Chapter 56: Kidnapped
Lyse’s eyelids fluttered open, a wave of disorientation washing over her. The room was pitch black, the only source of light a sliver seeping through a crack in the wall. As her vision adjusted, she realized she was tied to a chair, her wrists and ankles bound tightly with rough rope. Panic surged through her, a chilling echo of a past trauma.
This wasn’t the first time she had been in a situation like this. Years ago, she had narrowly escaped a human trafficking ring, a terrifying ordeal that had left deep scars on her soul. The memories of that time flooded back, each detail as vivid as if it had only happened yesterday.
She struggled against the ropes, her heart pounding in her chest. The rough texture of the rope chafed against her skin, but she persevered, determined to break free.
Just as she was about to give up, the door creaked open, and a figure emerged from the darkness. When the dim light revealed the face of Max, Janine’s abusive husband, a wave of nausea washed over her.
She remembered the stories her friend had shared, the beatings, the threats, the constant fear. She knew that the man standing before he was not going to be merciful. She had taken away his punching bag and humiliated him by calling the police, he was going to want his pound of flesh.
"Where is she?" Max demanded, his voice echoing in the confined space. "Where is Janine?"
Lyse’s heart sank. She had expected that he would want to know where she had taken his wife to but she could not tell him that, who knew what he would do when he got that information.
"I... I don’t know," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible.
Max’s face contorted with rage. "Don’t lie to me, you stupid nosy bitch. I know that you took her and hid her somewhere. Tell me, or I will make you suffer."