Beyond the Full Moon

CHARLOTTE As I stood helpless on the sidewalk, watching the drama in front of me, a chilling breeze swept across my shivering frame, a reminder of the harsh reality that had just unfolded: Patricia, my landlord, had evicted me from my apartment due to my inability to pay the monthly rent. This devastating turn of events was the latest in a string of setbacks, beginning with the loss of my job at a local restaurant—a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic that had ravaged our small village—forcing me to confront the harsh truth that I was now utterly alone and without a safety net. Having spent my entire life in the isolation of an orphanage, I had no family or loved ones to turn to in times of need, and my decision to relocate here five months ago, driven by a desperate bid to escape the relentless pursuit of someone from my past, had only served to exacerbate my vulnerability. I had just turned eighteen two months ago, and my life was already taking a dramatic turn. A powerful mafia boss, who had first seen me during my difficult days at the orphanage, was determined to make me his mistress. However, I couldn't force myself to accept his proposal, as the thought of being his intimate partner was unbearable to me. So, I made the bold decision to escape, even though I knew he had paid Sister Adreana a significant amount of $1,000 for my care and would undoubtedly search for me everywhere I went, leaving me no choice but to constantly hide. Escaping the orphanage was just the beginning of my challenges. The orphanage was a terrible place where girls like me were trapped, forced to accept our cruel fate without question or complaint. Once we turned 18, Sister Adreana would start searching for buyers, making a profit from our misery and exploitation. Selling girls like me had become her main business, a stable and cruel source of income that funded her lifestyle. She was well-known in secret underground operations and the black market for selling beautiful girls, often picked up from the streets by the goons of her organization, to sell to the highest bidder who was willing to pay for his new toy. "What are you still doing here?" Patricia shouted angrily, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the small apartment that had been my home for a few months. "Didn't I clearly tell you to pack up all your belongings and leave this place immediately?" she yelled. I quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, Patricia, but I'm struggling financially right now and can't afford to pay." I pleaded with her, "Please have mercy on me. I promise to pay you as soon as I find a job, which I guarantee I can find as soon as possible because I desperately need a safe place to stay." Patricia looked me up and down, scowling at my appearance. "Who would ever hire someone as unattractive and poorly dressed as you?" she said, trying to humiliate me. I bit my lip, feeling hurt and helpless as she continued to insult me with harsh words. She had the power to decide my fate, and I was forced to listen to her angry rant. I carefully chose not to respond, fearing that anything I said might fuel her anger further. Instead, I hoped that she would take pity on me and give me another chance. Patricia's firm voice cut through the air, "That's enough! I won't tolerate any more excuses from you. Leave now and never come back!" Her words were final, and I knew I had to go. I gazed down at my trembling legs, unable to muster a response. I fought back tears, blinking repeatedly to compose myself. I refused to give Patricia the satisfaction of seeing me cry, which would only fuel her cruelty. The harsh winter weather added to my misery. Thick snowflakes swirled around me, and the bitter cold pierced through my thin clothing. Winter had taken a devastating toll on our town, spreading sickness and despair. The deadly virus, coupled with the unforgiving cold, was claiming countless lives. Patricia yelled angrily, "If you ever set foot on my property again, I'll call the police and take legal action against you!" She stormed into the apartment, gathered all my personal belongings, and threw them onto the frozen ground without caring that I had nothing left to survive. Her harsh treatment made it clear she wouldn't change her mind. Patricia only wanted p*****t from me, but I had no money to give her. I slowly collected my scattered clothes and packed them into a black garbage bag, unsure of where to go next. With a heavy heart, I set out to find shelter for the night, hoping to get lucky and find a place to stay. I had no idea what the future held, but I knew I had to keep moving forward. As I prepared to leave, I glanced back at the small apartment where I had lived for the past five months. With a heavy heart, I took a deep breath and gathered the strength to move my heavy, trembling legs forward. The night was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by a few faint streetlights. However, the darkness didn't intimidate me, as I had grown accustomed to it after Sister Adreana punished me by locking me in a storeroom for over 48 hours. I headed towards the nearby hotel, my footsteps steady despite the eerie atmosphere. Suddenly, a loud howl pierced the air, startling me, but I pressed on undeterred. I knew the woods to the north of town were home to many wild animals, but their presence didn't frighten me. My past experiences had made me resilient, and I continued on my way. I feared Sister Adreana's men more than the darkness itself, knowing they would relentlessly pursue me so they could deliver me to the old man who sought to exploit me for his own desires. I refused to accept such a fate and made the difficult decision to escape, no matter the challenges that lay ahead. Even now, as I face these difficult circumstances, I don't regret my choice to flee and seek a better life away from Sister Adriana’s clutches. As I walked towards the woods, another distant howl echoed through the night air. I was headed for a hotel on the other side, seeking shelter from the cold and danger. Although the woods were far away, the howls seemed surprisingly close, leaving me puzzled. I wondered why the sounds carried so far, but I pressed on, focused on finding safety. One of my valuable skills, which I relied on in times of danger, was my ability to hide and remain hidden until the threat passed. Whenever strangers came to the orphanage seeking to purchase a woman, I would quickly find a secure spot to hide, waiting patiently until they left. Having this ability brought me immense joy, as it proved incredibly useful in protecting me from any danger. I discovered my unique gift around the age of fifteen, although I never understood how I acquired it; it simply became a part of who I am. I possessed exceptionally clear night vision, which allowed me to see clearly in the dark. The origin of this ability remained a mystery to me, but it was undoubtedly unusual. To avoid drawing attention, I kept my gift hidden from others. I had learned to conceal it after a past experience where I ran at incredible speed and vanished, prompting Sister Adreana to present me to potential buyers. Lost in thought, I halted my stride as a car suddenly stopped in front of me. I instinctively scanned my surroundings for an escape route. As I recognized the driver and the three men in the passenger seat, a surge of fear compelled me to flee and escape their sinister intentions. Their familiar faces revived memories of past dangers, prompting me to react swiftly and protect myself. The man's taunting words, "Do you think you can outrun us, girl?" echoed through the air as he exited the car, flanked by his cohorts. When the armed man and his accomplices lunged to seize me, I instinctively recoiled, evading their grasp. I confronted them, my anger evident in my voice: "What do you want from me?" The blonde-haired man replied bluntly, "We want you.” I stood my ground, trying to appear strong. "You can't get anything from me. I'm poor and unattractive, I have nothing to offer." The man sneered, "Your body is all we need. My boss has already paid $1,000 for you." Sister Adreana had sold me to their boss, so I knew they were telling the truth. The old man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted from me, but I refused to give in. "I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, trying to hide my identity. The tall man sneered, "Don't lie, Charlotte. We know who you are." Curiously, I asked him, "How did you find me?” The leader’s piercing gaze scrutinized me as he spoke. "My boss's influence extends throughout the city, reaching even this small town, so you can't hide from him forever." I shook my head firmly to convey my strong unwillingness to accompany them, but the leader's displeased expression only intensified, prompting me to swiftly scan my surroundings for a secure place to hide. "You're aware of how powerful he is, so don't waste your time trying to escape or disguise yourself," he emphasized. "He'll always track your whereabouts." I believed him, as they had successfully tracked me despite my thorough disguise. I had adopted a new appearance, donning a wig and fake dental braces, and hiding my striking blonde hair, but they still found me. "I refuse to be your boss's property!" I declared loudly and firmly. "He has no right to own or control me!" The men in front of me erupted into laughter, amused by my bold statement. But they underestimated my resolve. I stood firm, unwavering in my decision. No matter what happened next, I would not go with them. But one of the men, brandishing a high-caliber gun now aimed at me, growled, "Get in the car and be quiet, or I'll shoot!" I gave him a bored look, refusing to follow his order. Standing firm, I remained silent, unmoved by their threats. "Get in!" one of them shouted again, but I stood unwavering and uncooperative. "I suppose you don't understand," I said solemnly, meeting his gaze. "I won't accompany any of you, and your attempts to catch me are futile because, no matter what happens, you can't force me to come with you and surrender my body wholeheartedly to your demon boss." As soon as I spoke, they attacked me. Someone seized my arms and immediately dragged me toward the nearby car. I was faced with a life-threatening situation, and I knew I had to act quickly to save myself. I relied solely on my own abilities to survive, as I had no one else to turn to. With a surge of adrenaline, I gathered all my strength and managed to overpower the men holding me captive. They stumbled and fell to the ground, giving me the opportunity to escape. I took advantage of the momentary distraction and sprinted into the woods, despite the danger of bullets whizzing past me. The sound of gunshots echoed through the forest, but I didn't dare look back. My life was at risk, and I knew I had to keep running to stay alive. I fled with urgency, driven by my instinct to escape and find safety. As I ran towards the dark forest, I could clearly hear their insults and venomous words, fueled by anger and frustration. Their boss's orders were clear: bring me back, no matter what. I knew my life was in grave danger, and I had to keep moving. I sprinted across a dense thicket of trees and leaped to the back, seeking cover. The men hotly pursued me, determined to capture me and deliver me to their boss. "That girl runs incredibly fast!" one of them shouted, their voices closing in. Their relentless pursuit drove me to find a secure hiding spot. I held my breath, hoping to evade their search. The leader barked out a menacing warning to his men: "Find her, or else the big boss will surely bury us six feet underground!" His voice was unmistakable, even from a distance. I recognized him as the leader of the group hunting me down. Although I couldn't see him, his voice carried clearly through the air. We were separated by an unknown distance, but their conversation reached me with alarming clarity. The leader's next command sent a chill down my spine. "Bruno, deploy the drones to track down that b*tch," he ordered, his words dripping with malice. I slowly and cautiously crawled toward a large rocky outcropping, seeking refuge beneath its protective shadow to escape detection. Since they might use drones to search for me, I knew I had to find a safer spot where they couldn't see me from the air. Any movement on the ground could be detected, so hiding beneath the big rock seemed like my only option for now. I prayed that the big stone would shield me from their prying eyes, providing me with a temporary safe place to hide until they finally gave up on hunting me.