Shadows in the Dark
882 Words
Isabella’s heart pounded so loudly she could hear it in her ears.
The stranger’s grip on her wrist was tight, painfully tight, his fingers digging into her skin as he tried to drag her away from the porch and deeper into the dark garden.
For a moment, fear froze her.
But it lasted only a second.
Isabella Moreau had never been the kind of woman who surrendered easily.
She twisted suddenly, trying to pull her arm free.
“Let go of me!”
Her voice cut sharply through the quiet night.
The man cursed and tightened his hold.
“Stop fighting,” he muttered harshly.
But Isabella refused to stop.
She pushed against his chest with her free hand, trying to force space between them.
“Who are you?” she demanded, breathing hard.
No answer.
Only silence and the sound of gravel shifting under their feet as he dragged her another step toward the shadows near the trees.
Her mind raced quickly.
The lodge was isolated.
Her driver had already left.
There was no one else around.
She lifted her heel suddenly and slammed it hard against his shin.
The man groaned in pain.
For a brief second his grip loosened.
Isabella pulled her arm free and stumbled backward.
“Stay away from me!” she shouted.
But the stranger recovered quickly.
Too quickly.
He lunged forward again, grabbing her shoulder and pushing her roughly against the wooden railing of the porch.
The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
Pain shot across her back.
“Stop fighting,” he snapped again.
“Or this will get worse.”
Isabella struggled, her hands pushing hard against his chest.
“You picked the wrong person,” she said through clenched teeth.
The man’s expression darkened.
“You rich people think money protects you,” he muttered.
“It doesn’t.”
His hand tightened around her wrist again.
Fear started creeping deeper into her chest now, but she forced herself to stay focused.
“Take whatever you want,” she said quickly.
“My phone… my bag… just leave.”
For a moment the man hesitated.
Then he shook his head slowly.
“Not here for money.”
The words sent a cold wave through her body.
Before she could react, he twisted her arm behind her back.
Pain exploded through her shoulder.
Isabella cried out despite herself.
“Please—!”
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
Her knees nearly gave way from the pressure.
“Let me go,” she gasped, her voice shaking now.
But the stranger only tightened his grip and pulled her another step away from the house.
The trees around the garden swayed softly in the wind, their shadows moving across the ground like dark shapes.
Isabella struggled again, trying to break free.
Her breathing grew faster.
Fear tightened around her chest.
“Please…” she whispered again.
But the man remained silent.
Then suddenly—
Bright headlights cut through the darkness.
A car engine roared near the gate.
The stranger froze.
The powerful beam of light swept across the driveway and the front yard.
Someone was arriving.
The man cursed quietly and shoved Isabella forward.
She fell hard onto the gravel path, her palms scraping painfully against the rough stones.
By the time she looked up—
The stranger had already disappeared into the trees.
The car sped up the driveway and stopped near the lodge.
The driver jumped out immediately.
“Miss Moreau?!”
He rushed toward her quickly.
“Are you okay?”
Isabella tried to stand, but her legs felt weak.
Her hands trembled slightly as she pushed herself up.
“I… I’m fine,” she said softly, though her voice wasn’t steady.
The driver looked around the dark property anxiously.
“What happened?”
“There was a man,” Isabella said quietly.
“He grabbed me.”
The driver’s face immediately hardened.
“I’m calling the police.”
He reached for his phone.
But Isabella raised her hand slowly.
“Wait.”
He paused, confused.
“You don’t want to report it?”
Isabella looked toward the dark trees where the stranger had vanished.
Her mind replayed his words.
Not here for money.
Someone had sent him.
This wasn’t random.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
“No,” she said after a moment.
“Not yet.”
The driver looked surprised.
“Miss Moreau, if someone attacked you—”
“I said not yet.”
Her voice was calm again now.
Controlled.
But inside, something cold had settled in her chest.
Whoever had sent that man had wanted to scare her.
To send a message.
Isabella slowly brushed the gravel dust from her hands and stood up straight again.
The night air felt colder now.
The peaceful lodge no longer felt peaceful.
“Let’s go back to the city,” she said quietly.
The driver nodded and hurried to open the car door for her.
As the car drove away from the lodge, Isabella stared silently out the window at the dark road ahead.
Somewhere out there, someone had decided to come after her.
And they had made one very serious mistake.
Because Isabella Moreau was not someone who ran from threats.
She faced them.
Head on.
- Writer
