Mistress.

My life is going through a period marked by the letter "x"... Just don't think it's good. And it would be, if it weren't so fucking bad. I'm walking along the shoulder of a highway, far from home if measured in steps, heading in an unknown direction with my hands tied with thick rope. I don't know which way my city is, so I'm just limping wherever my eyes take me... Limping because my leg is dislocated. It's getting dark outside, I don't even know what time it is... Judging by the summer sunset pattern, it's around nine in the evening. Suddenly, clouds covered everything and a heavy downpour started. I was soaked to the bone in a minute. Water dripped from me along with blood from my split

eyebrow, lip, and head. I was indifferent to all the pain and the situation, I was just glad to be alive. I passed through a tree belt and came out onto an open highway. I looked around... No signs, no cars. My leg started hurting more as I walked, and I sat down by the roadside near the nearest tree to catch my breath and rest. Suddenly, I saw approaching headlights and got scared, started walking forward quickly, limping. From the pain, I fell to the ground and stayed there.

My consciousness, while fading, took me back to the beginning of the event. I remember how he dragged me out of the car in the woods by my feet, I hit my head on the car's door frame... How he grabbed me by the hair, pulled me to my feet, and started hitting my face and body with his palms and fists. I screamed and cried, begging him to stop. He dragged me to the car's trunk, wrapped rope around my hands. I tearfully begged him to let me go and forgive me if I did something wrong. With a stern expression, he taped my mouth shut with duct tape, saying only one phrase through gritted teeth from anger...

— I've heard enough of your words, now I will act. Don't expect mercy this time! — he started looking for something in the trunk, then pulled out a bat, I broke into a cold sweat from horror. I needed to do something immediately, and with all my strength, I hit him in the groin and ran away while he was writhing on the ground and screaming in pain. I ran without looking back, my breath caught, and my heart was pounding wildly. I had just stopped by a tree to catch my breath when I heard his scream — Bitch, where are you?! You can't run from me or hide! I'll find you and bury you like a dog! Do you hear me, you scum?!

I started to slowly move away, but a loud crunch of a dry branch sounded from under my foot. He heard it and ran in my direction. Running through the woods was hard, bushes and trees got in the way, but I hurried as best I could. My leg got dislocated, and I fell on the grass from the pain and screamed loudly. He caught up with me and hit my thigh with the bat, I screamed and cried — I beg you, don't touch me. I apologize to you for everything, whatever you want — I pleaded.

— You think your apologies can help me? Scum like you must pay for your sins — he said this and hit me in the side with the bat. Then he sat on top of me and started slapping me hard and insulting me. Without seeing my own face, I understood it was scary to look at him. He dragged me on the ground, getting smeared with my blood. His eyes were filled with such malice, he himself wasn't thinking straight anymore. I just didn't know what to do anymore... I stopped crying, I didn't have the strength to struggle either. When he pushed me to the ground and sat on top, I took his face in my hands and whispered, trying to persuade him to get a grip and stop. At first, he froze in place, thinking something over, but then suddenly his hands closed around my neck. I kicked and tried to tear his hands away from me, scratching, but I started to feel my strength leaving me. My vision blurred, I passed out. I don't know how much time passed. Consciousness returned to me, my throat hurt and burned, it was painful to swallow. Slowly opened my eyes, everything was blurry and swimming. I was lying on the grass in some bushes and tried to come to my senses, reconstructing the chronology of events. Apparently, he thought he had killed me and ran away... There was no one around. Then I started making my way home. That's how I ended up on the highway, where I lost consciousness again when I saw an approaching car. Came to again, couldn't see or understand anything. And another blackout. Later, I started hearing voices, but distantly. Then little by little opened my eyes and started seeing blurry silhouettes. Then a bright light hit my eyes.

— How many fingers do you see? — a male voice asked. I swallowed saliva and answered him hoarsely. He nodded and left. I lay with my eyes closed and tried to process the terrible picture of what had happened in my head. Tears choked me like a lump in my throat to the point of pain and streamed down my cheeks. Someone touched my hand, and I got scared.

— Shh, shh, don't worry. Everything's fine — this male voice was unfamiliar to me. I started examining the silhouette near me.

— Who are you?

— I just came to visit you. I brought you everything you might need here, on the doctor's recommendation.

— Thank you — it hurt to talk and I winced. An IV was sticking out of my hand, and I had a special rigid neck brace on.

— Rest and regain your strength, and I'll go.

I fell into a deep sleep. How much more time passed is unknown. A doctor came to me for another check-up.

— How are you feeling? Better today?

— Yes, doctor, a bit better. Do you know who came to see me? Some guy.

— That's your savior. He brought you here in that condition.

— I vaguely remember what happened.

— You were unconscious. He found you on the roadside near the woods.

— Doctor, what's wrong with me?

— Split lip and eyebrow, a small wound on the back of your head, multiple bruises all over your body. You were unconscious for a whole day. We treated your wounds and abrasions, put a neck brace on, and are giving you glucose with vitamins. It seems someone beat you and tried to strangle you. You miraculously survived. The police will come to you to clarify the circumstances. Who was it?

— Police? Not that...

— You must give a statement. You were almost killed. I had to call them and report you.

— Yes, of course. Thank you, doctor.

After some time, two police officers came, and I told them the whole truth. The next day, that guy who visited me came.

— How are you? Feeling better? — he was worried.

— Yes, much better. I want to thank you.

— What for? It's me who wants to thank you.

— For what?

— For staying alive.

— All thanks to you. Thank you.

— You have no idea how you scared me. You were in such a state.

— Can I ask a favor? Could you find me a mirror?

— A mirror? Are you sure?

— Do I look that bad?

— I'm sure you can look better.

— Please.

The guy sighed and left the room. I thought about him. How handsome he is, not at all a match for me in this state. He's maybe 35 at most. And I'm so grateful to him. When I get back in shape, I'll thank him, give him some kind of gift. About ten minutes later, he returned.

— Can you believe it, I had to run all over the hospital and rob an old lady. Ended up getting a mirror — he laughed. I laughed too, but grabbed my neck from the pain and started coughing. The guy got scared and ran over to me, calming me down.

— I'm sorry. I won't do it again.

— It's okay — I rasped — it will pass.

— Sorry for the question. Who did this to you?

— I don't want to talk about it... — tears flooded my face.

— Okay. Forgive me.

— What's your name? I'm Olga.

— I already found out your name, Olyechka. My name is Sergei.

A little later, he left, leaving his phone number so I could call him if I needed anything. He even left me a mobile phone, brought his old one, for communication.

He continued to visit me throughout the week I was in the hospital. After another examination by the doctor, I was discharged, given the necessary recommendations for further recovery. Sergei came for me and drove me home. I thanked him endlessly. And he made me promise to call if I needed anything.

Once, the investigator on my case called and asked me to come to the station. There, they questioned me again, but my testimony was different. — Do you understand, Olga Sergeevna, that you must not mislead the investigation? Do you understand that giving false testimony earlier can bring responsibility upon yourself? And it will be criminal responsibility.

— I understand. Forgive me. I didn't understand what I was saying then. I was still in a daze. I'll repeat it now... I don't really remember anything. I don't remember anything at all. I have no one to accuse for my condition.

— What am I to do with you, Olga...

— Understand and forgive.

— Okay. Go home. If you remember anything, let me know. I'll call you again.

I returned home. From the apartment, I tried not to go out unnecessarily, only in extreme cases to the store for groceries. Fear didn't leave me for a second, and I got scared at the slightest rustle, like a madwoman. Reached the stage of paranoia. What if he finds out, and he probably knows I'm alive... What if he finds me and finishes the job... But I'm in the apartment, where he can easily find me, considering that this very expensive and well-appointed apartment was bought for me by him. Damn it! I need to leave somewhere immediately. But where? To my mom's? I would never involve her in this story. God forbid! She'd go crazy. And no matter who I went to, I'd automatically put them at risk. I know him too well, he'll go to the end and over the heads of anyone who helps me. I started packing everything necessary into a suitcase and decided to go to my friend Ira's dacha. She offered me to live in her house, but I categorically refused. The dacha was on the outskirts of the city, and it took about thirty minutes to get to the center. Everything necessary was there... A bed, a small kitchen, a shower, a toilet. Warm and cozy. I hid the car in the garage at the dacha, which he also bought for me.

It started getting a little cold outside, the beginning of autumn arrived. On one such evening, I was sitting in an armchair reading a book. The meaning of the book was far from me, though more likely my thoughts were far from the meaning. I was absorbed in my thoughts. How long can I hide here? Eventually, I'll need to look for a job, otherwise how will I live. Although my savings and jewelry from him will last me a long time, I'll open a bank account. And I can't hide all my life either. What to do? Well, I'll wait it out here for a couple of weeks. Will anything change during that time? Hope for a miracle that he'll leave me alone and let me live on? What if he's not satisfied with that arrangement? What if he won't let me live peacefully, if he lets me live at all? Take a risk and go out in public? While I was bombarding myself with questions, Sergei's image appeared before me. God, how grateful I am to him. My hands reached for the phone, and I really wanted to call him. After all, I should thank him. But why would I call him? What would I say? Come what may. Not much, not little, but I'll say, at least, just "thank you." The ringing went on for a long time, and I was about to end the call when I suddenly heard his sleepy voice.

— Hello, yes?

I was confused and silent.

— You know what... It's not cool to call late and be silent.

Late? What time is it? I glanced at the phone screen, it was just past midnight. How long had I been sitting in the armchair with a book in my hands and various thoughts in my head?

— Sorry, I...

— Is that you?

— Yes, it's me. Who else? You recognized me?

— Yes, of course. I was waiting for your call. I didn't have your number, you know.

— Yes, I bought a new phone and SIM card.

— Why didn't you call earlier?

— Well, I just...

— I'm glad you called. Is everything okay with you?

— Yes, everything's fine.

— Do you need something?

— Do you think I'm calling only out of necessity? No. I just want to say thank you to you again!

— Are you busy tomorrow evening?

What? He wants to ask me out somewhere? Not that. I won't leave my "hideout," it's dangerous. Dangerous for him too. If he sees me and with a man.

— Umm... Yes, I'm busy.

— That's a pity. I wanted to invite you for a walk. Another time?

— Yes, another time. And sorry for waking you.

— It's okay. Glad to hear from you.

We said goodbye, and I tried to sleep.

A week passed like that. So far, everything is calm and quiet, but I still jump at every sound. Sergei called and asked about my health and how things were going. We talked for a long time about all sorts of nonsense, he invited me for a walk again, but I was forced to refuse again.

Ira visited me in her free time, and we discussed everything in detail. She said I could stay at her dacha as long as needed.

— My dear, sooner or later you must continue your life. And, surely, he'll forget about you.

— Forget? No, it's not in his nature to forget things that don't go according to his plan.

— You had to get involved. The rich have their own quirks.

— Yes, that's true.

— And you should have reported him.

— Do you understand what would await me then?

— And like this? Is it better?

— I'm counting on him leaving me alone since I didn't turn him in.

Although, I knew the risk I was taking. Wanted to do everything peacefully, but something went wrong.

The groceries were running out, and at my own risk, I decided to go to the nearest store. Only for that, I called a taxi. Walking through the supermarket aisles, I noticed a familiar male figure from behind in an expensive blue suit. My heart started beating at double speed, and my whole body seemed paralyzed with fear. I dropped my basket with groceries and ran towards the exit. A male voice was calling my name, but I ran, pushing myself through the crowd of people. Ran out into the street into the darkness of a nearby square and started frantically scrolling through my phone contacts. Someone touched my shoulder, and I screamed like a madwoman.

— Shh, shh... What's wrong?

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