Chapter 3 Three

My heart drummed loudly inside my chest. The hairs at the back of my neck stood out. Sweat quickly formed on my skin, which I soon realised was goosebumps. At the tips of my fingers, it felt like tiny needles were prickling them. They were all fear. And surprise. Fear of what was to come out next. Fear of what I knew my father was going to say.

"Rose," my father called gently

"You're coming with me, girl." Samuel Curtez cuts my father off, causing me to snap my head towards him. He had a grim look on his face and a cornered grin on his lips. Why did he look like that? Why was he so amused? Well, I did look like someone who was about to wet her pants because I couldn't believe what he had just said. Coming with him? I looked back at my father for an explanation.

"Listen, Rose, you are better off with him. We made an arrangement, and he will take you right away. I am protecting you." My father rushed.

I'd thought I couldn't talk. For a second, I couldn't even move my lips. They couldn't even tremble even though they were so heavy of words to lash out. But suddenly, I felt my fingers move, and then my chest moved in a heavy sigh. I started to breathe fast. And I could finally speak. "I don't, " I stopped to blink and take a sharp break in. " I don't understand, Dad. What do you mean I'm better off with him?"

"Rose! You will do as I say!" My father yelled, venom in his voice. I began to shake my head in disapproval, tears brimming at my eyes. No, I would not agree to this madness. I looked at the door, and the door was shut close. My eyes moved to the staircase. None of Samuel's men were standing there. If I could just make a sprint for it, I would reach my bedroom in a few seconds and get off through my window.

Impulsely, I turned towards the stairs and tried to make a run, just in time for my father to make another attempt to make me agree to this insane nonsense.

"Listen, Rose, there is not much time." My father's words were again cut short as we heard the sound of a gun cracking. I froze for a second, and i turned around, and my eyes glided towards a pistol aiming at my head. And the hand that aimed it at me was Samuel's. I scoffed and let out a surprised sigh. Did he just point a gun at me? How am I supposed to live with this fucking psychopath if he just pulled a riffle at me right now, in front of my father?

But what I didn't understand was why? Why my father was letting all of this happen? Through the corners of my eyes I could see him standing helplessly, it was almost like I could see his body shivering. None of this makes sense.

Would I wake up from this nightmare if I pinched myself? I was a normal girl who went to school everyday. I'm supposed to be a normal girl. Is this going to be how my life ends? Everything I worked for?

"How would you wanna leave, love?" Samuel's voice tore through my heart "in my arms or in a body bag? You'll still be useful to me either way."

Goosebumps shrilled through my body like electricity. I felt the sweat that had accumulated on my face drip slowly down my face and neck. What am I even thinking, thinking I could run from this? This is Samuel Curtez standing right in front of me with a pistol pointed to my head. He wouldn't think twice before shooting the life out of me. I would just be another person he killed and would forget the moment he stepped out of here. It would be my loss.

My heart pondered as fresh tears slid down my cheeks. I saw him smile gently and nodded to one of his men from behind me. My eyes shifted to my father. At the time, I felt one of his men stopping right next to me and holding my arm. I felt him stick a cold metal against my upper arm, followed by a sharp pain. I only knew I'd been sedated when I started losing consciousness, and I fell into strong arms.

Hours Later.

I woke up to the sound of faint air sizzling around my ears and tenderly tapping against my skin. It felt really nice. I felt the weight of my body on my right arm as I lay on my right side. I could still feel the anesthesia left in my bloodstream, trying to pull me back into unconsciousness as I tried to peel my eyes open. The first thing I saw was white curtains flowing inside from the air coming in through the open balcony.

I slowly turned on my back and gazed at a beautiful white ceiling bearing a beautifully lit chandelier. The room was cozzy. I gently sat up and found myself wrapped up in a pale blue dress. It was more of a really long shirt that reached the middle of my thighs. I was too tired to even remember what I was wearing before and I how I'd gotten into this shirt.

The room walls were made of glass, and from this bed, I could see the different other walls outside, most of which were glasses too.

Where the hell am I?

I slowly stepped out of the bed, slow enough to prevent myself from leaving sounds.

I saw the doors wide open. But just before I could step out, I remembered how and why I was in this strange room.

Samuel Curtez. I was with him yesterday. Everything started coming back to me in a wave. My father asked me to leave with him. Samuel Curtez pointed a riffle at me as I tried to run off, that stinging sensation on my arm and the blackness that over took me.

Slowly, I turned back to the wide open door and wondered.' Why would he keep the doors open?'