I lay on the backseat of the taxi, my hands and feet tightly bound, my mouth taped shut, and my eyes wide open in terror. The driver's hoarse, cold voice cut through the silence.
"Struggling is useless, girl. No one can hear you."
His words felt like a death sentence, trapping me in a prison of fear. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. I tried to move, but the ropes were too tight. Every attempt to free myself only caused more pain.
The car sped along a bumpy road, and the rough terrain tossed me around the backseat. Each jolt was sharp and disorienting, amplifying my panic. The driver turned onto a deserted road, surrounded by nothing but darkness. The headlights stretched out into the void, showing no signs of life.
Helpless, I lay there, tears welling in my eyes. People s
