CHAPTER 337: DEHUMANIZING EXPERIENCE( MASS RELEASE2)

Lexie found herself grappling with various unfamiliar aspects of the underground city, and one of the significant gaps in her understanding revolved around the topic of sex.

Her unique upbringing, characterized by dressing in a manner traditionally associated with boys, had left her largely unnoticed in romantic pursuits by her peers.

Additionally, her unwavering focus on caring for her family had limited her exploration of personal relationships.

The conflicting emotions she harbored toward Isiah throughout her life were a testament to the complex nature of her experiences.

Isiah, being the central figure in her life, had been the sole recipient of her intimate gestures, manifesting primarily through multiple half kisses exchanged between them.

Lexie’s desires were indeed rooted in a deep longing for connection with Isiah. She yearned for the intimacy of touching, kissing, and sharing moments of love with him, envisioning a meaningful and profound connection.

However, the overt and transactional nature of the encounters she witnessed in the underground city struck her as vulgar and distasteful.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, exacerbated by the thick and stagnant air in the underground city.

The combination of physical exertion, emotional distress, and the oppressive atmosphere contributed to the discomfort that enveloped her.

"I thought I saw someone here; I was right. Hey, miss, are you okay?" came the voice of a man from behind Lexie.

Lexie hastily wiped her mouth, turning to face the man who had approached her. He appeared to be in his mid-40s, wearing a peculiar smile on his face.

Before she could utter a word, he spoke, "A new face in this place. What is your name?"

Unsettled by the man’s creepy demeanor, Lexie decided not to respond and attempted to walk away.

However, he abruptly ran towards her, grabbing her hand and making an unsolicited proposition, "Do you want to make some money? I like your features and your body, "

The unexpected and inappropriate advance heightened Lexie’s discomfort.

Lexie winced in intense pain as the man’s grasp tightened around her melted arm. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, and she bit her lip to suppress the anguish.

Desperate to free herself from his grip and alleviate the agony, she attempted to push him away.

However, the attempt only resulted in a piece of her skin being torn off, intensifying the already excruciating pain.

The overwhelming sensation became unbearable, and Lexie couldn’t help but release a scream, the sound echoing through the underground passages as she grappled with the intense physical distress.

Despite the presence of a few people passing by, none seemed inclined to intervene or show concern for Lexie’s distress.

The indifferent atmosphere in the underground city reflected a stark reality—here, women seemed to hold little significance.

The man callously tore off the piece of skin from Lexie’s melted arm and discarded it in disgust.

His insensitive actions reflected a complete lack of empathy. With a sneer on his face, he scrutinized her and callously remarked, "Is this some sort of a skin condition? Is it contagious?"

Disgusted, he spat on the ground before cruelly pushing her, causing Lexie to stumble and fall to the ground.

As the man walked away, leaving Lexie alone on the ground, she remained lost and overwhelmed in this unfamiliar place.

The pain from the recent encounter, both physical and emotional, was too much to bear.

Lexie couldn’t suppress the tears that flowed freely, a manifestation of both the physical agony and the dehumanizing experience she had just endured.

"Here you are, you just ran away. This place is dangerous; you should have stayed with me," came Khaz’s voice.

Lexie raised her face to look at him, her once blue eyes now red from tears and distress.

Upon noticing the tears in Lexie’s eyes, Khaz kneeled down next to her, concern etched across his face.

He inquired, "What happened? Why are you crying, Lexie? Did something happen?"

Lexie took a moment to compose herself, wiping away the tears from her reddened eyes. She hesitated before speaking, still feeling the pain from the recent encounter.

"I... I was approached by a man, and he... he hurt me. No one around cared, and I felt so alone," she admitted, her voice shaky.

Khaz’s expression shifted from concern to a mix of anger and frustration. "I’m sorry you had to go through that. This place can be harsh, especially for those unfamiliar with its ways," he said, his tone conveying a sense of regret.

Khaz assisted Lexie in standing, his gaze catching the sight of her injured hand bleeding.

"I think you need help with this," he suggested, expressing concern for her well-being. However, Lexie, still processing the pain and distress, covered the wound with her hand, wincing at the discomfort.

She expressed her deep discomfort with the city’s harsh dynamics, saying, "I just want to go back. I can’t wait to get out of this place. If a woman can’t get money here without selling her body, then I just... don’t want to stay here."

Grateful for the support Lexie had shown him when Isiah attempted to kill him, Khaz felt a sense of responsibility for her well-being.

He recognized her warmth and kindness, deeming her unfit for the harsh realities of the underground city.

With a sincere smile, he remarked, "I guess you came here to find refuge from the government. You can’t jeopardize this. You can’t navigate this on your own. Maybe, you just don’t have to be a woman in this place."

Lexie, perplexed by Khaz’s statement, asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Khaz hesitated for a moment, then gently suggested, "Lexie, in this place, the challenges women face are significant. If you’re willing, you might consider adopting a different appearance and mannerisms. Dressing and behaving more like a man could help you navigate this city with fewer obstacles."

Lexie’s eyes widened in surprise at the unconventional suggestion. "Dress like a man?" she repeated.

Khaz nodded, "Yes, it’s not an ideal solution, but it might provide you with some protection and help you move through the city more freely."