She ran, up and down the stairs, through hallways and back again. It didn't matter as long as her feet didn't stop moving, because as long as they were, her mind wouldn't get a chance to think too much about everything that had happened this day.

Everything hurt. Sonja was exhausted, both physically and mentally, however she couldn't stop now. The ache in her legs would at least distract her from the soreness in other parts of her body, and she bit her lips to swallow down more tears. She had cried more than enough already.

The least thing she had wanted was to think about that other game, but Niragi hadn't left her another choice. He had pinned her down, hurt her and forced her to talk. Sonja had known that it didn't care if she talked or not, because he would take what he wanted anyway and the pain wouldn't be less when she did speak, and yet she was a weak person, after everything still naïve enough to hope for a quicker end in case she cooperated.

So she told him. About the six of Hearts, the cruel killings that had taken place in the same house they had entered for the Clubs game. Sonja explained how she knew about the safe place under the kitchen because it had been her spot to hide from the other player that had gone completely feral, killing everyone else even though it wasn't even needed for the game to be cleared, but one secret she had kept for herself.

Her breath went in heavy puffs as she climbed the stairs once again, and her hand thoughtfully moved to the silver bracelet now resting on her wrist. Niragi didn't need to know its origin and he didn't ask, because the answers Sonja had given had pleased him enough. Which hadn't kept him from raping her, anyway.

God, would she ever get used to the pain? It was bad enough that such a monster liked to take control over her body, but the things he did… the words he said… Niragi made her feel like a piece of trash, worthless and filthy and just there to be thrown around. If only he could discard her already. Sonja wasn't even that special; within her short time as a Beach member, she had seen many more attractive and eye catching women, much more interesting than she. What was it that kept Niragi attached to her, the one who despised his closeness the most?

And yet there was nothing she could do. Sonja wasn't strong enough to fight back, she barely had enough energy to struggle. All she did was sob and cry while he had his fun, only to feel so helpless and vulnerable afterwards. That's why she kept running now, even if there was no clear destination in mind since leaving the Beach would be impossible.

So many ifs were flowing through her mind. What if she had never met Mosu in this world… What if she had never agreed to join the Beach… What if she had been free from sin, giving no reason to send her into such a cruel world at all…

The staircase ended, but Sonja didn't turn around to walk down again. A single door led to the outside, and though it was dark outside, she could make out the shades of a starlit rooftop. It was the first time she explored this part of the Beach, and she carefully reached for the door knob to test if it was locked. It wasn't.

Without much noise, the glass door opened and allowed a cool and fresh breeze to greet her. Sonja wouldn't call it cold since it was still summer, and it was actually pleasant compared to the stiff air inside. The breeze dried the wet stains on her cheeks left by all those tears and blew strands of curls out of her face while she carefully took a couple of steps forward. So many stars were covering the sky and barely a single cloud had managed to show up, and it would have been a beautiful sight if Sonja had been in a condition to enjoy it.

Her feet automatically took one step after another, leading her over to the other side of the roof, where at day she would have had a fantastic view over the city. On the other side lay the pool and the open-air bars, now mostly abandoned and silent, but the city outside of the Beach was far more calming now. Staring at the empty buildings and wondering who had lived in all those apartments, who had taken a look out of these windows at night, unable to sleep, was almost as good a coping mechanism to distract her as walking.

Had those people been happy? Sad? Desperate? Had they been families, loners, victims like her?

Sonja's eyes moved down, even though she couldn't make out the details of the backyard down there. It was too dark and too far below to see anything except the metal of some containers reflecting the light of the stars, billions of them, and yet lonely because they were too far away from each other.

As lonely as Sonja felt within all those people. They didn't care for her, they didn't look up when Niragi dragged her across the floor, didn't take note of her pleads and screams. Over a hundred lost souls had gathered here, with not a single one willing to change the cruelty happening at this place.

The scratching sound of footsteps make Sonja jolt around, fearing that Niragi wasn't done yet and had come looking for her. It wasn't Niragi though, but another face Sonja had seen a couple of times over the last days. She knew that this one was an Executive, and that he was just as dangerous as Niragi, only in a different way.

His name was something she didn't recall in that moment, but the pale hair hanging loose around his face and the typical hoodie were enough evidence to remind her. He looked weird, unpredictable but arrogant with no doubt. Sonja couldn't say if he had been here all the time or if he had come after she had stepped out of the door, but his cold eyes were watching with mocking interest now, causing Sonja to wrap her arms around her chest tightly. The least thing she wanted was another man taking advantage of her in this wicked place.

"What do you want?" she whispered, taking a step back.

He shrugged. "Nothing you could give me." His voice was cold and indifferent, and yet there was a strange smirk on his lips. It definitely made Sonja uncomfortable. "I was just curious what you'd do", he added eventually.

Sonja realized she was still standing quite close to the edge, and it probably must have looked like an attempted suicide for him. It would be a way to escape Niragi, but… suicide was a sin that could never be forgiven, and she hurried to get some distance between the abyss and herself, making sure not to get too close to the man either. Was he here to watch if she'd jump or not?

"You're an Executive, right?" she asked hesitantly, "can't you help me?"

There was a moment of silence before he answered. "Help you with what?"

"Niragi!" Sonja burst out. "This is madness, and it has to be stopped! He has to be stopped. I know I'm not the first one and I won't be the last, but-"

She was interrupted by a wave of the blonde's hand, who was looking past her towards the distance now. "None of my business."

Just like the others. Only one more of the ignorant people lingering around this place, unwilling to move a finger unless they were involved. She should have known that there wouldn't be any help from someone who was said to be heartless and manipulative, but it still left her with a lump of sheer anger sticking in her throat.

"But… Someone has to do something…"

The blonde's grin widened and he uttered a short chuckle, a sound that had nothing in common with a friendly laugh. His chin pointed to the darkness behind her, nodding almost as an invitation. "Suit yourself." With a sigh, he lowered his head and scurried away, heading to another corner of the rooftop to be alone.

Sonja couldn't help but stare at his back as he became one with the shadows. Monsters… all of them. It had been ridiculous of her to think that an Executive could be any different.

She wouldn't jump, though. No, that wouldn't do any good and would only soothe her misery in this life, not in the one that came after, and it wouldn't help anyone else suffering from those monsters. Sonja didn't know what to do or how to achieve it, and yet she at least wanted to try and make a change. Even in a world as dark as this, she would force herself to endure the pain a bit longer in search for a way of resolution.

Niragi had already made sure to tell her that she'd be forced to attend the next game together with him, so there were only a handful of days until she had to gamble for her own life again. The good thing was that it always held a minor chance for Niragi to be killed, and if she ended up being the one killed, it was still better than jumping off the rooftop. Being murdered could be forgiven. Sonja just hoped that she wouldn't be forced to take someone else's life.

Unless it was Niragi's.

Time passed slowly in the Borderlands, especially when Sonja tried to stay hidden from Niragi as best as possible. There was not much to do at the Beach except drinking and celebrating, but she didn't feel like either of that. Instead, she used the next two days to make out the spots where she could remain unseen by Niragi and his men for a couple of hours. It didn't matter that he would find her at the end of the day when he was in the mood to hurt her, but at least she could allow her sore body some rest in the time between. The rooftop was one of those places, and the weird blonde – Chishiya, she found out the next morning – was not there the next time she glanced through the door.

It was still a beautiful place at day, quiet and warm in the sun and not too popular among the other places. The other was a small room that was apparently used like some kind of library, with a dusty sofa and a couple of bookshelves filled to the brim with both Japanese and English books. Her Japanese was still a bit rough when it came to reading, but Sonja managed nonetheless. And as long as she ignored the cobwebs and scuttering in the corners, it was fine, because the library seemed to be even less known than the rooftop. The dusty air made her sneeze and the dim light made it more difficult to read, but Sonja liked the quietness of it.

She would have liked to stay there forever, although huger and other human needs would drive her out once in a while. Besides, she didn't want to give this place away to Niragi, and if she didn't end up in her room multiple days in a row, he would make sure to find her.

But no matter how slow time passed when she visited her library, the night of her next game arrived way too soon. She had barely slept the night before, and not only due to new wounds on her body, and she hadn't eaten more than a handful of snacks. Sonja realized the moment she put on the clothes she had worn on her arrival at the Beach that she had lost weight during the short time span. Her jeans didn't sit as tight as before, and the shirt was definitely hanging loose now around her waist. Being chubby her entire life, Sonja knew that it wouldn't last. Everything she lost now due to stress would come back sooner or later, because it always did, and keeping a healthy diet wasn't easy in the Borderlands. Fruits and vegetables were a rarity here, and it was so much easier to simply open a bag of chips or a canned soup when one was hungry.

Sonja missed so many things about the normal world. If she was ever allowed to return, she swore to God and herself that she would never complain about the small things again. She would honor everything she had because she knew that it could be so much different; so much worse.

And never again would she allow a man to touch her without her consent. That was difficult to achieve when weapons and raw violence replaced any existing laws, but her world – the world she deserved to be in – had rules to prevent such situations. God would be there to prevent such misery, she knew that. Maybe… this was just a place He couldn't reach.

Her heart was racing faster than the car she eventually found herself in, bringing her to the next game. Niragi had taken the front seat and was currently discussing something with Rev, that mean man who had bottled her up and beaten her during their first encounter, and was now driving the car.

Driving licenses were no necessity in the Borderlands, and it showed. Either did Rev not know how to properly steer a vehicle or he did not care about it the slightest, and while both Militants seemed to have the most fun of their lives making the tires screech at every corner, Sonja held tight to whatever she found inside the car to remain seated, and the person next to her obviously felt the same.

It was Tatta, one of the Beach's maintenance boys, and he looked just as uncomfortable as she felt. Neither of them said anything, of course. Sonja was more than glad that despite being so close to Niragi, he did not pay any attention to her at once, and while she had no way to escape his toxic presence, at least he wouldn't try to hurt her for now. But of course her luck did not last too long, and the dark of the night soon gave way to a brightly lit harbor scene with lots of beautiful little ships and boats and even huge yachts.

One of them, a three-storey yacht completely in white, was almost shining like a star with all its lights and mirrors and glassy surfaces, and the ramp had been let down for an easy access to the ship. It was with no doubt tonight's game area, and Sonja stared at it in awe while they parked the car some distance away in the shadows of rusty containers. She had never been on a yacht before, and this one looked not only shockingly expensive, but beautiful as well. It promised luxury and a carefree life, at least for those who were rich enough. If Sonja ever set foot onto such a ship, if would have been as some kind of servant probably, living in a tiny crouched cabin with a dozen other workers while a handful of people enjoyed their suits and champagne and whatnot.

At least money was not needed here to win this game, whatever it would be waiting for them. But what would be needed?

A heavy hand slapped her shoulder hard enough to make her stumble and then held on, pressing heavily down on her body so it almost hurt. Sonja didn't need to turn around to know it was Niragi – she recognized the sweaty smell right behind her, the chuckle uttered by him and the clicking of his weapon, always ready to shoot and kill. This was not a friendly gesture. Sonja had instinctively searched for a way to escape, a container nearby to hide maybe or a way to jump into the water where no one would get her. Niragi expected such a move though, and with his grip now it was impossible to take a single step without his guidance.

"What a beautiful little boat, eh?" he laughed as they neared the ramp, and his loud voice made Sonja flinch. However, she did not reply.

"Aww, look at this! The sight made the little sunflower speechless, how adorable."

Sonja watched how Tatta, who had been walking faster than the rest of them to get as far away from the Militants as possible, ascended the ramp and reached for what most likely would be the phone to register his face. Her knees were shaking slightly, although it was impossible to tell if caused by the game or the cruel man behind her, who tore her back the moment she wanted to set foot onto the ramp as well.

"Listen", he whispered into her ear, his breath hot in contrast to the cold piercing on his tongue, but both tickling her skin very uncomfortably and making her flinch, "I always wanted to have some fun on a rich man's yacht! I'm sure the game will leave us enough time to spare a couple of minutes, so be a good girl and do what I say, yes?"

The whimper escaped her lips with no way to hold it back. She hoped that he'd be wrong and every single second was needed to clear this game, but a terrible feeling inside her guts told her that it wouldn't be that way. And once again, she would have no way to escape. No one to help her.

Even if she had known what to say, Sonja wouldn't have been able to utter a single word. Niragi laughed out loud, a sound that hurt in her ears, and finally pushed her up the ramp. Her hand automatically moved to the table with the phones, knowing that she couldn't get away from this, and she barely held on to the tiny device after the facial recognition was complete. She didn't see the other players or the unearthly beauty of the yacht's main hall, with all its white marble and chandeliers and senseless paintings. All she heard was the rush of blood in her ears, and she only saw the digits of the timer on her inner eye, counting down minute and minute until the gate to hell would open.

She was a helpless animal, trapped in a cage with a deadly predator waiting on the outside. She knew that it was impossible to stay in this cage forever, but as soon as she got out, the hunter would get her. She was not fast enough or strong enough to resist.

At least make it go over quickly, she sent a silent prayer to God, hoping that he would strengthen her for what was about to come.

And there it was, the happy voice announcing that the game would now commence. Sonja felt the ground under her feet vibrate, and the yacht begun to move away from the harbor, slowly but steadily. It was heading to the open sea, and the swaying of the ship caused her to feel slightly dizzy.

GAME: TITANIC

DIFFICULTY: SEVEN OF DIAMONDS.

THE SHIP WILL SINK WITHIN TWO HOURS. ONLY THOSE OWNING A KEY WILL BE GRANTED ACCESS TO THE LIFE BOAT. ALL OVER THE SHIP, MINI GAMES ARE HIDDEN AND WILL REWARD PLAYERS WITH KEYS UPON COMPLETION. REACH THE LIFE BOAT WHILE IN POSESSION OF A KEY IN TIME FOR A GAME CLEAR.

So the yacht would sink after two hours time, and they would need to play mini games to survive, basically. Maybe, Sonja hoped, they would not manage to clear a mini game and would all die here…

"Let's go, then!" Niragi cheered happily, once more placing his hand on Sonja's shoulder to guide her through the yacht. "Let's fine those games… and a comfy place as well, eh?"

Sonja felt the gun poke her back and shove her up a staircase, looking just as noble as the rest of the yacht, away from the other players who had begun to scatter on the main level. She had no other chance than to climb up the stairs, every corner of the ship lit by thousands of lamps all around them. Niragi immediately led her to the main suite, as if he had known where it was all along. Maybe it wasn't hard to guess that the owner of such a ship would make sure to have the best room of all, with the best view and most space to live comfortable though.

The suite that eventually revealed itself after a slide door opened was indeed beautiful and comfy, for the record. A huge king-sized bed took most space in the main room, with huge mirrored walls hiding shelves and an entire glass front granting a promising view onto the nightly sea. Outside were a bunch of loungers and a whirlpool, and another glass door led to a marble bathroom.

"There's no mini game", Sonja whispered in a weak attempt to get out of here again, "so we'd better search for-"

"Na, na, na!" The gun, so precious to the Militant, dropped to the ground as he turned her around, forcing Sonja to face him. "None relevant for the big game, at least. But I do sense a mini game here!"

Sonja swallowed, but his hands were too strong. She could not move the slightest, and she could only freeze as his head lowered down to meet hers, his lips pressing onto hers and forcing her to open the mouth. Niragi bit her, painfully and hard enough Sonja tasted blood, and she already felt the first hot tears pouring out of her eyes. Make it go over quickly. Make it go over quickly. Make it…

She had expected to be pushed onto the huge bed with its dozen of different sized pillows, but Niragi harshly led her to the bathroom. He shoved her towards the white marble sink, and Sonja let out a scream when the cold material painfully bruised her side. All she could do was hold on to it so she wouldn't fall over, and a moment later, Niragi's hands reached for her pants and effortlessly pulled them down. It was so easy now that they didn't fit as properly anymore, and she cursed herself for it.

"Please… I-" the salty taste of her tears mixed with the drips of blood on her lips, "the game… the timer, we-"

He didn't listen. Sonja knew he was stubborn enough and already had everything planned out in his head, and she soon felt his member press against her bare skin. Oh, how she hated it. Hated it more than anything else in this world!

"The game can wait for some minutes more", he let out in a hoarse whisper as his hand reached for her middle. His fingers did not ask for permission as they almost tore her open, causing Sonja to let out another pained scream. She could not move, since the full weight of his body was pressing her against the sink, and there was nothing she could have used to fight back. No glass or piece of decoration close enough to beat him with. Just a stainless mirror, giving clear sight of her ruffled hair and tear-stained face. And the grinning face of the devil behind her.

Sonja tried to squeeze her legs shut, tried to wriggle herself out of the touch, but Niragi had done this plenty of times before to countless women. He knew what to do to keep her in place, and in a swift move, his fingers were replaced by something much bigger and longer. She screamed again at the sudden pain, burning deep inside of her and getting stronger with every thrust. Not able to bear the mocking sight of the mirror, she squeezed her eyes shut and continued to pray in silence, hoping that it would distract her from the torture she had to endure.

The sharp edge of the sink bore deeply into her skin, making it hard for her to breathe. Niragi's feral sounds were the only noise except the thumping of his body against hers, and Sonja bit her lip to silence the screams. She only tasted more blood, but barely felt the pain. Her whole middle had been turned into a burning field of lava, nothing but a sea of pain sending out its waves in agonizing shivers throughout her entire being. Part of her had hoped that she'd get used to it. That she would reach that point where her mind could simply space out and leave the body while it happened, but the pain didn't allow her to. It did not help to imagine herself in her secret library, or alone on a beautiful beach. Every thrust would pull her back to reality, pinning her to a truth she did not want to experience.

At least Niragi stayed true to his words this time and it was over within minutes, and the Militant pushed her into the furniture with one last powerful thrust before he pulled out. Sonja couldn't move, not even to pull up her pants. She leaned over the sink, her hands clawed into the marble that was so pale compared to her dark skin while she tried to ease the searing fire inside with calm and steady breaths, the traces of what happened dripping down her legs barely noticeable for her.

Niragi, uttering a satisfied sigh, straightened himself and touched her hair with surprisingly gentle fingers. Fingers that had held her in place to rape her just mere seconds ago. "So beautiful, little sunflower… Look at those colors… No do what you wanted to and have some fun playing games!"

He cackled over his own joke and disappeared, leaving Sonja alone in the bathroom, shaking and sobbing. She didn't look at her hair. Once, it had been the part she was most proud of, but now she only hated it. If this was what Niragi liked about her, she almost wanted to cut it all off.

She slowly opened her eyes. They were reddened and sore, just like the rest of her body. Sonja carefully loosened her hands from the sink and reached for a washing cloth that had been placed not too far away, and at least the yacht had warm water she could use to clean herself. It still hurt, a pulsing ache that wouldn't fade so quickly. Usually, Niragi took more time forcing her body to prepare for this. It was deeply disturbing when her body acted against her mind, but at least it eased the pain. This, though… While it had been over quickly, the aftermath would be there for a very long time.

Sonja didn't know what she preferred.

The stare she threw into the mirror was so full of hatred and despair, and she carelessly dropped the washing cloth to the ground once she had cleaned away as much from Niragi's trace as she could. Her legs hurt when she bent down to pull her jeans back up, and she barely dared to move. But time was still running and she had already lost too much of it, so it really was about time for her to find a key.

At least Niragi would be leaving her in peace – for now.