Now, a burning pain covered my entire body. I dropped to my knees, desperately bowing to the men surrounding me.
"I was wrong! If you want money, I’ll give you anything! Please, just stop torturing me! I’ll do whatever you say!"
I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much worse the next two trials would be.
At first, I had hoped to hold on until Albie returned. That was my only chance of survival. But now, I wasn’t sure I could last that long.
"Haha, let me tell you something about our tribe’s rules. Once the Three Trials begin, they can’t be stopped under any circumstances. It’s been our tradition for a hundred years. You should’ve behaved from the start. You brought this on yourself!"
A man spat in my face before ordering two others to throw me into a pile of cacti.
"Ah!"
My agonized screams echoed through the valley.
Countless tiny thorns pierced my skin, each one like a needle stabbing into me. The searing, relentless pain spread across every inch of my body, making me feel as if I were about to lose consciousness.
I staggered out of the cactus patch, but with every step, sharp spines embedded deeper into the soles of my feet. Cold sweat dripped down my back from the unbearable pain.
Collapsing onto the ground, I started pulling the thorns out one by one. My hands trembled as blood and tears mixed, dripping onto the dirt below.
The pain was constant and sharp enough to torment but never enough to kill. It was a slow, calculated form of psychological torture.
The Hastings Tribe men stood around me, watching like spectators at a cruel show. Some burst into laughter, while others mocked me with jeers and insults.
Just then, Freddie’s phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and his expression immediately tensed.
“Sir, you’re back? You’re already at the entrance? I’ll come meet you right away.”
Was it really Albie?
Relief surged through me. I was finally saved.
I lifted my head, a glimmer of hope flashing in my eyes.
But the next second, Freddie’s foot smashed into my face.
“What are you looking at? You really think you’ll get to see my young leader? Dream on!”
“You lot, take her to the room. Time for the third trial!”
The men around me grinned with excitement, rubbing their hands as they stepped closer.
“No! Please, just let me see him. I beg you!”
But they ignored my desperate pleas. Two of them grabbed me, one on each side and dragged me toward the house.