Chapter 15
823 Words
Laura Sterling
“I’m scared, Aaron,” I had whispered before sleep claimed me.
But fear was the only thing keeping me alive now.
I woke up sometime in the middle of the night, my body drenched in cold sweat. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
The room was dark, and for a few terrifying seconds, I didn’t know where I was.
Then it all came rushing back.... Aaron carrying me, his gentle touches, those dangerous words about stealing my heart.
I hated how my body still reacted to the memory. My breath came faster, my cheeks warmed even now.
But that was just messed up chemistry. Nothing more. I refused to be dragged into the Cole name again.
Derick had already destroyed me. I wouldn’t let his brother finish the job.
My legs felt even heavier tonight, the numbness spreading like thick syrup. Pushing myself up on the bed took every ounce of strength I had left.
My arms trembled violently as I slowly lowered myself into the wheelchair beside the bed. Every movement made the room spin.
The pills were still messing with my head ... thoughts felt slow, disconnected.
I was about to call for help when I heard voices coming from the hallway. Aaron’s voice. Low. Serious.
“…Yes, she’s captured and secured for now. Keep eyes on Derick. Make sure he doesn’t get close. And the contract will be signed soon. She’s not going anywhere.”
“Captured.“
The word slammed into me like ice water.
My chest tightened painfully. Secured. Like I was some kind of prisoner. Just like Derick had kept me locked away for five years.
My trust issues exploded in my chest. He had been so gentle earlier, but it was all a lie. Another Cole trap.
What did I ever do to deserve this? Constantly trapped in the Cole family.
My mind spun with panic. I didn’t wait to ask what he meant. I couldn’t. Asking would only give him time to sweet-talk me again with that deep voice that made my heart pound against my will.
I had to get out. Now.
With shaking hands, I pushed the wheelchair toward the door as quietly as I could.
My breathing was ragged and uneven. Every push felt like my arms were on fire, but fear gave me just enough strength to move. The hallway was dimly lit.
I rolled slowly, heart hammering, praying he wouldn’t hear me.
Somehow, I made it to a side exit. The night air hit me like a slap when I finally got outside.
It was so cold that I shivered. My thin nightdress offered no protection. I rolled into the street, the wheels bumping over uneven pavement.
My vision kept blurring. Disoriented and weak, I turned into the first dark alley I saw, hoping to hide until I could think clearly.
"Big mistake." I felt fear creep within my body.
The alley smelled of garbage and damp concrete. Shadows stretched long and menacing under the single flickering streetlight. My wheelchair got stuck on a crack in the ground. I pushed harder, but my weak arms gave out. The chair tilted slightly.
“Well, well… what do we have here?”
Three rough-looking men stepped out from the darkness. They looked like extremely dangerous goons.
Their eyes gleamed with ugly hunger as they looked at me ...a helpless woman in a wheelchair, alone at night, barely dressed.
“Looks like a lost little bird,” one of them laughed, cracking his knuckles. “And she can’t even run.”
Terror flooded my veins. I tried to back the chair away, but my hands were too shaky. My heart pounded wildly ....not the confusing flutter Aaron caused, but pure, sickening fear.
“Please… leave me alone,” I begged, my voice weak and trembling. “I don’t have anything.”
The tallest one moved closer, grabbing the handles of my wheelchair and yanking it toward him. “Oh, you’ve got something, sweetheart. That pretty face will do just fine.”
Another one reached for my arm, his grip rough and painful. I gasped, trying to pull away, but my body was too drained from the pills. Tears stung my eyes as panic choked me.
I didn’t want this. I just wanted my own life back. Away from the Coles. Away from all this darkness.
“Get your hands off me!” I cried out, but it came out pathetically soft.
The third man laughed cruelly. “No one’s coming to save you here, princess. You’re ours now.”
My breath hitched sharply as rough hands grabbed my shoulders, pulling me forward. My weak body couldn’t fight back.
The world spun faster, fear and exhaustion mixing into a dizzying nightmare.
Why did I run?
Why did everything always end like this for me?
“Stop… please…” I whispered brokenly, my voice barely carrying in the dark alley.
- Writer
