Chapter 5 The room

Chapter 5

Namida's POV

I woke up in an unfamiliar room, my hands and feet bound, with something covering my mouth.

Where am I?

Fear immediately surged through my chest as I noticed the place was old and dirty, with splatters of dried red liquid on the floor and walls, and a photo stuck to the wall.

Tears began to flow when I saw that the photo was of me. The entire picture had been crossed out, with some kind of red liquid dripping from it.

Blood...?

Who could be so heartless to do this to me? Why did they kidnap me, and what do they want from me?

I have to escape!

I tried to move my arms and legs, but the restraints were too tight. I need to get out of here, but how?

Suddenly, I remembered my school bag. There was a pair of scissors inside, but it wasn't here.

I looked around, hoping to find something in the room. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could help me escape. Even if I screamed, no one would hear me because of the gag covering my mouth.

Is this really how my life ends?

I couldn't stop the tears from falling again. Now, I'm truly afraid for my life. I'm scared of what might happen to me in this unfamiliar place.

But no, I can't give up. I need to save myself. This isn't the right time for me to leave this world.

I tried to free myself from the restraints, but it was exhausting as they only tightened further.

But I didn't give up. I can't let myself die in this place-die at the hands of whoever kidnapped me. I can't-

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. I quickly looked at the door, and my tears flowed more as it slowly opened.

I tried to steel myself, but I froze in place, staring at the person standing in the doorway. If I'm not mistaken, this is the person I saw earlier in the parking lot.

My body trembled uncontrollably, and fear coursed through my system as they slowly approached me, laughing like a demon.

"Hmp! Hmp!" I tried to scream, but this only made them laugh louder.

'I have to get out of here, I have to get out of here, help!'

I tried to free myself again, but the demon only laughed at my efforts.

"Don't even think about escaping, girl, because there's no way out for you," they said in a demonic tone, laughing loudly again.

The fear and dread I felt doubled. What am I going to do? It's not my time to die yet.

But...

I started to lose hope as they grabbed my trembling foot roughly.

I felt even more terrified as they leaned in close to my ear. "Your time is running out, girl," they whispered menacingly before standing up.

"Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock," they added, pulling something from behind them.

My eyes widened in terror when I saw the gun in their grip. With a menacing look, they pointed it directly at me.

"Hmp! Hmp!"

I shook my head frantically, my eyes pleading with them not to go through with their plan.

No, please.

'Please, Lord, help me, save me... please.'

I prayed silently, hoping that an angel would suddenly appear and rescue me-

But...

It seemed impossible-

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

I quickly closed my eyes when they pulled the trigger, but slowly opened them when I realized no bullet had hit me.

Their demonic laughter echoed through the room as they kept the gun aimed at me.

"Scared, aren't you?"

I glared at them through my tears, which continued to flow.

"Hmp! Hmpp!"

I tried to scream again and forcefully moved my foot to kick them, but all I got was a hard slap.

Not satisfied, they slapped me again, this time hard enough to knock the gag off my mouth.

"Help! Somebody help me!" I screamed, but they grabbed my jaw tightly.

"No one can hear you, no matter how loud you scream!" they spat, slapping me hard again.

I fell to the floor, spitting blood. "W-who are you? W-what do you want from me?" I asked, struggling to speak.

"I am death, and I'm here to kill you," they said coldly, laughing like a demon again.

"Please... just let me go. I haven't done anything wrong."

"HAHA! Don't you dare speak English to me, girl!"

They moved to grab my jaw again, but I quickly dodged. "W-what do you want from me? Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, trying to sound strong.

They laughed again, waving the gun in their hand. "Simple. I want your life... in exchange for something that will change mine."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Ha! Do you think I'll let that happen? Don't even wish for your life to change, because there are only two places you're headed," I said, glaring at them with a grin. "Prison or the grave."

Their demonic laughter filled the space again as they forcefully grabbed my arm.

I endured the pain and glared at them. "I won't let you get what you want. Once I'm free from these bonds, you'll be in hell," I spat, then spat on them.

They threw me to the ground with enough force to make me fall.

"You're too bold for someone who can't even fight back," they taunted, standing over me. "What should I do to you before I kill you?"

I didn't let their words affect me. Instead, I forcefully moved my hands, still tied behind my back. I had to escape. I couldn't die here.

"Aha! I know..." they said, leaning close to my ear. "Let's have some fun first," they whispered, sending chills down my spine.

But I didn't waver. I gathered all my strength and slammed my head into their face, making them step back. Despite the pain it caused me, I endured it and quickly crawled toward the door.

But before I could reach it, they yanked my hair hard, making me scream in pain.

"Urgh!" I coughed and spat out blood as they punched me hard in the stomach.

Even though I was struggling, I forced myself to look at them and smirked mockingly. I would fight as long as I could.

"Y-you're good at p-punching, just like Pacquiao," I whispered sarcastically, a mocking grin playing on my lips.

If I give up, it's like I'm killing myself. I have to stay strong; I can't lose hope.

I collapsed on the floor again, spitting out blood as they slapped me hard with the gun.

Using the last of my strength, I got up again and spat at them. Another grin spread across my face. Even though I couldn't see their face, I could tell they were getting annoyed.

"W-why don't you just take off your mask? You must be really ugly," I said with difficulty, laughing at them like a demon.

"Urgh!" I spat out blood again as they kicked me in the stomach.

They grabbed my hair again and slapped me hard. My body was in so much pain.

Just a little more... and I'll give up.

They quickly pulled out another gun from their pocket and pointed it at me.

"If the gun earlier had no bullet, this one does, and one shot... you're done!"

I just stared at them. My body was wracked with pain. I tried to stand, but I was too weak.

I can't take it anymore... I can't fight back.

As my chest tightened, I lost all hope.

Maybe I won't survive after all...

I slowly closed my. Eyes ters streamed down my face

Namida's POV

I thought it was the end...

But...

Everything seemed to move in slow motion...

The next thing I knew, I saw a tall guy standing in front of the criminal, who was now lying on the floor, clutching his stomach tightly.

In the blink of an eye, the tall guy was standing before me, breathing heavily. I could feel his anger through the way his fists were clenched and his jaw tightened.

Time seemed to slow as the man slowly lifted his gaze.

When our eyes met, my heart pounded loudly, and my tears started to flow again. I couldn't explain why, but I suddenly felt at ease; the fear that had gripped me moments ago vanished.

'If it weren't for you, I would probably be dead right now.'

I really thought this would be my last day in this world. But suddenly, I was filled with life again; the thought of it being my last day slowly changed and was replaced with hope.

In that moment, I felt like there was nothing left to fear because I knew I was safe.

The criminal suddenly got up, and the man immediately approached and kicked him in the stomach. But the criminal retaliated with a strong kick to the man's leg, causing him to kneel.

The criminal quickly recovered and kicked the man who saved me in the stomach again, knocking him to the floor.

The criminal was about to flee, but the man quickly kicked his leg, causing him to stumble to the ground. However, the criminal swiftly got back up and landed a strong kick on the man, knocking him down again.

I suddenly felt a surge of worry when I saw the man spit blood.

The criminal took the chance to escape and ran quickly, but the man chased after him.

However, after a few seconds, the man returned, his fists clenched tightly.

"Damn it!" he cursed, punching the wall. He was probably angry that he couldn't catch the criminal.

He quickly turned when he heard me cough.

"Are you okay? Just hold on, I'll get you out of here," he said, his jaw tight as he approached me.

He removed the bindings from my wrists, then helped me to my feet.

"Can you walk?"

My body was too weak, and I sank back down to the floor. He knelt beside me, gently cupping my cheek, which surprised me.

The darkness in his eyes suddenly softened as he gazed at me.

"I'm sorry..."

Those words, coming from his lips, made my tears flow again.

This is the first time I've heard those words from him...

"T-thank you–" I coughed suddenly, clutching my chest as it tightened.

I looked at him again. Amidst the pain, I managed to give him the sweetest smile.

I saw him pause for a second as his gaze held mine. His eyes were filled with unspoken words...

But just as quickly, he turned his gaze away and clenched his jaw.

He checked his wristwatch. "We need to get out of here," he said, helping me to my feet.

I secretly smiled to myself, grateful to this man because, at last, I would be safe.

But...

"You won't escape anymore,"

I was shocked to hear that familiar voice behind us.

I quickly turned around, and my shock deepened when I saw him pull the trigger. I knew the bullet wasn't aimed at me but at the man beside me, who didn't seem to have any intention of moving.

Before it was too late, I quickly hugged the man to push him down to the floor, but it was already too late, for as I embraced him, the bullet struck my back.

To Be Continued....