CHLOE’S POV
My entire body quivered uncontrollably, my legs threatening to buckle beneath me as the menacing gang leader towered over me. Every nerve in my body screamed with terror, and I could feel the cold sweat trickling down my spine.
The demand echoed in my ears, piercing my soul: call someone I knew and demand a hefty ransom for my release. The threat of death loomed over me like a dark cloud, and I knew I had to comply if I wanted any chance of survival.
With trembling hands, I grasped the phone tightly, my fingers struggling to maintain a steady grip. It felt so small and insignificant in my palm, a fragile lifeline connecting me to the outside world.
My heart pounded relentlessly, its thunderous beats drowning out all other sound, while a cacophony of thoughts and fears con
