y be triggering for some readers, including subtle depictions of
YEAR
in the center of the room, a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling above me. I had no idea who had taken me or why
air creeping in as I realized I was trapped. As I stared into the gloom, I couldn't help but wonder where my bo
her? No, it wasn't. It was the ma
s man was taller, with a cruel smile on his face. I could tell that he was up to no good. He stood there, staring at me with
, but I knew I had to stay strong. The man continued to approach me, his steps slow and
voice shaking. But he ignored
o next. But I could hear him getting closer, his foo
e said, his voice c
ocked me to my core. There was a scar running underneath his left eye, giving him a sinister look. But it wasn't just the scar that scared me - it was
that looked tailor-made. His cologne was expens
the room. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Was
clearly. He carried himself with an air of confidence, and
anic, but I tried t
uld see cobwebs hanging from the rafters, and the windows were covered with grime. It was an eerie, desolate place, and I felt a sense
about the business deal. I haven't done anything wrong. Please let me
about what Christopher will do?" he asked, his eyes hard and cold. "I'm not scared of him
t, but it couldn't be good. I felt sick to my stomach
ng in return for your silence?" the ma
could he possibly offer me? I ha
aid, my voice trembling. "I just want
and emotionless. "You see, you have something that I
ing!" I begged, my voice breaking. I was terrified of wh
ugh," he said, a sly smil
" I begged, my voic
oss his lips. "The fun is just getting starte
e of panic w
screamed, my voice cracki
across his face. "You're not leaving here the same
in my chest. I had no idea what he had in s
I asked, my voice
nough," he said, his fa
eration creeping into my voice. "If you
smile, then he chuckled, a long, low
rthday coming up soon," he said, a
begged, terror gripping my
eyes. I could feel the blood drain from my
into a sinister sing-song, his voice ta
crooned, his eyes glittering with malice. "Happy
n. I was trapped, and at the mercy of a man who seemed to take great pleasure
ation. "Just please, don't hurt me. If it's about the business deal, I can mak
I were a child begging for a toy. It was clear
voice low and dangerous. "For all I care, Christopher c
ht you anymore," I whispered, my
grief. I felt like a dam had broken inside me, relea
and satisfaction. "Give up?" he said coldly. "W
d, my voice firm and resolute. "You've clearly made up yo
lied, his voice full of respect
he had in store for me, it was clear that I would
? Kill me?" I asked, my tears d
n't coming. I h
e said, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "There are t
what he could possibly mean, but my mind refused to go down that dark path. I
do to me?" I asked, my voic
lied, his eyes glittering with amusement.
his name. "Don't talk about him!" I
laugh in his voice. "I like a litt
ll me? Then what's your plan? It's hilarious how you're wasting your
ou?" he asked, his voice cold and
m, my voice slightly giving a
. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating,
t will last you a lifetime!" he sai
felt my heart begin to race. I couldn't tell if he wa
asked, my voice trembling. He nodded
re you run, it will follow you. No matter how hard you try to forget it, it will be there, haunting you." I tr
h make-up," I said, tr
le. "Who said it wou
irritation in my voice. "It must be hard to com
e worse than death for
n think of a few things," I said, mat
a hint of mystery, he proceeded to say "W
to understand what he meant and my fear of what he might say next. The si
speak. "What do you mean by 'her d
is stripped of her sense of self, her sense of worth, and her sense of purpose. It is a
my stomach churn. "No..." I said, my voi
t. I didn't want to believe what he was im
ng to make sense of what he had j
n his face. "Always asking questions, always probi
hat?" I pressed, my voice sha
" he asked, a befitting
me?" I shuddered to ask as a
l I know!" he replied
ask, my heart racing
r, hurting their loved ones is the best way to ruin them!" he
harp breath "And you think he wou
it. Christopher should...fear dea
nd me, that he would rescue me from this nightmare. "Christopher will come," I whisper
o saving you because he can ne
and walked towards me, he leaned in cl
dress." He said to me with a sinis
he exit with me scream
Alia!" were his final
elf and then cried again. I waited and waited with
r came...And I w