Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The stream jumped to another scene .
“ Two excapes in three days ” Lyra’s fingers tightened in warning .
“ Try again , and you’ll wish for the caule pen
She studied Elysia on the bed , greed darkening her eyes as she took in the beauty dirt had hidden .
The hunger in her gaze threatened to swallow the little girl whole .
When Elysia instinctively shrank back , a sharp crack split the air
“ Still defiant ! ” Lyra spat .
“ No ! I’ll be good ,” Elysia whispered , her voice trembling .
Just please tell my parents where I am .
They must be so-
The second slap sent her sprawling .
“ Parents ? ” Lyra sneered .
“ I’m your mother now , Samrane paid thirty thousand dollars for your life .
You should thank me for keeping you breathing Forget about your family – that’s nothing but a dream now , ”
Elysia curled into herself , tears blurring her vision .
Her four – year – old mind couldn’t grasp what it meant for someone to “ huy her life ” She only knew what her brother had always said – bad children get taken away , never to see their families again .
‘ But I was good she thought .
7 dressed myself , ate properly , slept alone .
I always listened to Mom and Dad and my brothers .
Why did the bad people still take me ?
au , had people wouldn’t come
“ Fenwick , ” she whispered through her tears , “ you promised if I listened to you ,
In the studio , the words struck Fenwick like physical blows .
He’d wielded that threat so casually , never realizing how deeply she’d taken it to heart .
His fans fell silent while other viewers continued commenting
I thought my display was malfunctioning when everything got blurry .
Then I realized – those were her tears .
Now I’m about to cry too .
[ That slap felt real through the screen .
God , por Elysia
Are we glossing over the fact that someone bought her life ! )
Lyra’s words also sparked a chilling realization throughout the stream – someone had located Elysia within twenty – four hours and arranged her murder .
In the studio , blood vessels stood out in Tonn’s eyes as he gripped his chair , Not ransom , but murder .
Thirty thousand dollars was all it took to reveal humanity’s darkest face .
[ This trafficker actually has a bit of conscience .
At worst they’re a liule harsh – it’s Elysia who doesn’t know when she’s got it good ! ]
Lyra’s next words shattered that delusion with brutal efficiency .
“ Can’t sell her yet – her face is plastered everywhere .
Better wait till she’s older .
With looks like that ? Rich men will throw money us
Outrage buried the trafficking apologist in the chat feed .
( Where’s that “ conscience ” defender now ? Bet they’re part of the ring Investigation needed .
]
[ Police need to see this footage .
I
While viewers called for justice in the present , the stream continued
Elysia’s trembling intensified , but her tears fell silently now .
She’d learned that sobs brought more pain .
Besides , she had no strength left for crying .
Three days .
One bowl of cereal .
Every mention of home , every escape attempi earned fresh bruises ,
“ Torin and Fenwick miss you .
.
help .
Her whisper faded into the darkness .
The image faded to black , but sounds lingered .
Lyra barst in , fearing another escape .
She found only a pale bundle in the corner , skin like ice ,
“ Damn – three days without food.
She’s passed out ,” Lyra said , panic creeping into her voice
“ Let her starve , ” Dorian’s gruff voice replied .
“ We got paid anyway .
”
“ Don’t be an idiot ! ” Lyra snapped .
“ Why settle for one payday when we can have two ? Feed her some milk , she’ll earn it back working in the fields
Back in the studio , soft sous echoed through the studio as younger viewers broke down by Elysia’s suffering
“ Can’t believe she had such a terrible childhood , ” one whispered .
“ An heiress treated like an animal , destined for … ”
10:40 AM