Aurora felt the ache in her back while she was still sleeping. She gave a small groan and moved her hips in confusion. They were trapped between what felt like the headboard and a very hard mattress. Why was she lying in this position if it was making her so uncomfortable? What had she done last night to end up here anyway? Whatever it was it made her head pound. She moved her hand towards her face to brush away the strands of auburn hair that had escaped her ponytail, only to find that her fingers couldn't reach her face. Her eyes snapped open and she could finally see why she was in such pain. Her hands were bound above her head to the bamboo cage that surrounded her. The rocks and sticks from the dirt ground stuck into her back and she could feel them as they broke skin when she moved. She pulled herself from the ground using the ropes that held her hands together so she could finally see.
It was morning, but still dark. There was faint light to be seen over the fields of weed that surrounded the small set up of huts that Aurora was in the middle of. She let out a series of choked gasps as she looked around. At first she had thought herself alone, but she was wrong. The first one she noticed stood in a watch tower and what had bought him to attention was the red laser that swept the field. The next stood watch in front of a hut with his back to her. Two others sat in one of the makeshift shelters, playing cards. She could hear the baying of dogs behind her and she shivered. She recoiled, trying to make herself as small as possible, as though it would make her invisible.
The more Aura looked, the more she could see. Other bamboo cages behind trees and sheds, each holding two or three people. No one stirred, whether they were too scared or they were unconscious, Aura didn't know. Each person looked as average as herself, mere tourists. Now and then there was the familiar caramel coloured skin of the locals, but they seemed to be as trapped as her.
Aura couldn't think. She leaned back against the bamboo, staring at the clouds as they slowly lightened and there was a peak of a golden sunbeam on the horizon.
It took a few minutes, but Aura realised she wasn't alone. There was a dark shape in the corner of the cage, someone curled on the ground. Aurora's eyes adjusted with the light and she made out the small dark shape: Tara. A squeak escaped Aurora's lips as she took in her friends still, lifeless form, then it rose to a sob. A scream would have escaped her lips, had the guard with his back to her not charged over to her, rifle pointed at her head.
"Shut the fuck up," he growled in a thick, African accent and he pushed the barrel into her cheek. "If you make another fucking noise you'll join your friend, and your death won't be as quick." Aurora swallowed, and she shook as she bit on her tongue to stop from whimpering. Death was one thing, but she didn't want to imagine what they would do to her. "You're lucky Kano wants you in one piece, or you'd be ripped to shreds. All the new recruits think their tough shit, fucking the locals, but for something like you…" The man ran a finger over Aurora's cheek, before grabbing her jaw forcefully and forcing her to look at him.
He was scarred and dirty, no doubt like all the men. He had a rugged beard that probably hid even more bruises and wounds. Aurora clenched her jaw and tried to pull her face away, but he held on, digging his fingers into her cheeks. "They'd make sure you lasted a long time. No drugs, you'd be awake the whole time." His mouth pulled back into a feral smirk revealing what was left of his teeth as he let go.
Aurora buried her face down, and squeezed her eyes closed, trying to block everything out. She heard his footsteps retreat then come closer again. He opened the cage and stepped in, then leaned over her. "I'm sure he won't mind if I at least test you first. Just to check that you're worth the effort we're taking to keep you away from the new boys." He went to unzip his pants, but fell to the side, thumping to the ground and creating a small dust storm. There was another muffled crash as something-someone- fell from the guard tower and smacked onto the ground, issuing a sickening crack. Aurora's eyes widened as she saw a man walk from the bushes, fire two more silenced bullets-which pierced the heads of the two poker playing pirates- and then continued past her to the house. She stared after him. There was another thump, a curse followed by the sound of a fistfight, then silence. An alarm sounded, deafening Aura. She shook her head as if to dispel it, but nothing worked. A moment later, the man walked out again, carrying an old brief case. He began to walk off, not seeing her at all.
"We're eastbound-" the voice on the radio was interrupted by static and the arcane man paused to listen. "Three minutes-send-flare-" The transmission stopped suddenly, and then man sighed, placing the briefcase on the ground. He swung the rifle that was strapped over his shoulder into his hands and reloaded. He looked at the watchtower thoughtfully before making his way over.
"W-wait!" She gasped, know it may very well be her only chance of escaping. "Please, I need help. Please!" He turned to look at her, burning curiosity in his eyes, which she noted where deep green. His straight, dark brown hair stood on end, revealing his face to her. He had a slightly crooked nose, as though it had been broken then put back in place. His bottom lip was full, and had a scar running through it. His chin was hidden behind a layer of stubble. He stood at around 6'1" or so, and was a lean build. He wasn't much cleaner than the rest of the men around here, he even had claw marks on his cheek, but he didn't look at her wildly, like she was something to hunt, he looked at her as though she were an old friend or a welcomed memory. A faded blue shirt adorned his chest, which was slightly hitching as he breathed. Other than that, he wore torn and dirty brown pants, a pair of black sneakers and several bandages. What drew Aurora's attention was the tribal tattoo that crept its way up his left arm; she could just make out a spider, shark and a heron.
"Where are you from?" He said in awe. He stepped towards her and she flinched back instinctively. It probably didn't help that he stunk like a pig. He put hit hands up, noticed he was still holding a rifle and looked at her apologetically.
"Sorry," he muttered, tossing the weapon over his shoulder. Aurora shook her head.
"It's fine," she said, struggling to sit up straighter.
"Here," he said, coming forward quickly. He grabbed a machete from his belt and reached for her hands. He looked down at her as he leaned over her and cut the ropes with a fluid movement. "Listen, there are going to be more men coming. Hide in the bushes over there, while I deal with them." He looked as though he was about to dismiss her when he bit his lip and his hand went to his belt. "Take this," he said, handing her the handgun. "It's got a fully loaded, but don't use it unless you absolutely need to. Don't draw attention to yourself. If the noise or blood's too much, cover your ears and try to find somewhere to hide." She looked at him, eyes wide with worry and fear. "Don't worry," he said, straightening up and offering her his hand, "I do this all the time." And without hesitation, she took it.