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Ava's heart pounded in her chest as the cold grip of fear tightened around her. Her hands were still bound behind her, the ropes biting into her skin with every shift of her body. The night air was thick with tension as the two men led her through a narrow, dimly lit path, away from the road. Her mind raced, every thought focused on finding a way out, on surviving. She couldn't help but feel the weight of the responsibility growing inside her. The life she carried within her—Ethan's child—was now her most precious treasure. She couldn't let anyone harm it.
They stopped in front of an old, decrepit building, its windows boarded up, the air heavy with an eerie silence. Ava's heart sank as she realized she was being taken deeper into isolation, away from the world she knew. The door creaked open as one of the men shoved her inside, the scent of mildew and dust instantly overwhelming her senses. She barely had time to adjust to the dark surroundings when the door slammed shut behind them, locking her in.
She looked around, trying to make sense of her new surroundings. The building was clearly abandoned—wooden beams sagging overhead, peeling paint on the walls, and broken windows letting in the faintest hint of moonlight. Her breath hitched as panic started to rise within her chest. This place was far from anything familiar, far from safety.
The taller man stepped forward, grabbing her roughly by the arm. "Sit," he commanded, pushing her down onto an old wooden chair in the center of the room. Ava struggled to regain her balance, her legs unsteady from the shock of being dragged through the woods. She refused to let him see her fear, though every fiber of her being screamed for her to fight back.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice trembling slightly but steady with determination. She had no idea who these men were or why they had taken her, but she had to stay strong. She had to survive.
One of the men chuckled darkly. "You'll find out soon enough."
The other man—shorter, with a scruffy beard—came closer, his eyes narrowed. "We've been paid to bring you here. You're a means to an end." His voice dripped with disdain, and Ava could feel the weight of his words like a heavy burden, pressing on her chest. Whoever had hired them didn't just want to scare her—they had far worse plans.
As they spoke, Ava's mind raced. Who would want to hurt her now, after everything she had already been through? Who would want her out of the way—especially now, when she was pregnant with Ethan's child? She couldn't make sense of it. But one thing was certain: these men weren't just some random criminals. Whoever was behind this knew exactly what they were doing.
Ava forced herself to stay calm. She had to think. She had to find a way to get out of here and back to Ethan, no matter what it took. But for now, her only option was to bide her time and wait for the right moment.
Time seemed to drag on as the men kept their distance, whispering to each other in low voices. Ava watched them carefully, her eyes scanning the room for anything she could use to her advantage. A rusty metal pipe leaned against the wall, just within reach. If she could get free, she could use it as a weapon, but first, she had to escape the ropes that held her.
Her mind wandered back to Ethan, to the way his strong arms had held her, his calm voice reassuring her even in the face of their enemies. How could this be happening? How could they have been so careless? But Ava knew now was not the time to second-guess everything. Her priority was survival.
A sudden noise cut through the silence—footsteps approaching. The men turned sharply, their attention shifting to the door. Ava seized the opportunity, shifting slightly in her seat to test the tension in the ropes. She could feel them starting to loosen. They hadn't tied her too tightly—perhaps they underestimated her resolve. She kept her movements subtle, her breath shallow as she carefully worked on the knots behind her back. The pressure of the situation pushed her focus to new heights. Every twist of the rope, every shift of her arms, brought her closer to freedom.
Just as the door opened, Ava managed to free one of her hands. Her pulse quickened, and she bit her lip to suppress a gasp of relief. She glanced up to see the two men entering the room, a third figure following them—a tall man with a sharp suit, his features hidden in the shadows. He was the one pulling the strings, Ava could tell. The men immediately stood straighter as the man entered, his presence commanding immediate attention.
"Is she secure?" the man asked, his voice cold and calculated.
"Yeah, boss," the tall man responded, his tone submissive. "She's tied up and ready."
Ava's heart sank as she heard them talk. They hadn't just planned to kidnap her—they had plans for something far worse. This man was clearly their leader, the one who was calling the shots. But who was he? And why did he want her?
The man stepped closer to her, his gaze cold and assessing. "You'll regret ever crossing me," he sneered. "But for now, we need you alive. Do as we say, and you'll live to see tomorrow."
Ava's heart hammered in her chest as she kept her eyes on him, studying his movements. She knew that every second counted, that she had to make her escape now. The longer she waited, the less chance she would have.
Her free hand brushed against the metal pipe again, and she quickly tightened her grip on it, preparing herself. The man was standing just a few feet away, his back to her. She had no choice. Now was the time to strike.
Without a second thought, Ava swung the pipe with all her strength, catching the man off guard. He stumbled backward, surprised, and she used that moment to leap to her feet, adrenaline surging through her veins. Her bound hands still hindered her, but the ropes were loose enough now that she could move faster.
She rushed toward the door, her breath ragged as she tried to find her bearings. But before she could make it far, one of the men grabbed her from behind, his hand clutching her arm with surprising force. Ava screamed in pain, but she refused to give up. She kicked backward, managing to knock him off balance, and for a split second, she broke free.
But there was no time to think.
She bolted, her legs moving faster than her mind could keep up. Every step brought her closer to freedom, but she could hear footsteps behind her, shouting, the sounds of pursuit growing louder. Ava had no choice now but to push herself harder.
She couldn't let them catch her. Not now. Not when she was so close to the life she'd fought so hard to build.
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