His Prisoner, His Ruin.

CHAPTER ONE The music was so loud it almost impaired Roxanne's ears. The party was lit and vibrant, with dancers everywhere. Neon lights flashed across the crowded room, painting everyone in shifting shades of pink, blue, and violet. The air smelled like perfume, sweat, and the sharp sweetness of cheap alcohol. Laughter rose above the heavy bass, blending into a chaotic rhythm that made the entire house feel alive. This was not Roxanne’s world. It was her boyfriend’s. Liam loved parties. He loved noise, crowds, attention, and everything Roxanne had spent most of her life avoiding. Yet here she was, standing near the kitchen counter with a red plastic cup in her hand, trying to look like she belonged. “Roxanne!” Chelsea squealed, appearing out of nowhere and looping an arm around her shoulders. “Why are you standing here like someone dragged you here against your will? Come on, drink!” Marco popped up beside them, grinning widely. “Seriously, you look like a substitute teacher supervising a school dance.” Roxanne laughed nervously and glanced at the drink in her hand. She had barely touched it. “I am drinking.” Chelsea snorted. “That doesn’t count. You’ve been holding that same cup for like… thirty minutes.” Marco leaned closer. “You need to loosen up, Roxanne. Come on…Feel the moment. This is college, freedom, fun, chaos.” Roxanne smiled, but her fingers tightened around the cup. Freedom, fun, chaos. Those words felt foreign. “I can’t stay long guys,” she said, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the music. “I have curfew.” Chelsea and Marco froze, then exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. “Curfew?” Chelsea repeated as if Roxanne had said something outrageous. “Who still has curfew in college?” “My mom…” “Your mom isn’t here, sweetheart,” Marco cut in gently. “Relax.” Roxanne shook her head. “You guys don’t understand; I promised her I’d be back early. I should go soon. Marco, you would drive me home." Marco opened his mouth, but Chelsea slapped his arm before he could say a thing. “Nope. Absolutely not.” Roxanne blinked. “What?” Chelsea crossed her arms. “Yeah, I said no, absolutely not.” She repeated. “You are not leaving your boyfriend’s party early. He’s literally on the dance floor waiting for you. Look.” They turned to see Liam laughing with his friends, completely in his element. Chelsea leaned closer. “Besides, ever since you got into college, you haven’t missed curfew once. Not once. Missing it tonight will not destroy your life, Roxanne; come on.” Roxanne hesitated. Chelsea pressed on. “And your mom won’t even know. She’s not here in town, checking the time, is she? I mean, you can just cook up something afterwards; she would probably buy it.” Roxanne opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Marco shrugged. “Stay a little longer, Roxy. Just one hour.” He said with a pout. Chelsea nodded eagerly. “For your man. For fun. For once. Come on.” Roxanne looked at the flashing lights, the laughing students, and the freedom she had always yearned for. For once. “Fine,” she said quietly. Chelsea squealed and grabbed her hand, pulling her into the dance floor. “That’s my girl!” “Tonight's gonna be lit!” Marco beamed and they all laughed. The night moved faster after that. Roxanne danced. She laughed. She drank more than she intended to. She let herself forget the constant ticking clock that had ruled her life for years. And when her phone started vibrating in her purse, she ignored it. Not once, not twice. Her mother, Martha, always called to check where she was, what she was doing, and who she was with. Every day, every night. Roxanne loved her mother. She really did. And she understands that her mom was only looking out for her. But tonight, she wanted to live the life she never had. If she picked up, her mother would know she was out late. And she would worry and lecture and panic. So Roxanne silenced the phone and kept dancing. The party blurred into laughter and music until the house slowly began to empty. And by the time Roxanne checked the time again, her heart dropped. 2:13 a.m. “Oh no,” she whispered. "Guys, we got to go.” Chelsea groaned. “Already?” “Yes! Already! We need to leave now!” Roxanne retorted almost immediately. Marco stretched his arms. “Best party this semester.” She turned around to leave when suddenly a pair of hands wrapped around her waist from behind, making her almost flinch. She quickly turned to find out it was Liam’s hands. “Liam…” she called. “Leaving already?” He asked, planting kisses on her neck. “Uh…yeah. I will text you once I get home… Good night.” She rasped, freeing herself from his grip. Crap! She was so not used to stuff like this. He smiled at her, expecting a kiss, but Roxanne scurried off with Chelsea, who was clearly drunk. She was clearly a novice, and dating a guy as hot as Liam was something she felt was an exam she needed to pass. The night air outside felt cold against her warm skin as they walked toward Marco’s car. She had barely reached the door when her phone started ringing again. “s**t! Mom.” She whispered. She then sighed and answered. “Hello?” “Roxanne!” Martha's voice came sharp and breathless. “Where are you? Are you home? Are the doors locked? Are the windows shut? Tell me you are home, Roxanne.” Roxanne rubbed her forehead. “I'm sorry, Mom, I stayed past curfew.” There was silence. Then a sharp inhale. “You did what?” Martha almost exploded. “I was at Liam’s party. I just…I had to be there for him, Mom. But I’m heading home now.” She said biting her lower lip. “I'm sorry.” “You know the rules, Roxanne,” Martha said, her voice trembling. “You know why we have them.” Roxanne rolled her eyes slightly as she climbed into the car. Marco started the engine. “I’ve been in college for over a month, and I’m doing just fine,” she said gently. “Nothing is going to happen to me.” “You don’t understand…” “Mom, Khalil can’t just appear out of nowhere and kill me,” Roxanne whispered in a way Marco could barely hear but her mom could. “How would he even identify me? I mean, he hasn’t seen me in years.” Her voice went back to normal. Marco glanced at her through the mirror, confused. Her mother’s breathing grew uneven. “You don’t know what he’s capable of Roxanne. You do not know that man.” Roxanne sighed. “Mom, I’m fine. Please don’t worry.” “Roxanne I need you to listen to me…” Martha was cut short when a loud crashing sound exploded through the phone. “Roxanne?” She called in anxiety when she heard the sound from her end. She didn't hear Roxanne say another word, but she could sense tension and heavy breathing from her end. “Roxanne!” her mother screamed. “Roxanne, are you okay…? Can you hear me…?” Just then, the call went dead. Martha's heart stopped. What was happening? She hurriedly dialed her number again; it rang, but there was no response. Roxanne's eyes bulged in sheer shock. Their car had suddenly jerked. “Whoa!” Marco shouted, slamming the brakes. Headlights flooded the road ahead. A black SUV had swerved across the road, blocking their path. Roxanne’s chest tightened. “Marco…?” “I don’t like this,” he muttered. Chelsea laughed sleepily from the back seat. “Why did we stop?” The SUV doors opened; a few men in black stepped out. Everything happened too fast. A loud crack shattered the night as the window beside Roxanne exploded into pieces. She screamed, throwing her hands over her head with her phone falling on the floor of the car. “GET OUT!” one of the men shouted. Marco raised his hands instantly. “Take the car! Take anything! Please spare us!” Chelsea blinked lazily, confused and drunk. Hands grabbed Roxanne’s arm, pulling her out of the car. “No! No, please—!” They dragged her out of the car as she kicked and screamed, panic tearing through her chest. A gun was pointed at Marco. “Stay still.” Marco froze, both his hands up in sheer surrender. He could only watch unknown men pull his friend out of their car and force her into theirs. Chelsea just stared, uncomprehending. Roxanne struggled harder, tears blurring her vision. “Please! Please don’t—!” A cloth was pressed against her mouth, and in no time, her world tilted. Voices faded. Darkness swallowed her whole.