CHAPTER 002
1160 Words
CHAPTER 002
My eyes snapped open with a start, my vision zooming around as my mind struggled to process what had just occurred. My room was small and filled with an unpleasant musty odor that made my stomach turn, with only dim light coming through a thin window above my head for illumination. Rubbing my eyes, I tried, but it didn't help, nor am I here.
I tried to remain objective and assess the situation, trying to understand where I was and why I was in some sort of cell.
"Please, someone! "Someone please help!" My feet trembled as I rose from the tiny bed, hurrying towards the door with shaking legs. Once outside, I began banging on the door in desperation, my voice rising with fear as my panicked pleas for assistance went unanswered. "Someone help! Anyone! Please!"
As soon as I heard footsteps approaching, I immediately stopped shouting. A voice came from across the doorway.
"Miss Brooks, you are in a cell," stated an unkind voice, clearly unimpressed with her presence.
"Why am I here?" my mind raced in anguish.
"Did you expect to wake up in a luxury bed?" he tittered. "Until your brother surrenders himself, and then... enjoy whatever time remains!"
"48 Hours?" was something I didn't expect.
Oliver was responsible for this debacle; had he allowed me to be with Leo without interference, none of this would have taken place.
Tears began streaming down my face as I collapsed onto the floor, shaking. He had assured me he would keep me safe; never once did he tell me he would use my life as leverage to convince Oliver to surrender.
Never had I realized just how cruel my brother could be until now. Leo, my first love, had just died, and now it appeared I too would follow his path toward death...alone.
As I continued to cry like a child, it felt as if no one was around to comfort or console me. I felt betrayed by someone whom I had looked up to throughout my life, my brother. No matter what happens next time or in my future lives, I will always remember him. I made a promise not to forgive him even then.
The remainder of my day passed in a daze as I was left alone in my cell without anyone caring about whether I ate, yet my stomach growled with hunger, but there was nothing to eat. I sat alone on my bed, staring into space.
By evening's end, temperatures had drastically dropped, and my clothing wasn't thick enough to protect against the chill. As my teeth chattered while my body trembled uncontrollably and my hands shook wildly, I felt sure that death could come quickly.
I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I had hoped the night wouldn't come, that my remaining life could continue living its short course, but now everything was crumbling away as darkness fell, and Oliver still hadn't shown up to help save me.
As soon as a plate of bread was thrown into my cell, I scrambled to grab it like someone who hadn't eaten in days—for someone like me, an hour without food felt like forever!
I quickly finished off the bread, yet my stomach still felt empty despite it all. Even though my belly was full, I felt empty. This hunger wasn't for food, but for energy or knowledge.
As I chewed, my mind wandered. I wondered what it would feel like to end my life having never achieved any significant accomplishment or experienced any opportunities I desired—something over which I had no control. How could my life lead to such an outcome? How could my life end this way?
Horror movies were always one of my favorite forms of entertainment; death was an integral part of their narratives. Now it was my turn—death would follow its own path, just like those unfortunate characters in movies!
Tears streamed freely down my face as my sorrow-filled body was too exhausted for sleep. Instead, I spent time reflecting upon how a brother could sacrifice me so easily, trying to comprehend what it felt like having someone willing to sacrifice me for their gain.
I stayed in my cell all night and the next day. As dawn broke outside my small window, the sun's light began filtering in through its cracks; yet I still felt far away, like everything was happening outside while I remained stuck here in this nightmare.
"Just a few hours left, Lottie," I repeated silently to myself, as though telling myself the truth would somehow speed up time. Don't be alarmed, Oliver won't come to rescue you this time. Don't be surprised!"
As I watched Sebastian order guards to take me, my stomach quaked with anticipation, knowing exactly what would come next. Sebastian ordered the guards to take me. Hearing footsteps approach my cell made my stomach quine as they prepared for what would surely follow next.
I looked up into the sky, trying to determine the time. Clouds still covered most of the sky; however, there wasn't as much darkness lingering this evening, perhaps just after seven. Why were they coming so quickly for me?
Two men walked through the door. Both remained quiet, with unreadable faces.
"No! "Please, no!" I begged, my panic rising rapidly.
"Shut your mouth!" one of them yelled back.
"Please, please..." I begged them, but their strength was too great; they forcibly pulled me from my cell while my body struggled against their grip. As soon as they released me from their grip, I begged, "Let me go! Let Me Go!"
They took me into a dark room, throwing me on the floor. There was no light available for visibility. When I attempted to scramble back up to my feet, the door shut suddenly behind me, locking itself behind me as soon as it closed behind me. I tried opening it but found it locked tight behind me!
"Open the damn door! Open it now!" was my plea.
From within the darkness, voices shouted, "Nobody's opening the door."
My heart pounded. But, thankfully, I wasn't alone.
As soon as the lights flickered on, revealing a figure sitting by a lamp in the air behind him, I couldn't identify who it was or what their purpose was.
"Who are you?" I inquired with an uncertain voice.
"Miss Brooks," he replied with a voice full of menace, "that's not the question you should be asking. You should count your seconds—there may only be minutes left."
"As I said earlier, I don't remember anything about that night." My attempt at sounding confident failed miserably.
"I never said I doubted you," was his reply in an even tone of voice.
Why are you doing this to me? "Why are you hurting me?" I inquired in anger.
"Sorry, dear," he apologized with an awkward smile as he leaned back into his chair.
- Writer
