Trapped ; A mafia’s dangerous game

Episode One I slowly opened my eyes and immediately shut them again; a sharp headache pierced through my skull. I held my head in my hands as I slowly sat up. “Where am I?”, I carefully looked around the dark room. The first thing I noticed was the silence. It was so quiet, like a cemetery yard. I stared at the strange décor and unfamiliar ceiling; This wasn't my room. I winced in pain as my head felt numb. “What the hell happened? I feel so bad,” I muttered to no one in particular. The room was large. Long, dark curtains hung over the windows, while several dark paintings were hung on the walls above the fireplace. I tried to get out of bed while slowly pulling the black duvet away, but my legs betrayed me. The moment my feet touched the cold floor, the heaviness in my legs made me fall back onto the bed. Everything about the room felt creepy. “Whoever lived here must have lived in solitude.” I shook off the uneasy feeling that had crept over me. Then I heard voices from outside the room, “Is she awake?” one of them asked. I narrowed my eyes as I raised an ear, “No, she hasn't woken up yet.” “She is meant to be awake by now . Or unless you hit her too hard. Nothing should go wrong with her, or else …” The voice trailed off. My hands instinctively flew to my mouth; I pressed them tightly against my lips. Suddenly, I remembered it all. I had been coming back from an errand for Bianca. Then came the black cars, the well-built men in suits. Someone had grabbed me; I had resisted, and then … nothing. Goosebumps spread across my skin as I tried to hold back the muffled scream rising in my throat. I managed to stand and walked across the room. Each step became heavier, but I didn't care. I just needed to get out of there, somehow, anyhow. I grabbed the door handle and pulled on it relentlessly. My heart pounded with every attempt. The door wouldn't budge. “No…” I turned around and moved toward the window, I pulled the curtains slightly open, and light immediately rushed into the room. My heart skipped a beat at what lay before me: A high wall and a large gate surrounded a massive compound. Armed men in black suits stood at every corner of the property. My stomach twisted hard; the scene was familiar. The killings, constant shootings, and bloodshed had always been part of my life. I had always feared being abducted, especially after my stepsister, Bianca, was kidnapped. It had been war before she was finally rescued. I knew that one day, I could get caught up in it too. But I wasn't ready, and no one noticed me anyway. That was my reason for staying in the background. I fiddled with the hem of my dress, remembering how I was the most insignificant person in the Cassandro clan. My voice was the only sound in the room. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead despite the large air conditioner blowing cold air around the room. I instinctively looked around and noticed a small cabinet beside the fireplace. I reached for it and tried pulling it open. It was locked. I took out my hairpin and tried to use it to open the lock. It was difficult but I didn't give up. My hands shook as I adjusted the pin inside the lock, desperately trying to make it work. Then, Click. A small smile spread across my lips, as I watched the cabinet door open. I quickly took my bag, which had been lying on the bedside table, and headed toward the opening. I was almost there. “That's wrong,” I heard a male voice say. “Where are your manners?” His lips lifted slowly, The words hit me like a bullet; I hadn't noticed when someone had entered the room. Slowly, I turned toward the direction of the voice. I trembled with every movement. A man stood at the entrance, an unreadable expression on his face. His broad shoulders made him look like a wall. I looked up at him. His hands were tucked into his pockets as he stood there with several other men who had walked into the room behind him. I swallowed hard and blinked twice. “You should always use the door, Bella.” My eyes widened. This was the first time I had ever seen him. Yet he knew my name. Everyone called me Isabella. But this stranger had called me Bella. The name sounded strange coming from his lips, yet somehow … It also felt familiar. I gulped hard and took two steps backward as he slowly walked toward me.