CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
THE ESCAPE
ELENA’S POV
“Move!” I growled, pointing the gun at her head, cutting off whatever she was going to say. She obeyed, her body moving on autopilot as I motioned her towards the back door.
She stepped outside, grabbing on to her luggage tightly. she spun around just when a tear slid down her cheek. She gave me a pleading look, I guess she was desperate for some explanation, some sign that this was all a mistake, that her friend was still in there somewhere. How wrong she was.
I pushed the door forward and it slammed shut with a sharp bang, cutting off her words before they could leave her lips. I spun around, heading for the living room, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the window, I parted the curtain slowly, peering through the narrow gap. My fists clenched involuntarily. “These bastards! They are here” I hissed under my breath, yanking the curtain aside with a frustrated jerk.
Kian’s voice broke the tense silence, trembling with fear. “Oh shit! What do we do?”
“Move,” I commanded, my tone icy and controlled.
“But where?… We can’t just…”
“A little piece of advice for you,” I cut him off, my voice low and menacing. “I’m on edge right now, so don’t push me.”
Kian’s eyes widened, and he quickly raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. My mouth is zipped,” he murmured, miming the action.
“Better. Follow me,” I ordered, already moving toward the stairs. His footsteps trailed behind me.
Reaching my room, I flung the door open and made a beeline for the wardrobe. My hands trembled slightly as I rummaged through the clothes, searching desperately for the box I’d hidden there. Just as my fingers brushed against it, a loud bang echoed from downstairs, followed by the unmistakable sound of boots stomping on the wooden floor. My heart raced, but I forced myself to focus.
“Shit!” I muttered under my breath, pulling out the box.
“They’re coming! Hurry, Elena!” Kian’s voice trembled with urgency, his face pale.
I finally yanked the box free, a small smile of triumph tugging at my lips. But my victory was short-lived. A voice behind me, cold and commanding, made my blood run cold. “Do not move, or else.”
Slowly, I turned around, and my heart sank. A policeman stood in the doorway, his gun pointed directly at Kian’s head. Kian’s hands were raised, his eyes wide with fear.
Thinking quickly, I grabbed two dresses from the wardrobe and tied them together, creating a makeshift rope and immediately tossed it toward the window. The policeman’s gaze flickered to my movements, but before he could react, I lunged at him with all the strength I could muster. The gun flew from his hand, clattering to the floor. Kian didn’t need to be told-he immediately took cover behind me, his breaths coming in quick, panicked gasps.
Without wasting a second, I pulled out my own gun. With a steady hand, I fired three shots into the policeman’s head. The sound of the gunfire echoed in the room, each shot reverberating in my chest like a drumbeat. He crumpled to the floor, lifeless.
I kicked his body aside, my eyes narrowing as I spotted another policeman rushing up the stairs. I slammed the door shut, locking it, and immediately dropped to the floor, frantically patting around for the secret opening. My breath caught when my fingers finally found the hidden latch. I pried it open and looked down into the dark space below.
“Come on, jump down,” I ordered Kian.
He hesitated, fear etched across his face, but after a moment’s pause, he jumped into the darkness. I followed, dropping down beside him into the cave-like hideout I had constructed beneath my room. It was cold and dimly lit, the walls rough with unfinished stone. I reached up, tapping a button that closed the entrance above us with a soft click. We were sealed in, safe-at least for now.
Above us, I could hear the faint sounds of my door bursting open and heavy footsteps entering the room. My heart pounded as I strained to listen, every muscle in my body tensed for any sign that they might find us.
“Dammit, we lost him,” one of the policemen growled in frustration, his voice muffled but clear. A small, satisfied smirk tugged at my lips. They had no idea how close they were, and yet, so far.
“Let’s go,” I whispered to Kian, nudging him forward.
“Shhh!… They might hear you,” he whispered back, his voice trembling with fear.
“Do you think I’m a fool like you? This place is soundproof,” I retorted, rolling my eyes as I led the way deeper into the hideout.
“Really? This is incredible!” Kian whispered, awe filling his voice. “I always knew you were smart, but this? A cave beneath your room? It’s unbelievable.”
I couldn’t help the small grin that crossed my face. “Guess you’re right. But don’t get too excited. You’re still my complete opposite-dumb and foolish,” I shot back, my voice harsh enough to wipe the smile off his face.
His expression fell, but he followed obediently. We stopped in front of a heavy metal door at the end of the corridor. “Stay here while I go inside,” I muttered, placing my hand on the cold, steel hinges.
“But I want to come with you,” he pleaded, his voice weak.
“Go find a lady then,” I snapped, stepping into the room and slamming the door behind me, effectively shutting him out.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of damp earth. My gaze shifted to the figure chained in the corner. She was still there, just as I had left her-weak, bruised, and barely conscious. A cold smirk played on my lips as I approached her, the sound of my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Reaching down, I lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes.
“Hello sister,” I murmured, my voice a dangerous whisper in the oppressive silence.