Kidnapped By The Devil

Chapter 4: Consequences.

“The past can hurt, but you can either run from it or learn from it.” —Rafiki. (The Lion King)

Anthonia’s POV

The first rays of sunlight hit my cheeks, slowly bringing me back from my sleep.

“Damn.” I jolted awake, realizing I had fallen asleep slumped against the headboard.

I had struggled with sleep all through the night, refusing to bat even an eye in fear of what would occur. Better to take me out awake than when I'm helpless.

My mind replayed the events that happened the previous night like a horror movie. Alexander had freed me from the chains and brought me to this extremely huge room, which had quite an impressively large bed in the center.

“You don't have to fear, Anthonia. You're safe with me. Trust me.” Those were his exact words.

I was sure I was never going to trust anyone ever again. Not after all I had passed through in one night. Not after I had escaped Raymond's beatings. Not after the grey-eyed man had threatened to kill me.

I was still lost in the wars in my head that I didn't hear when the first knock came from the door.

I curled my knees up to my chest. A response my body made to the fear within me.

The second knock came again, but I still did not answer.

“Anthonia, It's Alexander. Are you awake? May I come in?”

I did not respond, despite noticing how hard he had tried to make his voice sound friendly.

My body flinched when the door peeled open. “Hi,” he stepped in with a smile plastered on his face. “You're up early.”

I tried to part my lips, but nothing came out.

He noticed it and smiled again, raising his hands in a defeated manner, “It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you. If I wanted to, I would've done that a very long time ago.”

When I didn't respond, he continued, stepping closer towards me. “I know you must be wondering how you got here. And I know that—”

“What are you going to do with me?” I shot at him.

He flinched. “Nothing. As a matter of fact, I'm making arrangements that you get out of here this very morning... Safely,” he stressed the last word.

He noticed the skeptical look on my face and continued, “You see, our men took the wrong suspect—you. And they paid dearly for that. My boss handed you over to me. Usually, I would've killed you, but I'm not going to do that. I'm going to let you go.”

Just when I wanted to ask why, I felt a sharp pain in my tummy, reminding me of the fact that I was in no good condition.

Alex noticed this and nodded slowly, “I can see you're in pain. Our men must've given you a hard time. ‘Sighs.’ Let me have a look. I'm a doctor.” he came closer, but I braced away.

His face dropped immediately, but he quickly covered it with a smile.

“Alright then. I'll stay back. We've prepared a warm bath, some clothing, ready for you, along with some food. Just let us know when you're ready, and we'll have you out of here in no time. Okay?”

I nodded weakly. At least.

He smiled again, “Count yourself lucky, Anthonia. I'm just in one of those good moods,” and walked away, leaving me alone.

*******

I watched as the black van zoomed away into the sunrise. Alexander had done exactly what he promised. He had let me go. He even tended to my wounds.

I stared down at the few dollar notes he placed in my palms; “It's the little I can do. Get out of here—far away as possible, before it's too late.” his warnings resounded in my head.

It was the early rush hours when the good and the bad people all came and went their way, putting up a facade like they all lived a perfect life.

That was all in my past now. I was done playing the victim, the weakling, the fool who would endure abuse from anyone. I was free.

I quickly stopped a taxi and slipped into the back seat.

“A beautiful morning, madame. Where would you like us to go?” the driver said. His English had a hint of Scottish accent to it and sounded educated as well.

“Just drive. Take me out of here.” I ordered dryly.

He chuckled, “I would so much love to do that, but you see, Rionegro is a big place. And it would be rather time-consuming to just drive around it.”

“Then take me out of this city.”

“Well—I can do that,” the driver smiled, “But you see, you gotta give me a location.”

“San Antonio.”

“San Antonio? That'll be quite a ride, madame. But it's nothing I can't handle.”

I nodded and looked out the window.

From the corner of my eye, I could see the questions in his gaze as he stared at me through the rearview mirror. Then, without further argument, he stepped on the accelerator, and we zoomed off.

A few hours later…

The taxi came to a stop in front of a quiet, middle-class-looking apartment nestled on the far edge of San Antonio. It was the type of place no one would think to look for someone like me. Which was exactly the point.

“Here we are, madame,” the driver said, glancing at me through the mirror again. “You sure you’ll be alright here? You look like you’ve been through a war.”

I gave a weak smile. “I’ll be fine. Thank you.” I handed over the balance.

He gave me a slight nod, then drove off, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

I turned to the building, my legs already aching, my heart beating louder the closer I got. This was my only sanctuary — a property I bought months ago under my maiden name. Even Raymond didn’t know about it.

I walked up the stairs, quietly taking in the stale air, thick with silence. My fingers shook as I slid the key into the lock, earning a soft click from it. The door let out a slight groan as I pushed it open slowly before stepping inside.

The room was still with its curtains drawn. I could see tiny flickers of dust dancing in the strips of sunlight that managed to sneak through.

And then…

“Took you long enough,” a familiar voice cut through the silence.

The air thinned around me. I felt my entire body go cold as ice itself. Even my legs suddenly developed roots on their own accord, going deep into the hardwood floor.

There, sitting in the shadows with a gun in hand, was the last person I ever wanted to see again.