A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

"Ah!" Anna uttered a great cry of pain, but with lips tightly shut, she refused to tell the men where Beryl was.

Puzzled by her refusal to cooperate, the men frowned in anger, then one of them viciously kicked her hard in the chest. Gasping in pain she spewed forth a stream of blood.

Hiding behind the statue, Beryl watched the scene of abuse in helpless terror. Frighted out of her young mind, she almost let out a scream of horror, but she covered her small mouth with her hands, holding back the expression of fear. She could not risk being found by the thugs again, and tears of desperation beaded her marbled cheeks.

Anna seemed to be aware of Beryl being in sight of the drama, and she looked in her general direction, silently mouthing, "Go, go..."

"Anna..." Beryl murmured choking on her tears.

She wanted to save Anna but she knew with certainty that it would be futile, as she was too small and weak to fight off the muscled bandits. If she tried to help, she would simply be caught again.

Finally, she then accepted that she couldn't save Anna or her mother if she was caught by those men.

With a grim little swallow, she looked into Anna's worried eyes and, gritting her teeth, turned to run away.

'Anna, I promise I'll find Dad and he will save you!' she vowed solemnly in her little heart.

She ran as far as she could, her chest hurting from the breath burning her lungs. Not knowing how far she had come, she could only hope that it was out of reach of the bad men. Her legs trembled with exhaustion and she panted for breath.

Finally able to breathe a bit better, she looked around and found herself at the side of an unknown road, and the realization struck home that she was hopelessly lost.

What should she do now, to find her father?

After all, she was only five years old, and despite having a good memory, she hadn't been everywhere in Jingshi City, and she had no idea where she was now.

There were no passers-by around to ask for directions either.

She stood staring blankly at the black road with cars speeding past, and looked with longing at the head-lights that flew past only to dim on the horizon. Fatigue made her eyes ache and she felt weak.

Before she completely despaired, she suddenly saw a familiar black luxury car. Fixing her eyes on it she saw her father, Jacob, sitting in the back.

'Thank goodness. Daddy's come to find me!'

Excited at the thought of being rescued, she ran towards the car as fast as she could, yelling, "Daddy! Please stop! Daddy! Daddy!" She finally screamed in desperation.

didn't hear her as the car was traveling at high speed and quickly disappeared from view.

up as she continued

could never have caught up to the speeding car, and she didn't stand a chance on her shortened

out of control, she tripped and fell to the ground, hitting the gravel next to the road with her knees. Pain lanced through the scraped and bruised joints. Holding her bleeding

"Daddy...

you hear me?"

notice the minibus driving up behind her quietly. A man with a mask stepped out and silently approached.

a powerful set of arms which grabbed her from behind. Struggling to her feet she was swiftly incapacitated by a handkerchief soaked in a powerful drug that covered her mouth and nose tightly.

achieved nothing, and she soon lapsed

her up like a discarded toy, he swung her limp, rag-doll body over his shoulder, and then carried her to the vehicle. The balaclava hid his face and the cruel scar of a smile.

bright with remembrances, and he asked, "Sam, did you hear

driving the car,

ominous presentiment came into Jacob's mind. He frowned and

brakes. He dared not ask the reason. Since Jacob's solo returned to Jingshi City from D country, he had become even more secretive and his motives

determination he walked back and looked around

he seem to have

but echoed in his ears again and

ahead of him and the steady stream of traffic, but saw no-one that could have called out. Was it just an

about, but found nothing. Feeling confused he finally returned to the car. Once seated inside, he lifted his hands to press at his throbbing

weak and that he had

feeling! I'm Jacob and I

me, that is weakness. Letting someone in, is weakness. I won't let it happen, ' he

...

unconscious as the minivan reached the suburbs. Looking about to be sure that no-one saw them, the man with the mask took her out and handed her

and lovely. I think she's the most beautiful girl

"She's a real beauty. I think she will fetch a high price. But why does she still sleep

much anesthetic. Take it easy. She will wake up later,"

"Okay."

her head reproachfully, but breathed a sigh of relief

dazed and didn't know where she was. Then, as her vision cleared, she saw the girls and women

the spinning sensation in her head, looked around

own age whispered, "Because we're going