Stolen by Fate

Chapter 1: The Night Everything Changed

                                               **Chapter 1: The Night Everything Changed**

                                           I had no idea my life was about to flip upside down.

It was just another Friday night, hanging out with my friends at *The Den*, the local spot we always went to after school. The warm lights from the café glowed, casting shadows across the faces of my friends as we sat in our usual booth near the window. Lila was laughing at something Ethan said, probably teasing Drew again about his terrible aim in basketball. I couldn't help but grin as I sipped my vanilla latte. These moments with them always felt like home, like nothing could go wrong.

But things can change fast. Too fast.

"Ni, you okay?" Lila nudged me with her elbow. "You've been staring off into space for a while now."

I blinked, snapping back to reality. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess." I offered her a small smile, but something felt off. There was this weird weight in my chest, like I knew something was coming, but I couldn't place it.

"You've been zoning out all week," Drew added, tossing a sugar packet at me. "You better not be going soft on us before the big game."

I rolled my eyes, dodging the packet. "Please, I'm the reason we're even in the finals. You'll be thanking me when I sink the winning shot."

Ethan grinned, his dark eyes lighting up. "That's what I like to hear. Confidence." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms like the smug jock he was. "But seriously, you've been... different."

I didn't know how to explain it. It wasn't just the typical stress of being a senior or dealing with my art portfolio. It was deeper than that, something I couldn't shake. Every time I walked home alone or sat in my room at night, I had this eerie feeling, like someone was watching me. But that sounded crazy, and I wasn't about to freak my friends out with some paranoia.

"I'm fine," I said, brushing it off. "Just need to catch up on sleep."

We stayed at *The Den* for another hour, laughing and joking like everything was normal. By the time we left, it was already dark outside. The cool night air hit me as soon as I stepped out, making me shiver. The town was quiet, the streets mostly empty, and the streetlights flickered every few feet.

"I'll see you guys later," I waved, adjusting the strap of my backpack on my shoulder. Lila lived in the opposite direction, so I usually walked home alone. It wasn't far—just a couple of blocks—but tonight felt different. The quiet was heavier, the darkness thicker.

I started walking faster, my footsteps echoing against the pavement. My heartbeat picked up for no reason, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't alone. I turned my head, scanning the street behind me. Nothing. Just the same empty sidewalk and flickering lights.

But I felt it. Someone was there.

My breath quickened, and I pulled my phone out, my fingers shaking slightly as I tried to call Lila. Maybe I could ask her to walk with me the rest of the way. My thumb hovered over her name in my contacts when I heard it—a soft shuffle behind me.

I froze.

Before I could react, a hand clamped over my mouth, silencing the scream that rose in my throat. My phone slipped from my grasp, hitting the concrete with a crack, but I barely registered the sound. An arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into a strong, unyielding chest.

Panic surged through me. I kicked and struggled, but whoever had me was too strong. I couldn't break free. My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears. Everything blurred, my mind racing as adrenaline flooded my body.