"You- You're lying." I gave a nervous chuckle, "you were only nine or ten years old. A- A child is not capable of such a thing.""Well, I was a child then. But I was also a patient from the psychiatric ward." Raphael said, watching my reaction while he towered over me.***WRITER'S POV***TWELVE YEARS AGO...In the sterile corridor of a psychiatric ward, lined with closed doors. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead, casting an eerie glow. Suddenly, the sound of running footsteps echoes down the hallway. That was Raphael, a nine-year-old boy, his hospital gown billowing behind him as he sprinted towards freedom."I have to get out of here," Raphael said, breathless and eyes wide with exhilaration.He heard footsteps and almost panicked, "I thought no one was supposed to be out this late?" he thought to himself.Raphael darted around a corner, finding himself in a deserted reception area. He spotted an open window and rushed towards it, his heart pounding in his chest. With a surge of
I huddled in the corner, tears streaming down my face and my heart racing with nothing but fear since the conversation I had with Raphael.Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps pierced through the silence, sending a chill down my spine. Two menacing figures barged in, their eyes gleaming with malice as they advanced towards me."She's beautiful isn't she?" one of them said."I think she'll look even more hot in a hopeless state." the second responded while I shifted back from them.The first laughed, "The mere watching her struggle turns me on, man. I'll have to go first." the first said."No way. This was my idea so I will go first. Just in case the boss interrupts before another round." the second argued.My eyes widened in fear the moment I understood what those men were discussing and my heartbeat became painful.No. This can't be happening. Not to me. I was just about to scream but the first man noticed and stopped me in time, placing his hand tightly over my mouth."There
Raphael slapped me again, this time, even harder.He squatted down to my level and took hold of my arm, pulling me sharply towards himself as his grip tightened on my arm, "I'll do that too and you'll tell me who's better! Father or son!" he yelled, setting off all the alarms in my body.I winced as he handled me roughly, my heart racing with fear as I screamed at the top of my lungs. I tried my best to push him away, but his strength was overpowering. With a forceful gesture, he pushed me down, my back hitting against the floor as he forced my legs open, his intentions clear.Just as Raphael was about to proceed by pulling down my panties, the door swung open, and a figure stepped into the room, only to quickly avert their gaze. Raphael's eyes flashed with fury as he barked, "What is it?! How dare you walk in here?!"The intruder stammered, his eyes still averted, "Sir, there are some people around this area. And I think the police might be among them."Raphael's jaw clenched, his
KEITH POV I paced back and forth in my office, my face contorted with rage and fear while I remained on the phone with the head of the police department. "You call this an investigation?! My wife has been missing since yesterday, and you have NOTHING to show for it!" I shouted into the phone, grabbing another pen and breaking it in half to prevent myself from smashing my phone. "Mr. Keith, we're doing everything we can. But without any leads..." he tried to reason but all I heard was trash being spat out. "Leads?! Isn't that your job to find them?! My wife didn't just vanish into thin air! My son has her and if you let me get there first!..." I smashed my fist into my desk, leaving a hole in the middle as I withdrew my fist. .Every time! Every fucking time I called, it was the same pathetic excuse from the police. Useless bastards! "You're supposed to protect the citizens of this city, and you can't even find one woman?!" I raised my voice even more as my anger reached a bursting
BACK IN JENNA POV In the hotel room, adorned with makeshift wedding decorations. I was clad in a bridal gown and seated nervously as two women I'd never seen or met before fuss over me, adjusting my veil and fixing my hair. My eyes darted around the room, searching for an opportunity to escape but it was difficult as they kept forcing me to face the mirror. "You look so gorgeous in this dress." one of them complimented, beaming with a big smile. "That's true. I've never seen such radiance of beauty in my life. It means your groom chose well, my dear." the second chimed in. "Drop the compliments. You are both well aware that I have no intentions of being here." the smiles vanished the moment I spoke those words and then they both erupted into laughter. "Who do you think you are? Some sort of badass bitch?" the first said, pulling on my hair. I held her hand down as my mouth widened, almost letting out a scream, "Stop! Stop it!" I shouted. She dragged it one last time before le
I shook violently, tears streaming down my face as I screamed in horror, my hands desperately trying to muffle the sounds escaping from my trembling lips. The chaos around me blurred into a haze of fear and panic. Keith's grip around me tightened as he spun me around to face him once again, his arms a sturdy anchor in the storm of emotions. "Shh... It's alright. You're safe now," he whispered, his voice soothing my nerves. But I couldn't shake the images flashing through my mind. The gunshots, the screams, the violence. My heart pounded violently in my chest, the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I clung to Keith. The police evacuated everyone from the room and Keith held me close as we made our way out of the room, leaving behind the chaos and violence that had consumed me moments ago. The fresh air outside was a welcome relief, but the events of the day lingered heavily on my mind. As we stepped onto the tarmac, I saw a sleek private jet waiting for us, its engin
I sat huddled on my bed, surrounded by darkness that mirrors the fear gnawing at my heart. The events of the past few days replayed in my mind like a horror movie, each scene etched with the chilling presence of Raphael. I clutched my blanket tightly as if it were the only shield against the terrors lurking outside my door.For three days since I was saved, I've been in my bedroom, fearing to step out because there's no telling when Raphael might return once again.Suddenly, a soft knock interrupted my thoughts and I froze, my heart pounding with trepidation. The door creaked open, and Sarah slipped into the room, her silhouette illuminated by the faint glow of the hallway light."Jenna," Sarah's voice was gentle, filled with concern. "I'm here.""Keith let you in?" I asked her."Yeah, I had to tell him my sob story before he did, though. What you've done for me." Sarah said, climbing into the bed and sitting next to me.I sighed as I looked away from her, my eyes rimmed with exhau
Sarah POVI had my plan perfectly planned out in my head.Get them to lower their guard down, drug them, watch them doze off, and of course, I'll have Keith all to myself when he's deep asleep by the drug I injected into the mushrooms. And a good amount at that.I didn't think everything would work out so easily. How gullible can one person be? Just look at her, dozing off at the table like a child.I smile spread across my face as I watched her.I think I need to get to-" *yawn* "...bed," Jenna said, almost letting the drug finish her off in that spot if not for Keith who came to support her.Speaking of Keith, the guy looked barely affected by the drugged food and it shocked me because he finished an entire plate of it.No normal human should-"I'll take you to your room love," Keith said, lifting Jenna in his arms in bridal style.I hated watching that scene play out. Anything that made Jenna happy irked my skin. I and Raphael divorced only because of her.I thought my mom had gott