Her Beutiful Hell

Beginning

Zoe's POV

The Secret and the Power Shift

Something had changed in Anna's attitude towards me, and I didn't understand why. It wasn't the shy, quiet girl who kept to herself anymore. Today, there was something different in her eyes, something more commanding.

"Zoe, sit down on the ground," Anna's voice cut through the silence of our dorm room. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

I blinked, confused. "Why should I do that?" I asked, feeling uneasy.

Anna's lips curled slightly as she said, "Because I know something about you that no one else does."

My heart skipped a beat, panic quickly rising within me. I had something to hide—something big. Something I thought no one else knew. How could she possibly know?

Anna stepped closer, her voice rising. "Do as I say, or I will..." She let the sentence hang in the air, unfinished but heavy with threat.

I didn't need her to finish. My fear took over, and I sat on the ground without another word, trembling. Anna walked over to the door and locked it. The soft click of the lock made my stomach twist with dread. She turned back toward me, her gaze cold and unreadable.

I closed my eyes, feeling like a trapped animal, scared and helpless.

Anna's voice dropped to a near whisper as she stood over me. "So, you once killed a girl, didn't you, you cute little killer?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks. She knew. Anna knew my darkest secret. But how?

With no sympathy in her voice, Anna grabbed a chair and placed it in front of me, sitting down casually. She lifted my chin with one finger, forcing me to look at her. Our faces were close, too close. She leaned in, her breath hot against my skin as she whispered, "And the girl you killed... was the one you were in love with."

Her words were like a knife to my heart, and I broke down completely. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "I'm guilty," I sobbed. "Yes, I'm the one to blame. I deserve punishment, yes, I need to be punished."

"She was my first love. How could I have done that to her?" I cried out, my voice shaking with guilt and regret.

Anna's face remained emotionless as she replied coldly, "Yes, Zoe. How could you?"

She stood up, her presence looming over me. "Now, get up and grab that pink-colored box on my bed."

I did as she commanded, my hands trembling as I picked up the small, colorful box and brought it to her.

"Open it," Anna ordered, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's a gift for you. You're going to get a lot of these from now on."

My fingers fumbled with the lid, but when I finally opened it, I gasped. Inside was a thin, red rope. I looked up at Anna, my eyes filled with confusion and fear, silently begging for an explanation.

Anna's smile didn't falter. "Put it down," she said, her voice eerily calm. "Now sit on the floor and raise your hands above your head. Close your eyes."

I obeyed, feeling my heart race in my chest. I didn't know what she had planned, but I was too terrified to resist. Anna took the rope from the box and began tying it around my wrists, securing the other end to my bed frame. Then, she pushed me down gently, making me lie flat on the bed. She tied the other half of the rope to my ankles, restricting my movement entirely.

I was bound, helpless, and crying, my tears soaking the pillow beneath me. I felt a soft cloth being placed over my eyes—it was Anna's sleep mask, leaving me in total darkness. My breathing quickened, the fear suffocating me.

Anna leaned down, her lips brushing my ear as she spoke softly but firmly. "Don't say a word, Zoe. If you do, I'll make sure everyone knows your secret."

I nodded weakly, unable to stop the tears from flowing. I couldn't risk her telling anyone what she knew. I couldn't face the consequences.

Anna pulled the blanket over me, covering my trembling body. Then, I heard her scribbling something on a piece of paper. A sticky note, no doubt. I heard her stick it to my bed, the sound clear in the otherwise silent room.

"Zoe is ill. She's taken her medicine. Please don't wake her up," Anna wrote, the note meant for Nora or anyone else who might come in.

After that, I heard the door unlock, and Anna left the room, leaving me bound and alone.

Waiting in Fear

I lay there for hours, afraid to move, afraid to make any sound. I didn't drink water. I didn't even use the bathroom, even though my body ached for relief. The only thing I could do was wait.

In the evening, Nora came back from class. I heard the door open, followed by her usual cheerful greeting. "Hi, Zoe!" she called out, her voice full of energy as always. But she stopped short, noticing the sticky note. I heard her read it and then quietly go about her evening routine, not disturbing me, just like Anna had planned.

I wanted to call out to her, to tell her everything, but I couldn't. I didn't dare speak, not after Anna's threat.

An hour later, Anna returned to the room. Nora, ever kind, thanked her for taking care of me. Anna's voice was playful, teasing as she said, "I should check on her again, just to make sure she's okay. You should too."

I felt the blanket shift as Anna pulled it back, exposing my body to the cold air. My heart raced again, and I squeezed my eyes shut, too scared to react. Anna slowly removed the sleep mask, and I blinked, struggling to adjust to the dim light.

Anna smirked, noticing my panic. She leaned in close once more, teasing me, but then casually untied my hands and legs, freeing me from the ropes.

"You can go to the bathroom now," she said, her tone almost mocking.

I stumbled out of bed, rushing to the bathroom as quickly as I could, finally able to breathe again.