Abigail’s Second Life

Screams echoed through the basement.

Zeke's fingers bled profusely. His whole body trembled as the stream of curses he spewed earlier vanished.

Kevin leaned against the car, staring at him coldly.

Saltwater splashed onto Zeke's wounds, making his face contort in agony. His fingers quivered violently until he couldn't take it any longer. In the end, he cried out, "Alright, alright! I'll talk!"

Irene lay weakly on the cold, hard bed, her neck chained to a stake in the ground.

Outside, rain pattered softly.

Wrapped in a thin blanket and suffering from blood loss, she teetered on the edge of death.

"This girl's got a fiery temper and nearly lost her life. Noah says we need to patch her up, or she'll die. We spent too much on her. She still needs to give birth to more sons for Walter's family. Otherwise, it's not much of an investment."

"What a waste of money! We even have to foot her medical bills..."

The voices of a man and a woman could be heard outside the door. Irene couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

Will I never find peace, not even in death?

"They say she's a university student from Capitalis, an artist with good genes. If she gives birth to a son who makes it to Capitalis, Walter's family will be known far and wide."

The man's voice was full of anticipation.

chubby woman walked

up and handed her

teeth, refusing to

escape from this valley. Even if you die, they'll find a way to bring you back. Drink this medicine to

go!" Irene

hesitation, the woman pried open her mouth, forcing the medicine down her throat. "You're so naive, coming here from the big city, believing what anyone says. This

Irene leaned

hadn't let up

and the infection from the old man's

trying to clean the wounds,

the local doctor,

won't heal without proper treatment.

spent thousands on her,

stood up, grabbed a broom, and swung

couldn't dodge, quickly passing out from the

haze, Irene felt herself being

she was on her way to be buried in some

her out of the dark room without a word, wanting nothing more than

knew they had no time to waste. "We need

whole region's neck-deep in bride-buying. Clean it up!" Kevin muttered as he placed Irene on the helicopter. Onboard,

was swollen and bruised from the beatings,

I'm here to rescue you. You'll be