Chapter 8: The Girl in the Black Van
Darkness.
That was the first thing Ariana remembered.
A dull ache throbbed at the back of her head as she slowly opened her eyes. The vehicle beneath her bounced over a rough road, and the sound of rain striking the roof filled the silence.
Her wrists were tied with plastic restraints.
Across from her sat the same man dressed in black.
He calmly closed the laptop on his knees and looked up.
"You're awake."
Ariana swallowed, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly.
"A name won't help you."
"What do you want?"
"You."
She frowned.
"I've never met you."
"No," he replied. "But your mother did."
Those words sent a chill through Ariana.
"My mother?"
The man leaned forward.
"She made a promise many years ago."
