0001.

(Sophia’s POV).

My heart pounded violently against my chest, each beat fast and excruciating. I strained my ears to catch the sound of slow claps and the deliberate click of heels against the floor.

Someone was approaching. I struggled against the ropes binding me to the chair, a surge of panic making me want to scream. But to whom? My mouth was gagged so tightly, stuffed with a handkerchief to ensure I couldn't make a sound.

My eyes were blindfolded, the fabric tied so securely that not even a sliver of light could seep through. I was engulfed in darkness, forced to rely solely on my ears to discern the sounds around me.

From what I could gather, there were likely four men in the room with me. The ropes binding me were unyielding, ensuring I remained seated against my will.

A chuckle shattered the silence, dripping with mockery at my feeble attempt to escape.

"What do you think you are doing? Trying to free yourself?" someone asked. I ignored the taunt, my hands still struggling against the restraints.

I heard footsteps approaching, then felt a rough hand on my face. An overwhelming urge to spit at him surged within me, but the gag rendered me powerless.

He removed the blindfold, and I squinted at the sudden light. The man before me had the most repulsive face I had ever seen. His hair was a tangled mess, and his beard was uneven, with patches cleanly shaved and others bristling with stubble.

He reeked of alcohol and sweat, his eyes roving over me with a sickening lust. As he reached to touch the side of my face, I turned my head away in disgust.

A thunderous slap followed, sharp and painful, causing me to bite my tongue. He grabbed my chin forcefully, forcing me to look up at him, his eyes filled with cruel amusement.

"Who do you think you are?" he demanded, his voice dripping with contempt. I glared back at him, defiant, but my defiance only seemed to enrage him further. Another slap landed, the sting intensifying the burning pain in my cheek.

I had no idea who these men were; I had never seen them before in my life. Today was supposed to be a celebration—our anniversary, Ray and I. We had gotten engaged three months ago, and our wedding was just a few months away.

A month ago, Ray had asked me for money to cover his mother’s hospital bills. He had exhausted his savings on a significant portion of the amount and needed more. Wanting to help, I gave him the money I had saved for my art exhibition, informing him of its purpose. He promised to repay me before the exhibition, which was now only a week away.

Earlier today, Ray had called, asking me to come over to collect the refund. I had happily agreed, eager for the chance to see him. We hadn't spent much time together recently, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to reconnect.

But when I arrived, Ray was nowhere to be found. His door was unlocked, and his room was in disarray. Panic surged through me as I stepped inside, fearing the worst—that he had been robbed or, even worse, killed and his body dumped in the house.

I grabbed my phone to call 911 and file a missing person report, but before I could dial, a sharp pain exploded at the back of my head. When I woke up, I was here, tied to a chair with no idea where I had been taken.

I tried to speak, desperate to understand who these men were and what they wanted. They must have mistaken me for someone else.

The man seemed to notice my expression. He walked over and removed my gag, allowing me to cough, spitting out saliva mixed with blood.

"You have something to say?" he taunted.

"Who are you people and what do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fear and pain. Tears welled up in my eyes, the sting of my cheek making them flow freely.

"You belong to me now. I made a deal with dear Ray," he replied, a mischievous smile twisting his lips.

"You're bluffing," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. There was no way Ray would do this to me. Absolutely no way.

He wouldn’t betray me, right? He said he loved me. He said he cared about me and if he didn’t, why the hell would he propose to me?

"You think I'm bluffing?" he sneered, pulling out a phone. I held my breath, apprehension tightening in my chest as I wondered what he was about to show me.

He smiled, adding a wink, then leaned forward, raising the phone to my eye level. He tapped the screen, and a recording played.

"Here is a picture of her… her name is Sophia Gordon. Take her far away and kill her, I owe her a lot I cannot pay back. I will pay you the rest of the money once the deed is completed.”

The recording ended, and he shoved the phone back into his pocket, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he studied my reaction.

I felt my heart squeeze in agony. The man I had planned to spend the rest of my life with wanted me dead—all for the money I lent him. He had promised to protect and love me, but it was all a lie. Tears slipped from my eyes, and I broke into sobs.

"Hey, don’t cry… I got you," the man mocked, streams of laughter escaping from him and the others. "Why cry over a man when you’ve got us? All four men, just for you, baby." Another burst of laughter followed his vile words.

They approached me, my heart pounding wildly. The thought of them attempting to defile me overwhelmed me with dread. There was no way I would let them do that—I’d rather die than become their sexual toy.

“Don’t touch me!” I yelled at the first one, as he attempted to lay his hand on my cheek.

He slapped me before kicking the chair I sat on. I fell back, hitting my head on the concrete. I could hear sounds of torn fabrics and I tried not to pass out from the pain.

“Please stop!” I begged, tears bursting from my eyes, as I struggled against the ropes that still restrained my movements.

They ignored me. Laughter echoing in the silence. I could feel their hands roaming over me and I shut my eyes, accepting my fate.

Ray had betrayed me. He had sold me off to get killed because he doesn't want to pay me back over one million dollars he borrowed from me. There was nothing I could do and with the intentions my captors had, I knew they’d do more than kill me.

“Did you not hear the lady, she said you should stop!”

There was silence. I threw my face to the entrance and felt a certain sense of relief. There was a man at the entrance, his hands were buried deep into the pockets of his long black overcoat.

He wore a black top hat, held a brief case in one hand and wore a black suit underneath the coat. His head was slightly lowered, his face obscured.

His head tilted slightly as he lifted it, his eyes met mine. I didn’t know why but I felt drawn to him like we had a connection. His oceanic blue eyes seemed to call to me. Despite the coldness they held, it felt like they warmed up for me.

“Who the hell are you?!” One of my captors asked with irritation tainting his voice. “Stay back! Stay right there or I shoot!” he warned as soon as my mysterious savior approached, with his heels going click clack against the concrete—Slow but steady.

I was losing consciousness. My world turning dark. I could hear the hollow sound of screams and the seemingly endless bursts of gunshots that enveloped the room.

I had no idea why but it was like his eyes had assured to protect me and so I let go, succumbing to the darkness that had wanted to claim me.