Melanie

I woke up in a cold, dimly lit room, my body aching and my throat dry, obviously from my loud cries. I tried to recall how I'd ended here and almost immediately, the scene came flashing through my mind.

How I'd gotten the information that Nikolai Volkov had been released from jail and how I tried to leave the city with my sister, but we were stopped on our way by the same man I was trying to run away from.

The driver's lifeless body, Nikolai's smug smile, and my sister's cries as I was taken away.

I struggled to sit up, my hands trembling as I took in my surroundings. The room is sparse, with only a small bed and a single barred window high above my head. I stumbled to the door, pounding on it with my fists, just like I'd done earlier.

“Let me out of here.” I yelled at the top of my voice, but it came out hoarse. The only response was the echo of my own cries. I slumped against the door, defeated.

I pushed myself away from the door and looked around the room again, desperate for a way out. I need to get to my sister. I need to know if she's alive, if Nikolai had killed her or not.

The barred window seemed like my only hope of escape, but it was too high.

The sound of footsteps outside the door snapped me back to the present. I froze, my heart pounding as the lock clicked. The door swung open and a lady stepped inside.

She's holding a tray with a single glass of water and a piece of dry bread. “I brought your food.” She said with a small smile on her face, but I shot her a harsh glare.

“Take it away, I'm not hungry!” I spat, but she ignored me as she took the tray to the only table in the room and placed it there.

One moment, the room was empty, with just me and the strange woman. The next, my skin prickled, the way it does when you feel someone standing too close behind you. The air smelled different. A faint trace of leather and winter wind, mixed with a faint scent of cigarettes.

My breath slowed. I hadn’t heard his footsteps, but the air in the room had changed. I turned to confirm it and there he was, even though I already had a guess.

He was here! Nikolai Volkov was here in the room with me. His eyes were fixed on me, like an eagle, watching its prey.

“Eat.” He said in a low but commanding voice, his voice devoid of any emotions.

I stared at him, my fear mingling with anger. “Why are you doing this to me?” I demanded, my voice shaking. Boy I knew exactly why he was doing this. I lied against him in court. Of course he wouldn't let me go easily, but I needed to try my luck.

He didn't respond. He just signalled the old lady to leave. I anticipated what he wanted to do, since he had asked the lady to leave. But he didn't do anything.

“Where is my sister, please?” I inquired hoping silently that he wouldn't ignore me. I really needed to know where Betty was. Not knowing where she was or if she was still alive was driving me crazy. “Can I see her please? Is she still alive?”

He didn't respond. Instead he just turned around to leave without a word.

“Wait!” I cried, desperation creeping into my voice. “Please just let me go. I'll disappear. You'll never see me again.”

He paused, his hand on the doorframe. For a moment, I thought he might reconsider, but then, he looked over his shoulder. “I'll be damned to let you leave, Miss Sterling.” He winked at me before walking away.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands gripping the sheets tightly, my knuckles white. My mind raced with different thoughts on how to find a way out. I can't stay here anymore, not another day, not another hour. I'll lose my senses if I have to keep staying here.

Therefore, I have to escape.

But the question is…. How? There was no way of escape.

My eyes darted to the window. It was my first thought, my only hope for a quick exit. I crossed the room quickly, my bare feet barely making any sound on the cold stone floor.

I managed to get to the window. It was narrow and when I pushed it open, a gust of wind hit my face. I leaned out, my heart sinking when I saw the ground far below.

The drop was too great and the window itself was too small for me to squeeze through. Even if I could, there was no way to climb down without breaking my neck or for worse, losing my life.

I slammed the window shut, frustration building up gradually inside me.

Now the door was my only option, but I knew that it wouldn't be easy. Nikolai's men would definitely be nearby. They'll be stationed around every corner of this house. I have to be careful. One wrong move and I'd lose my only chance to escape.

I began to pace, my mind working furiously. I need a plan. I can't just dart out the door and hope for the best. I have to outsmart them, just live what I'd learnt during my days at the orphanage. My eyes fell on the food tray left from my last meal. The utensils were useless, but the tray…. It could help. Immediately, I picked it up, testing its weight on my hands.

A smirk crept its way to my face as I felt how heavy it was. I think this will do.

“As soon as I leave here, I'll disappear from this world. And you'll never see me.” I said through gritted teeth. I just hope my sister is still alive. If she isn't, then he's gonna regret it.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed outside the door. I froze. My heart leapt into my throat, but I forced myself to stay calm. This was it. Someone was coming! And I have to act fast, to lull them into a false sense of security.

I quickly set the tray down and slumped onto the hard bed, letting my body go limp. This was one tactic that my late father had taught me.

‘Feigning weakness and letting your enemy think you are powerless, but striking when they least expect it..’ I closed my eyes, feigning exhaustion, listening for every sound.

All of a sudden, the door creaked open and I heard the shuffle of boots on the floor. Two men entered. They whispered in low voices, as if they were just on another routine task.

I kept my head down, to avoid staring at their eyes, but my muscles were tense, ready to spring into action.

One of the men set the tray down on the bench, his back to me. The other one lingered near the door, his arms crossed, as his eyes scanned the room lazily for any potential danger.

Clearly, they didn't see me as a threat. Not anymore! Well, that was their mistake.

In one swift motion, I was on my feet. I grabbed the tray and swung it with all my strength, the metal colliding with the first man's head with a loud thud. He crumpled to the floor.

Immediately, the second man lunged at me, but I ducked under his arm, my body moving on instincts. I slammed the tray into his side and he staggered, giving me just enough time to bolt for the door.

With my bare feet slapping against the cold floor, I ran. Every breath felt like fire in my lungs, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I can't stay here anymore. I have to meet my sister.

The sound of shouting echoed behind me, but I didn't dare look back. I had to keep going.

The mansion was huge and I quickly realized that I had no idea where I was going, but I was determined to keep trying. I was determined to leave here for good.

Panic clawed at my chest as I rounded another corner only to find myself face-to-face with HIM.

Nikolai Volkov!

He stood at the end of the hallway, his hands folded across his chest, with an unreadable expression, but his eyes were as cold as ice. I skidded to a halt, my chest breathing faster as I stared back at him.

Behind me, the sound of heavy footsteps approached me and that was when I realised it. I was trapped. I'll never leave here no matter how much I try.

“Please let me go, Nikolai. I promise you won't see me again.” I pleaded, silently hoping that he'll listen to me.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “No, miss. You’re not going anywhere,” he said in a dangerously calm voice.

I backed away, my eyes searching around for another escape, but there was NONE. The men grabbed my arms and I struggled against them, my nails clawing at their hands, but it was of no use.

Nikolai stepped closer, his presence overwhelming and intimidating at the same time. He tilted his head as he studied me as if I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

“Let me go!” I yelled at the top of my voice, but those men held on tight.

“You can try to run,” he whispered quietly, his hot breath fanning my neck. “But you’ll only make it worse for yourself.”

I glared at him, defiance burning in my eyes, but he didn't flinch one bit. He didn't even look bothered. With a nod, he signaled his men and they dragged me to my room like I was just a slave.

They didn't take any chances this time because the moment we got into that room, they clamped the chains around my wrists, securing me to the bed.

I tugged at the chains hoping that it'll come off, but it didn't. The men left without a word as they slammed the door shut behind them.