Page 33 of Closer Than You Think
Turning away from him with arms wrapped protectively around myself reveals my inner turmoil through trembling shoulders and clenched fists.
“Just leave, Silas,” I whisper almost inaudibly as tears threaten to break free.
His resolve hardens as he steps closer with deliberate intent; my alarm spikes at the proximity.
“What are you doing?” Panic rises within as uncertainty clouds my mind.
“I didn't want it to come to this,” regret tinges his voice before darkness consumes my vision.
The cloth pressed over my nose and mouth unleashes terror through muffled screams that echo off the walls; each struggle against him feels like fighting against fate itself.
My body goes heavy as consciousness slips away; a single tear trails down my cheek in silent protest. And then everything goes black.
A sharp gasp tears from my lungs as I jolt awake, my heart pounding against my ribcage. Darkness engulfs me, and for a moment, I'm convinced I'm trapped in a nightmare that haunts my sleep. But as my senses slowly adjust, the confined space around me becomes all too real.
I'm in a box. A fucking box.
Panic surges through my veins, and I scream, my voice raw and desperate as I bang my fists against the unyielding walls. The air grows thick and stale with each ragged breath, and I can feel the claustrophobia clawing at my sanity.
Suddenly, a sliver of light pierces the darkness as the top of the box is wrenched open. I squint against the sudden brightness, my eyes struggling to focus on the figures looming above me.
Silas. And another man I don't recognize but has the same build and grumpy expression.
I blink, my surroundings slowly coming into view. We're in an elevator, the sleek metal walls reflecting the harsh fluorescent light.
“What the hell?” I croak, my voice hoarse from screaming.
Silas reaches down, offering his hand to help me out of the box. I recoil, my eyes narrowing with a mixture of fear and anger.
“Hallie, I know this is confusing,” he begins, his voice low and measured. “But I need you to trust me.”
“Trust you?” I spit, my words dripping with venom. “You broke into my apartment, drugged me, and stuffed me in a fucking box. Why should I trust you?”
Silas sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “I'll explain everything, I promise. But right now, we need to get to safety.”
The elevator lurches into motion, and I stumble, gripping the wall for support. My mind races, trying to make sense of the chaos that has become my reality.
I want to scream, to demand answers, to lash out at the man who has turned my world upside down. But there's something in Silas's eyes, a flicker of genuine concern, that gives me pause.
Maybe, just maybe, he's telling the truth. Maybe he really is trying to protect me.
But as the elevator ascends, carrying us to an unknown destination, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being pulled deeper into a world I never wanted to be a part of.
A world where trust is a luxury I can't afford.
The elevator dings, signaling our arrival, and the doors slide open with a soft hiss. I brace myself, unsure of what awaits me on the other side.
But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greets me.
A sprawling penthouse unfolds before my eyes, its sleek lines and modern decor a stark contrast to both my cozy little apartment and the chaos that brought me here. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of Alcott City's skyline, the glittering lights of the metropolis stretching out as far as the eye can see.
I step out of the elevator, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The air is cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of leather and something else I can't quite place.
“Welcome to my home,” Silas says, his voice cutting through the stillness.
“Your home?” I ask. “Then what the hell is the apartment you rented next door to mine?”
He shrugs, and I roll my eyes. I can hazard a guess, but until I hear more, I’m not in the mood to do the talking.
