Page 55 of Love Under Siege

“Anya?” The voice is weak but unmistakable—it’s Lana. Relief floods through me, mingling with the anxiety. “Lana, oh my God, Lana! Are you okay?” I can barely keep the tears from spilling.

“Anya! Yes, my head is pounding and I’m tied up too. Are you alright?” she responds, her voice tinged with the same fear I feel.

“I’m as okay as I can be. Did you see who took us? I mean, it must have been someone, right?” My voice trembles as I speak, the gravity of our situation sinking in.

“No, I didn’t get a good look. I tried to fight back, but he had someone helping him. I think that’s who knocked me out when they grabbed you,” Lana explains.

“Could it be Caleb? Do you think he escaped?” I ask, my mind racing.

“I don’t know. It’s possible he escaped, but the guy who grabbed you was really tall—maybe as tall as Jacob, but I can’t be sure,” she says, her voice filled with uncertainty.

“So, it was a guy?” I ask, trying to piece everything together.

“It must have been. I didn’t see any female figure in the shirt. Where are we, anyway?” Lana’s voice is strained, but there’s a note of curiosity.

I strain to take in my surroundings again. “Well… I can smell dust and a hint of freshly cut wood. It reminds me of Jacob’s brother-in-law Tom, who makes wooden furniture as a hobby,” I say, trying to ground myself with familiar details. As I wiggle my hands and fingers, I feel what seems like dirt or sawdust around me. “The floor feels cold, like concrete, but I’m not entirely sure. The air is cold too, but not freezing, so I’m guessing we’re in a house, maybe on the ground level like a basement.”

I call out to Lana again. “Lana? Lana, are you there?”

The moonlight filters through a small window to my right, casting a faint glow over the room. I spot Lana, slumped against the wall with her eyes closed. “Lana! Wake up!” I shout, my voice cracking. She stirs, her eyes fluttering open briefly before closing again. Her hands are tied behind her, and I notice a rope around her legs—so that’s what’s binding me too.

“Lana!” I shout again, more urgently this time. She finally wakes up, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and relief.

“What’s happening, Anya?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice shaking. “But we need to stay calm and think. We have to find a way out of this.”

As we stood frozen, a loud thumping suddenly broke the silence, followed by the slow creaking of a door. Heavy footsteps echo down the stairs, each one echoing louder in our ears. We can feel the presence of someone standing in the doorway, but their identity remains a mystery.

“Who are you?!" Lana's voice breaks through the tension, but all we hear in response is a menacing laugh. But I know that laugh, it couldn't be...he's not supposed to be here. My heart races as my worst nightmare steps into the light. His sinister smile sends shivers down my spine.

"Well well well, look who's back," he says with a twisted glint in his eye. I try to compose myself, but my throat tightens and I can't speak.

"Who ARE you?!" Lana demands again, her courage shining through her fear. He turns his gaze towards her with a cruel smirk.

"Anya knows exactly who I am, don't you baby?" he taunts, bringing his attention back to me. My mouth goes dry at the sound of him calling me "baby". I feel like I'm going to vomit as his stare locks onto me.

Just then, Nana's ghostly figure appears before me, blocking my view of him. "My sweet Anya, it's normal to be afraid," she whispers. "But don't let it consume you. Don't let him break you." And just like that, she vanishes.

He leans down towards me, ready to touch me and claim me once again. But instead of giving in to my fear, I spit in his face.

"I AM NOT YOUR BABY!" I seethe with rage. He loses his balance and falls back.

"You fucking bitch!" he yells as he charges towards me again. I brace myself for impact, feeling the force of his punch causing my head to snap to the right. But as he continues to attack, I close my eyes and focus on controlling my breathing.

"Hey asshole!" Lana's voice breaks through the chaos. "I'm not impressed by your macho act." I can hear the anger in her voice, but it only seems to enrage him more.

"No! Don't!" I plead desperately, knowing what she's trying to do. But it's too late, he turns his wrath towards her and begins punching and kicking her relentlessly. Blood pours from her nose and mouth, and I can't bear to watch.

With tears streaming down my face, I turn away and take a deep breath. "HEY!" My voice trembles with fear and anger as I try to keep my focus on him. "It's me you want, right?"

But before he can respond, Lana screams in agony. "Lana! Shut up! Please!" I beg, finally turning to look at her. "I know what you're doing and I love you for it, but please...don't make me watch him hurt you like he hurt me."

Tears flow freely down her swollen face as she lowers her head in agreement. "Promise me something Lana," I plead with a cracked voice, "promise me that no matter what he does to me, you won't watch."

She squeezes her eyes shut and nods, her tears falling faster now. "No matter what happens, keep your eyes closed and your head turned away," I continue, my own tears staining my cheeks. "We'll survive this together."

"Aww isn't that sweet?" he taunts mockingly, pouting his lower lip. "But don't think this little show will make me go easy on you Anya...I've been searching for you for two long years."

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