The Wolfe & Co. building was quiet now, its glass walls reflecting the last orange streaks of the sun. Talia had settled back into her small room, folding away her uniform and humming softly to herself, her heart still light from the rooftop conversation with Adrian. The time was 10:30p.m.
Then her phone buzzed.
She reached for it, expecting a sweet goodnight text. But instead, she found a new message:
"A package has been delivered for you. It's from Adrian Wolfe. Kindly pick it up in front of the building, near the main gate."
Her pulse quickened. For a moment, she frowned—Adrian hadn't mentioned anything about a delivery. Still, she thought of his endless surprises: the groceries for her parents, the roses, the thoughtful gestures. Perhaps this was another one of those. Her lips curved in a smile, though a sliver of unease lingered.
Talia slipped on a light sweater and stepped into the night. The grounds outside were eerily quiet; the security lights cast long shadows across the pavement. There, just beyond the main entrance, a small box sat neatly on the ground.
She looked around. No one. Just the faint hum of the street.
Carefully, she bent to pick it up.
The moment her fingers touched the box—
A sharp thud landed at the back of her head. Her eyes widened, the world spinning violently. The box slipped from her hands, scattering against the pavement.
Darkness swallowed her whole before she could even cry out.
The last thing she thought of, faintly, was Adrian's name flashing across that text…
And then—nothing.
The blow to her head had dragged her into complete darkness. She never felt the rough hands that caught her as her body crumpled to the ground, nor the black cloth bag that was pulled tightly over her face. She only stirred faintly as strange men lifted her into a van and drove her away into the night.
When she finally woke up, her head throbbed. The bag was gone, but her wrists felt weak and heavy. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the dim light of the room.
The space was unsettlingly simple—white walls, a small bed pushed against the corner, and a single bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting a sickly yellow glow. A faint floral scent lingered in the air, clashing with the dread pressing on her chest.
Talia sat up sharply, her heart pounding.
"Hello?!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "Is anyone here?!"
Her voice echoed back at her, but no one answered.
She stumbled to the door, pressing her palms against it, banging with all her strength. "Somebody! Please! Let me out! Adrian! Adrian!"
Nothing. Only silence.
Her panic grew. She rushed to the small window near the ceiling, but it was barred tightly, allowing only a trickle of night air to seep in.
She slid back down onto the cold floor, tears streaming as fear consumed her. Every corner of the room screamed trap. Whoever had taken her had planned this carefully.
Her body shook as she whispered through sobs, "Adrian… please find me…"
The clock on the wall ticked past midnight, its sound scraping against Talia's nerves. She had been curled up on the small bed, whispering prayers into her palms, when the heavy door suddenly creaked open.
Her heart leapt.
A man stepped in, swaying slightly. His eyes were bloodshot, his breath reeked of alcohol and something bitter—drugs. In his hand was a small tray with food: a piece of bread and a bottle of water.
"You…" Talia stammered, pressing her back to the wall. "Who are you? Please… let me go."
The man chuckled low, his steps dragging as he came closer. "Eat," he said hoarsely, placing the tray on the bed. "You'll need your strength."
"I'm not eating that!" she cried, shaking her head violently. "I don't want it!"
Her refusal seemed to irritate him. His jaw tightened, and suddenly he grabbed her arm, shoving her roughly onto the bed.
"Be a good girl," he hissed, leaning too close, his hand brushing against her trembling skin.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed, her voice breaking into wild sobs. "Please, don't touch me!"
The sound of her desperation echoed through the room, piercing the stale air. For a moment, the man's hazy eyes wavered. Then he shoved her harder into the mattress.
"You'll learn," he growled darkly. "Nobody's coming for you. So behave."
With that, he stood abruptly, leaving the tray untouched and slamming the door shut behind him.
Talia clutched herself tightly, shaking, the tears flowing endlessly. She buried her face in her hands and screamed into the emptiness:
"Who's doing this to me?! Why?!"
Her cries were swallowed by the silence of the walls, leaving her alone again—terrified, broken, and unanswered.