Chapter 2
1780 Words
Dragged into shadows I never chose,
A life unraveling with every step.
Hands that hold me, hearts that vanish,
And the world watches as I scream in silence.
Will freedom find me, or is this fate’s cruel jest?
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“Miss, please, check my name again. There’s no way I’m not on your list,” I pleaded, desperation seeping into my voice.
“Sorry, Ms. Zyhra, it really isn’t here,” the woman said flatly.
“But—” I was about to argue when she abruptly turned away. Unbelievable. How rude! Impossible. My name had to be on that list. She must be blind.
Frustrated, I kicked the floor like a fool. Why was my life such a mess today? And to make matters worse, there was that wedding looming over me.
“Miss, you might bring the building down with all that kicking,” I heard a teasing familiar voice behind me.
An unfamiliar voice that I haven’t heard in a long time.
I froze and turned. My eyes locked on Abcde. That smile of his, impossibly sweet, made my heart jump uncontrollably.
“Abcde?” I breathed. He simply nodded and smiled again. I couldn’t help it—I ran to him and hugged him tightly, relief washing over me.
“When did you come back?” I asked, pretending to scold him. He’d been away on a short vacation to their 'hometown. I’d missed him so much, this little troublemaker of mine.
“Just yesterday,” he grinned. Ugh, that perfect grin—how unfair!
“Why only now?” I teased, trying to sound annoyed.
He was about to answer when a man interrupted, dragging me back to reality. My heart sank instantly.
“Ms. Zyhra Angeliqe Ymor?” a man in a black suit asked, his tone rigid and commanding.
“Yes?” I replied cautiously.
Without a word, he signaled to the men behind him. Suddenly, several men approached, grabbing both my arms firmly. Panic flooded me.
“What are you doing? Hey! Hey!” I shouted, struggling, but they didn’t budge. Abcde was there—then suddenly gone. Where did he go? I couldn’t move. Their grip was too strong, and students around us only stared, too stunned or scared to help.
“Helppppp!” I screamed.
No one moved. They just… watched.
“Where are you taking me? I swear, I’ll call 911 if you don’t let me go!” My voice cracked as fear and frustration collided.
An SUV suddenly appeared, sliding to a stop in front of us. I was shoved inside.
Kidnapping? Seriously? I thought, my heart pounding in my chest. Bastards!
From the corner of my eye, I saw Abcde sprinting down the hallway, flanked by the security guards he must have called. My heart surged at the sight he hadn’t abandoned me. But before he could reach me, the men holding me tightened their grip, dragging me faster toward the waiting car. I struggled, my heels scraping against the tiles, trying to twist free.
“Abcde!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “Help me!” He was close now, his face etched with anger and panic.
“Zyh!” he shouted, lunging toward us. One of the guards swung out a hand, blocking him. He collided with the man, staggering but refusing to fall. I saw it then—a flash of hope. In the chaos, one of the men momentarily loosened his hold on my arm as I flailed. I yanked with all my strength, pulling back. For a brief, shining moment, I was free. I stumbled, almost falling, and took a step toward Abcde.
“Grab her!” one of the men barked, but I had already turned, my hand reaching for his. My heart thumped violently in my chest, this was it. My chance to reclaim control, even if just for a fleeting second.
But reality struck cruelly. Another man came from the side, blocking my path. My free arm was seized again, and panic flooded me like icy water. I kicked, I twisted, I screamed, but the force holding me was too strong. My pulse pounded in my ears, and for a terrifying instant, I thought I might faint from fear. Abcde lunged again, trying to push past them, but the men coordinated flawlessly, forming a human wall between us. “Zyh!” he yelled, desperation raw in his voice. I saw him throw a punch at one of the guards—not to hurt, just to buy me a second, but it only delayed the inevitable.
I was shoved toward the SUV, my body slammed into the door. The vehicle’s interior smelled of leather and antiseptic, cold and impersonal. My hands scrabbled at the seat, trying to keep balance. For a heartbeat, I felt my chest heave with rage and fear. This wasn’t over. I could still fight. I could still resist. Abcde was on the sidewalk now, yelling, gesturing, pounding his fists against the men. I caught his eye and for a moment, it was as if we shared a silent promise: I won’t give up on you, and you better not give up on me.
The car doors slammed, the engine roared to life, and I was pushed down onto the seat. The men’s grip was unyielding; there was no room to maneuver. I hit the window with my fist in frustration, the glass rattling slightly. My reflection stared back at me, wide-eyed, terrified, furious. I tried to shout again, but the engine drowned out my voice. My only comfort was the fleeting glance I exchanged with Abcde as the car began to move. The streetlights passed in a blur, the surrounding city indifferent to my fear.
Inside, I leaned back, letting the leather press against me, the seatbelt barely holding me as panic churned. But even in the overwhelming fear, a stubborn flame flickered inside me. I had fought. I had clawed for a moment of freedom. And even though it had been taken from me, I refused to let them see me broken.
This was not the end. Not yet
The men—these so-called “guards”—brought me to a five-star hotel, where the marble floors gleamed under sparkling chandeliers, and the scent of fresh orchids filled the air. Gold-accented elevators whisked us up to a private suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, and plush velvet drapes framed the room. A crystal chandelier sparkled above, and the furniture looked like it belonged in a designer showroom.
I was led into the suite, and before I could even take a breath, they began fussing over my outfit as if nothing was wrong. One lady held up a silk gown the color of midnight, its fabric shimmering under the chandelier light, while another smoothed out my hair and adjusted my makeup.
“Stand still,” one instructed, carefully slipping the dress over my shoulders, the soft silk clinging to my skin like it had been made for me. Another clipped a delicate diamond-studded necklace around my neck, its weight unfamiliar and dizzying. They tugged at the hem, arranging it perfectly over the floor-length gown, while yet another brushed invisible dust from my perfectly polished heels.
They even swapped my simple earrings for small pearl studs, insisting it would “complete the look.” My hands were shoved into a pair of satin gloves, and a matching velvet clutch was placed in my palm. Every movement was precise, almost mechanical, as though I were a doll being prepared for display rather than a human being kidnapped.
My mind raced: What was happening? Could it be… today? The wedding? No, it couldn’t be. Dad said it's next month. But what if it wasn’t? What if it was now? I pressed my palms to my face, frustration threatening to crush me.
First, I was being forced into a wedding with someone like me—a woman.
Second, I had no way to escape this nightmare. Dad hadn’t even explained why he’d made this sudden decision.
Third, I couldn’t even pay my tuition today, so I wasn’t allowed to take an exam.
Lastly,,, now I was being dragged here by strangers, blind to the reason.
I had to get out. I had to think. I picked up my phone. Dad was calling. Should I answer? I needed help.
“Hello, Dad,” I said shakily.
“Zyhra, you’re going to meet her now,” he said, his voice cold, almost detached.
You’re going to meet her now. You’re going to meet her now. You’re going to meet her now… Those words echoed in my head, repeating over and over. Panic rose, squeezing my chest, and before I could respond, he hung up.
I called him back endlessly. Nothing. Ignored. Tears threatened to fall. I felt utterly alone, searching desperately for an ally. I glanced at my reflection. My hair and makeup were flawless, my outfit simple but elegant. I tried to smile through the tears streaming down my cheeks.
Why was this happening to me?
Then a thought struck me—a bold, reckless idea. Maybe… I could call Abcde. Maybe he could save me.
I wiped my tears and dialed his number without hesitation.
“Hello?” His voice was groggy, like he’d just woken up.
“Hey, you troublemaker! You owe me big time, Abcde. I need your help!” I snapped, frustration bleeding through my words.
“Sorry… you know I can’t handle those men, that’s why I called the guards,” he explained sheepishly.
“Bla bla bla, save the excuses! I need you now!” I shot back.
“What’s happening?” he asked, now fully alert.
“I’m about to be married! I need to escape! Take me out of this hotel, now!”
“Which hotel? Which address?” Abcde’s voice cracked slightly, and I could hear the disbelief in it. “You… you’re getting married?” he blurted, as if the words themselves were too heavy to speak.
“Wait—when did this happen? Who’s he? Why didn’t you tell me?” His questions came tumbling out, one after another, each more frantic than the last.
“I’ll send my GPS location. Hurry! I’m counting on you!” My heart raced as I waited for him. Every second felt like an eternity. Every passing moment brought me closer to a fate I wasn’t ready to accept. And yet, somewhere deep inside, a spark of hope remained. Abcde might just be my lifeline.
My ally. My only chance to reclaim control, if only for a moment.
- Writer
