Chapter 130
The darkness was suffocating, pressing into my chest until I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My body ached from the beatings, my stomach churned from hunger, and my lips were so dry they felt like they’d crack with a single word. But the worst part wasn’t the physical pain—it was the hopelessness, the unrelenting thought that maybe this was it.
Maybe I wasn’t meant for this world.
I curled into a ball on the cold, damp floor, letting my thoughts spiral. I thought of my father, his warm laugh, and the way he’d hold my hand when I was scared as a child. I wanted that warmth again. I wanted him.
Maybe if I let go, I’d finally be with him.
The thought grew stronger, like a whisper in my mind, pulling me deeper into the abyss. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I let them fall freely. What was the point of trying anymore? Jake hated me, Sophie and Fatima had abandoned me, and the world I had tried so hard to hold onto had crumbled beneath my feet.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice.
“Get up.”
It was soft but firm, cutting through the fog in my mind like a blade.
I froze, straining to hear it again.
“Get up, Ayla. This isn’t the end. Not for you. Not for them.”
I sat up, my heart racing. The voice was familiar, comforting, and filled with an unshakable conviction. My mind raced as I thought of the twins. Was this about them?
My hands trembled as I pushed myself to my feet. My body screamed in protest, but I refused to listen. I stumbled toward the door, feeling along the rough walls for support.
“You can’t give up,” the voice whispered again. “They need you.”
I banged my fists against the door with every ounce of strength I had left.
“Let me out!” I screamed, my voice raw and desperate. “Open the door!”
My throat burned, but I kept shouting.
Minutes passed. It felt like an eternity before I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. My breath caught in my throat as the door creaked open, revealing Steve.
His face twisted into a scowl as he glared at me. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re making too much noise.”
I didn’t wait for him to step inside. Summoning every ounce of strength, I lunged forward and kicked him hard in the stomach. The surprise on his face was satisfying, even if only for a moment.
“You little—”
Before he could finish, I shoved him to the side and bolted up the stairs. My heart pounded in my ears as I ran, my bare feet slapping against the wooden floors. Freedom was so close I could taste it.
The front door was just ahead. I reached out, my fingers brushing the handle, when a hand yanked me back.
“Not so fast!” Steve growled, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him.
“No!” I screamed, kicking and thrashing with everything I had.
“Shut up!” he hissed, clamping a hand over my mouth.
I bit down hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood as he yelped and released me.
“You little bitch!” he shouted, but I didn’t stop.
I took off again, only for his foot to catch me in the side. The impact was like a battering ram, knocking the air from my lungs. I collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath as pain radiated through my body.
Steve grabbed me by the arm, dragging me back toward the basement. My nails scraped against the floor as I tried to grab onto anything, but it was useless. He was too strong.
“Let me go!” I screamed, my voice hoarse.
“You should’ve stayed down there,” he snarled, dragging me down the stairs. “You brought this on yourself.”
I tried to fight him off, kicking and scratching, but he slammed me against the wall, pinning me in place.
“You think you’re tough?” he sneered, his face inches from mine. “You’re nothing, Ayla. Nothing.”
I spat in his face, defiance flaring despite the fear gripping me.
His expression darkened, and before I could brace myself, his fist connected with my face. The force of the punch sent me sprawling to the floor, my vision swimming as pain exploded in my jaw.
I tasted blood as I tried to push myself up, but Steve grabbed my wrists, yanking me back against the wall.
“You want to fight?” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “Fine. Let’s see how tough you are now.”
He pulled out a set of chains, the metallic clinking sending a shiver down my spine.
“No,” I whispered, struggling against him. “Please, don’t do this.”
He ignored me, wrapping the chains around my wrists and securing them to a metal pole in the corner of the room.
“Steve, stop!” I cried, tears streaming down my face.
He moved to my ankles next, locking them in place with another set of chains.
“There,” he said, standing back to admire his handiwork. “Now you can’t cause any more trouble.”
I pulled against the restraints, but they didn’t budge. The cold metal bit into my skin, and I slumped in defeat.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Steve crouched down, his face inches from mine. “Because you’re pathetic. And it’s fun to watch you squirm.”
He stood up and walked toward the stairs.
“You’ll regret this,” I said, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
He paused at the doorway, looking back at me with a cruel smile. “No, Ayla. You’ll regret this.”
The door slammed shut, plunging me back into darkness.
I leaned my head against the pole, tears streaming down my face as sobs wracked my body. The cold metal burned against my skin, a constant reminder of how trapped I was.
The voice was silent now, leaving me alone with my despair.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to find strength in the darkness. This wasn’t the end. It couldn’t be.
But as the hours stretched on, hope felt like a distant memory, slipping further and further from my grasp.
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