Chapter 3 Freddie

He took her to his own cabin, and she was very hesitant to enter. What if he was also going to hurt her?

"I'm just going to treat your bruises. Your cell is cold and dirty, and you might get an infection," he said and grabbed a first aid kit. He began to bring out the things he would need.

"May I... May I please... Please leave the door... open?" she stuttered.

"Yes. You can also grab that baseball bat and dislocate my joints with it. Just in case I get hypnotized by your beauty," Freddie said with a chuckle. Avril chuckled softly and entered the room, leaving the door open and grabbing the baseball bat. Freddie was a bit surprised that she actually grabbed the bat. As if on cue, Avril spoke up, "I don't trust easily, you see."

"Neither do I," he said and smiled. He motioned for her to sit down, and she did, then he took her hand where she had a little cut. "Your skin is so smooth and beautiful. You shouldn't have scars on it," he said as he began cleaning off the blood. "It stings," Avril said and winced. "Sorry." After cleaning it and disinfecting it, he put a band-aid on. He did the same with the rest of the bruises and the cut on her lip.

"All good. I'm going to change that in a few hours," he said.

"Thank you," Avril replied.

"Don't worry. No one would lay a finger on you in this ship. I won't permit it," Freddie said. Avril smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

"But what about my friends?" she asked.

"Friends?" Freddie asked.

"The black girls in the cell," Avril replied.

"Oh... Well, them too. They're safe now," Freddie said.

"Thank you so much, sir," Avril said.

"Call me Freddie," he said with a smile. Avril smiled and nodded. She felt a bit safe and happy. She hoped Freddie would keep to his word and not let them hurt her and the black girls, and also the Chinese girl.

"Drink some water. I'll be right back," Freddie said and walked to the door. Avril saw a pack of bottled water and wanted to take one when some things ran across her mind. Why were they being kidnapped in the first place? Where were they taking them? Why were they even being raped and beaten up? She looked over at Freddie. She wanted to call him back and ask him questions, but he went through the door and took the turn down the hall. She heaved a sigh and stood up to where the water was, pulled out a bottle, and quickly opened it. She gulped almost everything down in a minute.

"Wow. You were quite thirsty," Freddie's voice rang out. She looked back and saw him with a man who wasn't as tall as him. "Come on. This man will escort you to your friends. You can also take water for them." "Thank you," she said and pulled out three bottles of water from the pack. "You can go now. I'll see you later," Freddie said. Avril just nodded and went to the man. They went out of the room together, and he led her till they reached her cell. Her friends were even asleep, and it was the sound of the iron bars opening that woke them. Avril entered, and the man began to lock it again.

"Nana. Chidi," Avril called and walked up to them. "Avril. You're back. How did it go?" Chidi asked as Avril crouched down in front of them.

"Terrible. I almost got killed," she replied.

"What? Killed? What happened?" Nana asked.

"First of all, drink this. You must be thirsty like I was," she said and handed them the bottles one by one. She smiled at the Chinese girl as she stretched out the bottle to her. She smiled back and took it from her. She began to drink it immediately.

"Where did you get them?" Nana asked.

"What's this I see on your wrist?" Chidi asked, pointing to the band-aid on Avril's arm.

"Drink the water first," she cajoled.

"Tell us first," they both demanded.

"Hmmm," Avril sighed before she told them the whole ordeal she had passed through. Starting from the maniac and how he hurt her terribly, to the pen knife she had turned against him, and to the young man who helped her.

"Goodness! You could have really died! Why were you so stubborn?" Nana raised her voice. Chidi slapped her across the thigh. "If she hadn't done that, she wouldn't have met the young man who gave us this water," she said and opened up hers, then gulped down. "Still, it was dangerous. And I hate dangerous," Nana said.

"Drink the water before you die of thirst," Avril smiled at the two older ladies. She sat down beside them and placed her back on the cold wall. She was beginning to feel all the pain from the beatings she received. Fear didn't let her feel them earlier. She closed her eyes and made a silent prayer to God.

They sat in silence for a while, drinking their water and trying to rest. Avril's mind was still racing with questions, but for now, she was just grateful to be alive.