Chapter 34 - 33: Don’t Be Afraid, I Found You

Elliana Lyle finally saw clearly that this was a room filled with miscellaneous items, with walls and floor made of simple cement, no decoration at all. In a corner of the room, there were stairs leading to the shop upstairs, as well as stairs going down to the lower level. Without a word, Luna headed straight downstairs, and Elliana glanced back at the dark night outside the iron door. After hesitating for a moment, she chose to follow. The lowest level still had cement walls and floor but was almost devoid of any clutter. There was a door on the wall, likely leading to another room, beneath which dim light seeped through an ordinary wooden door. It was locked from the outside, but a key hung on a nail beside the door frame. Crying. It seemed to be coming from inside! Luna grabbed the key and unlocked the door. As the door opened, a strange stench wafted out. She saw a girl sitting on a small bed, tears running down her face, staring at them in shock. "Ah!" Elliana quickly covered her mouth, startled by the dim light and the girl’s disheveled appearance. She almost screamed. This girl was none other than Rupert Zeller. Luna stepped inside. Even the light from her phone’s flashlight was brighter than the small light bulb in the room. The furnishings were simple, an iron bed frame, a small table by the bed with empty bowls from leftover meals. In the corner, a paint bucket served as a waste bucket, already overflowing. Elliana finally saw this little girl clearly. She had injuries, bruises on her face, a mix of yellow and green hues. Her bright eyes were filled with fear, yet seemed to hold a glimmer of hope. In this cold, damp basement, the girl was wearing only a plain white tee, stained with blood. Fortunately, the blanket was thick. "Who... are you?" Rupert looked at the two, speaking in dialect, her voice hoarse and cracked. Elliana’s eyes were filled with sympathy. She replied softly, "It’s me. You sent me a plea for help. Do you remember?" Upon hearing Elliana’s words, the girl’s pupils shrank as if recalling something, nodding quickly, and burst into tears. It turned out someone really did come to save her. She had regretted not contacting her uncle first. On the day she sent the distress message, her younger brother was delivering her meals, possibly busy because it was a market day, and her parents were occupied. And her younger brother happened to be playing with a phone. She took the opportunity to get the phone, logged into the QQ account given by her uncle, hoping her uncle would rescue her, only to see a message from a stranger. Just after typing a few words, she heard sounds in the stairwell. Terrified, she exited QQ immediately but was still caught by her father, which led to a severe beating. Even now, her face still hurt. "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I found you." Elliana sat by the bed, reaching out to hold the little girl in her arms. This girl was emaciated, trembling all over as she cried. Elliana’s eyes involuntarily reddened, gently patting the little girl’s back, silently comforting her. "Enough, it’s not the time to cry, Rupert. I have something to ask you." Luna directly faced the phone towards Rupert, asking, "Do you know this person?" Who? Elliana was curious too, only to see a middle-aged woman on the phone screen, with nothing remarkable about her appearance, but dressed gaudily. The little girl lifted her head from Elliana’s embrace, looking at the phone screen, her eyes gradually filled with hatred. "Yes." Rupert nodded initially, then reluctantly gritted her teeth, "She’s my aunt." Having received Rupert’s answer, Luna signaled Elliana to move aside. She began recording video and asked, "Why are you locked in here?" Rupert did not answer immediately, instead casting a pleading look at Elliana. Luna had to stop recording, saying earnestly, "I won’t harm you." Not knowing what Luna intended, Elliana still encouraged by nodding at the little girl. Luna asked again, "Why are you locked in here?" "I... I’m pregnant. My mom was originally going to have an abortion for me, but... an abortion requires signing, and my mom said she couldn’t bear the disgrace," Rupert spoke slowly, with a slight cough, frequently glancing towards the door, as if fearing something. "Go on, does this have anything to do with your aunt?" "Yes." Rupert nodded, continuing, "My aunt said if I gave birth, she could sell the child for a lot of money, then split it with my family. My parents agreed, but I don’t want to have a baby. I want to go to school. "Later... later, my dad locked me down here." Rupert couldn’t help but cry again at this point, sobbing, "Mom called me a disgraceful thing, and every time Dad came down, he would do the same thing with those two..." "Luna, stop recording. I want to take her out!" Elliana said, moving to hold Rupert. "No." Luna turned off the phone, stopping Elliana, her baby-face coldly stern. She looked at Rupert, speaking severely, "Listen, I will call the police for you. The police will come to save you. Remember, your aunt is a trafficker, and your parents are even worse. When the police arrive, just tell them the truth, do you understand?" "I... I understand." Facing Luna, Rupert nodded fearfully. Upon receiving Rupert’s response, Luna prepared to leave. Elliana felt reluctant, full of compassion for the girl. Before leaving, she told her, "Remember, my name is Elliana. Remember to contact me in the future, okay? I will help you." The girl held her hand tightly, sobbing with fear, "Sister, could you please take me with you too? My dad comes down every midnight, he’ll be down soon..." Hearing the girl’s words, Elliana looked at Luna, "Luna, did you hear that, she..." Luna, somewhat impatient, pulled Elliana and told Rupert, "Going with us makes no sense for you. You’d only endanger her!" Then Luna pointed at Elliana, saying, "Little girl, remember, she’s the one who came to save you. This originally had nothing to do with her. If she hadn’t responded to your plea for help, no one would know you were here, understand? I will call the police for you, and they will come soon!" The girl simply laid her head on Elliana’s hand, crying, without saying more. Over time, the hand she held tightly gradually loosened. Luna locked the wooden door again. When they came out, neither spoke. After a while, Elliana took out her phone to report to the police about Rupert. Luna wanted to drive away overnight, but Elliana was not reassured. Luna had to park the car at the intersection until the police arrived. "Are you relieved now? She’s not your relative. Why do you care so much? Waste of time." Luna steered the car, her words carrying some mockery. Elliana turned her head to look at Luna, not answering but instead asking, "You came to rescue her too, didn’t you?" Seeing Elliana’s reddened eyes, Luna found it hard to smile. She focused on driving seriously, saying, "I’m doing it for money, what about you? Good heart? Someone as foolish as you will get yourself into trouble one day!" Faced with Luna’s words, Elliana chose to say nothing more. She couldn’t understand how parents could treat their daughter like this. From childhood until now, no matter how big a mistake she made, her parents never really hit her. And Rupert’s parents, what kind of people are they... "Luna, take me to North City Peacheast New District, Star River Court." "Alright, 300." Hearing Luna immediately talk about money, Elliana felt a bit agitated despite her initial low spirits. She took out her phone, quickly transferred 300 to Luna, and couldn’t help saying, "You’re all about the money, aren’t you?" "I didn’t want to charge you initially, but your destination is quite far from where I’m heading, and time is money," Luna rarely engaged in small talk. Yet at this moment, Elliana said nothing more, staring at her phone screen with several missed calls and messages from Norman Bennett. She had left her phone in the car when she went to save someone with Luna, She quickly replied, "Norman Bennett, I’m here." Bzzz~ Bzzz~ Norman Bennett: "You finally respond? What were you doing in Whitesun Town?"