Emma
The wind brushed against my skin, thick with the scent of grass and flowers. The sun warmed me, easing the tension I didn't know I was carrying. For the first time in days, I felt at peace.
That calm shattered the moment I heard footsteps behind me. A man's cologne hit the air, sending a shiver down my spine. My body tensed, but before I could turn, his hand grabbed mine.
"What the hell?" I gasped, trying to yank my hand free. His grip was unyielding.
"Let me go!" I pulled harder, but he didn't flinch. His cold eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense.
"You think you can just walk away?" he growled.
Confusion hit like a punch. "Walk away from what? I don't even know you!"
His smirk wasn't a smile—it was a threat. "You're not innocent. I know exactly what you've done."
My stomach churned. "I don't know who you are!" I shot back, trying to steady my voice.
His grip tightened, fingers digging into my wrist. My pulse raced, but I couldn't make sense of it. What did he want from me?
I kicked my legs, trying to break free, but his hold was a vice. He dragged me toward a sleek black car.
"Help!" I screamed but no one looked. It was like I was invisible, the crowd moving past as if nothing was happening.
Panic surged. "Somebody!" My voice was small, swallowed by the noise around us.
He didn't stop. His grip only tightened, pulling me forward with ruthless efficiency. My heart hammered, echoing in my ears.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, panic rising in my chest.
He didn't answer. Instead, he shoved me into the back of the car. The door slammed shut, the world outside blackened by tinted windows. I slammed my hands against the door, hoping to escape, but it was locked. My breath quickened.
"Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Let me go."
The driver's voice was cold, slicing through the silence. "Keep your mouth shut."
I froze. Something cold pressed against my temple. My eyes went wide. A gun. It was ice against my skin.
"Understand?" His voice left no room for argument.
I nodded, unable to speak, my pulse pounding in my throat. The car jerked forward, speeding through the streets. My mind raced. Who was this man? What did he want?
The road stretched on, empty and dark. I needed to stay calm. I needed to figure out how to escape.
The driver's voice broke the silence. "Don't think you're getting out of this easily."
My stomach twisted. Was this about money? Something else? I swallowed hard, my nerves tightening.
"I didn't do anything," I whispered, shaking.
His laugh was low, dark. "You're lying. You don't even know what you've done, do you?"
I wanted to scream, but the gun against my head silenced me. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breath.
The car turned off the main road, the tires crunching on gravel. The landscape outside shifted—desolate, dark buildings looming ahead. Where were we going? What was happening?
"Where are we?" I croaked, desperate for any answer.
"We're almost there," he muttered, eyes locked on the road.
I had no idea what that meant, but the cold gleam in his eyes made it clear: this wasn't good.
The car slowed, the engine ticking as it powered down. My heart thudded in my chest. Every muscle in my body was taut with fear.
The man beside me flung the door open, grabbing my arm. I yelped, trying to resist, but it was useless. He dragged me toward a dark building. The air smelled cold, musty.
"What is this?" I gasped, panic rising.
"This is where you'll learn to pay for your mistakes," he said, voice flat.
My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?" I could barely speak.
"You thought you could hurt people and walk away?" He sneered. "No one gets away that easy."
I shook my head, mind spinning. "I don't even know you!"
His grip tightened, pulling me into the building. The doors creaked open, revealing a dark, imposing figure in front of us—like a courthouse towering above.
"No," I whispered, the truth hitting me like ice water. "You're crazy."
"Not crazy," he spat. "Just someone who's been waiting a long time to make you understand. Actions have consequences."
I tried to pull away again, but it was hopeless. His fingers dug into my skin, dragging me deeper into the darkness.
"Let me go!" I screamed, but my voice was small, swallowed by the walls around us.
The building echoed with the sound of our footsteps, my heart pounding. What had I done to deserve this?
We stopped at a pair of large, imposing doors. His grip tightened, and he turned to me, eyes filled with dark intent.
"Time to pay," he growled, a cruel smile curling his lips.
I was already terrified, but now it was real. The cold dread hit me in waves. He wasn't letting me go. And I had no idea what was coming next.