Chapter 21 The Death of Thora
Victoria's eyes were wide open all night, unable to find rest.
She huddled in a corner, arms wrapped around her knees, feeling utterly helpless.
Her thoughts raced, wondering when Thora would return.
Olivia, also unable to sleep, clung to Victoria's arm, whispering, "Victoria, I'm so scared!"
"Don't worry, Olivia. Thora will be okay. No need to be scared."
The night dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity.
Then, at dawn, a loud "Bang!" echoed through the room as the iron door swung open once more.
Two guards dragged in a figure who appeared like a discarded rag doll, tossing them in without a second thought.
It was Thora.
"Thora!" Victoria rushed over like a woman possessed, embracing her tightly.
Her hands met sticky, burning skin, and the strong smell of blood filled her nostrils.
Thora was drenched in blood, covered in old and fresh wounds, her once delicate face now a canvas of bruises, barely recognizable.
"Thora! Thora, stay with me!" Victoria's voice quivered, tears streaming down her face.
"Help! Somebody, please help!" She pounded on the iron bars, but only silence greeted her pleas.
"Do something, save her!" Victoria implored the other women through the bars.
Their faces, once numb, now reflected sorrow.
"Vic... Victoria..." Thora's voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm here! Right here!" Victoria clasped her cold hand tightly.
With great effort, Thora turned to look at Olivia, who was crying uncontrollably.
"My sister... Olivia..." Thora placed Olivia's hand in Victoria's, "Please... take care of her... if you ever manage to escape."
With her last ounce of strength, Thora finished speaking, then her head slumped to the side, lifeless.
"Thora! Thora!" Olivia collapsed onto Thora, crying out in agony.
Time seemed to freeze in that heart-wrenching moment.
Victoria cradled Thora's cooling body, sitting there motionless, like a statue devoid of life.
After a few moments, she buried her face in Thora's neck, finally letting out a suppressed, primal cry of grief.
The lower deck was enveloped in a heavy silence, broken only by the anguished sobs of two girls.
After what felt like an eternity of tears, there was a stir near the iron door.
Karen had returned.
She had changed back into her own clothes, her hair perfectly styled, a smug smile on her face that starkly contrasted with the misery in the cell.
Approaching Victoria's cage, Karen peered inside at the scene of sorrow, her expression inscrutable.
Then, she pulled a cold meat pie from her pocket and tossed it through the bars.
"Dig in," Karen's voice was icy, "On this ship, a woman's gotta do what she can to survive."
With that, she turned and headed towards the summoner.
"Karen, congrats, you're moving up to Level E," the summoner handed her a new key.
Karen walked off without a backward glance, her footsteps fading as she ascended the stairs to the upper levels.
The other women made snide comments, their voices dripping with bitterness and mockery.
"Oh, the tramp finally climbed the ladder."
"Yeah, she must have seduced a ton of people!"
Victoria paid them no mind.
Thora's death felt like a dagger of ice plunged into her heart.
That night, when the spoiled food was brought around again, Victoria didn't hesitate.
She picked up the bowl of rotten food and, with a blank expression, consumed every last bite!
Her life had been exchanged for Thora's, and she was determined to make the most of it!
To survive, to fulfill Thora's last wish, to break free from this nightmare, she could humble herself to the dust!
During the next round of selections by the summoner, Victoria wiped her tears away, ran her fingers through her hair, and forced a smile.
As expected, she was picked.
Before leaving, she gently touched Olivia's face and assured her, "Don't worry, I'll find a way to get you out of here."
Tears welled up in Olivia's eyes as she nodded vigorously.
Victoria let go of her, resolutely following the summoner out.
On the way to the dressing room, she made a decision. After satisfying the client, she would seize an opportunity to contact Nathaniel.
Victoria had learned that getting onto The Greatbird required a financial check, a risk few were willing to take.
Nathaniel was her best chance!
In the dressing room, she took a deep breath, grabbed the makeup from the table.
Focused and resolute, she used all her skills to create a stunning and captivating look.
With her makeup done and dressed in a sleek silk gown, she followed the summoner out.
In the opulent corridor of The Greatbird, she spotted a familiar figure.
It was Karen.
Still as bold as ever, clad in a red fishtail skirt, radiating charm as she stood in the hallway.
When Karen saw Victoria, a genuine look of surprise crossed her face.
Karen hurried over to the summoner, passing something discreetly and whispering a few words.
The summoner nodded and stepped aside.
"You..." Karen scanned Victoria from head to toe, her tone tinged with complexity, "You've finally come to your senses."
Victoria remained silent, observing her quietly.
Karen's tone retained its sarcasm, "It took this kind of survival instinct to make Thora's sacrifice count!"
Those words brought tears to Victoria's eyes instantly.
Since Karen had given her the meat pie, Victoria's opinion of her had shifted.
Karen wasn't as repugnant as she appeared on the surface!
"You can't make it alone on this ship." Karen spoke briskly, "If you run into trouble, we'll have each other's backs. We both clawed our way up from the bottom, after all."
Victoria's throat tightened, and she nodded, "Okay."
"When things get tough, remember to yield! Survival on The Greatbird means flying under the radar!" Karen patted her shoulder, "Staying alive is what counts the most."
After parting ways, the summoner guided Victoria through the lengthy corridor and halted in front of a sturdy door.
"Go in."
As the door swung open, a strange mix of leather and incense scents wafted out.
The room lacked opulent decor, with only eerie crimson lighting. Instruments of torture adorned the walls - whips, candles, collars, gags.
In the center loomed a massive crucifix.
A tall man with his back to her, sporting a silver half-mask that revealed only his stern jawline.
Beside him stood a curvaceous woman in a tight black leather outfit, her face hidden behind a seductive black cat mask.
BDSM! And involving two women at that!
This was utterly perverse!
Victoria's heart turned ice-cold in an instant!