Lani Carlisle had always trusted her best friend, Vanessa. They had been inseparable since college, sharing secrets, dreams, and the highs and lows of life. Vanessa had always been there for her—until tonight.
It started like any other night. The two women decided to grab dinner after a long week of hectic schedules. Lani had just wrapped up an important business deal and needed a little break. Vanessa had insisted on meeting her at a trendy new spot downtown, a place known for its chic atmosphere and signature cocktails. As always, Vanessa had a way of making everything feel glamorous, even the simplest of outings.
They laughed, reminisced, and caught up on life over cocktails, with Lani feeling the stress of her work melting away. The evening was warm, lighthearted, and full of familiar comfort. Vanessa ordered a round of drinks, and that's when things began to blur.
Lani's drink tasted a little different than usual, a touch sweeter, the flavors unfamiliar. She didn't think much of it—maybe it was just a new twist the bartender was trying out. But within moments, she began to feel strange. Her body felt heavy, her head spinning as the world around her seemed to warp into a haze. Her vision was blurry, and every sound seemed muffled as if she were underwater.
"Vanessa… what's happening?" Lani slurred, gripping the edge of the table, trying to steady herself.
Vanessa smiled at her, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Don't worry, Lani, just relax. It's going to be okay."
But something in Vanessa's voice didn't sit right. Lani tried to focus, but the room continued to spin. Her limbs were sluggish, and her mind was clouded with confusion. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the dizziness, but it only worsened.
Before she knew it, the room began to fade entirely.
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When Lani regained consciousness, she had no idea where she was. The harsh overhead light and sterile smell of the room made her stomach churn. She was lying on a bed in a dingy motel room, disoriented and terrified. The room was small, nothing like the luxurious suites she was used to, and the walls were bare, with only a small, cracked mirror hanging above the bed.
Panic set in as Lani tried to move, but her body felt stiff and weak. She attempted to call out, but her voice was hoarse, barely audible. Her eyes darted around the room, and that's when she saw it—a small note on the table, her name scribbled hastily on the front.
Opening the note with trembling hands, she read the words, her heart sinking.
"Enjoy the night, Lani. I made sure you wouldn't remember anything. You owe me now."
The handwriting was unmistakable—Vanessa's.
A cold chill ran through her. Betrayal. The one person she had trusted the most had done this to her. Lani's mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the events of the night. Vanessa had drugged her. But why? What was her plan?
A thousand questions flooded her thoughts, and in that moment, Lani knew one thing for sure: her life would never be the same again.
The woman she had trusted, the woman who had always been her rock, had just torn apart everything Lani believed in.
Now, she was trapped in this dark, lonely room. But one thing was certain—she would get answers, no matter what it took.
Lani's heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled off the bed, her body weak but determined. The cold floor beneath her feet seemed to ground her, reminding her that she wasn't dreaming. This was real. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, the remnants of the drug clouding her thoughts, but her anger started to push through the fog. She staggered toward the door, her mind racing with questions that needed answers.
The room was sparse, just the basics—an old, mismatched dresser, a small window covered with cheap curtains, and the bed that she had awoken in. She glanced back at the note on the table once more, her fingers trembling as she processed the words again. Vanessa. Her best friend. How could she have done this to her?
Lani reached for her phone, but it wasn't where she normally kept it in her purse. Panic surged through her. Where is it? She looked around frantically, her eyes scanning the dim room, until her gaze landed on her handbag tossed carelessly on the dresser. She rushed over and grabbed it, pulling it open, but it was empty—her phone was gone. She shoved the bag aside in frustration, her breath coming out in shallow bursts.
She paced back and forth, trying to think of her next move. Why? The question gnawed at her. What had Vanessa hoped to achieve by drugging her? Had this been a twisted act of revenge? Or was there something deeper going on—something Lani wasn't seeing?
The uncertainty gnawed at her like a persistent itch she couldn't scratch.
With no phone and no clear way of contacting anyone, Lani moved to the window. She pushed aside the curtains, her eyes scanning the parking lot below. It was dark outside, but she could make out a few cars scattered around, including one that looked familiar. She squinted, trying to get a better view, and her heart nearly stopped when she realized it was Vanessa's car.
Vanessa is here. Somewhere nearby. Watching me.
The realization sent a wave of cold dread through her. Vanessa wasn't just going to leave her here to fend for herself—no, this was far from over. Lani knew, deep down, that this wasn't some harmless prank gone wrong. Vanessa had a plan. And she was going to make sure Lani played her part.
Lani felt a chill creep up her spine as she returned to the center of the room. The drug had dulled her senses, but the anger was sharp, piercing through the haze. She wasn't going to sit here and wait for Vanessa's next move. She needed to get out—now.
As she moved toward the door, her mind raced through every possible escape plan. She could try to break the window, but the glass looked thick. The door was locked, but she had to try it. With a deep breath, she gripped the doorknob and twisted, but it didn't budge. Her stomach twisted in frustration.
Then, she heard it—footsteps outside the door.
Lani froze, her breath caught in her throat. Whoever it was, they were getting closer. Her mind raced. She couldn't let whoever it was catch her in here. She needed to get away, find a way out.
In the split second that followed, her survival instincts kicked in. She dashed to the corner of the room, her mind focused on the small window. It was high up, but if she could get to it, there was a chance she could escape.
The door rattled as someone tried the handle, and Lani's heart skipped a beat. There was no time. With adrenaline coursing through her veins, she climbed onto a nearby chair and reached up, her hands scrabbling for a grip on the window's frame. Her fingers brushed the edge, and she yanked with all her strength, desperate to get it open.
The door suddenly slammed open, and Lani's heart leaped into her throat. She didn't look back. With one final push, the window gave way, creaking open just wide enough for her to squeeze through.
She didn't hesitate. Without thinking, she crawled through, the cold air hitting her face as she landed hard on the ground outside. Her legs buckled beneath her, but she managed to stay upright, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Lani glanced back at the motel, knowing she couldn't stay there any longer. There was no time to waste. She ran, her mind fixated on getting away from the one person who had once been her closest ally. There were questions, so many questions, but there was one thing she knew for sure: she wouldn't rest until she uncovered the truth behind Vanessa's betrayal. And no matter what it took, she would make sure Vanessa paid for this.