Trafficked -- Beaten -- Trapped
When eighteen-year-old Stacy Degray sets off to visit Felipe, a charming guy she met on the internet, she has no idea that she is being lured to his home country Malaguay to be auctioned off as a soldier's bride. All...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Over two weeks of bed rest, my physical injuries disappear, leaving only a cast around a broken wrist. Yet the invisible scars continue to ooze. Keeping a constant eye on Miguel to detect even the slightest mood change is exhausting. Since he also doesn't apologize but blames me for his violent outburst, the crippling fear when I'm around him becomes all-consuming.
"Always remember your wedding vows, Stacy. Lying to me is hardly a sign of respect. As my wife, you belong to me and I can do as I please."
I want to remind him that honoring your wife doesn't include a beating, but I'm too scared to open my mouth. I doubt it would make a difference anyways. Being submissive and giving into his demands is my best chance of survival.
Christmas and New Year's pass by in a blur. Miguel gives me a diamond necklace and arranges for a special meal that is choked down under a lot of pain from my sore jaw. A few times, he insists on sex, which I endure with clenched teeth, glad that it's over quickly. His touch is a painful reminder of what he's capable of and any form of intimacy becomes torture. Nothing loving is left about the act; he's selfish, only out to fulfill his needs. It's as if he's turned into an animal.
When Naiara comes back from her trip in early January, she immediately jumps into the role of nurse. I'm waited on hand and foot. She even endures my sullen mood.
"Things will get better," she reassures me. "In a couple of years, Miguel will trust you enough to allow you to come on my trips. We'll have a blast."
I swallow down the tears. A few years sound like an eternity. Since my beating, my escape plan is back on, and I can only hope that the guy from the warehouse will reappear soon.
Naiara smiles as she fluffs my pillow. "I tell you what. Let's go to town tomorrow for the Bajada De Los Reyes celebration."
Even though I would love to get out of the house, I'm not sure if I'm under some form of house arrest. "What about Miguel? He might not want me to come."
"Don't worry, I'll clear it with him. Santino wants me to pass out the presents this year, so you can help." Her eyes sparkle with excitement.
"What presents?"
"It's the day we give presents to the less fortunate children in Malaguay. I bought a whole bunch of stuff in London. It's always a lot of fun."
I can't help but wonder who she considers a less fortunate child. As far as I can tell, they are all needy and would probably prefer some food and a candy bar over a useless toy that won't fill their stomachs.
To my relief, Miguel likes the idea. "I have business in town anyhow. We can all go together."
That night, he's back to his charming self, joking during dinner and helping me to get ready for bed.
"You'll love Bajada De Los Reyes." He kisses my shoulder while straightening my nightgown. "It's the one day of peace the rebels give us and the tears you see are only tears of joy. It has always been my favorite day of the year."
