But the freedom tasted sharp. They were not yet out of danger. They had to move far from the compound. They had to find food. They had to find a safe place that night.
Jonas spoke low, "We go main road. Then we found a bus on the far road. We split small groups. Too many together make noise."
They nodded, weak but alive. They moved like calm shadows toward the city lights, each step heavy but one step closer to a life they had not yet seen.
The road was long and wet. Their clothes stuck to their skin. Mud pulled at their shoes. But still, they walked. Nobody talked much. Their bodies were too tired, their hearts still beating fear.
When they finally saw the city lights far ahead, it felt like hope. But the closer they got, the more the fear returned. Big roads meant police. Big roads meant strangers that could point them back to the traffickers.
"Careful," Jonas whispered. "We no fit trust anybody yet."
They hid near a bush beside the tarred road. Cars passed, their lights cutting through the dark. Ariana hugged herself. Her teeth chattered. Hunger pressed her stomach till it hurt. She thought of the food Selene gave her at first, the rice, the chicken. She almost wished she had never eaten it, so her body would not remember how it feels to be full.
Naomi bent her head low. "If they catch us again, they go kill us."
"No talk like that," Jonas said sharp. "We don't die here."
They waited. Then a small bus came, slowing down as if to pick someone. Jonas jumped up and waved. The driver looked suspicious. His eyes moved over their dirty clothes.
"Where una dey go?" the man asked.
Jonas forced a smile. "Town. We fit pay." He showed the little money he had hidden in his shoe.
The man looked at them long. Then he opened the door with a sigh. "Enter quick."
They climbed in. Ariana sat by the window. As the bus moved, she pressed her forehead to the glass. Lights rushed past. The city looked alive, but she felt empty inside.
They got down in a quiet part of town, far from the big crowd. Jonas led them to an old warehouse. The place smelled of dust, but it was dry. They all lay down on the floor, too weak to talk. Ariana closed her eyes and prayed sleep would not bring nightmares.
But danger was not far.
By morning, men with tattoos came into the warehouse. Their voices were loud, their steps heavy. Jonas jumped up. He pushed Ariana behind him.
"What are you doing here?" one man asked. His eyes were sharp, his teeth brown.
Naomi shook. Lila grabbed Ariana's hand tight.
Jonas tried to talk calmly. "We don't mean problems. We are just passing a night."
The men laughed, but it was not kind laughter. "Pass night here?" The tallest one spat on the ground. "Do you think this place is a hotel?"
Micah stepped forward, his hands shaking but brave. "Please. Just give us a little time. We will move."
The men looked at each other. One of them hissed. "You are lucky that we didn't take you guys to the police station."
They left, but their laughter still echoed. Jonas knew the warning was clear: they had to move again.
That night, they split into smaller groups like Jonas planned. Ariana and Naomi stayed with Jonas. Lila and Micah went with two others from the larger escape.
It was harder now. No roof. No food. Every corner felt like a trap. Ariana walked the streets, her eyes scanning faces, wondering if Selene's men were still searching.
Days stretched into weeks. Sometimes they found bread from dustbins. Sometimes they slept under broken sheds. Sometimes they ran from police who chased street children.
Ariana's heart grew heavy. Her body was weak. She thought of her mother, Camilla. She thought of her father, Darius. Did they still remember her? Or had they given her up as lost?
One evening, when the sky was turning dark, Ariana sat by the wall, legs weak, eyes closing. She whispered again, "God, please… just one person. Let one person see me."
This time, someone did.
A man with calm eyes and a doctor's bag stopped in front of her. His voice was soft but strong. "Hey… little one. Are you alright?"
Ariana lifted her head. Her lips trembled. She wanted to answer, but no words came out. Only tears.
The man bent low. "Don't cry. I'm here. You're safe."
And for the first time in a long time, Ariana felt maybe her prayer had finally reached heaven.
The man bent close to Ariana. His shirt was neat, his shoes polished. He didn't look like the kind of people that passed her every day without care. His eyes were gentle, but Ariana's heart still beat fast.
"Are you alright?" he asked again, his voice calm.
Ariana shook her head. She tried to talk, but her throat felt dry like sand.
The man opened his bag. He brought out a small bottle of water. "Here, drink this."
Ariana looked at the bottle. Her lips burned with thirst, but her hand refused to move. What if it was a trick? What if Selene had sent him?
The man noticed her fear. He opened the bottle himself, drank from it, then held it out again. "See? It's safe."
Slowly, Ariana stretched her hand. The bottle was cool. She drank small at first, then more, until her chest rose and fell in relief.
"Better?" the man asked.
Ariana nodded. Her eyes filled with tears again. "Thank you." Her voice was almost a whisper.
The man gave a small smile. "My name is Doctor Adrian. What's yours?"
Ariana hesitated. She looked down at her dirty hands, her torn dress. Should she tell him? Or should she lie?
"My name is…" She swallowed. "Ariana."
"That's a beautiful name," Adrian said softly. "Where are your parents, Ariana?"
At once, her chest tightened. Her eyes watered again. She shook her head and hugged her small bag tighter. "They're… they're not here."
Adrian nodded slowly, not pushing too hard. "I see. And who's been taking care of you?"
Her hands trembled. Selene's face flashed in her mind. The lies, the sweet smile that turned into chains. She lowered her voice. "Nobody."
For a long time, Adrian was quiet. He just watched her, as if trying to understand the pain her small words carried. Then he spoke gently, "Would you like to eat?"
At that, Ariana's stomach made a loud sound, betraying her. She bent her head in shame.
Adrian stood up slowly, so she would not be afraid. He stretched out his hand. "Come with me. There's a small place close by. You'll eat. You'll rest. I promise, you are safe."
But Ariana did not take his hand. Her mind screamed trap, trap. Her body pulled back. She stood suddenly, ready to run.
Adrian didn't chase her. He only stayed where he was. "I know you don't trust me yet. That's okay. But please, look at me. Do I look like someone that will hurt you?"