The cold metal was pressed against my forehead, and time seemed to stretch endlessly. I tried to get a glimpse of the man holding the gun, the weapon that could decide my fate with just a single click. But all I could see were deep ocean-blue eyes—so captivating that it was a miracle I wasn't drooling.
"Stop daydreaming, Miss Black."
"Huh? Wait, what? Hold on—who's Miss Black…?"
"You, idiot," he said arrogantly.
"Me? No way. Hey, wait! What did you just call me!?" I snapped.
"Idiot. I just called you an idiot."
As I argued with this man, I noticed that he wasn't alone. Other men were rummaging through my apartment. I knew he was dangerous, but the way he called me that ridiculous nickname made me wonder—was he just naive? Or was he doing it on purpose to make me lower my guard?
"Hey! Why are you doing this?!" I shouted, keeping my eyes locked on the man who made me tremble with fear.
"Hey, idiot, stop yelling, or I'll pull the trigger, haha."
My anxiety returned with full force. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might explode. No. Not now. I couldn't have another panic attack—not in front of him. My fingers dug into my skin, scratching as they always did when I was overwhelmed. He noticed. A wave of shame washed over me, but I refused to let it show.
This man was too confident, as if he already knew exactly how I would react, as if he had known me for years.
But my attention shifted back to the men tearing through my tiny apartment like they were searching for something—something I apparently owned. But what? I could barely afford anything.
I was deep in thought when the man grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him.
"The next time you take your eyes off me to look at my men, you're a dead woman," he growled.
"Why? Do you have something to hide?" I asked, uncertain if I was being reckless. The gun was still pressed against me, but I couldn't let him see my fear.
"Of course. I have plenty to hide," he smirked. "But a clueless woman like you wouldn't understand."
This guy was insufferable. First, he held a gun to my head, and now he acted like he was superior to me? Who did he think he was—the mafia boss or something? Actually... maybe he was. He had men, weapons—things that were forbidden in this world, unless you were extremely rich or... a criminal.
My mind spiraled with questions.Why me?Why not someone else?WHY?!
I couldn't take it anymore. Why was this happening to me?I was just an ordinary person.I didn't even know how I looked anymore. Had I fainted?That wouldn't surprise me. I was fragile. But if I was still thinking, then I must still be alive. Unfortunately.Letting go would be so much easier...
No! Stay positive! Life is beautiful—except when some random guy puts a gun to your head. But still, I had to stay optimistic.
Then I felt a sharp pain across my cheek.
"What the hell?!" I screamed loud enough that even my deaf neighbor could have heard.
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine, Miss," he chuckled.
"Then why did you hit me?!"
"Because you fainted, idiot, haha. I saved you, and now you're yelling at me? Rude."
"Well, maybe because you SLAPPED ME?!" I shot back.
"Because I felt like it. And you had passed out, haha."
If I could, I would've hit him so hard he'd see his entire life flash before his eyes. But I still had a gun pointed at me—wait. No, I didn't.
The gun was gone.
I was free.
Well, free was a big word, considering I was still surrounded by these men. Their stares burned into me, making my anxiety skyrocket. I hated being watched. It felt like they were all judging me—just like before.
"Can you stop staring at me like I'm some kind of alien?" I blurted out.
"No, idiot. We do what we want."
I really, REALLY hated this guy.
Without thinking, I got up and backed away, pressing myself against the farthest wall.
I wanted to run. But the entrance was blocked by his towering, muscular men, forming an unbreakable wall.
"Oh no, you're not escaping," he said with a wide grin. "And since we didn't find what we were looking for, you're coming with us, Miss Black."
"What?! NO! I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"You don't have a choice," he said, spinning his gun playfully.
They grabbed my arms and shoved me into a van like I was a sack of potatoes.
Darkness.
Fear.
I felt like I was right back where I started.
The longer we drove, the more my anxiety clawed at my chest.
What would happen to me?What did they want?
Would they kill me? Torture me? Lock me away until I lost my mind?
Then suddenly—
A loud bang.
And then... nothing.