Share

Inked lady

Author: Gracious
last update Last Updated: 2025-10-04 20:43:24

Darkness pressed in from all sides, thick and suffocating. Ariel was trapped in the cold, airless room, her clothes torn and worn out. The flicker of the single red light bulb overhead painted the room in red.

The dampness and cold clung to the corners, the tang of blood burned her nostrils. Her hands tightly knotted with a coarse rope as she sat in the center of the room.

Ariel couldn't speak, she struggled to take her balance on the chair. Her head fell to the side the more she tried to pick it up, her vision blurry. She heard voices but couldn't see them.

Footsteps were heavy, tender and deliberate and continuous right on the other side of the wall. Her wrists ached bound against a coarse rope that bit raw into her skin, every twist and turn causing tear and wound right on her wrist.

She struggled, the chair scraping faintly against concrete but the sound seemed to draw footsteps closer. The door creaked open, a tall and faceless shadow walked inside, with the black veil right over
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • A love unscripted    Another Welcome

    43:That morning the estate was quiet but the guards hadn't reduced. Ariel sat by the living room window, the unease from a couple nights ago still clinging to her. She looked twice at every shadow now, her eyes half shut while sleeping and her eyes constantly going over her shoulders.She set down her cup, rubbing her palms together. That's when she heard the faint tear of tyres against the gravel - a car packed at the entrance.“Who could that possibly be?” The question ran through her thoughts.She stood, curiosity roping her to the door. The moment it opened, her breath caught and her eyes fixed to it.“You?”Toria smiled small and sharp, “it's been a while.” She said softly.“What are you doing here?” Ariel questioned, her eyes lingering on Toria as confusion and anger gripped her.“You're still here?” She laughed. “Still playing Mrs Wilder, how cute.”Ariel blinked. “What are you doing here?” She asked again.Toria stepped inside with quiet grace, pulling off her fur coat. Her

  • A love unscripted    Shadows of Paris

    Nico and Ethan stole a glance at one another.“Uhmm… Connel.” Ethan called him.Connel looked at him, his eyes clearly turned towards Ethan.“2019…Paris, what happened there?” Ethan questioned, rubbing his hands on his chin.Connel stole a glance at Ethan and back at Nico, no response, just silence.Watson walked in and was filled in with the details of everything that went down. Watson and Connel have a different kind of bond, when it came to them it was like Watson was actually the father figure in Connel's life - Connel never left him out on anything, he always asked him for advice when he didn't know what to do and he respected so much.Connel continued to stare at the journal, the thoughts on who the mystery woman can be and how she got to know about Paris. Whatever happened in Paris was kept a secret for a reason, only three people knew about Paris - Connel, Toria and his father but if Toria and his dad were involved then there's a probability that her dad is involved.“Who else

  • A love unscripted    Close call

    The weather wasn't as cold as previous nights, silence carried the exact weight. The sky was clouded, street lights flickering against the fog. There was no movement or much presence of people, it's clear how well she likes her solidarity. Nico walked ahead scanning the environment while Ethan trailed behind. “It's been over two months since Ariel was kidnapped.” Ethan uttered, his hands tightened on his pocket as they walked. “So I'm confused why she will show up now.” “My thoughts exactly,” Nico confirmed. “I've been thinking about it as well.” There was silence between them as they walked. “And… I'm sorry for the other day with Connel.” Nico attempted an apology,the eyes fixed on the building. Ethan remembered the punch and placed his hands on his jaw, it felt like the pain was still there. “No need to apologize, besides you didn't throw the punch.” They laughed recalling what happened. “Right.” Nico let out. “Nico,” Ethan signalled him to look up ahead. They saw the build

  • A love unscripted    Woman in the east

    And just then he steals a glance at Connel, his face felt sweaty, his eyes wandered and his breathing got slower like he counted his breaths.“What are you hiding?” Ethan questioned.Connel looked up at him, puzzled. “What?” He shakes his head frantically.“Your face, it's doing that thing.” Ethan said. “You're hiding something, I can see it.”“There's nothing.” Connel paused. “Find this mystery woman.” He changed the conversation and dismissed Ethan.Connel wasn't admitting to hiding anything, instead he confidently said he wasn't and didn't want to press further. Ethan on the other hand knew this had to be about their father or maybe Ariel but he wasn't in the right position to question Connel especially not now.“I’ll get the Ravenco deal closed and you look a

  • A love unscripted    Attacks

    How do you feel?” Connel asked Ariel.In the past twenty-four hours, this was her first time being fully conscious ever since she got sedated by the doctor. She sat up on the bed, her pupils steady,a bit silent as she tried to recall what happened in the last few hours.The stares she left - confused, stressed and unsure. She took in deep breaths, heavy enough that even the walls of the room could hear.“Ariel,” Connel called out to her, as he reached for her hand.Ariel mumbled beneath her breaths.“Connel.” She cried out, weak but audible.“She… she hit me.” Ariel wailed, “She had me tied up.”“She?” Connel questioned.Ariel squeezed his hands, “Yes, the… tattoo, tattoo lady.” She stammered. “It was dark and, and&hellip

  • A love unscripted    Panic attacks

    Connel came in to check up on her, it had become a routine for that day. He feels like everything that he knew was turning around whoever this was,wherever this inked lady was,she was playing mind games and it's time to get to the bottom of this.No matter who it is, Ethan, the lady with the tattoo or even a family the person will face the drum. “Set a glass of juice and water in her room.” Connel informs one of the house keepers.But Connel didn't leave her room or her side, he watched her every move. Took notes of how she moved or even when she shakes in her sleep. And then his phone buzzed, he picked it up and identified the caller.“Connel,” Nico says over the phone. “He ain't corporating, what do I do?”“Send me the address, I'll be right there.” Connel instructed.That was all Connel said before he hung up, no further questions, nor conversation. He turned his head towards Ariel's direction, she was steady now, no more turns or shakes. She rested calmly like a little baby with

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status