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.

the people inside the car didn't hear her as the car was traveling at high

faster to catch up as she continued

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

to the ground, hitting the gravel next to the road with her knees. Pain lanced through the scraped

"Daddy...

you hear me?" she wailed disappointedly.

she didn't notice the minibus driving up behind her quietly. A man with a mask stepped out and silently approached.

which grabbed her from behind. Struggling to her feet she

throat. Struggling like a frightened deer under the hunter's cross-hairs achieved nothing, and she soon lapsed into an anesthetized unconsciousness. Closing her eyes, the expression of desperate horror fixed

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. Getting into the driver's seat he stepped on the accelerator and sped off

bright with remembrances, and he asked,

the car, quickly answered, "No,

came into Jacob's mind. He frowned

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

at once. With determination he walked back and looked

ago, he seem to have heard someone call

was faint but echoed in

stream of traffic, but saw no-one that could have called

he finally returned to the car. Once seated inside, he lifted his hands to press at his throbbing temples and closed his eyes

felt weak and that he

I'm Jacob

Letting someone in, is weakness. I won't let it happen, ' he thought, rehearsing the words like a mantra, as if secretly trying to convince himself.

...

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

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

real beauty. I think she will fetch a high price. But why does she still

too much anesthetic. Take it easy. She will wake up

"Okay."

head reproachfully, but breathed a sigh of relief and took Beryl into

was. Then, as her

sensation in her head, looked around and asked, "You... Why are we locked up

whispered, "Because we're going to be sold. Everyone here is