A searing pain erupted as Gloria's head collided with the unforgiving concrete floor. Blood trickled down her temple and stained the cold surface beneath her. The impact jolted her, and she winced as she felt the sharp sting in her elbow.
Mandy's apologetic voice echoed in the side room. "Sorry, ma'am, I had gone to get water for her. I am really sorry," he pleaded on the phone. Gloria strained to catch every word, hoping that she could get any clue about his sender. That familiar Hello still echoed in her mind.
As soon as he hung up the phone, that man approached her. His grip was ruthless as he forcefully seized her hair and tried to get her up from the floor. Gloria's scream pierced the air. A desperate plea for help that seemed to dissipate into the cold, silent walls.
"Help... Some
