Thursday, February 27, 2014

Chapter 15: Taking Chances

I lay in bed, suffering from my second bout of insomnia and fever that I'd had this week. I had been thinking about the man who had offered to help me escape, and I hadn't made a decision that night, even though I hadn't turned him down outright. I knew it was probably naive and stupid of me to stay here, but at least here I knew I was safe. The night the looters raided mine and Gerard's house still haunted my memories, and I was scared of what the world had become. Another problem I had was that ever since I was captured, I had been suffering from a recurring illness, and Leo had the medicine to make me feel better. Once again, I was letting fear run my life. It upset me, but I didn't seem to have the motivation to get out from under it. The man had said he would come back in three days and ask me again if I wanted to leave. He had paid me and then left. It had been two days since the man's offer, and Leonardo hadn't suspected a thing.


I shivered, trying to draw the blankets up around my body, but getting disappointed after realizing they were already as high as they would get. They were thin and decrepit, and the sweat beads rolling down my skin were making me cold. My back and legs were sore, probably from the thin mattress that sunk down into the frame of the bed as I laid on it. I was just thinking about calling out for Leo since I was obviously ill again with whatever sickness I had, needing him to give me the medicine so I could sleep again, when I heard footsteps on the stairs. They sounded like men's shoes, so I called out.

"Leo! Is that you? I'm sick again. Can you help?"

"Gypsy. Hang tight. I'll get your medicine."


I felt relieved hearing that it was Leonardo who had been walking past my bedroom. I heard him shuffling around in a cabinet, gathering the supplies he needed. He usually gave me a shot, since you couldn't really just buy cough syrup or aspirin anymore. Finally, I heard him come over to my bed and sit on it, flicking the needle with his finger to get all the air bubbles out of it.

"Come here, Gypsy. Give me your arm."

I stuck my arm out, and Leonardo gave me my shot. He used a cloth to wipe the little bit of blood at the insertion hole when he pulled the needle out, and smiled at me. I felt an instant calm take over my body and I smiled back at Leo. He put all the supplies on a tray and put it at the foot of my bed. Then he scooted closer to me and gently pet my forehead.


"You should be able to sleep now, Gypsy."

"Mmm... okay."

I rolled over and put my hands under my pillow, while Leo pulled the blankets up over me to keep me warm. I heard him take the tray off my bed and walk out of my room before falling into a peaceful slumber.


When I woke up the next morning, I felt so much better. My fever had passed and I was no longer sore. I sat on the side of my bed and stretched. I changed into some casual clothes, deciding to go downstairs and get something to eat perhaps, or just hang out before night time came and the brothel got busy. I didn't really care what I did, I was just so happy that I wasn't sick anymore. I had seen that the sky was light out today, so I thought I'd go outside for a little while.


My thoughts went back to that little boy I saw that day, being carried into the orphanage, and I wondered if he was okay. I went over to the fence, and sat down in the yard, relaxing. A few minutes later, I saw a boy come out of the orphanage. He had dark hair, and I was pretty sure it was the same boy I had seen move in. He looked much healthier than before and I smiled to myself. He had made it. The boy saw me sitting by the fence and came over to me, standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest.


"Hi. Who are you?"

"I'm Iliana. We're neighbors. I live in this building."

"I'm Sebastian. What are you doing out here in the yard?"

"I wanted to be outside for a little while. I saw you that day you were brought here."

Sebastian looked away for a split second, and then back to me. I saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes as he did so, and I felt for him. He uncrossed his arms and sat down on the ground in front of me.


"You did? I didn't see much that day, I just remember being in pain and hearing things."

"Are you better now?"

"Oh yeah. I'm as good as I can be."

Sebastian chuckled, not a happy chuckle, but more like he was saying he was good when he was just accepting life because he couldn't do anything to change it. I saw a similarity between him and myself. We were both not in ideal situations, but we were surviving.


"Do you mind if I ask what happened to you, Sebastian?"

"Sure. When the bad explosion happened, a soldier came and beat up my dad, and I sat with him until he died. Then I ran out of food, and I woke up here."

A tear welled up in my eye as I listened to Sebastian tell his story. He looked to be around eight or nine years old, and yet he had already experienced death in the worst way imaginable, having a loved one die right in front of him. As he spoke, his voice carried a sadness as well as a hint of strength beyond his years. I was in awe of this little boy. Although we were both surviving in crappy situations, he didn't seem scared like I was. I definitely felt like I could learn a lot from talking to him.


"What happened to you, Iliana?"

"I was kidnapped from my house."

"Really? Are those bad people you live with?"

"In a sense, yeah, but there's a man there who also takes care of me."


"Oh. That's good. There's a bad girl in my house. She yells at me a lot. I don't like her. I like you, though, you're nice."

"Aww, thank you, Sebastian. I like you too."

Our conversation was interrupted by another little boy who came out of the orphanage and walked towards Sebastian.


"Bash, it's lunchtime. Hey, who are you talking to?"

"Oh, this is Iliana. She's our neighbor."

"Cool, hi, Iliana."

I waved hello to Sebastian's friend and smiled at him. Sebastian and I waved goodbye to each other, and he ran off back inside the orphanage. Despite my overall situation, I felt like today was a good day. I thought about the man's offer of escape again since today was day three, the day he'd said he would come back and ask me again. I felt well enough to do it, considering I felt pumped and in good spirits. Talking with Sebastian had given me a sense of strength, the poor boy had been through so much and he was still here, trying to live his life. Even if Gerard was dead, I could move on. I had to at least try. I had let fear run my life for too long, and this opportunity was one that was too good to pass up, even if it did scare me a lot.

23 comments:

  1. Yay! Sounds like she's going to try to get out! I wonder what she's been sick with?

    I'm glad she finally got to meet Sebastian! It's funny how children can make adults see things in a different light. Has happened to me many times with mine. They don't have all the years of frustration and hurt that we have.

    Can' wait to see what happens when dude comes back! At least I hope he comes back. . .and that he's really wanting to help her... :)

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    1. She has finally made her decision, LOL. What she's sick with will be revealed later, but in a world like this, with such unsanitary conditions, and the state of the place she lives in right now, it really could be anything from a head cold to an STD to something more serious.
      When she talked to Sebastian, he really opened her eyes because she felt like he has been through much worse than her, yet he didn't seem half as scared as she was. In reality, LOL, he made her feel like a wuss, which gave her the kick in the ass she needed to make her decision.
      Heehee, I can say, dude does really want to help her, and he will come back. :)

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  2. Great chapter! I love how Gypsy finally got to meet Sebastian. I've been wanting this meeting to happen since we knew the orphanage and the....whore house were right next door to one another. (I feel bad for calling gypsy a whore...lol)

    Poor Sebastian, he's been through so much and is wise beyond his years. I'm glad that he could be a comfort to Gypsy, and she to him. :)

    Hmmm I wonder what she's sick with, and if Leo is the one causing her sickness to keep her needing him. I don't know where I get that idea, just seems like something he'd do. Or it could be an STD, who knows. I hope not. :( I wish Gerard would come save her already, and Sebastian as well.

    Great chapter!!

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    1. I'd always planned on Gypsy and Sebastian meeting eventually, and with her potentially leaving, I totally wanted them to at least meet before she left. Haha, brothel is also a good term for where she lives. Technically her job title is whore, ROFL, but that doesn't make her a whore of a person. XD
      Gypsy's eyes were opened when she talked to Sebastian, seeing that it was possible to move on after suffering great trauma. She realized that she didn't have to settle for the life she's been dealt, and that she can do something about it.
      What her illness is will be revealed later on, but with the unsanitary conditions of the place she lives, as well as the world as a whole, she could be sick with anything really. Leo is shady, so I could see you coming to that conclusion about him, LOL, although he does do nice things for Gypsy most of the time... as long as she keeps making him rich.
      Thank you! :)

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  3. Whooo! I like her so much more! And my boys!! (May I have them...4ever?!)

    I'm glad she's going to try and run, but I'm worried about this "illness." Sounds like they're keeping her drugged up and she's suffering from withdrawal...damn Gypsy, you just can't catch a break boo!

    Great Chapter. So, everyone is meeting each other...good, very good.

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    1. Haha, I thought you might like her in this chapter. I had to have her start out weaker, so I could show how she grows in her character throughout the story. If everyone started out perfect, there wouldn't be anything they could learn from life, and I feel like the story would be pretty boring that way.
      Mm the boys, my boys, LOL. I love them. They're so cute to play with.
      Her illness will be diagnosed in later chapters, but at this point, she could be sick with anything, due to the unsanitary conditions of pretty much everything. LOL. Her life is just hard, haha, and it'll probably stay hard for a while.
      Thank you! :)
      I had planned on Gypsy meeting Sebastian eventually, and I figured now would be as good a time as any since she is contemplating leaving. I thought it'd be good for her to at least talk to Sebastian once before she leaves. XD

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  4. So she finally introduced herself to Sebastian. I'm glad that they like each other. I hope that Iliana is saved soon. Hmm, shots. Well I'm used to them now, so I guess it doesn't hurt too much. I really can't get words out today so, I'll definitely add some more if I can later.

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    1. Yup, I'd planned on Iliana and Sebastian meeting at some point, since they're neighbors. Now was a good time, since she's thinking about leaving. LOL yeah shots are quick, and I never thought about them too much, they were just over and done with. XD

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  5. Hmm.. She's been sick, huh? Leo's still a scumbag in my eyes and for some reason when he was giving her her 'medicine', I thought it might be like.. Heroine or something so she'd get hooked and have to stay here.. But seeing her wake up in the morning and being fine, not NEEDING anymore medicine, I'm wrong. LOL I'm glad I am though >_>
    Aww, poor little Sebastian.. I just wanna cuddle him forever. It's great they him and Iliana get along, though idk why they wouldn't, they both have pretty good heads on their shoulders.
    Great chapter! Can't wait for more :D

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    1. Yeah, her illness will be revealed in later chapters. Haha, Leo is a jerkface, but he's nice to Iliana since she makes so much money for him. The heroine as a hook is really only reserved for unruly bitches who don't listen to him ROFL. She lives in some pretty unsanitary conditions, as well as the whole world being unsanitary right now, so she could really be sick with anything, unfortunately.
      LOL, Sebastian is cute, he does like Iliana, and they have stuff in common, both suffering great trauma in their lives because of the chemical attack. I wanted her to at least talk to him once before she decided to leave.
      Thank you! :)

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  6. Awww, so sweet, Sebastian and Iliana have finally met, yay! :-D But now I'm wondering about her sickness. Given the unhealthy conditions in which they're currently living it could be so many things... Then again, it could mean she's... hmm, I'm not sure I like that either. Can't wait for you to reveal that part of the story.

    I loved the chapter :-D.

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    1. Yup! I had always planned for Sebastian and Iliana to have a conversation in between their two dwellings, but I didn't know when it would take place. Since I have now figured out Iliana could potentially leave, I thought it would be the best time. Her sickness will be revealed in later chapters, and you're right, it could be anything since their living conditions are not ideal. LOL, there is always a chance of ... that... O_O

      Thanks for reading, Marsar. :)

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  7. Glad Sebastian and Iliana got to meet! However, I'm slightly worried about what Leo is giving to her. I mean, what could her sickness be? It's interesting. I hope she tries to escape!!

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    1. Oh, and I just realized I can go to bed now because I'm caught up. :)

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    2. Yeah! I was wanting Sebastian and Iliana to meet eventually, but I didn't know when. After I contemplated escape for Iliana, I thought that would be as good a time as any for them to have a little chat. LOL, Her sickness could be anything, really, given the condition of the world they're living in. In general, Leo likes her and tries to keep her healthy so she can earn loads of cash for him. Haha, yeah, at the end of this chapter, I had her decide that she was going to take the chance and try to escape.

      LOL, thanks so much for reading all of this, and leaving me so many awesome comments! :)

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  8. I'm calling addiction! Oh my god that's kinda scary, and she doesn't even know what is going on with her either (if it actually is addiction). :p

    Aww, I'm so happy that "Bash" (oh my god, whatta cute nickname) helped Iliana realize that she needs to get out of the situation she is in. I'm interested to see where this goes.

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    1. LOL! Addiction could be a possibility, but given the circumstances of her environment, and the state of the nation, it could also be a number of other things. It is scary that she has no idea what is going on, and she doesn't have a proper hospital to go to at the moment. :(

      Haha, thanks. :D I enjoy his nickname, it's like suave and cute at the same time. XD Bash definitely showed some smarts even though he's so young, and helped Iliana see some things she didn't see before. :)

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  9. I have a strong suspicion that Leo is forcing heroin on her as a means of control. No wonder she can't leave! The worst thing is that she doesn't even realise it. If my suspicions are correct, then that's rape of a very different nature!

    The innocence of children. I love that Sebastian was the one to help Iliana realise that she can escape her fate and reach for a different life. Kindred spirits come in all varieties it seems :)

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    1. >:D
      Well, that could be what's happening, it is a very common way for prostitutes to be kept under control. Either that or she could have an STD, or any other random illness that is popping up in such unsanitary living conditions. I'll reveal what it is in a future chapter. You are correct in that he is using her medicine to control her, but what the medicine is, or even if it is medicine, that is what is yet to be determined. Uh huh, poor Iliana sees it as a benefit rather than a harmful thing.

      She is pretty lucky to have Sebastian as a neighbor, they could relate to one another about the bad things in their lives without judgment, seeing as they both live in the slums. Sebastian is a kind soul and he was happy to have someone else to talk to, someone he could look at as sort of a motherly figure.

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  10. Omfg I deal with insomnia too lol its so annoying but I just deal with it. I don't trust Leonardo one bit after reading this chapter and I don't even think he's giving her real medicine....I think its drugs but hey I could be wrong. It sucks Sebastian is still grieving but he helped Iliana and he didn't even realize it. If Iliana escapes I hope she adopts Sebastian that would be so sweet. :)

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    1. LOL, yeah, insomnia is a bitch. XD
      You probably shouldn't trust Leo anyway because he's a bad guy. LOL. Yeah, it's not drugs, actually, in the illegal drug sense, but it's medicine drugs. Iliana is Leo's highest earner, and Leo may be mean and evil, but he likes money, so making Iliana sick is not in his best interest right now. He knows he's got her controlled just by fear alone. Hmm, that would be nice if she adopted him, LOL, but I am not sure that's in the cards for her... >:D

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  11. Iliana's illness and that "medicine" totally had me thinking heroine or something along those lines, but after scrolling through the previous comments I discovered that she actually was sick. Hmmm, super curious about that then! Also pretty worried....her life isn't exactly the picture of a healthy environment, so it's likely that she could get a lot worse....

    Gah, get out of there, Iliana! It is scary, but it's still better than this! =O

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    1. Yeah, LOL, when I put in the stuff about her medicine and her illness, I knew people would immediately jump to heroin because that's a pretty common thing in an environment like Iliana's. Leo does have heroin, but he only puts it into those women of his who don't listen to him, like he uses it as a form of control. Iliana always listens to him so for him to make her sick himself would be a stupid business move on his part. Since Leo is a businessman, albeit a bad business, he still knows the best things to do to keep his stuff running smoothly. He's not the biggest crime lord in town because he's dumb, he got to where he is because he is smart. Yeah, exactly, the environment is just unclean and shitty so she really could be sick with anything. T_T The medicine Leo gives her will keep her feeling better though, so if he has anything to do with it, he won't let her get worse.

      Heehee, we'll see what she decides in later chapters. :D

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