, and gripped it tightly in both hands.
Then she waited.
Positioned behind the door, trembling, she listened. Every second dragged like an hour. Her vision blurred from exhaustion and pain, but she forced herself to stay awake.
Then—creak.
The handle turned.
The door opened.
David stepped in, carrying another bag of food.
He looked up—and didn't see her.
Panic flickered across his face just as Julie raised the plate with all the strength she had left.
THWACK.
The sound of wood striking skull echoed through the cabin.
David staggered, the bag slipping from his hand. He collapsed to the floor, face-first.
Julie didn't wait to see if he'd get up.
She dropped the plate and ran.
Pain shot up her legs, flared across her back—but she didn't stop.
She burst through the door and into the open, her bare feet hitting the dirt road. Her breath came in ragged gasps, but she kept going—into the trees, into the unknown.
She didn't know where she was going.
She didn't know how far she'd make it.
But for the first time in days, Julie felt hope.
She was running toward freedom.
And she wouldn't stop now.