The forest was primordial having Centuries-old trees with sprawling limbs guarding the darkness, blocking out any moonlight. The bare branches spiked into the sky ,no sign of life to be found anywhere. It was so dark one can barely able to see where their steps may lead them to. There were only small sounds of rustling bushes and the howl of the wind. A pungent tang oozed out from this dreadful forest. In that horrifying forest there stood a man not knowing what's happening in his life.

"what is this place? I remember going to bed in my room. How did I end up here? ", Samuel looked around bewildered not understanding what was this awful and scary place he was at.

His confused eyes scanned around the whole forest wis.h.i.+ng to see someone who could help him. Just when he decided there was no life to give him any response he heard someone calling him from somewhere in the dark distance. It was a very familiar voice, he knows it well too but, at this moment his mind couldn't decipher what was told nor who was that person.

"Papa... Hick!! help me... Save me...", again came that voice and this time Samuel knows who was it and his blood runs cold. He could clearly hear her m.u.f.fled cries. It was Laura Cullen, his daughter.

" Papa... it hurts", another wave of sound echoed around this silent forest. It was filled with such pain and helplessness and hurt that made his eyes water just by listening to it. It didnt want to see what happened to her. He wanted to rush towards his daughter. But, he didnt know which direction to head to. It came as an echo and he couldn't find the way to his daughter.

"Don't worry my sweetie.. papa's here. Don't cry. Papa will make the pain go away from you", he cried out, cupping his hands over his mouth. Even though, his fatherly heart still aching for his daughter yet he managed to give those a.s.suring sense for his daughter who was certainly being tortured.A huge lump formed in his throat making him unable to speak. He wants to find her this very moment but, he found himself paralyzed. Where would she be?

"Pa....Papa.... ", her voice cracked and was hoa.r.s.e, showing the agony and suffering she was put through.

'Papa' was the last word came from her. Once again the whole place fell into eerily silence. His footsteps echoed as he began to run in a direction following his instincts.

He didn't know where he was running. The only thing that was racing in his mind was to save his daughter. His breathing started to become ragged. All his body started to ache but, he didn't stop and continued his run. He ran even though, his legs won't support anymore.

He ran and ran till he found no more strength in his legs. Yet he didn't give up for his daughter. He only stopped when he saw he came close enough to a familiar place. It was his house.

It's just like any other day. His daily normal life. His daughter and son playing near the front gate and the guards are doing their job guarding the house.

Its been days since he experienced this eye pleasing scene in front of him. Everyday he and his children used to play together. His daughter would come and hug him when she saw him entering into the house.

He could see his daughter's innocent smile .That smile was the prettiest thing he has ever seen which reflected into her big pretty eyes and deep into her soul reflecting her purity. It makes one to feel blissful. She will turn 10 next month. He was planning to make it into a grand celebration. But fate had different celebration planned. And, it was certainly not happy for his family.

Just like last time Laura saw her father and ran to him. She then immediately wrapped her small delicate hands around his waist . Her face looking at him, into his eyes. Slowly that happiness dissipated filling sorrow in her eyes. He was shocked by the sudden change.

He didn't know how to react. But he knew he had to stay calm to calm his precious daughter. He raised his hand to caress her head. When his hand touched her, her body began to dissolve into small particles. In no time she vanished into thin air. He could just watch what happened in front of him, without batting his eyes. Perplexed he turned all around. Everyone disappeared. He can't find anyone. Nor his daughter or his son or the guards. Its as if there was no existence of life here except him.

He turned around immediately to leave this dangerous place. Exactly when he turned he heard shrilling cries echoing in his house. It belongs to his daughter, it came from his daughter's room. Without thinking he rushed inside the house. He searched the whole room but he couldn't find her anywhere. He again heard those ear piercing cries from down floor. He dashed down to check.

In his panic he lost his footing and stumbled on steps resulting him to roll on the stairs. Blood started to drip from his head and his vision got blurry. However, he felt nothing and his mind stopped functioning when he saw his daughter ahead. She was lying there, half dead and half alive.

He saw his daughter getting flagellation. He saw three huge muscled men kicking his daughter with legs and flogging her. They were all smiling creepily torturing his little girl. It made his heart ache but he was unable to get up because of his wounded leg. The meek and delicate girl was covered in wounds all over her body. Blood was oozing from some fresh wounds.Her dress in rags, few parts of her dress was covered with her dried blood and some other parts with fresh blood which was still wet. They were beating the h.e.l.l out of her , nevertheless she didn't utter a word out. They tossed to other side laying her stomach to ground and trampled on her back. Seeing her facing all these, he wanted to kill those people. He dragged himself to his daughter. When he got a hold of her he hugged her and sheilded her with his body.

Those men again lifted their whips to lash out but their lashes pa.s.sed through Samuel and only hit his daughter. It was as if he was invisible, who didnt seem to exist there. However all the pain he was facing now, his throbbing heart for his daughter and her screams all felt like they were real.

Soon after another man entered the room. He must be their superior. Sensing his presence they stopped flogging and greeted him. He had pity in his eyes for Laura. With tenderness he held her hand and checked her pulse. No response... She died. His eyes feeling sorry for this little girl.

"She is dead already. Now go back", he ordered.

But those sinful basta**s, " what a shame... I thought it could entertain is for two more days", one of them spoke sighing to see their play thing died too early than they expected.

"So weak", another commented and left the room.

The superior was still there, holding her hand. He turned her head and closed her eyes gently saying, " I will give you a proper burial. Sorry I couldn't save you".He felt sorry for her. In this place there is someone who had a heart left. But nothing mattered to the father who heard the confirmation of death of his own daughter.

He went crazy hearing his daughter's death.

Squeezing her lightly in his hold , " Laura, stop playing. Father came to you. Open your eyes. See me".

He began to blow at her wounds. Her whole body was covered in whips, "See... father blowed away the pain. There's no more pain. You love father the most right? You should listen to your father.Look at your father. I'm right beside you.I won't let any harm near you. please.... please open your eyes. Didn't you say you want to meet prince when he comes back? He came. We will go and meet him tomorrow. The dress you ordered for your birthday was also delivered. Won't you wear it and show it for me.I even made the chef to prepare your favorite dinner. Wake up and eat them. Didn't you say you want to have a little sister. Won't you welcome her".

His pleas became even more desperate, "Laura, father is begging you. I don't like this game. You shouldn't be this hard on an old man. Father lost, you won. At least now, look at me".Holding his dead daughter he hugged her hard and cried his heart out.

Nevertheless, he can't bring the deceased back alive.

Tears began to wet his face. He was crying both inside and outside of his dream. Realizing it was a dream he wanted to wake up from this heartbreaking situation he was facing. Sweat began to drip from his forehead. "huh... ", he jolted from his dream.

" Nothing happened to Laura. She is fine. It was just a dream. Calm down", he began to enchant it on and on trying to calm himself. But he still felt his dream was real and worriness filled his heart.