Stolen by Fate

Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins

Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins

The moment the door clicked shut behind Adrian, I stood frozen in place, my mind racing. Twenty-four hours. I had twenty-four hours to figure out how to get out of here, to escape him. But every part of me was screaming that this was impossible. He knew this place, this game—it was his home turf, and I was the mouse caught in his trap.

But I wasn't going to just sit here and wait for him to catch me. No. I had to be smart. I had to use every second wisely.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly. First, I needed to get a lay of the house, see if there were any windows or doors he hadn't locked. Any room he might have overlooked.

I crossed the room to the door and tested the handle. Unlocked, just like he said. My stomach tightened as I stepped into the hallway, my bare feet making almost no sound on the cold wooden floor. The house was quiet—too quiet, like it was holding its breath, waiting for the game to begin in earnest.

I didn't know where Adrian had gone, but I knew he'd be back. He was playing with me, giving me this false sense of freedom just to take it away again. But I wasn't about to let him win.

As I walked down the hall, my senses were on high alert. The house was massive, all dark wood and expensive fixtures, but it felt cold. Empty. Like it hadn't been lived in, or maybe like it was just a set, a stage for this twisted game he wanted to play.

I opened door after door, searching. A library, a study, a kitchen. All beautifully furnished but devoid of life, like I was walking through someone's dream. Or nightmare.

Then, I found the back door.

It was heavy, made of solid wood, but it had a window, and outside, I could see a sprawling garden that led into what looked like a dense forest. My heart leapt with hope. If I could get into the woods, I might stand a chance of losing him.

I tested the handle, my pulse racing.

Locked.

Of course.

But there was something else—a glint of silver next to the door. A set of keys, hanging on a hook. I almost laughed at the irony. Was he really this confident? Or was it another part of the game?

I grabbed the keys, my fingers trembling as I tried each one. On the third try, the lock clicked open, and I almost cried in relief. Slowly, carefully, I eased the door open, the cool air from outside rushing in, refreshing against my skin.

I stepped out into the night, the garden stretching out before me like a dark maze. The moon was high, casting a soft glow over everything, but the shadows were long and deep. Perfect for hiding. Perfect for running.

I took off, sprinting across the garden, my feet barely touching the ground. The cool night air filled my lungs, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt free.

But that feeling didn't last long.

I was halfway to the edge of the garden when I heard it—the sound of footsteps. Slow. Deliberate. Too close.

My heart jumped into my throat as I whipped around. There he was. Adrian. Standing at the edge of the house, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the ground. He wasn't running, wasn't chasing me—yet.

He didn't have to. The look on his face told me everything. He knew I wouldn't get far.

I froze, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. My mind was screaming at me to run, but something about the way he was watching me—so calm, so in control—kept me rooted in place.

"Go ahead," he called out, his voice smooth, almost amused. "Keep running, Ma."

I swallowed hard, forcing my legs to move. I bolted toward the trees, my pulse pounding in my ears. The forest loomed ahead of me, dark and thick, and I prayed that I could lose him in there. That he wouldn't find me.

But deep down, I knew better.

The sound of his footsteps behind me was steady, relentless. He wasn't running, just walking, but I could feel him getting closer. He was toying with me, letting me think I had a chance.

I reached the edge of the forest and plunged into the trees, the branches whipping at my arms and face as I pushed forward. The ground was uneven, roots and rocks threatening to trip me with every step, but I didn't slow down. I couldn't.

My lungs burned, my muscles screaming in protest as I wove through the trees, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. But no matter how far I ran, I could still hear him.

"Ma..." His voice was closer now, teasing, like he was enjoying every second of this.

I stumbled over a root, catching myself just before I fell. My breathing was ragged, my legs felt like lead, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop.

Suddenly, his hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me back with a force that knocked the air from my lungs. I gasped, spinning around to face him, but before I could even process what was happening, he had me pinned against a tree, his body pressed close to mine.

His breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, "I told you, Ma. You can't run from me."

My chest heaved as I tried to push him away, but he was stronger, his grip firm but not painful. His eyes bore into mine, dark and intense, and I hated how my body responded to him, how even in this moment of terror, I felt that pull. That magnetic, dangerous pull that made me want to lean into him instead of fighting.

"Let me go," I whispered, though my voice was weak, pleading.

His hand slid up my arm, his touch soft, almost tender. "You didn't really think you could win, did you?"

I swallowed hard, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him I wasn't his, that I would never be his. But the words wouldn't come.

Adrian's lips brushed against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "This game isn't over yet, Ma. Not by a long shot."

Then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed me, he let go. I staggered back, my legs shaky, my mind spinning. I should've run. I should've tried to escape again.

But I couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Adrian's eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw something behind that dangerous façade. Something almost... human.

"Get some rest," he said, his voice softer now, almost gentle. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the trees.

I sank to the ground, my body trembling with exhaustion and fear. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was clear:

The game was far from over.