Chapter 7:Intimatevoices
1205 Words
Anita’s POV
I pressed myself against the chilly hallway wall and breathed shallowly in the eerily quiet night. Long shadows were created by the faint light from a nearby lamp that hardly lit the room.
This isn't where I should be.
However, I had heard voices coming from the study, low and urgent. Marcus was the owner of one of them.
With my heart beating loudly in my ears, I edged closer.
"It must occur shortly," Marcus whispered.
I didn't recognize the deeper voice that answered. "Jerry Flynn is too powerful." We will lose our chance if we don't defeat him right away.
Lang, Christopher.
A harsh breath came out of my mouth. He was one of Jerry's main rivals. Why had Marcus brought him along?
Marcus chuckled darkly. “Leave that to me. Once Jerry loses everything, he’ll come crawling, just like his father did.”
I felt a cold rush down my spine.
Jerry’s father? What did Marcus mean?
“You’re certain the girl won’t get in the way?” Christopher asked.
My stomach turned over. Were they talking about me?
“She’s already a problem,” Marcus replied, his tone oozing with annoyance. “But I’ll handle her.”
A chilly feeling of horror grabbed me.
I needed to tell Jerry.
I turned to leave, but the floorboard creaked beneath my foot.
Marcus went silent.
"Who is present?" he demanded.
Panic rushed through me.
I spun on my heels and rushed down the corridor. The study door exploded behind me, and I heard heavy footfall.
With my heart hammering my ribs, I accelerated my pace. Holding my breath, I ducked into a dark alcove after a sharp bend.
Marcus's footsteps came to a halt close by.
He growled, "She couldn't have gone very far."
A few seconds went by. Holding still hurt my lungs.
At last, his footsteps backed off.
I blew out a trembling breath.
It came close. Too near.
I needed to reach Jerry.
Right now.
I slipped down the hallways and arrived at Jerry's bedroom door. I didn't care that it was late. The truth was what he needed to know.
I cautiously pulled the door open and entered the shadows.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was seized by powerful hands.
As I was whirled around and thrown into the wall, I let out a gasp. My heart pounded.
"Who sent you?" Jerry had a low, menacing voice.
I could feel his breath on my cheek, but I could hardly see his face in the darkness. He held my wrists above my head with a tight grip.
"It's me," I exclaimed.
He became motionless.
With a forceful swallow, my chest rose and fell quickly. "It's me, Jerry."
He relaxed his hold a little. "Why in the world are you entering my room covertly?"
With trepidation, I inhaled. "I must speak with you. It is urgent.
His doubt flickered as he looked into my eyes. "At this hour?"
"Yes," I said. Marcus was heard by me. He is working with Christopher Lang to plot against you.
Jerry's mouth tightened. "What did you hear?"
I paused. He was near. Too near.
My head spun from the woodsy, enticing aroma of his and the heat of his body on mine.
"Tell me," he insisted, his tone suddenly softer.
I made myself concentrate. "He claimed he intended to ruin you. Additionally, he fears that I may obstruct his path.
Jerry's eyes became gloomy.
His jaw muscle twitched. His hands were still firmly on my wrists, but his face changed.
Suddenly, I realized how close we were to one another.
He gasped for air.
My heart was racing.
Anger was no longer the only source of tension in the room; there was now something heavier and more profound.
His eyes strayed to my mouth.
I sensed the energy, the irresistible pull that brought us closer.
And then, as his mouth hardly touched mine.
He stopped.
His face grew stern.
His voice was rough as he said quietly, "I don't trust you."
The instant broke.
He released me by taking a step back. The air between us was cold.
The lump in my throat was swallowed. "Jerry, I—"
He turned away and said, "Enough." "You ought to go."
My chest twisted with pain.
I was here to keep him safe.
However, I only received a refusal.
He still didn't believe me, though.
I tightened my fists and ran out of Jerry's room.
He had no faith in me.
He continued to view me as the enemy despite everything.
I was boiling with frustration as I rushed down the dark hallway. He was quite obstinate. So annoying. However,...
I still felt the ghost of that near-kiss as I touched my lips.
He stopped, but why?
Why did he feel unable to trust me even if he wanted to?
I gave a headshake. These were not the right thoughts at this moment.
I needed to concentrate.
Jerry was stepping right into Marcus's trap, and he was deadly. I would have to prove it in some other way if Jerry didn't trust me.
I made my way back to my room, determined.
However, as I got to my door, I felt something.
A change in the atmosphere.
A presence.
I made a quick turn.
Nothing.
There was nobody in the hallway.
I scowled as my heartbeat accelerated. Perhaps I was just dreaming. Perhaps I was simply—
Then there was a noise behind me.
A gentle whoosh of motion.
An arm encircled my throat from behind before I could respond.
I felt a wave of panic.
My windpipe was crushed as I gasped, and my hands shot up to try to scratch at the firm hold. I kicked frantically as I battled, lifting my feet off the ground.
A low voice said, "Shh," in my ear. "Your scream will go unheard."
I was filled with terror.
No.
No, no, no.
I struggled more, flailing and twisting, but my assailant was too powerful.
Spots of darkness danced in my vision. My lungs were burning.
I attempted to scream—
However, everything turned black.
It was cold when I woke up.
My fingers twitched against the icy floor beneath me. The air smelled moist, musty.
Where had I gone?
I tried to move, but my arms felt sluggish, my body heavy.
I was in a panic.
My eyelids flickered open, adapting to the dimness.
A dark room. No windows. There was no light, save for the dim glow from a single, flickering lamp above.
My heart thumping, I sat up fast.
Anita, think. Consider.
I was attacked in the corridor, and that was the last thing I recalled.
I had been stolen.
However, who?
Marcus?
I took a deep breath and looked around. Concrete was used to construct the walls. No doors, no obvious way out.
I was confined.
I froze at a sound.
Steps.
Slow, methodical.
They were approaching.
My breath seized in my throat as I turned to face the sound.
Just beyond the faint light, a shadow moved.
A voice.
Low, chilly, and familiar.
“So… you finally woke up.”
My blood froze.
Who had abducted me?
And what did they want?
- Writer
