Chapter 3
1224 Words
"I want to go shopping. There are many things I need to prepare," I replied with a light smile. "And perhaps we’ll stop by a jewelry store. I need an accessory that will match the upcoming meeting."
Tony simply nodded without a word. He was always like that, silently obeying whatever I asked. I felt comfortable with that silence—no need to explain or worry about any prying eyes.
We arrived at the city’s downtown district, where the most luxurious and bustling shops were located. I loved this place, with its vibrant energy, as if I could temporarily forget the pressures of life. I stepped into a fashion boutique, Tony following closely behind, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings with alertness.
I picked out a few evening gowns—a bright red one and a navy blue one. Both were elegant and alluring designs, perfect for the meeting. I continued selecting a pair of high heels, a few accessories, and didn’t forget a designer handbag. Tony stood outside the fitting room, his arms already loaded with shopping bags from previous stores.
"Tony, you seem like you’ve got your hands full," I teased as I saw him juggling the bags.
He chuckled softly, a rare smile breaking his usually stern face. "As long as you’re satisfied, Miss, I can carry even more."
"Well then, let’s continue. We’ll stop by a nearby café. I want to take a short break."
We walked over to a familiar café at the corner of the street. The place was decorated with lush green plants, and soft sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere. I chose a seat by the window, where I could watch the people passing by on the busy street.
"What would you like to drink?" Tony asked, standing beside me like a devoted bodyguard.
"A coconut milk latte, with a bit of sugar. And... oh, I just noticed the bakery across the street. Tony, could you get me a matcha cookie? I’m craving one."
Tony nodded and turned to leave. I watched his back as he walked away, feeling lucky to have such a loyal bodyguard. I leaned back into my chair, taking a sip of the warm latte, savoring the creamy sweetness blended with the slight bitterness of the coffee. Outside, the leaves rustled in the wind, and sunlight cast flickering spots on the pavement, making the scene lively.
I smiled to myself, enjoying a rare moment of peace and contentment. But the tranquility only lasted for a few moments.
The roar of motorcycle engines echoed from a distance, and within seconds, a group of street racers sped down the road. The powerful motorcycles zoomed past at an alarming speed, their deafening noise causing chaos along the street. Pedestrians jumped aside in fear, trying to avoid getting hit.
Suddenly, the air around me felt colder, an eerie chill creeping down my spine, making me alert. I turned my head, but before I could see anything, a rough hand suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly.
Before I could scream, a strong arm wrapped around me from behind, pulling me against a solid body. The pungent smell of cigarettes filled my nose, making me choke. I opened my mouth to cry out, but a thick, coarse cloth was quickly pressed against it, stifling my voice.
"I suggest you stay quiet if you don’t want to get hurt," a low, raspy voice hissed in my ear, full of menace.
I struggled wildly, trying to break free from the kidnapper’s grip. Fear washed over me like a tidal wave, sweeping away any confidence I had. My heart pounded violently, as if it were about to burst out of my chest. I bit down on the cloth gagging me, but it was tied too tightly, only making it harder to breathe.
"Calm down, Seraphina," my inner wolf urged me, trying to help me regain control of my mind. I glanced at the kidnapper’s face, but he wore a cap that covered most of it. His eyes were cold and resolute, like someone trained not to show fear.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn’t respond, only pulling me along faster. I could smell the exhaust fumes and dust filling my nose, mingling with my own labored breathing.
The kidnapper yanked me out of my seat, dragging me quickly across the crowded street. I struggled, but he was much stronger than me. The shopping bags fell to the ground one by one, yet no one in the crowd realized I was being kidn*pped. They merely thought I was a stubborn girl being dragged away by an angry boyfriend. I wanted to scream for help, but my voice was muffled into a weak whimper by the gag.
"Tony!" I tried to call out, but the sound was choked off, reduced to a faint, indistinct moan.
In that instant, a powerful punch landed squarely in my lower abdomen. The intense pain doubled me over, stealing my breath away. I stumbled, tears welling up uncontrollably in my eyes. Before I could react further, a large hand gripped the back of my neck, forcefully yanking my head back.
"I told you to keep quiet!" he snarled, his voice dripping with threat.
A white cloth was shoved into my mouth, and the sharp, chemical smell of chloroform hit my nose. I recognized it immediately. He intended to knock me out. I thrashed harder, kicking at his legs, but my efforts were futile. My strength was draining away, my eyelids growing heavy. The air around me seemed to thicken, making each breath harder to draw.
"No... Tony..." I managed to whisper, but it came out as a weak murmur.
The last image I saw before darkness engulfed me was the kidnapper’s satisfied smile, and the roar of the racing motorcycles drowned out my silent screams for help.
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Dim light flickered through my half-closed eyes, the throbbing pain radiating from the back of my head spreading throughout my body. I slowly regained consciousness, bit by bit, but my entire body felt heavy, as if submerged underwater. Each breath came with difficulty, and I realized I was lying on a cold, hard floor, my wrists and ankles tightly bound with rough ropes, cutting painfully into my skin.
I tried to move, but the restraints were too tight, allowing only a slight turn of my head. The room I was in was dark and damp, the musty smell making me nauseous. Gray stone walls surrounded me, with no light except for a small lamp hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the floor.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Where am I? This was clearly a prison, and I was locked up. Memories of the k********g surged back like a violent wave—rough hands, the chloroform-soaked cloth, and then... darkness. They had captured me.
Outside the cell, I could hear voices talking and laughing. I strained to see through the iron bars. There were six men standing guard, all looking rough and covered in tattoos. They gathered together, speaking in hoarse voices, a few smoking cigarettes, the smoke filling the already heavy air.
I realized then that I was in deep trouble, and no one knew where I was.
- Writer
