Chapter 4 Kidnapped scared

### **Araya**

**9:30 PM**

I washed my face repeatedly at the bathroom sink, but no amount of water could wash away the pain. Jason had always been there-before and after my parents' death. He had promised me a life full of happiness and love, but...

Another wave of tears streamed down my face.

I never imagined he could be so deceitful. He had chosen Jennifer-the town's infamous gold-digger, who flitted from one wealthy man to another-over me. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror, pitiful and broken.

Letting the betrayal consume me, I cried harder, pounding my fists against the wall in anguish.

"Mind if I come in?"

"Huh?" I spun around, startled by the unfamiliar voice. Standing at the doorway was the most handsome man I had ever seen. His piercing blue eyes sparkled like rare diamonds, his chiseled jawline was perfection itself, and his muscular frame made me feel insignificant in comparison.

"If you keep crying like that, you'll run out of tears," he joked, a charming smile gracing his lips.

To my surprise, I chuckled. Amidst all my pain, this stranger had managed to make me laugh.

"Darling, you're a belle-beautiful like the twinkling stars. But these tears? They're ruining your dress and makeup. Don't cry over a breakup. He wasn't the right one for you." He reached into his pocket, handing me a white linen handkerchief. "Here, dry those tears before you start looking ugly."

His soothing words worked like magic. Entranced by this angelic stranger, I hesitantly accepted the handkerchief, muttering a soft "thank you." I wiped my face as he stood there, grinning.

Something about his smile melted the icy ache in my chest, and I found myself blushing under his gaze. But confusion began to creep in-why wasn't he leaving? Why was he still standing there, staring into my eyes?

I began to feel lightheaded, my vision blurring. Panic set in as I tried to speak. "The...cloth...you...what's happening?" I stammered.

The last thing I saw was his smirk before I collapsed onto the cold bathroom floor.

---

**Morning**

I woke up with a pounding headache and a chilling cold seeping into my bones. My body felt stiff, and as I tried to move, I realized I was tied up. The room was pitch dark, and I couldn't see a thing.

Panic clawed at my chest. How had I ended up sleeping on the floor? What was happening?

"Hey, girl, no need to make a fuss. There's no going back once you end up here," a voice said in the darkness.

I froze. I wasn't alone.

Another girl was sobbing quietly, while a third whispered a prayer. My body went numb as the realization hit me-I had been kidnapped.

*I've been kidnapped... I've been kidnapped!*

"No... no, no, NO!" I screamed, struggling against the ropes binding me. Tears streamed down my face as flashes of last night played in my mind. Ash, Alex, Jason... everyone who had been with me just hours ago. How had my life taken such a drastic turn?

"Please, let me go! I don't belong here! Don't hold me captive-please!" I cried, my voice breaking.

"I'm sorry," the voice replied. "But once you're here, there's no going back. Just like you, every girl here was kidnapped. None of us knows where they take the girls. They just... disappear. Your best bet is to stay calm and keep quiet, or you'll be next."

The voice softened. "I'm Robbie. And you are?"

"Araya," I choked out, trembling with fear.

Robbie patted my back with her elbow, trying to comfort me. "It's okay, Araya. All hope isn't lost. Stay strong-you might see your family again someday."

Suddenly, the basement door creaked open. Heavy footsteps echoed in the room as a tall man-easily over six feet and built like a tank-entered. He carried a tractor-like device and sacks. Another man in a white coat followed behind him.

My heart sank. Fear paralyzed me as the men approached. The room filled with cries as they began tearing at the girls' skin, inserting tiny sacks into their bodies.

I braced myself, trembling, but the torture didn't come.

The larger man whispered something to the one in the white coat, who turned and walked toward me. I shrank back, cowering in fear, but he picked me up effortlessly, throwing me over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

"Let me go!" I pleaded, kicking and struggling.

He responded with a hard slap across my face, silencing me instantly.

"Don't fight if you want to stay alive," he growled, tying a blindfold over my eyes.

I gave in, my body limp with despair. Fate had sealed my path, and there was nothing I could do to escape.

---

### **Author's Note**

How is Araya going to escape this nightmare? Not everything that glitters is gold-be cautious about who you trust.

If you enjoyed this chapter, please:

**Vote**: Show your support by hitting the star button. Your votes inspire and motivate authors like me!

**Comment**: Feedback is crucial-it helps me improve and connect with my readers.

**Follow**: Stay updated on new chapters and be the first to read them.

*With love,

Ivory smart*