Whispers in Secret

23- Captured

Ella stepped into the dimly lit bathroom, her mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead. She couldn’t wait to meet up with Blake at their favorite cafe, where they would share laughter and pastries, escaping the pressures of school for just a little while. As she moved toward the sink, she didn’t notice the figure lurking in the shadows.

Suddenly, James emerged from behind a stall, a predatory smile on his lips. “Surprised to see me?” he taunted, stepping closer. Ella’s heart raced as she recognized the danger in his eyes, but before she could scream or fight back, he lunged forward and pressed a chloroform-soaked cloth over her mouth.

Panic surged through her as she instinctively clawed at his hand, trying to push him away. She dropped her phone, the device clattering to the floor, but her efforts were futile. The chemical took hold quickly, her vision blurring and her body growing heavy. Ella struggled to stay conscious, but soon darkness enveloped her, and she felt herself slipping away.

James watched as she succumbed to the effects, his heart pounding with a mix of exhilaration and fear. He had waited for this moment, planning meticulously, but he couldn't shake the nagging worry that Lucien’s men were still monitoring her. The last thing he needed was to be caught. He carefully lifted her limp body into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he made his way to the exit.

“**Don’t worry, Ella,**” he whispered, glancing around for any signs of trouble. “**You’ll be safe with me.**” He moved quickly, heart racing as he reached the door. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on him, but his obsession blinded him to the consequences. All he could think about was claiming Ella as his own.

As he stepped outside, he scanned the area for any signs of Lucien’s men. **They were relentless in their protection of her, and he knew he had to act fast.** The café was just a short distance away, and if he could make it there without being seen, he would have the upper hand.

But in the depths of his mind, a small voice warned him. **What if Lucien was closer than he realized?** He had made a powerful enemy, and he could only hope that his plan would unfold before Lucien discovered his intentions.

With Ella still unconscious in his arms, James hurried down the alley, determined to vanish into the night with his prize. The adrenaline coursing through his veins drowned out the sense of impending doom, pushing him forward as he clutched her tighter.

James hurried through the alleyways, his heart racing with a mix of triumph and exhilaration. Ella’s body felt weightless in his arms, and he couldn't help but glance down at her peaceful face, completely unaware of the turmoil brewing around them. **The very thought of having her to himself filled him with a heady rush.**

“**You’ll see, Ella,**” he murmured softly, brushing a stray hair from her forehead. “**Once you wake up, everything will be different. We’ll be together. Just you and me.**” His obsession deepened with every passing second, growing more intense as he navigated the winding streets, finally reaching his SUV parked in a secluded spot.

He carefully placed her in the back seat, ensuring she was comfortable, then jumped into the driver’s seat. As he started the engine, a wave of adrenaline surged through him. **He had done it. He had finally taken her away from the life she knew, from Lucien’s iron grip.**

As he drove further away from the campus, the weight of his actions began to settle in. **What would he do once she woke up?** He had a plan, but it was still foggy, the details hazy with his desperation. He was determined to convince her that they were meant to be together, that he was her salvation, the one who truly understood her.

Ella stirred slightly in the back seat, and James glanced in the rearview mirror, a rush of anticipation flooding through him. **Would she wake up and see him as her hero? Or would she resist him?** He hoped for the former, praying that his fantasies of a perfect life together wouldn’t shatter upon her awakening.