“I’m coming,” he grunted, attempting to walk past me, but I stopped him.
“No, you can’t. You can barely stand. I’ll find her and bring her back.”
“You fucking better, or it’s your head, Nico.”
“I promise,” I said.
I glanced down just in time to see Miguel stirring, relief washing over me as I realized they would both be all right.
I sprinted down the hallway.
Hold tight, baby. I’m coming.
Iwoke in a haze, disoriented and confused.
My eyelids fluttered open, and panic surged through my veins as I became aware of my surroundings.
A scream fought its way up my throat. I was hanging upright on a bridge over the lake like a puppet. Ropes dug into my skin at my wrists, forearms, legs, and ankles. A heavy rope wrapped tightly around my waist connected to a cinder block.
I shivered uncontrollably, my breath hitching as I heard footsteps approaching the bridge, accompanied by a light, almost cheerful whistling. I looked to my right and saw a man wearing a black hoodie, a plastic white mask obscuring his features, and a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes.
My heart thundered in my chest, each frantic beat echoing louder than the last as fear twisted my insides into knots.
“You are exquisite,” he murmured, his voice dripping with a disturbing admiration. “You would’ve been a fun project.”
I swallowed past the large lump in my throat.
“It’s a shame, really, that I couldn’t have you. You’re exactly my type.”
Bile rose in my throat.
“What a waste,” he continued, shaking his head.
I shut my eyes, tears welling.
“Well, I can’t stay to enjoy what your great uncle has in store for you,” he said with a disarming nonchalance. “He paid a hefty sum to ensure that you were delivered to him unharmed. As much as it pains me to say it, you are not to be my next masterpiece.”
My eyes opened when he spoke again.
“I’m sorry I’m going to miss the show. Goodbye, beautiful.” He raised a mocking salute.
Disgust twisted my stomach as he sauntered away, disappearing into the darkness and whistling a tune.
I struggled against my bindings, trying to wiggle free, but it was useless. The ropes were too tight. I attempted to maneuver my wrists to find any slack, but the bastard had left no room for me to work with.
Muffled voices floated in from my left. I strained to catch the indistinct murmur of their conversation, but I couldn't tell what they were saying. My pulse quickened, anxiety coiling tighter around me like a noose, when I heard his voice.
“Hello again.”
NICO
“I don’t know about this, Nico,” Lo said, scanning the surroundings with unease.
“What do you mean?” I asked as we pulled up to the plant.
I parked the car behind a cluster of massive trees that concealed us from sight.
“Something feels off. It’s almost too easy,” he continued, his brow furrowed.
