Sebastian Knight

16. Liliana

It had felt like an eternity; from the moment I began running, I did not cast a glance behind me. Undoubtedly, my actions brought shame upon Sebastian, and I cannot comprehend what he finds appealing about me. Every step I took reverberated with trepidation, causing my heart to race within my chest.

In truth, I had no destination in mind, being unfamiliar with this place as a foreigner from Chile. It would have been wiser for me to have remained at home. Upon turning the corner of a dimly illuminated alley, a black van abruptly screeched to a stop, sending shivers down my spine.

A chilling dread instantly engulfed me upon laying eyes upon the van. My instincts urged me to retreat from this imminent danger, but alas, it was too late. Two imposing figures emerged stealthily from the shadows behind me, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

A wave of panic coursed through my veins, rendering my body motionless, much like a deer caught in headlights. I realized that this was the end of the line and deeply regretted my impulsive decision to flee.

To my surprise, another figure emerged from the van, someone I never anticipated encountering in this situation. How was it possible for her to be here? It was Tamara. I positively identified her by the deep brown hair and eyes that matched the photograph still resting on Sebastian's desk.

Her sinister smile sent chills down my spine, causing me to involuntarily shiver. Before I could even react, the two men closed in on me, capturing my trembling hands and binding them tightly with rough, merciless ropes.

The constricting bonds dug into my flesh, eliciting a wince as a painful reminder of my powerlessness. There was no use in resisting now, even if I attempted to flee. I would not stand a chance against these assailants.

Tamara, her countenance exhibiting a cold indifference, ensured that no witnesses were present to witness this nefarious abduction. She scanned the deserted alley with predatory precision, assessing her surroundings as well as her own safety.

Satisfied that we were alone, she returned efficiently to the van, leaving me with no option but to comply.

As I was forcefully shoved into the back of the van, its doors slammed shut behind me, the sound resonating like a closing prison gate. The confined space reeked of leather and perspiration, causing me to gag.

Within the blink of an eye, I was startled by the sound of two gunshots, which led me to the realization that Tamara had likely eliminated those individuals to avoid any potential witnesses.

The van suddenly jerked forward, causing me to collide forcefully with the unforgiving seat. The outside world became a blur, with passing streetlights and shadowy corners flickering by. Panic engulfed me, squeezing the air from my lungs, as the brutal reality of my predicament crashed over me like an overwhelming tidal wave.

Minutes seemed like hours, each passing second stretching into an eternity, as the van's tires devoured the space between the familiar life I had known and the unknown horror that awaited me.

Inside the van, Tamara engaged in a muffled conversation with an unidentified individual on the phone. I yearned to discern the identity of the person with whom she spoke, but the audio reached my ears in a barely audible manner.

Tamara veered away from downtown Chile and maneuverer towards the eastern hills. I managed to catch sight of one of the street signs: IRVING STREET. She skilfully executed a sharp left turn onto an isolated street.

On one side of the street, there stood a dilapidated children's playground, while a row of squat, vacant brick buildings flanked the large concrete parking lot on the other. Tamara steered the van into the parking lot, eventually halting in front of the final brick unit.