Ramona hadn't slept. Well, how could she?. Sleep wasn't going to do her any good. She had to leave this beautiful place, that reeked with danger.
At least, because He came to check up on her that morning.
The room was silent, suffocating. The luxurious sheets did nothing to bring her comfort. She had spent the entire night sitting against the headboard, knees drawn to her chest, mind spiraling. Every escape plan she conjured fell apart before she could even entertain it.
The door was locked. The windows were sealed shut. She had nothing—no phone, no weapon, no one looking for her.
For the first time in a long time, she felt completely alone.
Her stomach ached from hunger. She was really hungry, but she ignored it.
Survival was more important than food.
But, something wasn't clear to her, no matter how much she thought about it.
Why didn't he kill her last night?.
A knock at the door.
Ramona's heart leapt into her throat.
Was it him?. Was it time for her to die?.
The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man. He carried a tray of food, its scent wafting toward her.
As the scent hit her nostrils, he stomach grumbled more. No doubt the food would taste good.
His gaze never fully met hers. "The boss said you should eat."
Ramona just stared. Does he know what his boss does for a living?. How could he be working for such a man?.
Maybe he was kidnapped like she was?.
The housekeeper hesitated but placed the tray down on the nightstand. When she didn't respond, he gave a small bow and left, shutting the door softly behind him.
She let out a slow breath.
She wasn't going to eat.
Her pride wouldn't allow it.
She was gonna escape, and she was gonna do it fast, and after she leaves, she'd bring the police to save the old man.
But, what if Killian kills everyone she brings?. The man wasn't human. And she knew, how scared she was of him.
Well, she was gonna figure that out later. Now, she had to escape.
Time crawled by, stretching unbearably. She paced, racked her brain, tried to think of something—anything—that could get her out of this hell.
And then—the bell dinged at the main entrance to the penthouse.
"Was he home already?. Shit!". She cursed.
Ramona tensed.
She wasn't going to go down without a fight.
The housekeeper answered, and the moment the door opened, she felt it.
A presence.
Powerful. Overwhelming.
A voice, velvety yet laced with irritation, spoke.
"Where is Killian?"
The housekeeper's voice was quieter than before. "The boss left early for business."
Silence. A dangerous kind of silence.
Then, an exhale.
"Someone else is here."
The housekeeper hesitated again. "Yes. The boss brought a woman home last night. She's in his room."
Another pause. Then—laughter.
Low. Amused.
"Oh? So now he's bringing strangers home?"
Ramona swallowed hard. Her instincts screamed at her to move. To prepare. To run.
Before she could act, the door to her room swung open.
And she saw her.
A woman stood in the doorway.
Tall. Breathtaking.
Her red hair fell in effortless waves down her back, her emerald eyes sharp, piercing. She was curvy, but every inch of her exuded power—not the kind that was loud and demanding, but the kind that was inherent. The kind that made people bow.
Ramona's pulse pounded.
This woman was dangerous.
Every nerve in her body screamed at her to do something.
Her gaze darted to the nightstand. The lamp.
Without thinking, she grabbed it and lifted it above her head, her breaths coming fast.
The woman smirked.
As if she had expected it.
She raised her hand—and Ramona couldn't move.
Her body locked in place, rigid as stone. She tried to fight it, tried to will her arms to move, her legs to step back—but nothing happened.
The lamp hovered mid-air, suspended by nothing.
Ramona's stomach dropped.
What the hell is this?!
The woman turned, studying her with a tilted head. "You must be the one he brought home."
Ramona forced her mouth to move. "Put me down."
The woman's lips curled. "Put you down? Why? You were just about to crack my skull open."
Ramona gritted her teeth. "You bloody monsters—let me go!"
A flicker of something passed through the woman's gaze. Annoyance? Amusement?
She sighed dramatically. "Monsters. How original."
Ramona clenched her jaw. "What do you people want with me?"
The woman regarded her for a moment before smiling lazily. "Who knows? Killian has a habit of collecting things he shouldn't."
The mention of his name sent a fresh wave of anger through Ramona's veins. "I don't belong here."
"I agree." The woman yawned. "But clearly, Killian disagrees."
Ramona's pulse hammered. Her hands were trembling, but she clenched them into fists.
She refused to show fear.
The woman held her gaze for a long moment before sighing. With another flick of her fingers, the invisible force disappeared, and Ramona collapsed to the floor.
Her legs ached from the sudden release, but she didn't hesitate.
She scrambled back, her breathing ragged.
The woman watched her with a tilt of her head. "Hmph. You've got some fire in you."
Ramona swallowed, her throat dry. "Who are you?"
The woman smirked. "Fixina."
Ramona shuddered. The name sounded ancient. Heavy with power.
Fixina rolled her eyes and turned toward the door. "I wonder what Killian was thinking, bringing you here."
Then, she left. Closed the door, not locking it like she was supposed to.
Where she had gone to, Ramona didn't care. She was just relieved that the weird woman was gone.
It seemed like, everyone was really weird here. Not until, two weeks ago, she wouldn't have known, this world existed.
And it clicked to Ramona. The door was open for. Time to run, before the old man in his late fifties, who was no doubt kilian's house keeper.
Ramona's heart pounded.
This was it. This was her chance.
She ran.
She bolted out of the room, ignoring the ache in her legs, her mind screaming at her to move, move, move—
"No!"
The housekeeper's panicked voice echoed through the halls.
Ramona didn't look back.
Fixina, still near the stairs, slowly turned.
Her gaze flickered toward the housekeeper.
"Where is she?"
The housekeeper swallowed hard. "The door was open… she… she escaped."
Silence.
Fixina blinked once.
Then, she let out a slow, measured sigh.
She closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose, and exhaled.
Then, under her breath—"Shit."
She turned to the housekeeper. "Killian's going to kill you."
And, by the look on her face, she wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't kill her too.