The Captured

Chapter 30

Just in case y'all are too deep in previous chapter let me remind you it was a flashback and now we're heading back into 'Now'. About last chapter I am sorry to those who felt equally hurt as Anna. ❤

End of flashback

"I CAN’T DRIVE LIKE THIS, YOU CAN’T JUST BE QUIET AND PRETEND LIKE YOU’RE SLEEPING AND KEEP ME IN THE DARK, YOU HAVE TO TELL ME OR I’M STOPPING THE CAR!”

Mariam's voice pierced through the thick tension, her eyes flashing with frustration as she shot me a pointed look.

Startled, I glanced around, realizing with a sinking feeling that I had drifted off, oblivious to the world around me. My temples throbbed with the relentless ache of a migraine.

“What do you want to know, Mary?” I murmured, my voice barely audible above the hum of the engine.

“Like seriously, Anna? I’ve asked you a hundred times already. Why did we run from your dad’s place? And when did you start referring to your home as 'your mom’s and dad’s'?”

Her questions hung in the air, laden with an urgency that matched the pounding of my heart. I knew I had to tell her, yet the thought of shattering her world teared me apart. But if I didn't, she'd face the same anguish that Mason did, and I couldn't bear to see her hurt.

“First, just drive, and I’ll explain everything. But please, don’t stop in the middle of nowhere again; it's driving me mad.”

I pleaded with her; my words tinged with desperation. Mariam shot me a look of exasperation before flooring the accelerator, propelling us forward with reckless abandon.

Panic surged within me as I clung to the seat, my heart pounding in rhythm with the accelerating car.

“MARY, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, SLOW THE CAR OR YOU’RE GONNA HIT SOMETHING!”

I shouted; my voice tinged with fear. Reluctantly, she eased off the gas pedal, but the urgency in her eyes remained.

“Okay, now tell me. And I can’t slow down because it’s almost 1 a.m.; we’re so damn late. We need to rush.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine, the reality of our predicament sinking in.

It was already 1a.m.?

Dread washed over me as I contemplated what awaited us.

“Hey!?”

Mariam’s voice cut through the suffocating silence, drawing me back to the present moment.

I realized I couldn’t postpone any longer; Mariam deserved to know the truth before we reached our destination, before she stepped into the lion's den unprepared and she'd face the same anguish that Mason did, and I couldn't bear to see her hurt.

“How far are we from Mom’s place?”

I asked, my eyes scanning the familiar road stretching out before us.

“We’re almost there, just one more turn and then a straight road,” Mariam replied, her voice strained with impatience.

Relief washed over me as we neared our destination, but Mariam’s insistence spurred me to action.

“Now, please, spill it. I don’t want to hear stories from your mom; I need to hear it from you. Hurry up!”

She urged, her tone urgent, her eyes locking onto mine with unwavering determination.

"Okay, look, I didn't want to tell you this way, but I don't want you to be shocked and think that I fooled you."

I began, the words tumbling out in a rush.