I WAS STRUCK BY THE SIGHT OF HER.

I almost started to feel bad for her…
Until I recognized who she was.
Alicia Martino. 

The despicable feisty thing that tried to bring me down eight years ago.
The daughter of the man who’s dedicated his life to annihilate my family.
I’ve had men killed for less than what she did that day.
But she was still a kid back then.

Was.

I see men grab at her through the bars.
Ripping away what’s left of her clothing. 
She’s spitting and bitting and clawing back at them.

The girl has quite a spirit; I’ll give her that.

I could walk away right now.
Or I could put this opportunity to good use.
And make her dear dad pay for all the damage he’s caused me.

“Leave her alone,” I hear myself say.
Alicia turns to the sound of my voice.
Stunned into stillness our eyes meet…and I know she knows.

She knows that falling into my hands is far worse than staying in that cage.