Cold water splashed across Elena's face.
She gasped violently, jerking awake as the icy sting cut into her skin. Her vision swam before slowly sharpening into horror. She was bound to a rusted iron chair, her wrists rubbed raw and bruised from the rope that cut deep into her skin. Her ankles were tied just as tightly, forcing her to remain helpless.
The air was heavy with dampness. Rust, mold, and the faint metallic tang of blood clung to the room. Somewhere in the distance, machinery hummed faintly, as if the entire building was alive, breathing in the darkness.
Her heart hammered.
"Ahhh—!" Elena's scream cracked the silence. "Where… where am I?!" She thrashed against the ropes, the chair screeching on the floor. "Aira! Aira, are you here?! Please!"
A low groan came from the corner of the room.
Elena's head whipped around.
Aira was there—barely conscious. Her body curled weakly on the cold ground, trembling. Her face was pale, smeared with bruises. Blood stained her cracked lips. Every breath seemed a battle.
"Stay… calm," Aira forced out, her voice fragile but steady. "I'm here."
Elena's eyes filled with tears. "Oh my God…" She pulled desperately at the ropes, skin tearing. "What did they do to you?!"
Inside, Aira tried to suppress her pain, burying it beneath the only thought that mattered: This pain… it's nothing if it means Elena is safe.
The door groaned open.
Harsh light spilled in as two masked men entered, their heavy boots thudding against the concrete floor. Their faces were hidden, their expressions cold and merciless.
One tilted his head toward Elena. "Looks like the little one's awake."
Elena's blood ran cold, but fury rose hotter. She glared at them through her tears. "Don't you dare touch her!" she shouted when one of them glanced at Aira.
The taller man smirked beneath his mask. "Feisty. Let's see how long that lasts." He cracked his knuckles and stepped closer to her.
But before he could reach her, Aira dragged her battered body upright. She stumbled but forced herself in front of Elena, spreading her arms wide as if her broken frame could shield her.
"Don't touch her!" Aira rasped. "Take me! Hit me instead! Please!"
The second man chuckled darkly. "You're offering? Then so be it."
His boot slammed into Aira's stomach.
She choked on blood, collapsing with a strangled gasp, but even on the floor, she reached back, trying to shield Elena with her own body.
Elena's scream tore through the room. "STOP! STOP IT! She did nothing wrong!"
The man raised his hand toward Elena, anger flashing.
But before the blow landed, Aira clawed at his leg, dragging herself forward despite her shaking body. "You want pain?" she gasped. "Take me."
What followed was an hour of torment.
The men took turns, their blows raining down without mercy. Every sound echoed—thuds, cracks, choked cries. Blood spattered against the concrete. Aira bore it all, her body convulsing, her breaths ragged and shallow.
Elena's sobs filled the air, raw and broken. "Please stop! Please! She's done nothing wrong! Leave her alone! I'll do anything, just stop hurting her!"
But the men only laughed, their cruelty feeding on her desperation.
Through blurred vision, Aira's eyes found Elena's. Pain distorted her features, but in her gaze was only one truth. I promised I'd protect you. Even if you never believed in me.
Back at the Langford Mansion
The music had died down, guests thinning out as the night wore on. But Alec couldn't focus on anything around him. His jaw was tight, his phone gripped so hard his knuckles turned white.
He dialed again. No answer.
The knot in his chest grew heavier. "No," he muttered under his breath. "Something's wrong. I felt it from the start."
Jayden rolled his eyes from across the room. "Tch. Maybe they just went somewhere. Don't panic like a child."
But Alec wasn't listening. His instincts screamed louder than Jayden's dismissal. He strode to the window, staring out into the darkness beyond the estate walls, unease clawing at him.
Hours later.
An unknown location.
Alec sat before his laptop, his men gathered around. His pulse quickened as lines of code ran across the screen.
"Got it," he breathed. "A signal."
He pointed sharply at the blinking dot on the map. "Aira's phone pinged once before it was destroyed. Industrial district. Near the old factories."
His chest tightened at the thought.
Without waiting for approval, Alec grabbed his jacket and signaled his most trusted men. His voice was clipped, urgent. "We're moving out. Now."
His heart pounded as he slammed the car door shut, dread and determination tangled inside him.
Every second mattered.
Because if his instincts were right—Aira and Elena might not survive the night.