Istanbul, Turkey

The first thing Belgium thought of doing was to call the authorities, no matter who it might be. Police, Armed Forces, the Baywatch, CSI, Criminal Minds, whatever. But as seen in Taken, it was not going to make much difference. Probably the corrupt police on that side of Europe would be involved and even getting some of the money. Anyhow, Belgium gave it a shot. And, as expected, nothing came of it.

- Crap. The police here are hopeless. - Belgium complained.

If you think about it, complaining is what she did the most since the start of the trip.

- When did this become a Reddit page?

- Somebody please shut Enzo's mouth.

Vini stared at Enzo and said:

- You heard the girl. Shut up. Honey, what's the situation?

- Ana's tracker is on. We're monitoring her cell phone signal.

- Is she still in that horrible, stinking neighborhood?

- Unfortunately. Maybe she's not in the trafficking business yet.

- We saw that brutal guy with her. He looked like an underground fighter.

- Vini, no time for your analogies. We need to get to Ana.

- And how do you plan to do this, baby doll? - Enzo asked.

- Knock on the door and ask her please. - Belgium smiled.

Sure, it was going to work out fine. Still, there wasn't much Vini and Enzo could do, except listen to her, even if that was a dumb plan. But as history has shown us, when you don't have a smart idea, you accept any thought that comes into your mind. And there lies the problem. Because Belgium, Enzo and Vini returned to the bar from the previous night. And, to no surprise, the bar had completely changed. To begin with, it was not operating and there was no one to talk to. Even the taxi driver found the final destination of the trio surprising, but he said nothing. After all, money is money.

- That's just wonderful. - Vini complained. Maybe for the first time. - Well done, Belgium. Now what?

- How am I supposed to know?

- Wasn't it you who brought us here in the first place?

- Yes, because Ana's tracker is indicating this location.

Belgium showed her iPhone screen to Vini. In fact, the electronic map showed a little blue ball in the middle of several streets. Unfortunately, Belgium didn't notice that she needed to enlarge the map to increase the accuracy of the locator. Once this was done, Vini glanced around. Two parallel streets and one perpendicular street. The tracker indicated a building between the two streets. But not the bar. Maybe a few meters ahead.

- Over there. - Vini pointed.

The first right shot of the day. And maybe of the entire trip up to that point.

The building was very weird, just like the rest of the neighborhood, in fact. There was only one small front door. Which, strangely enough, was open. Maybe it was the universe telling them they needed to walk in, or maybe protagonism and deus ex machina. Or something else. In any case, Belgium was the first to step into the gruesome building.

- I feel like I'm in Silent Hill. - Enzo remarked.

- Nothing good comes from those horror games. - Vini added.

The building had three floors. Each floor had four doors. Suggestive. So, it was up to the three to work out a plan. And not only that. Getting out also had to be included. There was no electricity and no air circulation. In fact, the place looked more like a Roman jail than a building. Still, it could be worse.

- Crap! Rats! - Belgium shouted.

- That's just Ratatouille and his ilk, dear. - Vini said.

Vini knocked on the first door. No answer. At the second one, nothing either. In advance, the entire floor was a complete disappointment.

- Ana must not be here. - Belgium wondered.

But it was on the second floor that things started to get a little better. Because at the first door that Vini knocked on a man greeted them and was not very happy to see everyone. He must have been about six meters tall and twenty centimeters in arm. And probably a former WWE wrestler.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

- Oh, fuck. - Enzo was startled by the size of the man's arm.

- Belgium, you better have a really good plan. - Vini whispered.

- Actually, honey, if we get out of this alive, I'll be grateful.

- Who the fuck are you? - For some odd reason, the man asked in English.

- No one. Nobody. - Enzo replied. - We're not even here! Good-bye!

But as Enzo started to run, Belgium pulled him by the arm, stopping him in his attempt to escape.

- Our friend is there. - said Belgium, not too afraid of what might happen next. - You'd better say so.

- I don't know shit. - said the man.

- Hey, what's that funny smell? - Enzo was annoyed.

A smoke began to rise in the apartment. Belgium took advantage of the distraction and went inside. Vini faced Enzo, like the owner of a dog when he is careless and sees his pet in the middle of a busy avenue.

Belgium didn't have much time, as the man could reach her in the middle of the smoke. Initially, she tried to make a quick sweep of the area. There were a few rooms without windows and the smell of dirty water from the walls. Finally, after a few seconds, she found some people. Young women. Stuck in chains on their wrists and legs. Something very wrong was happening, apart from the obvious.

- What is that smoke? - Belgium asked as she approached one of the young ladies.

- Someone is trying to kill herself. - was the answer.

- Are you hurt?

She shook her head.

- Say your name.

- Betty.

- Betty, I'm Belgium. Where are you from?

- Ukraine.

And then she stopped to think:

- Is your name Belgium?

- We can discuss it later. I need your help. A girl my age. Her name' Ana. Was she here?

- Ana? Ana?

- Yes, Ana! Dark eyes, long hair. White skin.

Belgium almost summed up the characteristics of an entire people with that line.

- They took him.

- Where?

But before she could have the answer, the man managed to find her in the middle of the smoke. And he was carrying a pistol in his pocket, while the other gun was pointing at Belgium.

- Be quiet. - said the man.

What could she do? Belgium raised her hands and obeyed. Yes, even madness has limits.

- You don't want to do this.

How could she know?

- How much are you making? 50? 100 grand?

- Two hundred thousand.

Oh.

- 200,000 to leave these women in chains?

- I didn't want it that way. But just think about it. They're giving it a chance.

They?

- Opportunity?

Again, before Belgium could have her answer, Vini appeared from behind and hit him with an extremely heavy pot. In a certain way, Belgium was glad to see her boyfriend once again.

- Just in time. - she said.

- As always, darling.

- Where is that idiot Enzo?

- Trying to put out the fire. And it looks like he got it right.

- But there's no water here.

There was only one other convincing option. A bad option.

- Yikes.