Chapter 2

• One of the men stood up, his demeanor cold and calculating. He began to circle Aria like a predator sizing up its prey. She felt a wave of confusion wash over her, mixed with a rising tide of anger. “What’s going on?" "What did you do?” she shouted, her voice trembling but fierce.
• “Don’t fight this, girl,” the man said, his voice low and menacing as he continued to inspect her. “You’re coming with us.”
• Before she could fully comprehend the situation, another man stepped forward, tossing a bundle of cash onto the floor beside Henry. The sound of the bills hitting the ground felt like a death knell, a stark reminder of the desperation and danger surrounding them.
• Henry’s eyes darted from Aria to the men, panic etched across his face. “Thank you,” he said, but Aria could see the truth in his eyes—he had sold her out for money, just like he had done with so many things in his life.
• “Henry, how could you?” She cried, her voice breaking. “You don’t care about me at all, do you?”
• He looked at her. “You’re just a burden, Aria!" I’m drowning in debt! This is the only way out!”
• Before she could fully process his words, one of the men lunged at her, grabbing her roughly by the arm. “Let go of me!” she screamed, instinctively fighting against his grip. She kicked and struggled, but it was futile; they were too strong, their hold unyielding.
• “Stop it!” the man growled, tightening his grip as he began to drag her toward the door. Aria’s heart raced, a mix of fear and fury coursing through her. She glanced back at Henry, who was still on the floor, his face pale and drawn. “Help me!” she cried out, desperation flooding her voice.
• Henry’s eyes were filled with anguish, but it was clear he wouldn’t lift a finger to help. "Just go!” he shouted.
• Tears sprang to Aria’s eyes as she felt the cold grip of fear tighten around her heart. “No! "I won't, you bastard! "My mom trusted you,” she shouted, but her words fell on deaf ears. The man dragging her was relentless, pulling her toward the door as she fought with every ounce of strength she had.
• “Let me go!" "You can’t do this!” she yelled, her voice filled with anger and desperation as she kicked and clawed at the man’s arms. But it was no use. They were too powerful, and as they pulled her into the night, the reality of her situation began to sink in.
• The last thing she saw was Henry’s anguished face, the blood on the floor, and the flickering lights of their broken home fading into the distance. As she was dragged away, a hollow fear settled in her stomach, and she realized that her life was about to change forever, all because of a man who had never truly cared for her.
• —
• Aria sat on the cold, damp floor of the dark basement, her wrists aching from the weight of the shackles that bound her. The metal bit into her skin, a constant reminder of her captivity. She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to find some semblance of comfort, but all she felt was despair.
• Tears streamed down her cheeks as memories flooded back—Henry’s betrayal, the look of indifference in his eyes as he sold her off like a piece of furniture. The anger that had fueled her fight against her captors now felt like a distant ember, smothered by the weight of hopelessness. She buried her face in her knees, sobbing quietly as she recalled the life she had known, even with its struggles.
• The basement was suffocatingly dark, the air thick and stale. Each breath felt heavy, and her throat was parched, a relentless thirst gnawing at her. She longed for a drop of water, anything to ease the dryness that clawed at her insides. But there was nothing—no sound, no light, just the oppressive silence that surrounded her.
• Aria's mouth was sealed with tape, a cruel reminder of her helplessness. She tried to call out, to scream for help, but all that escaped her lips was a muffled whimper. “Help me,” she thought desperately, her heart racing with fear. The darkness seemed to swallow her thoughts, leaving her feeling even more isolated.
• She thought of the small, broken home she had grown up in, of the fleeting moments of happiness amidst the chaos of Henry’s gambling and drinking. Those memories felt like a cruel joke now, taunting her with what she had lost.
• As she sat there, the reality of her situation pressed down on her like a weight she couldn’t escape. She was trapped, not just by the shackles but by the fear that had taken root in her heart. The basement felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from, a place where hope had been extinguished.
• The heavy door creaked open, and a few men stepped into the dark basement, their silhouettes looming ominously in the dim light. Aria's heart raced, fear coursing through her veins as she braced herself for what was to come.
• One of the men, the same one who had dragged her from her home, approached her with a predatory grin. He grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanking her to her feet. The sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through her wrists, still raw from the shackles. He quickly unlocked them and ripped the tape from her mouth, but before she could scream for help, he brandished a gun, pointing it threateningly at her.
• “Shut your mouth,” he warned, his voice low and menacing. “Be nice in front of the boss. He’s not kind like us.”
• Panic surged within her. “Please, just let me go!" "I want to go home!” she begged, her voice trembling.
• He threw his head back and laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the small space. “You’re a slave here now. Our boss bought you, so this is your home until your last breath. There’s no going back.”
• Aria felt her heart sink as despair washed over her. The reality of her situation settled in, and she realized the nightmare had only just begun.