I finally made it home and this time my mom actually made it to her bed. I pick up some of the trash left in the living room and kitchen. Then decide it's time to get to bed. I change into my pjs and go to bed. As I stirred from my restless sleep, the sense of unease that had plagued me since encountering Asher lingered in the recesses of my mind. Despite my exhaustion, I found myself unable to shake the memory of his unsettling presence. But my thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a strange noise echoing through the apartment, the creaking of old wooden floors signaling someone's presence. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced at the clock, the dim glow revealing the late hour—3 a.m.
Driven by a mix of concern and fear, I rose from my bed, determined to investigate the source of the disturbance. But before I could take another step, a large hand clamped over my mouth, silencing my startled gasp. Panic surged within me as I felt the sharp prick of a needle against my neck, sending waves of dizziness coursing through my veins. With a sense of impending darkness descending upon me, I struggled against the unseen assailant, but my efforts were futile as everything faded to black, engulfed by the void of unconsciousness..
As I slowly regained consciousness, a sense of disorientation enveloped me, my mind struggling to make sense of my surroundings. I found myself lying on a large bed, its soft linens offering a stark contrast to the cold fear gripping my heart. The room exuded an air of opulence, with ornate furnishings and intricate decor that seemed out of place in my hazy state. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the space, while elegant drapes framed French doors that look like they go to a balcony but it is too dark to tell. As I attempted to sit up, a wave of nausea washed over me, my head spinning with confusion and fear. My eyes darted around the room, searching for any clue as to where I was and how I had ended up here, but the details remained elusive, shrouded in a fog of uncertainty.
Slowly, the realization dawned upon me—I had been kidnapped. The luxurious surroundings were a stark contrast to the terror that gripped my soul, a cruel juxtaposition that only served to deepen my sense of dread. Struggling to steady my breathing, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet sinking into plush carpeting as I made my way towards the en-suite bathroom. The sight of marble countertops and gleaming fixtures only served to heighten my sense of unreality, as if I had stumbled into a nightmare from which there was no waking. Every detail of the room felt like a cruel mockery, a facade of comfort masking the true horror of my situation. As I stood alone in the dimly lit space, the reality of my captivity settled over me like a suffocating shroud, leaving me trembling with fear and uncertainty.
The nausea hits me harder and harder. I end up falling to the ground. Lying on the cold bathroom floor, the world spinning around me, I struggled to make sense of the chaos engulfing me. Nausea washed over me in relentless waves, each retch sending a jolt of pain through my weakened body. What had they given me? My mind raced with questions, but answers remained elusive as darkness threatened to consume me.
Amidst the turmoil, the sound of footsteps echoed through the room, accompanied by panicked voices. My heart pounded in my chest as I strained to make out the words, the urgency in their tone sending shivers down my spine. Then, through the haze of confusion, a familiar voice cut through the chaos—a voice I had come to dread…Asher.
My blood ran cold at the sound of his name, fear gripping me with icy fingers. What was he doing here? What had he done to me? The questions tumbled through my mind, but before I could muster the strength to confront him, darkness claimed me once more. When consciousness returned, it was fleeting, like grasping at the edges of a fading dream. I struggled to focus, my vision blurred and senses dulled by the remnants of whatever drug coursed through my veins. With a last, desperate effort, I managed to utter a single question—“What did you do to me?”—before succumbing to the blackness once more.
I wake up and the nausea has passed. As I stood in the opulent room, the weight of my situation pressing down on me, I was kidnapped. I scanned my surroundings for any sign of escape. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, the furniture elegant and ornate, but none of it offered a way out. With a sense of trepidation, I approached the main door, my heart pounding in my chest. Pressing my ear against the wood, I strained to make out the voices on the other side. Amidst the muffled conversation, one word stood out: "Luna." The significance of the word eluded me, but its repetition filled me with a sense of unease. Realizing that the door was not an option, I turned my attention to the windows. French doors bathed the room in sunlight, their panes gleaming in the morning light. Could they be my ticket to freedom?
I hurried over to the doors, my hands trembling as I grasped the handle. With a sense of desperation, I pulled open the doors. As I stood on the balcony, overlooking the vast expanse of the garden below, a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. I knew I had to find a way out, to escape the confines of this luxurious prison and return to the safety of my own home.
Surveying the landscape below, I searched for any sign of a potential escape route. The garden stretched out before me, a maze of winding paths and lush foliage, but there seemed to be no immediate means of descent. My gaze shifted to the roof of the mansion, its angled structure offering a glimmer of hope.
With determination fueling my every move, I began to climb, navigating the steep incline of the roof with caution. Each step brought me closer to freedom, closer to the possibility of escape. As I reached the apex of the mansion, I peered over the edge, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of civilization. I spotted the outline of a town, its lights flickering in the dim light of dawn. It was my best chance at finding help, at reaching safety. The town is very close.
Perched on the roof, my heart pounding in my chest, I listened intently to the frenzied activity below. The voices grew louder, a cacophony of panic and confusion swirling through the air. Amidst the chaos, I caught snippets of conversation—words that sent shivers down my spine. "The Luna is missing," they said, their voices tinged with fear and urgency. But what did they mean by "Luna"? Was it some kind of title or designation? Or perhaps a name? As I pondered these questions, a deafening roar reverberated through the mansion, shaking the very foundations of the house. The sound sent a chill down my spine, filling me with a primal fear that rooted me to the spot.
For a moment, I remained frozen in place, the weight of the situation bearing down on me like a leaden weight. But as the chaos below continued to escalate, I knew I couldn't stay immobilized forever. With trembling limbs, I began to inch my way along the roof, desperate to find a way out of this nightmare.
Then, out of nowhere, Asher appeared. Panic was written all over his face as he approached me, causing me to instinctively take a few steps back. "Get away from me!" I yelled, my voice trembling with fear. The adrenaline surged through my veins as I wondered if this man intended to harm me. Asher continued to advance, his expression softening as he reassured me, "I can sense your fear, but I won't hurt you, I promise." But his words offered little comfort. "Says the person who kidnapped me and put a needle in my neck," I retorted, my voice quivering with anger and distrust. "I can't trust you."
As Asher insisted, "Airabella, I will not hurt you. I would never hurt my mate," I found myself backing away, my eyes fixed on him warily. But with each step, the space between us grew smaller, until finally, I found myself cornered against the chimney, with nowhere left to escape. Cowering down in fear, tears streaming down my face, I felt utterly helpless. And as if to mirror my distress, the heavens opened up, and rain began to fall, soaking us both. Asher's gaze softened as he looked at me, then at the rain, his expression filled with a mixture of sorrow and regret.
In that moment, as Asher's words hung heavy in the air, he lowered himself to me once more, his presence casting a shadow over my trembling form. "I will not hurt you, my Luna," he repeated, his voice a whisper against the backdrop of the storm. Unable to find my voice amidst the chaos, I remained silent as Asher lifted me in his strong embrace, his touch both comforting and suffocating. With a sudden leap, we descended from the rooftop, the rush of wind and rain engulfing us as we landed on the balcony below. Tears continued to streak down my cheeks, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. Yet, as Asher laid me gently on my bed, his touch was a fleeting source of comfort and fear at the same time.