The day had started like any other. Aidi and her group had been moving through the dense forest, their footsteps silent as they navigated the treacherous path, avoiding any unnecessary attention. They knew the dangers of the world they lived in—each day was a gamble, each shadow a potential threat.
But they weren't prepared for what came next.
Without warning, the ground beneath them trembled as the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. At first, Aidi thought it was a trick of the wind, but then came the unmistakable crack of branches snapping under heavy boots.
"Get down!" Julian hissed, his voice sharp as he signaled for everyone to drop low.
The group scattered, ducking behind trees and rocks, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement. The tension was palpable, the air thick with anticipation. Aidi's pulse quickened. She had a bad feeling, an instinctual sense that something was about to go terribly wrong.
And then they appeared.
A shadow emerged from the treeline—tall, imposing figures moving with purpose. They wore armor, their faces hidden behind dark masks, their eyes cold and calculating. It was a well-trained group, their presence almost predatory.
Before Aidi could react, a sharp voice rang out.
"Surround them!" Hetri's command was clear, a deadly authority in his tone.
The world seemed to close in around her. Aidi barely had time to register the words before the soldiers charged, their movements swift and precise. Her hand instinctively reached for the hilt of her weapon, but the attack came too fast. She barely had time to defend herself before one of them tackled her to the ground, pinning her to the earth with terrifying strength.
Panic surged within her, but she fought back, kicking and struggling beneath the soldier's weight. The world blurred as she tried to free herself, her mind racing to come up with a plan. She could hear Julian and the others fighting off the attackers, the clash of metal ringing in the air. The odds were stacked against them.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she twisted beneath the soldier, trying to break free. But it was useless. The soldier's grip was unyielding, and before she knew it, they had bound her wrists tightly, rendering her unable to move.
Aidi glared up at the soldier holding her down, but the man showed no emotion as he pulled her roughly to her feet, dragging her toward the rest of the captives.
"Hold her still," Hetri's voice rang out once more, his presence unmistakable.
Aidi's eyes darted to where he stood, his figure outlined by the dim light filtering through the trees. Her chest tightened as their gazes locked. The coldness in his eyes was enough to fuel her anger, a flash of recognition and hatred burning in her veins. She hated him. Hated everything about him.
His face showed no emotion, but Aidi knew. She could feel it—his control, his arrogance. She despised him with every fiber of her being.
They had been captured. All of them. There was no way out now.
As they marched her and the others through the forest, Aidi kept her head down, trying to hide the fury rising inside her. Her mind raced with escape plans, but nothing seemed to come to her. They were too well-trained, too numerous.
They arrived at their destination quickly—an abandoned outpost on the edge of the forest. The structure was decrepit, barely standing, but it would serve its purpose. Aidi was thrown into a small holding cell with the rest of her group. The iron bars clanged shut behind her with a deafening sound that made her stomach churn.
She sank down against the cold stone wall, breathing heavily, her thoughts still in turmoil. She had to think of a way out. They couldn't stay here long.
Her eyes flickered to the others. Julian's face was grim, but there was a determination in his gaze. "We'll get out of here," he muttered, almost to himself, as if trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
Aidi nodded, her resolve hardening. But her thoughts kept returning to Hetri. The way he had looked at her. The way he had commanded his men with such precision, such calm authority. There was something about him—something unsettling that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
She hadn't expected to be captured. But what she hadn't expected even more was the anger that surged within her when she thought about him. She hated him. She wanted to make him regret the day he decided to cross paths with her. But right now, all she could do was stay focused, stay calm.
As night fell, the sounds of the forest grew louder—creaking trees, rustling leaves, distant calls from unseen creatures. Aidi tried to rest, but her thoughts wouldn't let her. She needed to figure out how to escape. But more than that, she needed to understand why her heart refused to settle when Hetri was near.
And then, as if on cue, the door to their cell creaked open, and there he stood. Hetri.
Aidi's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. He stepped inside, his presence commanding, his eyes locked onto hers.
"We don't want trouble," Aidi said quickly, her voice steady despite the rapid beating of her heart. "Let us go, and we won't make this harder for you."
Hetri's lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm afraid it's not that simple."
His eyes flickered to her bound wrists, and for a moment, Aidi thought she saw something soften in his gaze. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the cool mask of authority that he wore so well.
"Why?" Aidi asked, her voice low, laced with disdain. "Why are you doing this?"
Hetri didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, like the weight of a storm gathering just above them.
"You don't understand," he said quietly, his voice almost cold. "This isn't just about you. It's bigger than you can imagine."
Aidi narrowed her eyes. "Then explain it to me."
He paused for a moment, his eyes never leaving hers. She could feel the tension between them, thick and almost suffocating. She wanted to look away, but something kept her rooted in place.
"We'll talk later," Hetri said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "For now, stay calm. You'll have your chance to escape soon enough. But not yet."
Aidi didn't understand, but there was a strange conviction in his voice that made her hesitate. She wanted to scream, to lash out, to make him pay for everything he had done, for the uncertainty he had brought into her life. But instead, she just glared at him, every ounce of hatred directed at the man who had so callously turned her life upside down.
He turned and walked out of the cell, leaving her with more questions than answers—and a deep, burning hatred that she didn't know how to ignore.