I awoke to an oppressive darkness, my head throbbing like a distant storm. Cold air seeped into my bones, and as my eyes adjusted to the dimness, panic rose within me. I was on a bed—firm, unyielding—bound by ropes that dug into my wrists, their rough fibers biting painfully into my skin. The memory of the previous night slammed into me like a tidal wave: being lured from my dorm room, a disorienting darkness swallowing me whole, and the sickening crack of a blow that left me unconscious.
"Where am I?" I whispered, my voice barely breaking the silence that clung to the walls like cobwebs. I scanned the sparse, shadowy room, searching for any clue that might shed light on my captivity. Shadows danced ominously in the flickering light of a solitary lamp, deepening my sense of isolation.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the room. My heart leaped into my throat; it was Eleri. My pulse quickened, pounding in my ears as betrayal washed over me like icy water. I hadn't expected to see her here—especially not like this.
Her eyes were cold and piercing, a mix of anger and something darker swirling within. "Sera, Sera, Sera~," Eleri sang softly, a melody that sent chills spiraling down my spine. "I knew you wouldn't stay put. You've always been so stubborn."
"What is this, Eleri? Why have you done this?" My voice trembled with disbelief and fear. "What do you want from me?"
She advanced, her footsteps slow and deliberate, each step heavy with intent. "What do I want? That's a good question. I want you to understand the truth. Everything I've done, I've done for you. You should have been with me, not gallivanting with Dragonir."
Pain pierced through my chest at her words. I had trusted her, once considered her a friend. "You're insane! You kidnap me and think I'll see that as care? This isn't love, Eleri; it's obsession."
Her smile faltered, revealing the hurt simmering beneath her exterior. "You left me behind, Seraphina. You chose Dragonir over me! Do you know how much that hurt? Do you have any idea what it feels like to be discarded?"
Tears threatened to spill as her words resonated within me. "I didn't choose anyone over you! You're twisting this. You've been my friend, but you can't force me to stay. This is wrong."
Eleri's expression contorted, fury and despair battling for dominance. "Is that how you see it? I've given everything for you, and now you're throwing it away like it meant nothing. Do you really think Dragonir can protect you?"
I shook my head, the ropes biting deeper into my skin. "You're not protecting me. You're endangering me! If you truly cared, you wouldn't do this."
Her face twisted with an emotion I couldn't quite name, her vulnerability stripped away, revealing a dangerous edge. "Why did you leave me? Why make things so complicated? I was there for you when you needed someone. And now, when I need you to understand, you reject me?"
"Eleri, please. Let me go. This isn't the way to solve anything. We can talk, but not like this," I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion.
"No, Seraphina," she replied, her tone chilling. "You don't get to walk away from this. Not after everything I've sacrificed. You'll stay with me until you see why this is necessary."
"Necessary?" I scoffed, fear clawing at my insides. "What happens if I refuse? You can't force me to love you, Eleri. That's not how it works!"
Eleri's gaze hardened, her eyes glinting like shards of glass. "If you try to leave again, I will make sure you never see Dragonir again. Do you think I'm playing games? I will do whatever it takes to keep you here."
A shiver ran through me at her threat, and I felt a surge of desperation clawing at my chest. "You think this will make me love you? It won't. This only proves how deeply twisted your feelings are."
Her expression darkened, shadows swallowing the remnants of the friend I once knew. "I'll be back later. Think about what I've said. It's your choice—stay and understand, or face the consequences."
With that, she turned on her heel and left, the door slamming shut behind her with a resonating finality. The sound echoed in the heavy silence that followed, leaving me alone with my racing heart.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I had to focus. Eleri's betrayal had opened my eyes to a side of her that was both horrifying and deeply sad. But I had to be stronger than the fear that gripped me.
The ropes were tight, but I began working to loosen them, each twist and pull sending sparks of pain shooting through my wrists. I couldn't afford to succumb to despair. My mind raced, searching for an escape route, a way to warn Dragonir and the others.
I pushed against the bed, gritting my teeth as I felt the ropes shift, a small victory igniting a flicker of hope within me. There had to be a way out of this nightmare. I refused to be a pawn in Eleri's twisted game. I would fight for my freedom, for my life, and for the chance to see Dragonir again. I couldn't give up, not now. The darkness might have surrounded me, but I would find my way back to the light.