Leah stirred slowly, her mind struggling to push through the heavy fog that clung to it. A low groan escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered open, but the effort alone felt like lifting a mountain. Her head pounded with a dull, relentless ache, and her throat was dry as though she hadn’t had a sip of water in days.“Arggh!!!” She groaned again.The first thing she noticed was the smell—stale air mixed with the faint, damp scent of concrete walls. And the floor beneath her was cold. She blinked hard, forcing her eyes to focus.The room had little lighting and Shadows stretched along the walls making the small space feel even more suffocating.Her chest tightened as realization dawned on her.This wasn’t her bed. This wasn’t Aunt Kate’s house. This wasn’t anywhere she recognized.Her breath quickened. “Wha—where… where am I?” she whispered hoarsely, her voice sounding foreign to her own ears.She tried to sit up, but the moment she pushed against the ground, she felt a sharp pain in

Leah’s throat was raw from screaming. Her voice had grown hoarse, but still she hadn’t stopped. For hours she had cried, banged her fists on the cold steel door, and yelled until her lungs burned. But it seems no one heard her cries.Her eyes were swollen and red, streaks of tears staining her cheeks. She sat slumped against the wall now, hugging her knees tightly to her chest, rocking herself slightly back and forth like a frightened child. The tiny barred window near the ceiling let in little light. The sun was up. Morning. She had survived the night, but only barely.Her trembling fingers brushed across her arms as she whispered to herself. “Please… please, Aunt Kate, Scott… somebody… just find me. Please…”But no answer came.Her thoughts drifted as her tears dried. Why me? she asked herself over and over again. She had no enemies. Who would go to such lengths to kidnap her?It had to be a mistake. Maybe the kidnappers meant to take someone else. Maybe they had confused her ident

Scott was thankful that aunt Kate hadn’t been awake to overhear their conversation. If Aunt Kate had heard that there was still no clue about Leah’s whereabouts, it would have only made her cry and worry even more.Suddenly, Aunt Kate jolted awake with a sharp gasp, her body trembling. Her hands flew to her face, and before Scott could react, tears were already spilling down her cheeks.Scott rushed to her immediately, kneeling in front of the couch. “Aunt Kate, what’s wrong?” His voice came out sharper than he intended, fueled by panic, but he softened it quickly. “What happened? Tell me.”Aunt Kate’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. “Scott…” her voice cracked, and she clutched his arm tightly. “I saw her… I saw Leah. Something terrible is happening to her. She was crying, Scott. She was crying out for me and I couldn’t reach her!”Scott frowned, gripping her shoulders firmly. “Aunt Kate, listen to me. It was a dream, alright? Just a dream. Nothing mo

Leah’s body trembled violently, her breath hitching in broken sobs that filled the dark, oppressive room. Her cheeks were wet, her lips quivered, and every part of her frame looked so small, so fragile against the cold concrete floor. She stared up at Victor, her tear-filled eyes reflecting both terror and disbelief.When he smirked, leaning back in his chair with that calm, arrogant ease, her sobs only grew louder. His words had just dropped like poison into her chest: he had found the perfect thing to do with her.Her voice broke as she begged, “W-What are you going to do to me? Please… please just tell me. Don’t keep playing with me like this. What are you planning? What do you want from me?”Victor’s smirk deepened, and he chuckled low in his throat. He rose slowly from his seat, every step echoing against the concrete floor. He stood tall over her, his shadow stretching across the floor until it swallowed her whole.“Why would I ruin the surprise, darling?” he said softly, almos

THE AUCTION HOUSEThe room was thick with smoke and the heavy scent of expensive cigars. Dim golden lights glowed from chandeliers above. Velvet curtains lined the walls, round tables were arranged across the floor, and men in suits seated comfortably with glasses in hand. Their laughter rose and fell like a wave.At the far end stood a wide podium, raised just enough to allow everyone in the house a clear view of the stage. Behind it was a massive banner with words in ornate gold letters: “Exclusive Auction: Only for the Elite.”The hum of conversation was cut short when a man in a perfectly tailored tuxedo strode confidently onto the podium. He carried himself like someone who had hosted many such events. His smile was wide and his eyes were cold. He raised a gloved hand, and the noise of the crowd dimmed instantly.“Gentlemen!” His voice boomed, echoing across the lavish hall. “And welcome once again to a night unlike any other. A night where fortunes are tested, where only the