The Love From Vengeance

132 NOT AFRAID

ARIEL’S POV

I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the darkness that enveloped me. As my vision adjusted, I realized I was in a dimly lit room, with the only source of light coming from a single flickering bulb hanging above my head. Panic surged through me as I tried to move, only to discover that I was tightly bound to a chair, my wrists and ankles secured with rough rope.

How in the world did I arrive here? Oh, I remembered. Those men who took me to their car had infected me with something I didn’t know. But they were the ones responsible for my losing consciousness. Now I was right here and had no idea of this location or the person behind this whole sh*t. Technically, those men were following orders. There is no doubt about that. But who wants to do this now? Why can’t someone live this life in peace? All these terrific situations were becoming really galling. And I hoped to never see myself in one again. That’s if I get out of this one alive.

Now, my heart pounded as I frantically scanned my surroundings. The room was barren, with peeling paint on the walls and a musty smell that disgusted my nose. There were no windows or doors that I could see–just oppressive darkness pressing in on me from all sides.

Terror clawed at my throat as I struggled against my bonds, the ropes cutting into my skin with each futile tug. I called out for help, my voice echoing hollowly in the empty room. But there was no response, just the eerie silence that seemed to mock my fear.

Desperation rising, I closed my eyes and tried to calm my racing thoughts. I remembered stories of survival, of people who had faced impossible odds and came out on the other side. Drawing on that strength, I took a deep breath and prayed for a way out of that nightmare.

But I couldn’t just give up; I had to get out of here and do that real quick. I focused on my surroundings, searching for any possible means of escape. My eyes fell on a glint of metal in the corner of the room, and I strained against my bonds, inching the chair closer until I could reach it with trembling fingertips.

It was a paperclip, discarded and forgotten, but it was a lifeline to me. With shaking hands, I worked the paperclip against the ropes, feeling them slowly give way under my persistent efforts. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I toiled in silence, every second stretching out into an eternity of uncertainty.

Finally, with a triumphant gasp, I felt the last rope snap free, and I surged to my

feet, the chair clattering to the ground behind me. My muscles screamed in

protest as I rubbed feeling back into my numb limbs, but I ignored the pain as I surveyed my surroundings once more.

Suddenly, the door opened, and this woman stepped in. “What do you think you are doing?” She asked coldly, and I couldn’t help but stare at her.

LUKE’S POV

muscles flexing as he did so. Sweat dripped down his glistening head, and he must be feeling himself at the moment.

gaze towards us, his expression was filled with a deep and unsettling darkness. He wanted us to be frightened, but it wasn’t going to work for me. I wasn’t some little kid or something. But this man exuded a sense of danger and

we have a little trouble on our hands,” I

think?” Andre

us with lightning speed. He was like a raging bull, and we were the

a vice–like grip, squeezing it until I thought the bones would break. I let out a cry of pain and struggled to break free,

back, but the man easily overpowered him. His punches were like getting hit by a truck, and he

match for this man’s strength, and I could feel my energy draining with every blow. But I refused to give up. I couldn’t let this man beat

a swift kick to his stomach. But it

was lost, I heard a loud crash, and the man fell to the ground, unconscious/I turned to see Andre holding

guess we’re even now, Luke.” He smirked, offering

132 NOT AFRAID

it out alive. “Yeah, yeah. I

11

to go look for Ariel?” Andre

and I suspended, my eyes narrowing down to the metal pipe. “I

evil mother?”

as my mother,” I

I’d like to know what happened between the two of you. That’s if you don’t

we get

so sure we’re going to get to where she

here too,” I answered before leaving the room. Andre treaded behind me. And I believed we were both ready for anything that’s

****

ARIEL’S POV