FIRST ESCAPE ATTEMPT

A week had passed since Heather had learned her fortune. Tears brimmed in her beautiful, brown glass-like eyes and flowed down her high-cheeked bones when she recalled what her dad had said over the phone.

"I'm sorry, sweatheart. I know I and your mother failed you as parents, but we had no other option. Growing up, you saw how people looked down on us because we were poor. When I heard that there was a man who bought humans in exchange for money, I sold you, dear. I wanted to raise our social class. I'm so sorry." Her dad told him when he called him to inquire if what Alejendro had said was true.

She badly wanted to call Pete and tell her how she was fairing. She wanted to tell her she was right since the very first day she doubted her parents, but unluckily, she couldn't do that any more. All her belongings were taken, including her smartphone.

She curled up in a foetal position on the dusty ground as more tears streamed down her cheeks.Since she came to learn her dad had sold her off, she has been crying non-stop. Her eyes were now puffy and red; her whole face was swollen. Every now and then, tremors broke out across her body. Though Alejendro had yet to do anything to her, deep down she knew sooner or later she had to face her cruel fate.

"Oh God! Why did you give me such cruel parents? You could have at least made an orphan. This is too much. I can't handle it." Upon lamenting, she sobbed harder, peeling her skin with her sharp nails. She tried to block every single negative thought that was screamed in her mind by the voice in her head by recalling every good moment she had ever had, but she became more heartbroken.

She has never shared any good memory with her parents or siblings. She said her favorite memories were those she shared with Pete, her former best friend and now girlfriend. But, unfortunately, she was no more. There was no way she could reach her. She had once thought of running away, but it was impossible. The building was located in a secluded place. There was no sign of a single human being.

When she peered through the door, she was welcomed by large fields of pappus grass and nothing else. The dry ground that was filled with red dust smiled at her. She looked up at the sky to get a single ray of hope for her already shattered heart, but no hope was found.

"Pete, you said you'd be the first to know if I had any problems. I believe that too, 'cause we both share a strong bond. Why don't you sense this, "Was there anything you were so preoccupied with that you didn't realize I was in trouble?" She complained of pacing in the room.

A loud bang outside jerked her from her half-concious state. Peeping through the cracks of the door, she saw a black truck passing on the road. A trye puncher caused the bang sound it made.She reasoned this based on the fact that two men, whom she assumed to be the drivers, had jumped out of the truck and were now crouching at tyre level.

"This is my opportunity to get myself out of this problem." For the first time in many hours, she smiled again. She banged the wooden door with all her might. She knew that if the truck drivers heard the commotion, they'd come in and free her.

"Oh the great one, let them hear me." She prayed silently.

One of the drivers ran into the bush in front of the building to relieve himself. Taking that as an advantage, she screamed for help.

"Help! Help!"

She cried, banging on the door continuously. The great one was on her side that day, 'cause the man started to walk towards the building.

"Hurry up! I am here! I'm in here!"

She jumped, waving. When she realized the man couldn't see her from outside, she resumed her banging.

"Help!"

She screamed with all her might until her throat ran dry and became sore almost immediately. She heaved in relief when the man ran towards the door.

"Can you hear me?" She heard the man's voice asking from outside.

"Yes! Help me get out of here." She begged with sobs.

"How did you get in here?" The man asked.

Losing patience, she flared up: "It's not time for questions, mister. Just open this freaking, semi-broken wooden door and take yourself out of this place. I'll tell you everything in the truck." She told him.

"Fine, lass. But where is the key?" He inquired, and Heather asked her to check under the medium stone, which lay in front of the house. No one could ever guess if the house key was hidden behind a door. The stone was placed in a place that a person would never suspect.

"Lift it up, quicky. "I have a feeling Alejendro will show up any day now." She yelled.

"Who is Alejendro?" The man inquired again, coming towards the closed door.

"Come on. It's not time for gossiping, really. Take the key and get me out of here, please." She begged him, breaking down into sobs.

That was the only chance she had for getting out of that place, but she had a great feeling she wouldn't succeed. The man was intrested in the conversation rather than helping her out. In short, he was a gossiper more than a rescuer.

The other man, who was still fixing the tire, clapped his hands, signaling to the other that the tire was fixed, just as she had expected. And just like that, he forgot he was going to help her. Letting go of the stone, he ran to the other one and pulled him into a congratulatory hug.

Patting each other's backs in a friendly way, they both hopped in the truck and zoomed away.

"I knew it." Heather sighed, sitting on the dusty floor.