Chapter 7 — Trap
655 Words
Ethan's safe house was a small flat on the other side of the city.
No name on the door. No neighbours who asked questions.
Aria sat on the edge of the bed. Hands in her lap. Eyes on the floor.
Ethan stood by the window. Watching the street below.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Then Aria said —
"My father worked for them for how long?"
"Twelve years."
"And you knew him?"
Ethan paused.
"Yes."
Aria looked up.
"How?"
He didn't answer straight away. Just kept his eyes on the window.
"Later," he said quietly. "Not tonight."
Aria didn't push.
She lay back on the bed. Stared at the ceiling.
Within minutes — she was asleep.
Ethan didn't move from the window.
Three hours later.
Aria's phone lit up.
She was deep asleep. Didn't hear it.
A message.
Unknown number.
"Check under the bed."
The phone screen went dark.
Ethan had stepped out ten minutes ago.
Just to the end of the hallway. Just for a moment.
When he came back —
The flat door was open.
He stopped.
Drew in a slow breath.
"Aria."
No answer.
He walked in fast. Bedroom. Bathroom. Kitchen.
Empty.
On the bed — her phone.
He picked it up. Read the message.
His jaw tightened.
He checked under the bed.
A small device. Blinking red.
Tracker.
Someone had been in this room.
While he was standing right outside.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He picked up.
Silence for a moment.
Then —
A voice. Not Aria's. Someone else.
"She's safe. For now."
"Where is she." Not a question. A warning.
"Somewhere you won't find easily." A pause. "But we're not unreasonable people Ethan. Give us the memory card — and she comes home."
Ethan said nothing.
"You have until tomorrow morning."
The line went dead.
Ethan stood in the empty room.
The bed was still warm where she'd been sleeping.
He put the phone in his pocket.
Walked to the window.
Outside the city moved like nothing had happened. Cars. Lights. People going home.
His hand closed into a fist at his side.
Aria woke up in the dark.
Her head was heavy. Mouth dry.
She was sitting in a chair. Hands tied behind her back. Not tight enough to hurt — just enough to hold.
She looked around slowly.
A room. Small. Clean. One light above her head.
And across from her —
A man she had never seen before.
Older. Calm face. Expensive coat. The kind of person who looked like he made decisions and let other people deal with the consequences.
"Miss Matthews," he said. Politely. Like they were meeting for coffee. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
Aria said nothing.
"I just need one thing from you." He leaned forward slightly. "Tell me where the memory card is — and this ends tonight."
"I don't have it."
"No." He smiled. Small and cold. "But you know who does."
Aria held his gaze.
Didn't blink.
"I don't know anything."
The man studied her for a long moment.
Then sat back.
"You're very much like your father," he said quietly.
Something moved through Aria's chest.
"He also refused at first."
Her hands tightened behind her back.
"What did you do to him?"
The man stood up slowly.
Straightened his coat.
"Get some rest Miss Matthews." He walked toward the door. "You have until morning to change your mind."
The door closed.
The lock turned.
Aria sat in the silence.
Alone.
But she wasn't falling apart.
She was thinking.
Ethan will come.
She didn't know how she was so certain.
She just was.
On the other side of the city —
Ethan was already moving.
He had one lead.
One person who might know where they'd taken her.
He stopped outside a building. Looked up.
Third floor. Light on.
He didn't call ahead.
He never did.
He pushed open the door.
And went to find Max. 🖤
- Writer
