Ava stirred in the dimly lit chamber, her wrists raw and aching from the cuffs that bound her. Panic surged within her as she recalled the events that had led to her capture. The vibrant colors of the market faded into shadows, replaced by the cold stone walls of the castle prison. She had to get out.
Desperation fueled her determination. With every ounce of strength, she tugged at the cuffs, grinding her teeth against the pain. They were old and rusted, and if she could just find a way to maneuver her wrist, she might be able to slip free. Hours felt like days as she twisted and turned, sweat beading on her forehead. Finally, with a sharp gasp, she felt the cuff loosen slightly.
Gritting her teeth, she continued to twist her wrist, feeling the metal scrape against her skin. With one final, desperate tug, she managed to slip her hand free. The moment was fleeting, but it ignited a fierce hope within her. She glanced around the chamber, noting the heavy wooden door standing ajar, beckoning her toward freedom.
Ava wasted no time. She crept toward the door, each step calculated and quiet. The corridor outside was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls as the flickering torchlight illuminated her path. Her heart raced as she took a deep breath and moved into the corridor, keeping low and silent.
As she hurried down the hall, Ava’s senses were heightened. Every sound felt amplified—the creaking of the floorboards, the distant sound of water, the rustle of fabric. She had no idea what awaited her, but she was determined to find a way out.
Turning corner after corner, Ava focused on the glimmer of moonlight shining through a window at the end of the corridor. She felt the weight of hope in her chest, driving her to move faster. Almost there, she thought, just a little further.
But as she reached the end of the hall, a heavy hand suddenly grabbed her hair, yanking her back with a force that sent her stumbling. “Where do you think you’re going?” Liam’s voice thundered through the corridor, filled with anger and disappointment.
“Let go of me!” she shouted, twisting and struggling in a frantic attempt to break free. The fear of being caught burned within her, and she fought back, determined not to be an easy target.
“Struggling won’t help you,” he said, his grip tightening painfully. Ava felt frustration boil inside her as she kicked out, aiming for his legs, but he swiftly sidestepped her.
“Enough of this!” he growled, clearly irritated. Just as she saw her chance to break free, he swiftly pulled her back, making her lose her balance and stumble.
Ava stumbled forward, catching herself against the wall. “Why are you doing this?” she demanded, her voice trembling with anger and fear.
“Because you need to learn a lesson,” Liam replied, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer.
In a moment of desperation, Ava pushed herself off the wall and sprinted toward the exit. But Liam was quick, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
“Let me go!” she cried, still struggling against his grip.
“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he warned, his voice low and stern.
Ava felt the panic rising within her, and she twisted away from him, trying to break free. She caught him off guard for a moment, but he quickly regained control, pulling her closer.
“Stop fighting me!” he shouted, clearly frustrated.
Ava’s heart raced as she realized she had to think fast. In a last-ditch effort, she raised her knee and struck out, catching him by surprise.
But before she could make her escape, Liam managed to grab her again, holding her firmly. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said, his tone firm.
“Why are you doing this?” she repeated, desperation filling her voice.
“Because you can’t just run away from your problems,” he replied, dragging her back down the corridor. “You need to understand the consequences of your actions.”
Liam pushed her into a small, dimly lit chamber filled with a few sparse furnishings—a table, a chair, and a single flickering candle. It felt more like a cell than a room, and despair washed over her.
“Think of this as a punishment for your disobedience,” Liam said coldly, his eyes hardening as he pushed her inside and slammed the door shut behind them. The sound echoed in her mind, sealing her fate.
As she sank to the floor, the reality of her situation crashed over her like a wave. Trapped once again, she realized that she had underestimated her captor. If she wanted to escape, she would have to find a way to outsmart him. But for now, she was left to contemplate her next move, with determination igniting in her heart.
YOU ARE READING
ECHOES OF TIME
Historical Fiction**Trailer for Echoes of Time** In a world where the past holds the key to the future, Ava Chloe is a brilliant computer science engineer haunted by a tragedy she can't remember. Driven by a relentless desire to uncover the truth, she builds a time m...
