Obsess

Chapter 8 - The Cage Without Chains

The SUV never stopped.Rain slid across the dark windows, hiding the world beyond the glass. Every turn blurred into the next until I no longer knew whether hours or minutes had passed.

Evelyn watched me quietly.She hadn't touched me.Hadn't threatened me.

Hadn't even raised her voice.

That frightened me more than if she had.

"You could have tied me up," I whispered.She smiled faintly.

"You wouldn't get far."

"You seem very sure of that."

"I know you."

"No." I shook my head. "You knew someone I don't remember."

For the first time, sadness crossed her face."I knew the real you."

Silence settled between us.

Finally, I asked the question that had been burning inside me."Is Adrian alive?"

Evelyn looked out the window.

"He survived."Relief flooded my chest before I could stop it.

She noticed."So that's what he means to you now."What does that mean?"

She sighed.

"You've forgotten everyone except the man who found you.""He saved me."

"No."Her voice sharpened.

"He kept you."The words hit harder than I expected.

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll understand soon."She reached into a leather folder resting beside her.Inside were photographs.

My hands trembled as she handed me the first one.A little girl.Dark hair.Bright smile.Holding a birthday cake.Me.The second picture showed a family.A man with gentle eyes.

woman laughing beside him.

Me standing between them.

Tears blurred my vision.

"My parents..."Evelyn nodded.

"They died because someone wanted you."My breathing became uneven.

"No..."

"They didn't deserve what happened."

Pain squeezed my chest."I don't remember them."

"I know."

"I can't even remember their voices."

The confession broke something inside me.

Tears rolled down my face before I realized I was crying."I don't remember my own family..."

Evelyn reached toward me.I pulled away.

"I don't need your pity."

"It's not pity."

"What is it?"

"Guilt."

Before I could ask why...

The driver suddenly stiffened.

"Evelyn."

"What?"

"We've got company."The SUV swerved violently.

A black motorcycle burst from the trees behind them.Its headlight cut through the rain.The rider never slowed.The driver's eyes widened.

"No way..."

Evelyn looked through the rear window.Her calm disappeared.

"He's here."The motorcycle accelerated.Closer.Closer.

The rider fired once.The rear window exploded inward.Glass rained across the seats.The driver fought the steering wheel."He's insane!"

The motorcycle pulled alongside the SUV.For one impossible second...

I saw him.Adrian.

Rain soaked his dark hair.

Blood stained one sleeve.

His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked painful.His eyes found mine through the shattered glass.

Relief.Fear.Determination.

Everything passed between us in a heartbeat.

Then another vehicle slammed into the motorcycle from the side.

Metal screamed.The bike spun across the road.

"ADRIAN!"

My scream vanished beneath the sound of twisting steel.The SUV sped away.I kept looking back until the road disappeared into rain.No motorcycle.No Adrian.

Nothing.I pressed my forehead against the broken window.

"No..."My voice cracked.

"Please..."No one answered.

For the first time since waking...

I truly believed he might be dead.

And somehow...That hurt more than losing my memories.Miles away...

The motorcycle lay shattered in a ditch.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Smoke curled into the rain.

A gloved hand gripped the muddy ground.Adrian dragged himself upright.

Blood dripped from a cut above his eye.His shoulder shook from the impact.One of his ribs screamed every time he breathed.He barely noticed.

His gaze stayed fixed on the disappearing taillights far down the road.

"They're getting away..."A black SUV stopped beside him.Several men climbed out.None wore masks.

None pointed weapons.One older man stepped forward.

"You've lost too much blood."

Adrian ignored him."We have another vehicle ready," the man continued.

"You need treatment first."

"No."

"You won't survive another chase."

Adrian looked at him with terrifying calm.

"I wasn't asking."

The older man lowered his eyes.

"Yes, sir."Within moments...

Another engine roared to life.

Adrian climbed inside.

Pain shot through every muscle.

He welcomed it.Pain meant he was still alive.

Alive meant he could still find her.

And he would.No matter how many people stood in his way.

Far away...Inside a hidden estate...

A man watched security footage of the failed ambush.The screen froze on Adrian's face.

The man's expression darkened.

"So..."he murmured.

"You survived again."His fingers tightened around the edge of the desk until the wood cracked.

"Years of planning..."

"And he still refuses to die."

An assistant entered nervously.

"Sir..."

"What?"

"Should we eliminate the girl now?"

The room fell silent.

Slowly...The man stood.

"No."

His voice was frighteningly calm.

"Not yet."He stared at Adrian's frozen image."But bring Adrian Vale to me."

The calm shattered.

"I am done chasing ghosts!"His fist slammed onto the desk.

Glass exploded across the floor.

His breathing became ragged with rage."He ruins every plan..."

"He steals everything from me..."

"And now he thinks he can take her back?"

His eyes burned with hatred.

"No."

A cold smile spread across his face.

"If Adrian wants a war..."

"I'll make sure he loses the only person he has left."

The room became silent.

No one dared breathe.

Because everyone knew-

When he was this angry...

Someone always paid the price.