I was afraid.
Maybe, they would fall asleep sooner or later?
I hoped so. Anyway, now, it was definitely not time to spread panic inside myself!
Could I run away so that the men wouldnt catch sight of me? I still had to go along the beach to reach my home! My relatives were waiting for me!
I had to make an effort and try to escape. So, I already took the first step when I tripped over the root that was sticking out of the ground and fell down.
Both the men turned their heads.
Bah! said the first man in Greek. Whos that? Look whos here!
Its a little girl! the other man grinned. Shes appeared here not in vain. We can do something with her.
Yes! What a pretty one! the first man stood up and started approaching. I was still lying down. I had to get up as fast as I could and run away.
I began raising myself onto my knees and elbows. But it was already late. The first man came up to me and seized me by the arm.
Here you are, pretty girl, he broke into a grin. Youll come with us!
No! I shouted and tried to free myself out of his grasp. The man was holding me tightly. What do you need from me?
What do we need from you? he broke into laughter. A lot of things, my pretty young girl. A lot of things.
I hoped that they wouldnt do something they meant to.
Then, the first man picked me up in his arms. I squirmed, trying to free myself.
Calm down, little girl! Youll go with us!
What? I wanted to go home! I wanted to be with Mummy!
Why did I go away in the afternoon? I could have got back home as soon as I took the goats into the shed!
I wont go with you! Youre bad! I cried.
The two men laughed even more.
And what? Were bad, but youre pretty! We could keep you an amazing company, my dear! a nasty smile appeared on the other mans face.
I was scared. I didnt know what to do.
Well, my beauty, the first man smirked, well give you a lot of pleasure! Well take you with us.
No-o-o! I cried louder. Please, let me go! I want to see Mummy! They are looking for me!
Who do you want to see? Whos looking for you? the second man asked sarcastically and then said: You wont see your family anymore! Youll go with us. With these words, he turned to his mate and said: Ramazan, tie her hands! And shut her mouth! We dont want to be noticed! Quickly! Be quick! Be quick!
I tried to distract them somehow. I said, Hey, and dont you have any relatives?
Both the men laughed coarsely.
Of course, we have! But its none of your []7 business, you baby doll!
But I tried to squeeze something out of myself. But do you want to please them? Dont you want to make them happy?
Well, how to say that? the second man squinted. Theyll be happy if we finish off the girl like you! Ramazan! Have her done! And quickly! We cant waste our time here on this island anymore!
Ramazan tied some rag around my mouth. At least, I could breathe through my nose.
I tried to call for help, but in vain. There was nobody but us on the beach. Besides, even if I screeched through the rag on my mouth, nothing worked. I only had to put up with my situation.
Then, Ramazan got me on his shoulder and carried me somewhere. His friend followed us.
Shut up, you []! Weve hit the jackpot today!
Youre bad! Let me go! I begged. Please! Let me go!
But it seemed like they didnt even listen to me. I started to think that I would die sooner or later. Die in their hands.
Are you dumb or what? Cant you hear us? Ramazans friend said. We told you to shut up your []! Ramazan, kick this [] in the muzzle! Someone will finally hear us!
But Ramazan stuttered, shes only a little girl! Well just get her to our boss, I think.
What boss? Dont you want to play with her?
Well, lets see. First, well deliver her to Cyprus and then decide what well do next, Ramazan said. We cant waste our time here anymore. And then, he grinned at me, well do something with you, little chick.
What? Cyprus? By what means would they take me there? It was so far away from Rhodes!
I wanted to be with Mum and Dad. They would have protected me from the two villains. My parents wouldnt have let them treat me like this. What a fool I was! I must have stayed at home that afternoon!
I thought, What is to become of me? What should I do now?
I tried to struggle. Ramazan didnt pay attention to my movements. Suddenly, I was about to fall off Ramazans shoulder.
Be quiet, you []! Be quiet! Otherwise, youll fall down dead!
I was drained.
In a few seconds, I saw a big steamship!
It meant that they were going to load me there! Like a slave!
What were they going to do with me indeed?
Well get you to the ship and talk to our boss on what well do with you, pretty chick.
I gave Ramazan a kick on his shoulder. He gave a curse.
[] you! Cant you keep still, ah?
His friend shouted to someone:
Man, were here! And were not alone! Weve got good prey today! he pointed at me. Big loop!
Good job! a mans voice croaked. It was the captain of the ship. He spoke in such a loud voice that made my skin crawl.
The captains name was Izmir. He went down to the shore and came up to us.
A really pretty girl, indeed! he bawled. Hey, you! he shouted at me. May we have the pleasure of your company? he said sarcastically and then grinned.
Frankly speaking, I didnt know exactly if I would survive in all that hell.
Tears streamed down my face. I began to sob.
When all the three men heard me cry, they laughed louder than the captain was speaking. It seemed like the latter was also drunk.
Hey, the chick isnt happy to go with us! Ramazans friend simulated sympathy and pity.
Throw her into the hold! Let her be there for a while! Izmir yelled. Ill decide what wed do with her next!
But captain Ramazan muttered.
What? the captain grunted out the answer.
Wed like to entertain ourselves with her Ramazan forced out the words.
Even through the darkness, could I see Izmir turn red and then flare up.
How dare you, you disgraceful creatures, ask me something like that? The girls mine! Only mine! You got the girl you get your payment and food! Youre working for me, so you do what I say! And if you dont he looked at me furiously, Ill do something worse with you than with that girl!
Why couldnt I die right now? What was he going to do with them and with me?
The tie around my mouth became looser, so I was at least able to mutter something.
Please, captain! Let me go! I tried to beg. I want to be with Mummy!
What? Which Mummy, you [] stupid chick? he smirked. Youll go with us! Well put you in the hold, and then, Ill decide what I can do next.
With these words, he burst into nasty laughter, not to mention that the man was hardly able to stand. He reeked of alcohol, like his two subordinates.
This made me sick. Fee mou8, why was I in a situation like this? Well, it was fully my fault: I should have got back home as soon as I took the goats into the shed.