Chapter 1 1

The dimly lit bar buzzed with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Neon lights flickered above, casting a colorful glow over the worn wooden tables and the bar counter. Aria Monroe stood behind the counter, her hands moving deftly as she wiped down the surface, glancing occasionally at the patrons scattered throughout the room. She had learned to navigate this space with caution, especially when it came to the group of men who often occupied the VIP section.

As she poured a drink for a customer, her gaze drifted toward the back of the bar. There they were again-a group of well-dressed men, their laughter echoing through the air, but it was the sight of the glinting guns tucked into their waistbands that made her stomach churn. She felt a shiver run down her spine, a familiar tension tightening in her chest.

"Hey, Sophie!" she called out, trying to keep her voice steady. "Can you take that table in the back? The one with the guys?"

Sophie Bennett, her friend and fellow waitress, looked up from her own table, her brow furrowing slightly. "You mean the gangsters? Come on, Aria. Not all men are perverts."

Aria shook her head, biting her lip. "I don't like when someone touches me. I save myself for my future husband." The words came out a little more defiantly than she intended, but the truth was, she had dreams-dreams that extended far beyond this bar and its dangerous clientele.

Sophie rolled her eyes, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "You've said that a million times! Miami, right? You're going to graduate and start a new life in the sunshine. What happened to your 'make it big' plan?"

Aria crossed her arms, feigning anger. "I will!" Just you wait. I'll be sipping cocktails on the beach while you're still here dealing with these creeps."

Sophie laughed, the sound lightening the heavy atmosphere around them. "Yeah, right! I can see it now: "Aria Monroe, the cocktail queen of Miami!"

Aria couldn't help but chuckle, her heart warming at the thought of a brighter future. "You know it! I'll have a whole new life, away from all this." She gestured around the bar, her eyes scanning the room filled with smoke and shadows.

"Sure, and I'll be right here, waiting for your postcards," Sophie teased, rolling her eyes again. "But seriously, you need to be careful. Just because you want a better life doesn't mean you can ignore the reality of this one."

Aria nodded, knowing Sophie was right. The bar was a dangerous place, especially with men like those in the VIP section. She could feel their eyes on her, assessing, judging. But she had made a vow to herself-to stay strong and focused on her dreams.

"Okay, okay," she relented, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'll go back to cleaning glasses while you brave the lions in the den."

Sophie laughed again, shaking her head as she made her way toward the back. Aria watched her go, feeling a mix of admiration and apprehension. She wanted to believe in a future free from fear, a life where she could be herself without the threat of unwanted attention.

-

Aria blinked her eyes open, only to be met with an overwhelming darkness that enveloped her like a suffocating blanket. The coldness of the concrete floor seeped into her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory. Just few days ago, she had been at the bar, finishing her shift, dreaming of her future in Miami. Now, she found herself in a dim, cold basement, shackled at the wrists, her mouth sealed shut with tape.

Panic surged through her veins, and she instinctively tugged at the shackles, the metal biting into her skin. A muffled cry escaped her lips, but the sound was stifled by the tape, leaving her feeling helpless and terrified. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision as the reality of her situation began to sink in. She felt utterly devastated; the weight of her circumstances crashed down on her like a tidal wave.

The basement was eerily silent, save for the sound of her shallow breaths and the faint echo of her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She strained to listen for any signs of life, any indication that she wasn't alone in this nightmare. But all she could hear was the oppressive stillness, amplifying her sense of isolation.

Aria's mind raced as she tried to remember what had happened. She recalled the bar, the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the fleeting moments of joy with her friend. She had been excited about her upcoming graduation and the prospect of a new life. But then, everything changed in the blink of an eye.

A flash of memory pierced through the fog of confusion-she had been walking home, her thoughts consumed with studying for her final exam. The streetlights flickered overhead as she made her way down the familiar path, her backpack heavy with textbooks. She could still feel the warmth of the evening sun on her skin, the comforting hum of life surrounding her. But that warmth had been replaced by the cold dread now wrapping around her like a vice.

--

Aria rushed through the front door of her small house; an unsettling silence hung in the air. She called out, "Henry?" Where are you? But her voice echoed back at her, unanswered.

As she stepped further inside, a chill crept down her spine. The living room, cluttered with empty bottles and old newspapers, was dimly lit by a flickering bulb overhead. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong. She moved cautiously, her senses heightened, and then she froze.

In the middle of the room, Henry lay on the floor, blood pooling around him. A group of men surrounded him, their faces obscured by shadows and the glint of weapons reflecting the scant light. Aria's eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene, her breath hitching in her throat.

"There she is!" Take her and leave me!" Henry's voice was weak and desperate, but it was laced with a familiar edge of selfishness. He struggled to push himself up, but the pain etched on his face told her he couldn't fight anymore.

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