THE TRAP
1408 Words
Chapter 07
Anna sat on the cold concrete floor, her knees pulled close to her chest, her mind a swirling mess of confusion and regret. Her breath came in shallow bursts, the dull ache in her chest intensifying with each passing second. The dim light from the single hanging bulb above flickered, casting uneven shadows on the gray walls. The room smelled of blood and sweat, the metallic tang lingering in the air.
Jessica’s test had been cruel. Twisted. But the worst part wasn’t the test—it was the fact that Anna had failed.
Her gaze drifted toward the man tied to the chair in the center of the room. His head lolled forward, dark hair matted with sweat and blood. A deep cut on his temple leaked crimson down the side of his face, staining the collar of his torn shirt. His shallow breaths were barely audible over the heavy pounding of Anna’s heartbeat.
What was she supposed to do now?
Her hands curled into fists against the cold floor. Killing him wasn’t an option—but letting him die? That wasn’t who she was.
The steel door creaked open.
Anna’s head snapped toward the sound.
Jessica walked in with the grace of a predator, her stiletto heels clicking softly against the floor. Her crimson lips curled into a knowing smile, dark eyes gleaming beneath the harsh light. The fitted black dress hugged her figure, the fabric flawless and uncreased despite the situation.
Jessica’s gaze swept over Anna before settling on the man. “Still alive?”
Anna stiffened.
Jessica’s smile sharpened. “Interesting.”
She took a step forward, heels echoing ominously against the concrete. “You still have a choice, Anna.”
Anna’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t a choice.”
Jessica’s gaze hardened. “Oh, but it is.”
She stepped toward the man, crouching down beside him. Her manicured fingers slid beneath his jaw, tilting his face toward her. He groaned weakly, his eyes fluttering open for a moment before drifting shut again.
“Such a waste,” Jessica sighed. Her thumb stroked his jawline. “He would’ve made a perfect pawn—if you weren’t so… weak.”
Anna’s breath hitched. “Let him go.”
Jessica’s eyes flashed with something dark. “Why should I?”
Anna forced herself to her feet, legs trembling beneath her. “Because he’s innocent.”
Jessica’s laugh was soft and dangerous. “No one’s innocent, Anna. You of all people should know that by now.”
Anna’s hands curled into trembling fists at her sides. “You promised you’d let him go if I failed.”
Jessica stood, the smile fading from her lips. “I did promise.”
Her gaze sharpened as she turned toward Anna. “And I always keep my promises.”
Anna’s heart slammed against her ribs as Jessica’s heels clicked toward her. Jessica stopped in front of her, the chill of her presence raising the hairs on Anna’s arms.
“You said you’d do anything to protect Michael,” Jessica whispered. “Did you mean it?”
Anna’s throat tightened.
Jessica leaned in, her breath brushing against Anna’s ear. “Then prove it.”
Anna’s gaze darkened. “How?”
Jessica’s smile returned, slow and cold. She pulled a thin, gleaming knife from the folds of her dress and held it out to Anna. The silver blade caught the flickering light, glinting ominously.
Anna’s pulse stilled.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “Kill him.”
Anna’s gaze shot toward the man. He stirred weakly, his eyes struggling to open. Blood trickled down his jaw.
Her breath quickened.
“You have until the count of ten,” Jessica said, her voice dangerously calm. “Or I’ll finish him myself.”
Anna’s hands trembled as she reached for the knife. The cold metal pressed into her palm.
Jessica’s gaze sharpened. “One.”
Anna’s breath hitched.
“Two.”
Her fingers curled around the hilt.
“Three.”
Her chest squeezed painfully.
“Four.”
Anna’s gaze locked on the man’s battered face.
“Five.”
Tears burned behind her eyes.
“Six.”
Her hand shook violently.
“Seven.”
Anna’s gaze flicked toward Jessica.
Jessica’s eyes gleamed.
“Eight.”
Anna’s heart slammed violently against her chest.
“Nine.”
Anna’s breath hitched.
“Ten.”
Anna’s hand shot out—
—but not toward the man.
Instead, she twisted toward Jessica, slamming the knife toward her throat.
Jessica’s hand shot up, grabbing Anna’s wrist in a crushing grip. Their eyes locked, breathless tension stretching between them.
Jessica’s smile sharpened. “Wrong answer.”
Jessica twisted Anna’s wrist, forcing her hand downward. The knife clattered to the floor easily accessible to the man, he quickly grabbed it to lose himself.
The man’s head shot up. His eyes, suddenly cold and calculating, locked with Anna’s.
Too late.
In a blur of motion, he lunged toward Anna.
Anna gasped as his weight slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Her head hit the concrete with a sharp crack, pain exploding behind her eyes.
“W-What are you doing?” she gasped.
The man’s knee pressed into her back as he wrenched her arms behind her. His breath brushed against her ear.
“Following orders,” he said coldly.
A low chuckle floated through the air.
Jessica’s heels clicked toward them. “Oh, Anna,” Jessica purred, crouching beside her. “Did you really think I’d let you walk in here without proving where your loyalties lie?”
Anna’s heart sank. “This… this was the test?”
Jessica smiled, brushing a hand through Anna’s hair with a disturbing softness. “And you failed.”
Anna thrashed beneath the man’s grip, but his hold tightened painfully.
Jessica stood, her gaze hardening. “You said you’d do anything for Michael. But clearly, you don’t have the stomach for it.”
Anna’s eyes burned with rage. “If you already knew that, why go through all this?”
Jessica’s smile darkened. “Because now you owe me.”
Jessica crouched beside her, her hand brushing down Anna’s cheek. “Michael always belonged to me. And when he chose you, you took something from me.”
Jessica’s eyes sharpened. “So now I’m going to take something from you.”
Anna’s mind raced. Jessica’s jealousy—it was personal. And personal meant emotional.
She needed to play that angle.
Anna took a shaky breath and met Jessica’s gaze. “Michael never loved you.”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed.
Anna pushed on. “That’s why you hate me, isn’t it? You think I stole him? But you can’t steal what was never yours.”
Jessica’s face darkened.
Anna pressed harder. “Michael saw through you. He saw how twisted you are underneath all the charm. And it kills you, doesn’t it?”
Jessica’s grip tightened painfully.
“That’s why you want to hurt me,” Anna said, her voice sharp. “Because Michael chose me. And deep down, you know that no matter what you do, he’ll never choose you.”
Jessica’s lips trembled.
Her mask of cold confidence cracked for the briefest second—and that was all Anna needed.
Jessica’s hand lifted as if to strike Anna.
In that split second, Anna twisted her body and kicked her knee upward, striking the man holding her down. He stumbled backward, giving Anna enough room to slip out of his grasp.
Her hands, still partially bound, caught the side of a nearby table, and she swung it toward Jessica.
The edge of the table struck Jessica’s arm, making her stumble. Anna spun and elbowed the man across the jaw. He collapsed with a grunt.
Anna scrambled to her feet and backed toward the door, breathing hard. Jessica steadied herself, her smile returning despite the red mark blooming on her arm.
“Well played,” Jessica purred, her voice low. “But you’ve only delayed the inevitable.”
Anna’s breath steadied. “Maybe. But now you know one thing for sure.”
Jessica’s gaze sharpened. “And what’s that?”
Anna’s eyes darkened. “That I’m not afraid of you anymore.”
Jessica’s smile froze.
Anna slipped out the door before Jessica could respond, disappearing into the dark corridor beyond.
Jessica thought she had Anna trapped.
But now Anna knew better. Jessica’s heart was the weak link in the organization’s iron grip—and Anna intended to shatter it.
- Writer
