Chapter 5 ANYA

A sound to my left startled me, and my eyes widened with a mix of fear and confusion. How did I end up deep inside the woods? Panic began to grip me as I realized I had lost all sense of direction.

I desperately tried to retrace my steps, but the dense trees and unfamiliar surroundings only added to my disorientation.

Frantically, I scanned the area, searching for any recognizable landmarks, but my efforts proved futile. The sinking feeling of being utterly lost washed over me, fuelling my growing unease. I was trapped in a labyrinth of nature's embrace, and the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

As I pushed forward, my focus fixed on finding my way back, I failed to notice the treacherous slope that lay ahead. Before I could react, my footing gave way, and I tumbled downwards, caught in a relentless descent.

The world seemed to blur around me as I crashed and rolled, pain coursing through my body with each impact.

Finally, I came to a stop, breathless and battered. Blood stained my clothes, and my injuries painted a vivid portrait of my ordeal. Gritting my teeth, I summoned the last remnants of strength within me and forced myself upright, only to be met with a sharp pain shooting through my leg.

I winced, realizing that I had sustained a deep gash, and blood flowed freely, staining the forest floor.

With a sense of urgency, I tore a piece of fabric from my shirt and hastily fashioned a makeshift bandage, desperately trying to stanch the bleeding. The pain pulsed through me, but I knew I couldn't afford to stay still. I had to keep moving, to find help or civilization. I couldn't let myself succumb to the wilderness.

Limping and wincing with every step, I pushed forward despite the exhaustion and the gnawing ache that accompanied every movement. Time seemed to lose all meaning as I trudged through the unknown, my broken wristwatch a cruel reminder of the time I had lost.

My heart sank, and a wave of despair washed over me when I realized the extent of my predicament. Alone, injured, and disconnected from the world, I could only rely on my sheer determination to survive.

I fought against the pain, the fatigue, and the encroaching darkness, desperate to find my way back to safety.

But just as hope began to waver, a sudden force slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. Dazed and disoriented, I looked up to find a bloodied man standing before me, his panicked eyes reflecting the terror within my own. My legs trembled beneath me as I struggled to regain my footing, the pain in my injured leg now magnified by the encounter.

"Who are you?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion. The bloodied man's response came in the form of shoving a mysterious parcel into my hands before abruptly taking off, leaving me bewildered and clutching the object tightly.

As I hesitated, uncertain of what to do next, my attention was abruptly drawn upward, my heart skipping a beat. Three menacing figures emerged from the shadows, their guns pointed directly at me. Panic surged through my veins as I realized the gravity of the situation.

My eyes widened in terror as the man in the middle fired a shot, striking down the fleeing figure who had just handed me the parcel. The sound of the gunshot reverberated through the air, mingling with the racing beat of my heart.

Time seemed to slow as I took a step backward, my mind scrambling to find an escape route, a way out of this deadly encounter.

But before I could make a move, a searing pain erupted at the back of my head, stunning me into immobility. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through my body, causing my knees to buckle beneath me.

I fought to stay conscious, to keep my eyes open and alert, but darkness encroached on my vision, threatening to consume me.

Voices swirled around me, muffled and distant, their meaning lost in the haze of my fading consciousness. Desperation surged within me as I strained to grasp onto any semblance of reality, but the pain and disorientation proved overwhelming. I was losing the battle, slipping further into the abyss.

I couldn't help it any longer and finally, I gave in to the darkness.

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As I slowly regained consciousness, the relentless throbbing at the back of my head intensified, causing waves of pain to radiate through my skull. With a groan, I forced my eyes open, only to be greeted by a disorienting whirlwind of spinning surroundings. I struggled to focus, my vision blurred and unsteady.

Blinking rapidly, I fought against the disorientation, willing my vision to clear. Gradually, the room steadied, and my surroundings came into focus. Panic surged within me as I recognized the three men standing before me, the same individuals who had threatened me moments before darkness claimed me.

One of them, a tall and undeniably attractive guy, caught my attention with his statement. "Matteo, she's awake," he called out, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

The mention of my awakening seemed to catch the attention of a man named Matteo. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. It was him-the one who had fired the shot, the one responsible for the bloodshed.

His appearance was imposing, with a strong jawline, a pointed chin, and a prominent nose. Yet, despite the danger emanating from him, there was an undeniable magnetism to his presence.

I tried to move my body, only to realize that I was bound, my limbs tightly secured. Panic surged within me as I discovered that my mouth had been taped shut, leaving me unable to speak or cry out for help. Fear mingled with frustration as I assessed my predicament, searching for any possible means of escape.

My mind raced, analysing the situation at hand. How had I ended up in this situation? What did these men want from me? The answers remained elusive, concealed within the shadows of uncertainty.

"Who are you?" I mustered the question, even though I knew they can't hear me. Matteo exchanged a meaningful glance with the tall guy, and I watched as he motioned for the tape to be removed from my mouth.

Anticipation mingled with trepidation as I prepared to face the enigmatic figures before me.

As the tape was forcefully ripped away, a sharp sting shot through my lips, causing me to wince. I glared defiantly at Matteo, a mix of anger and determination burning in my eyes. I refused to let fear consume me, even in the face of such uncertainty.

"Who are you guys, and what am I doing here?" I demanded, my voice laced with an undercurrent of seething anger. The realization dawned upon me, fuelled by their dark clothing and the circumstances that had led me to this point. I had been kidnapped.

The weight of the situation bore down on me, threatening to shatter my already fragile sense of security. It was too much to bear-betrayal, danger, and now this vile captivity.

The events of the day had unfolded with a cruel intensity, leaving me overwhelmed and struggling to find solid ground. It felt as though the universe conspired against me, a relentless force determined to break my spirit.

"The question should be, who are you working for?" Matteo's words sliced through the air, catching me off guard. Confusion etched across my face as I struggled to comprehend his accusation. What was he insinuating?

I stared at him incredulously, as if he had sprouted two heads. This was getting more absurd by the second. "What nonsense are you spouting now?" I retorted, my voice laced with frustration and disbelief.

His penetrating gaze bore into mine, his eyes filled with a mixture of suspicion and determination. "Why did you steal it?" Matteo pressed, his tone unwavering.

My confusion deepened, and I couldn't fathom what he was talking about. "Steal what?" I asked, my voice tinged with genuine bewilderment.

"Don't pretend you don't know what we're talking about," he responded, his voice holding an edge of accusation.

Anger flared within me at his baseless assumption. "Hey! Why would I want to pretend about something I obviously know nothing about?" I snapped, frustration tainting my words.

Matteo's unwavering gaze bore into me, and his words dripped with scepticism. "The parcel was right in your hands, so you must have known that guy."

A surge of indignation coursed through me. "What are you even talking about?" I insisted, my voice tinged with exasperation. "I did not know that guy. I stumbled upon him, and he thrust the parcel into my hands before running away. I have no idea what's inside it or why he gave it to me."

Matteo's smirk only served to fuel my frustration. It was clear he was determined to cast doubt upon my words, to weave a narrative that suited his own agenda. But I had nothing to hide, no ulterior motives lurking beneath the surface.

I desperately clung to the truth, emphasizing my innocence. "I lost my way in the woods. It was a mere accident, a twist of fate," I declared, my voice firm and resolute. "You can choose not to believe me, but that doesn't change the fact that I am telling the truth."

A heavy silence settled in the room, laden with tension and unspoken accusations. Matteo's expression hardened, a decision made within his eyes. "Take her away," he commanded, his voice cold and detached.

As the two guys released me from my restraints and led me away, I scanned my surroundings frantically, searching for any possible means of escape. But before I could make a move, Matteo's chilling voice cut through the air, freezing me in my tracks.

"Hey, if you don't want to die right now, follow them quietly," he warned, his words dripping with menace. Fear gripped me tightly, constricting my every thought. I knew I had to play along for now if I wanted to stay alive.