CHAPTER 5 - Their First Meeting (with that energy)
899 Words
Elara knew something was wrong the moment they stopped.
This wasn’t part of the routine.
They had never taken her this far before.
The guards didn’t speak as they dragged her down a quieter hallway cleaner, colder. The kind of place that didn’t feel abandoned… just hidden.
Her pulse pounded in her ears.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her voice tighter this time.
Still no answer.
“Okay… great. Love the communication,” she muttered under her breath.
They stopped in front of a door.
Not like the others.
This one looked… important.
One of the guards knocked once before pushing it open.
And then
They shoved her inside.
Elara stumbled forward, barely catching herself before she hit the floor.
The door shut behind her with a heavy click.
Silence.
Too quiet.
Slowly… she straightened.
The room was different.
No scratches on the walls. No broken pipes. No decay.
Clean.
Organized.
Controlled.
And in the center of it
Someone sat.
Her breath caught.
A man leaned back in a chair, one leg crossed over the other, completely at ease like he owned the space.
Like he owned everything.
Dark clothes. Sharp features. Eyes that didn’t look surprised to see her.
Eyes that looked like they’d been waiting.
Elara’s stomach dropped.
Something about him felt… wrong.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
Just… dangerous.
“Finally,” he said softly.
Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
“…what?” she asked, her voice coming out quieter than she intended.
His gaze moved over her slowly.
Not rushed.
Not curious.
Intentional.
Like he was memorizing her.
Elara took a step back without thinking.
His lips curved slightly.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
“You’re smaller than I thought,” he murmured.
Her brows pulled together. “Do I… know you?”
A pause.
Then
“No,” he said.
And somehow…
That felt worse.
Elara’s heart started racing.
“Then why am I here?” she demanded, trying to steady her voice. “What is this place? Who are you?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
Closer.
Too close.
“Elara.”
Her name in his mouth made her freeze.
Her blood ran cold.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he continued calmly.
Her throat tightened. “Then let me go.”
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Then
“No.”
The word landed softly.
But it hit hard.
Elara shook her head, taking another step back. “You don’t understand there’s been a mistake. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m not”
“I know,” he cut in gently.
Her voice died in her throat.
“I know you’re not crazy,” he added.
Her breath hitched.
Everything went still.
“How…” she whispered.
He tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully.
There it was.
That look.
Fear.
Clear. Real. Beautiful.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
And for a split second
He looked pleased.
Elara noticed.
And that made it worse.
“Y-you knew?” she stammered. “Then why am I still here?!”
He stood.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
And Elara immediately stepped back again, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.
The small movement didn’t go unnoticed.
It never did.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Interested.
He closed the distance between them by one step.
Elara’s breath hitched.
Another step.
Her back hit the wall.
Trapped.
“Stop” she whispered, her voice shaking now.
He stopped.
Not because she told him to.
But because he wanted to.
He studied her face up close now.
Every reaction.
Every flicker of fear.
Like it meant something.
“Your smile…” he said quietly.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, tears already threatening to form.
“…what?”
He tilted his head slightly, watching her eyes carefully.
“It doesn’t belong to me,” he continued.
Her chest tightened.
“What are you talking about…?”
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
His gaze dropped to it instantly.
Tracked it.
Followed it like it mattered more than anything else in the room.
And then
He smiled.
Soft.
Wrong.
“But this…” he murmured.
His voice lowered.
“This is mine.”
Elara’s breath caught as she shook her head weakly, panic rising fast now.
“No… no, you’re insane”
“Maybe,” he said calmly.
He straightened, stepping back just enough to give her space.
Not out of kindness.
But control.
“You can cry,” he added, almost thoughtfully. “I don’t mind.”
Her chest tightened as more tears slipped out.
“I’m going to leave now,” he continued, adjusting his sleeve like this was normal. “You should eat when they bring your food.”
Elara stared at him like he’d lost his mind.
“You’re just going to leave me here?!”
He paused at the door.
Then glanced back at her.
And for the first time
Something close to honesty showed.
“You were never meant to stay here,” he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
Hope.
Dangerous, stupid hope.
Then he added
“But you’re not leaving without me.”
The door opened.
Then closed.
And just like that
He was gone.
Leaving Elara alone…
With the terrifying realization that freedom…
Might come with him.
- Writer
