Prologue

My footsteps echoed all over the floor of that huge building, sweat dripped down my face and onto my shirt, making it soaked, running in that dimly lit place, I needed to get out of there as fast as possible.

- My love, please come back! - The screams of that lunatic calling me echoed in my ears, making me shudder in terror. I tightened my pace as I continued to search for a way out of the endless maze, lured into a trap, like a moth guided into the light.

- Baby, let's talk! I love you, let's not fight, I promise! - He continued to shout, only this time it seemed closer.

Desperation coursed through my body, any noise made me alarmed and scared.

"I need to get out of here, but which way! I thought desperately."

"My love, please help me! I asked, hoping that my thoughts would reach him."

- I found it! - He shouted, making me look around in fear that I wouldn't see him anywhere, yet in a desperate measure I walked through a door on the right.

I knew I was on the third floor, but I couldn't find any stairs or elevators, that building was huge, and I didn't know where to go, I needed to take desperate measures, I needed to save myself, to have a chance to get back to my beloved, I couldn't stay there any longer. I looked around the space, it was almost empty except for a few chairs and a school table, the place had nothing else, I ran to get a chair in the middle of the room, thinking to lock the door and buy some time to think, in order to escape, but as soon as I approached, he came.

- I found you, baby! - And then his footsteps stopped, my heart froze, my legs locked in place for a few seconds, it was as if I saw death in front of me, I dropped the chair to the floor while keeping my eyes wide open and alert for any movement of his.

In front of me was the man I thought was of exemplary integrity and character, I was really wrong, appearances can be deceiving, and now because of this faulty judgment, I was here in this situation, about to die, to die in his hand, maybe dying is no worse than imagining what he can do to my body, and I would never allow it.

- My love, come, let's be happy together or do you prefer that monster! - I remained silent, without knowing how to answer.

He came towards me with a big knife in his hands that he thought was so sharp that any carelessness could cut anything, especially my flesh, his look was chilling, his smile was macabre, he exuded madness and hatred towards me, he took a step towards me forcing me to take two steps back, his look transmitted fury making him walk again with heavy and firm steps. I had no choice but to face him or surrender, and I certainly wouldn't have the strength to get out of his clutches if we got into a wrestling match, I took a few more steps back, reaching the window. On the third floor, I would either stay and be tortured or have the slightest chance of saving myself and getting back to the one I love, but it was the third floor, what chance did I have of surviving?

- Stay there or I'll jump! - I threatened to climb out the window, he stopped, looking at me, it seemed he was analyzing me, maybe to know if it was true or not that I would jump from that height, but still he didn't give up and ran towards me, my attempt to gain time failed, I took a deep breath and let go. I felt my body fall, everything I have done and experienced in my life went through my eyes, I closed them tightly and waited for the impact, I was afraid of dying, I didn't want to die, I just wanted to get back to him.

"My love, forgive me."