Chapter 5: 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