Mrs. Hilma took something out of her pocket, a syringe filled with anesthetic. With one swift motion, she plunged the needle into Lorna's arm, injecting the liquid that would once again lull the girl into unconsciousness. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You shouldn't scream too much, or you'll get tired. Rest now, the journey is still long."
Lorna let out a weak groan as her consciousness began to fade once more. Her entire body felt heavy, her head spun, and her breathing became shallow before she was swallowed again by darkness.
A gentle smile formed on Mrs. Hilma's face once more. Calmly, she opened the car door, lifted Lorna's limp body, and placed her back inside the trunk.
After ensuring the chains were still secure, she carefully shut the trunk door. Then, she got into the driver's seat and resumed the journey to a place unknown to anyone, a place where Lorna would never return.
***
The morning air was still cold, a thin mist blanketing the damp ground. A soft wind rustled the leaves around a solitary house standing deep within the forest. The silence was profound, as if the world was still asleep.
Mrs. Hilma pulled up in front of the house, turned off the engine, and took a deep breath. She glanced at the trunk, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. The clock showed five in the morning. Everything was going according to plan.
Unhurried, she stepped out of the car and walked toward the trunk. When the trunk door was opened, Lorna had regained consciousness and looked extremely terrified. She squirmed restlessly, but his eyes and mouth remained tightly sealed with black duct tape. Chains still bound her wrists and ankles, preventing any chance of escape.
"We're finally here, my dear. We're home now." Mrs. Hilma's voice was soft, almost like a mother welcoming her child home. She reached out and gently peeled the tape from Lorna's eyes. The girl squinted, trying to adjust to the faint light of dawn seeping around Mrs. Hilma's massive frame.
Lorna's eyes widened in terror as she took in Mrs. Hilma's pleased grin. Though her mouth was still taped shut, a muffled whimper of despair escaped her lips.
With ease, Mrs. Hilma lifted Lorna out of the trunk, cradling her in her arms like a mother carrying her child. Lorna wriggled, trying to break free, but Mrs. Hilma's embrace was too strong.
Deliberately, she turned, making sure Lorna saw the house, the place that would be their home forever.
Lorna wanted to scream, wanted to sob, but the sound caught in her throat. Her tear, filled eyes took in the surroundings more clearly now.
The house stood solidly in the middle of nowhere. Its unpainted cement walls were dull and cold, like an abandoned building long left untouched. Small, wild gardens sprawled across the front and sides, their unruly growth adding to the sense of isolation. Beyond the fence, there was nothing but dense forest, as if nature itself was shielding this place from the outside world.
Lorna's muffled cries were lost beneath the tape over her mouth. She could only stare at the house in pure terror. It wasn't just eerie, it was truly secluded. No neighbors, no other houses in sight, just towering trees that formed an impenetrable wall around it.
She struggled again, but it was useless. Her frail body was no match for Mrs. Hilma's strength.
Panic gripped her tightly. More tears spilled down her cheeks as she thrashed against Mrs. Hilma's hold, trying once more to escape, but it was hopeless.
Still carrying Lorna, Mrs. Hilma stepped toward the front door. Her large arms held Lorna close, as if cradling a helpless child.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. From now on, this is our home. We'll live here forever, as a happy family," she whispered into Lorna's ear, her voice filled with a suffocating affection.
Lorna tried to shake her head, tried to say something, but her mouth was still sealed, and only strangled sobs emerged. She knew that in a place like this, no one would hear her cries. No other houses, no roads, no one who could save her.
This house would be her prison.
As she choked back her sobs, Lorna could only stare at the slowly brightening morning sky, praying for a miracle before it was too late.
Still holding Lorna, Mrs. Hilma pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the door. The old hinges creaked as it swung open, revealing the interior, just as terrifying as the outside.
As they stepped in, a stale, musty scent filled Lorna's nostrils. The dim glow from a dusty ceiling lamp cast eerie shadows along the walls.
Lorna's wide eyes darted around. The room was a mess, aged wooden chairs, a table littered with dirty dishes left untouched, and shelves stacked with old, forgotten objects.
The carpet on the floor was thick with dust, as if it hadn't been cleaned in years. Faded photographs hung on the walls, their images blurred with age, making the atmosphere even more unsettling.
Mrs. Hilma ascended a creaking wooden staircase, carrying Lorna to the second floor. Every step felt like another nail sealing Lorna's fate. They reached a door at the end of the hallway. Mrs. Hilma slowly pushed it open.
Inside was a large bed, big enough for two. The white sheets covering it were clean, oddly pristine compared to the rest of the house, as if they had been prepared for something special.
A dressing table with a large mirror stood in one corner, its reflection catching the dim light and casting unsettling shadows. Across the room was an old wooden wardrobe, sturdy and heavy.
But what stood out the most was a rocking chair facing a barred window. The iron bars on the window made it look like a prison cell, ensuring no one could ever escape. Beyond the glass, there was only the dark expanse of the forest, a haunting reminder of how impossible it would be for Lorna to run.
Mrs. Hilma stepped closer to the bed and gently laid Lorna down. She gazed at the girl with a motherly smile, as if she were truly caring for someone precious.
"Look, sweetheart... this is your room. We'll live here together, forever. Just the two of us. I'll make sure you love it here." Her voice was so tender, yet it sent chills down Lorna's spine.
Lorna could only weep. She knew this house wasn't a place she could easily escape.
She would become Mrs. Hilma's.