LOGINANDREA Opening my eyes felt like lifting a mountain. Everything was blurry at first, bright lights shaping into white ceilings and pale walls. It took me a moment to understand where I wasā¦a hospital room. I frowned weakly. The last thing I remembered was collapsing by the side of the road. I didnāt remember anyone finding me. I didnāt even remember being brought here. My head throbbed as I slowly turned it to the side. That was when I noticed someone sitting on the chair next to the bed, their head resting on their folded arms. Sleeping, or maybe passed out from exhaustion. I blinked a few times, trying to focus. Messy hair. Shoulders slumped. A rough, unshaven beard covering a face I knew too well. Dark eye bags, like he hadnāt slept in days. Alex. A small breath escaped me, shaky and confused. He looked nothing like the sharp and put together man I knew. He looked worn out, almost broken, like he had been fighting the world and loosing. He was right there beside meā¦like he
ALEXANDER I drove like a man possessed, not slowing down for a second until I saw the bright lights of the hospital ahead. My heart was hammering so hard I could barely breathe. The moment I reached the entrance, I didnāt even bother to park properly. I just threw the car door open and jumped out. The engine was still running when I sprinted through the sliding doors, my chest tight and my legs feeling like they could give out any second. āWhere is she?ā I shouted at the nurse behind the counter. āAndrea Dale! They just brought her in!ā The nurse looked startled, flipping through a few papers before answering quickly. āSheās in the emergency room. Theyāre treating her right now...ā I didnāt wait for her to finish. I ran down the hall, my shoes pounding against the floor, following the signs that pointed toward the emergency ward. When I reached the door, I was about to push it open when a nurse stepped in front of me, holding out her hands. āSir, you canāt go in there,ā she said
ANDREA I pushed myself up slowly, my legs shaking under me. Every muscle in my body ached, but I knew I couldnāt stay there. The thought of being found by them again sent a wave of panic through me. I had to move, even if I didnāt know where I was going. The ground was cold and rough under my bare feet. Every step stung as small stones and twigs dug into my skin, but I kept going. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering from both the cold and the fear crawling up my spine. The forest was silent except for the faint sound of crickets and the crunch of leaves under my feet. The air smelled damp, like rain and soil. Every shadow looked alive, every rustle made me flinch. I kept glancing over my shoulder, half expecting to see someone behind me. I didnāt know which direction I was heading. I just walked, moving through the darkness with my heart pounding hard enough to echo in my chest. Sometimes I tripped over roots or stumbled into branches, scratching my arms, but I didnāt s
ANDREA A sharp pain exploded through my stomach, knocking the air out of me. I gasped and curled up, clutching my side as tears burned my eyes. The pain was unbearable, spreading through my already bruised body like fire. I forced my eyes open, blinking through the blur of tears. My vision was hazy at first, but then I noticed someone, a small figure standing right in front of me. She wasnāt one of the men Iād seen before. This person was shorter, her build slimmer. She wore a black gown that clung to her frame and black heels that clicked lightly against the concrete floor. Her face was covered by a mask, hiding her features completely, but I could still feel her eyes on me. I tried to speak, but only a weak sound came out. My throat felt dry and raw, my voice barely a whisper. The woman didnāt say a word. She just stood there, staring down at me like I was nothing. My heart pounded in fear. Who was she? Why was she here? I tried to crawl backward, but my body wouldn
ANDREA Opening my eyes groggily, I felt a banging pain in my head that made everything spin. My body ached all over, every muscle screaming with pain. For a few seconds, I couldnāt even remember what had happened or where I was. The air smelled strange, damp and musty, like old walls and dust. When I tried to move, a sharp pain shot through my side and I gasped. My wrists burned where the ropes had rubbed my skin raw, and my stomach felt sore, each breath hurting more than the last. I blinked slowly, forcing my blurry vision to focus on my surroundings. This place looked different. Smaller. Darker. The floor was rough concrete and the walls were bare, with cracks running through them. There was no window this time, only a weak, flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, giving off just enough light for me to see an old chair and a few broken boxes in one corner. That was when it hit me...they had moved me again. My heart started racing. I turned my head quickly, looking aroun
ALEXANDER I was in the hospital corridor, barking orders into my phone. My voice echoed through the hallway, sharp and rough from exhaustion. āSearch the entire area where they found her,ā I said, pacing back and forth. āEvery corner, every house, every damn tree. I donāt care how long it takes, just find something! Anything!ā āYes, sir,ā one of my men replied quickly before I hung up. I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. My eyes burned from staying awake all night, but I didnāt care. Andrea was still out there. That was all that mattered. Hours passed like days. The quiet hum of the hospital made the wait worse. Everyone looked drained. Lexi sat in the corner with her head in her hands. Andrew stood by the door, silent but tense. Mr. Dale kept muttering prayers under his breath. Then finally, the doctor came out and said softly, āSheās awake now.ā We all rushed in. Kate was sitting up weakly, her eyes swollen and her lips dry. The moment she saw us, she broke







