2. Has she been kidnapped?

The moment my feet touched the ground outside, I froze. The world felt so big, so alive, and I was just standing there, afraid to blink in case it disappeared. The soft breeze brushed against my skin, carrying scents of fresh grass, flowers, and life itself. It felt strange yet beautiful… like a dream I’d been waiting to wake up from for years.

I tilted my head up, staring at the endless blue sky. It was brighter than I remembered, stretching wide like freedom itself. The sun warmed my face, and for a second, I just stood still, letting the warmth sink deep into my bones. My heart raced not from fear, not from sickness but from pure excitement, like a child seeing the world for the first time.

I felt tears prick my eyes, but this time, they weren’t from sadness alone. They were from the overwhelming beauty of being outside, breathing the same free air as everyone else. I wanted to run, to laugh, to spin around and scream that I was alive… even if my time was running out.

For years, I had only seen this world through a window. But now, standing here, I realized how much I had missed, how much life I had been locked away from.

Helen looked at me with a soft smile as we walked down to where her driver was waiting. “So…” she said, nudging my arm gently, “how does it feel to finally be outside after all these years?”

I stopped walking for a moment, my eyes wandering over everything the bright sky, the swaying trees, even the small butterflies dancing above the flowers. I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill my lungs before I whispered, my voice shaky, “It feels… unreal.”

Helen tilted her head, listening closely as I continued, my words trembling with emotion. “It’s like I’ve been trapped in a dark room for so long, and someone finally opened the door to let the light in. The air… the sun… even the smallest sound out here feels like magic.” My lips curved into a small, sad smile. “I didn’t realize how much I missed all this until now.”

Helen’s eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand gently. “Well,” she said with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood, “then we’re going to make sure you see everything today, the city, the park… but guess where we’re going first? The beach!”

Her words made my chest tighten, and before I could stop myself, a tear rolled down my cheek. But this time, it wasn’t sadness, it was joy, freedom, and a little piece of happiness I thought I’d never feel again.

“Are you okay?” Helen asked, noticing the tears in my eyes.

“Yes,” I said, smiling softly. “Just happy… Please, let’s go. I can’t wait anymore.”

We continued walking until we reached the car. The driver stared at me for a long moment, almost forgetting himself.

“Yes, I know she’s beautiful,” Helen said, rolling her eyes. “But don’t get lost staring. Open the damn door before I get you fired.”

The driver quickly blinked and shook his head, snapping back to reality as he hurried to open the door for me. I smiled politely and got in, followed by Helen, who slid in beside me. Moments later, the driver got into the front seat and started the engine.

As we drove off, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the window. My heart was racing as I looked at the streets I hadn’t seen in years. The people walking, the shops, the trees swaying gently, it was all so breathtakingly beautiful. For the first time in a long while, I found myself smiling without forcing it.

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The journey to the beach took two long hours, but the moment they arrived, As soon as they stepped out of the car, Alina's eyes went wide in wonder. It had been so many years since she last saw the ocean that she couldn’t even remember the feeling of being near it. A wave of joy washed over her, making her heart race with excitement.

Without thinking, she kicked off her shoes and ran toward the water, her laughter carried by the wind. She stood at the edge of the sea, watching as the waves rolled in, kissed the shore, and pulled back again. The sound was calming, almost like the ocean was whispering to her. Slowly, she dipped my feet into the water, shivering at its cold touch but smiling anyway.

Helen stood a little distance away, watching her quietly, her heart softening as she took in the sight. She didn’t know why Alina's parents had kept her inside for so many years, but one thing was certain: there had to be a reason. And until Alina was ready to tell her, she wouldn’t push. She just wanted her to enjoy this moment.

Hours passed as they played like children, laughing, running along the shore, and letting the waves chase them. Finally, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, they sat on the sand, side by side, watching the horizon.

“I’ll get us some cotton candy,” Helen said, standing up and brushing the sand from her dress. “After that, we’ll hit the shops and grab a few things before heading home.”

Alina smiled softly, nodding, eyes still fixed on the endless waves before her.

A few minutes later, Helen returned with two sticks of cotton candy in her hands, only to stop in her tracks. The spot where Alina had been sitting was empty. Panic flickered in her chest as she glanced around the beach, calling her name.

“Alina!” she shouted, but there was no answer.

Her hands trembled as she placed the cotton candy on the sand. That’s when she noticed a delicate bracelet lying there, glinting under the fading sunlight. She picked it up, recognizing it immediately; 

“This is Alina’s…” she whispered, her voice shaky. Fear gripped her heart as a horrible thought crossed her mind. “Wait… has she been kidnapped?”