SASHA’S POV
The streets were darker than usual that night, the dim glow of the streetlights barely illuminating the path ahead.
My heart thumped wildly in my chest, each beat echoing like a thunderclap in my ears.
I clutched my coat tighter around me, trying to shake the feeling that someone was watching me.
But the sensation of being followed wouldn’t leave, clinging to me like a second skin.
I quickened my pace, the sound of my heels clicking against the pavement becoming a frantic rhythm.
My mind raced with thoughts
Was it my imagination? Was I just paranoid? Or was there something, someone, truly out there?
Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, to flee, but I forced myself to stay calm, to not draw attention to myself.
Then I heard footsteps.
Not my own.
I froze for a split second, my breath hitching. The footsteps were deliberate, steady, and getting closer.
I turned my head slightly, my peripheral vision catching the shadowy figures emerging from the darkness.
Panic surged through me like a tidal wave, and before I could think, I broke into a sprint.
“Help!” I screamed, my voice echoing into the stillness of the night. “Someone, please help me!”
The streets were empty. Desolate. No one was there to hear me. My legs burned as I pushed myself to run faster, darting into an alleyway in a desperate attempt to lose them.
But it was no use. The sound of their pursuit grew louder, their footsteps pounding against the ground like a relentless drumbeat.
I didn’t make it far.
One of them grabbed me from behind, their grip like iron shackles around my arm.
I screamed again, thrashing wildly, but another man appeared in front of me, blocking my path. His face was obscured by a mask, but his cold, predatory eyes pierced through me.
“Let me go!” I shrieked, twisting and turning in their hold. “Please, let me go!”
They didn’t say a word. Not a single word. Instead, one of them produced a cloth, and before I could react, they pressed it against my face.
The pungent, chemical smell was overpowering, and I felt my limbs growing weaker, my struggles becoming futile.
“No…” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. “Please…”
Everything blurred. The world around me spun, and then, darkness.
When I came to, I was in a moving vehicle. My head throbbed, and my vision was hazy, but the reality of my situation hit me like a freight train.
I was lying on the backseat, my wrists bound together. There were three men in the car, the driver and two others sitting on either side of me, their expressions unreadable.
“Where are you taking me?” I demanded, my voice hoarse and shaky.
None of them answered.
“Please,” I tried again, desperation clawing at my throat. “What do you want from me? I don’t have any money. I don’t”
“Shut up,” one of them finally said, his tone cold and dismissive.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I bit my lip to keep from crying. I couldn’t show weakness. Not now. I needed to think, to figure out a way out of this.
My mind raced with possibilities: who were these men? Why had they taken me? Was this connected to Sebastian? Or my father?
“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Please, just tell me what you want.”
Again, there was no response.
I turned my head, looking out the window. The city lights blurred past, their brightness contrasting with the dark despair settling in my chest.
My thoughts drifted to my father. Even in his coma, I found myself pleading with him in my mind, begging him to somehow save me.
Dad, please. Please wake up. Please help me.
But I knew he couldn’t.
My heart ached as I thought of Sebastian. Would he even know I was gone? Would he come for me? Doubts crept into my mind, filling me with uncertainty.
The last few weeks had been tumultuous, our relationship strained by secrets and misunderstandings. What if he didn’t care enough to look for me?
I shook my head, banishing the thought. No. Sebastian wouldn’t abandon me. He couldn’t.
The car came to a sudden stop, jolting me from my thoughts. I looked around, trying to figure out where we were, but the windows were heavily tinted, and it was too dark to see anything clearly.
The men got out of the car, and before I could even attempt to make a run for it, one of them opened the door and grabbed me by the arm.
“Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling against his grip.
“Move,” he said gruffly, yanking me forward.
I stumbled as they led me into a building. The air was cold, sterile, and the faint smell of cleaning products lingered in the hallways.
My heart sank as I realized this wasn’t some dingy warehouse or abandoned building it was far more luxurious.
The pristine marble floors, the modern art lining the walls, and the soft hum of an elevator all pointed to one conclusion.
A penthouse.
“Why are we here?” I asked, my voice trembling.
They ignored me, guiding me into the elevator. The ride up felt like an eternity, the silence suffocating.
I glanced at the men surrounding me, searching for any hint of emotion on their faces, but they were like statues cold, unfeeling, and utterly detached.
When the elevator doors finally opened, they led me down a hallway and into a lavish room.
The decor was sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. But the beauty of the space did nothing to quell the fear gnawing at me.
“Why are we here?” I repeated, my voice rising. “What do you want from me?”
Still, they didn’t answer.
One of the men opened a door, revealing a smaller room that looked like a guest bedroom. It was just as luxurious as the rest of the penthouse, with a plush bed, a wardrobe, and a small seating area.
“In,” the man said, his voice devoid of emotion.
I hesitated, my feet refusing to move.
“I said, in,” he repeated, shoving me forward.
I stumbled into the room, catching myself before I fell. The door slammed shut behind me, and I heard the distinct click of a lock.
“Wait!” I shouted, pounding on the door. “You can’t just leave me here! Let me out!”
There was no response.
I slumped against the door, tears streaming down my face. My body trembled as the weight of the situation crashed down on me. I was alone. Trapped. And no one knew where I was.
My gaze darted around the room, searching for anything that could help me. The windows were sealed shut, the glass too thick to break.
There were no sharp objects, no phones, nothing I could use to call for help.
I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands.
What do they want from me?
That question replayed in my mind over and over again, but I had no answers. All I could do was sit there, drowning in my fear and uncertainty, hoping that somehow, someone would come for me.