Bound by Shadows

Chapter 1: The Awakening

A sharp pain pulsed through my head, dragging me out of the darkness.

I groaned, trying to move, but my arms wouldn’t budge. My wrists burned. Rope. Tight, rough, unyielding.

Panic shot through me. Where am I?

I blinked, but my vision was blurry. My breathing turned shallow as my mind raced, piecing together the last thing I remembered. Walking home. The empty street. A shadow moving too fast. A hand over my mouth. Then… nothing.

My pulse pounded in my ears.

I wasn’t home.

The air smelled of damp wood and something metallic—blood? I shuddered. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a weak, flickering bulb above me. I was trapped.

Then, I heard it.

Footsteps.

Slow, deliberate. Each step sent a chill down my spine.

The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. Tall. Broad shoulders. Cold, unreadable eyes.

He didn’t speak right away. He just stared, his gaze heavy, like he was studying me.

“Awake already?” His voice was deep, eerily calm.

I swallowed hard. “Who are you?” My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Why am I here?”

No answer.

He walked closer, crouching down until he was at eye level. I flinched as his fingers gripped my chin, tilting my face up.

“You ask too many questions,” he murmured.

I glared at him, refusing to look away. My heart was hammering, but I wouldn’t let him see my fear.

“Let me go,” I said, my voice stronger this time. “I don’t even know who you are!”

His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “That’s the point.”

My stomach twisted.

“What do you want from me?” I demanded.

He finally let go and stood up, stepping back. “It’s not about what I want,” he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather. “It’s about what they want.”

They?

Before I could ask, he turned and walked to the door.

“Get some rest,” he said, and then, with a final click of the lock, he was gone.

Silence.

I exhaled shakily, my hands trembling against the rope. Who were they? Why me?

One thing was certain—I wasn’t waiting around to find out. I had to escape.

Chapter 2: The Stranger’s Name

I sat still, my wrists hurting from the rough rope. My heart was beating fast, but I tried to think. I had to stay calm.

Who was he?

What did he mean by they?

And why was I here?

I looked around the small room. The walls were old, the light above me flickered, and the air smelled damp. There was a bed in the corner, a small table, and a locked door. No windows. No way out.

I pulled at the rope around my wrists. Too tight. My skin stung from the rough fibers.

Then—a sound.

The door handle turned, and the door opened. He was back.

This time, he carried a small bag. He dropped it on the floor near me and knelt down.

“Eat,” he said.

I frowned. “What?”

He nodded toward the bag. “You need food.”

I stared at him. Why would my kidnapper care if I ate?

“I’m not eating anything from you,” I said.

His expression didn’t change. “Suit yourself.”

He stood up and turned to leave.

“Wait,” I said quickly.

He stopped but didn’t turn around.

I swallowed hard. “Who are you?”

A short silence. Then—

“Firas.”

His name felt cold in the air.

I took a deep breath. “Why me? What do they want?”

This time, he turned slightly. A small smirk appeared on his lips.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

And then, he was gone again.

I stared at the locked door, frustration building inside me. Soon enough? What does that even mean?

I looked down at my wrists. The rope had loosened a little from my struggling earlier. Maybe, just maybe…

I wasn’t going to wait for answers.

I was going to escape.

What’s Next?

In Chapter 3, Lina tries to escape—coming soon...