#1 in the London Universe series:
Anaya Oberoi, a final-year student at a prestigious college in India, was thrilled to be selected for a student exchange at King's College London. But there was a catch-she had to live with foster parents. To her su...
Contains uncomfortable themes!!! ALSO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 10K READS!
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It's been a week since I was trapped here, held like a hostage, and I feel utterly helpless. My body has become weak, and I haven't eaten in days. The pangs of hunger gnaw at my insides, and every breath feels like a struggle. I miss my family and my boyfriend terribly; their faces are the only thing that keeps me going. But as the days drag on, the hope of being found grows fainter. The idea of escaping crosses my mind often, but with my weakened state, executing any plan seems almost impossible. The monster who holds me captive seems to relish my suffering, feeding me only once every two days just to keep me alive.
The room is dimly lit, with shadows dancing ominously on the walls. The air is thick with despair. Today is supposed to be the day he brings me a meal. It's the only time he loosens my bonds, allowing me just enough freedom to eat. As I hear his footsteps approaching, a mix of dread and defiance wells up inside me. I can see his shadow looming larger as he nears the door.
"Ready to have your meal, slave?" His voice is cold, dripping with malice.
"Last time I checked, I am the one who is a hostage," I reply, my voice barely more than a whisper. The words come out with great effort, but the spirit of defiance within me refuses to be extinguished. It's this spirit that I fear will be the death of me, but it's also what keeps me clinging to the hope of survival.
He steps closer, his face twisted in a cruel smile. "Still have some fight in you, I see," he sneers. His eyes are dark, void of any humanity. He enjoys this, the power he holds over me. He unties my hands, and the relief is immediate, though my wrists ache from the tightness of the bonds.
He sets down a small plate of food—barely enough to sustain me. My hands tremble as I reach for it, the smell of the food making my stomach clench with longing. I eat slowly, savoring each bite, knowing it has to last me.
As I eat, I try to muster the strength to think clearly. I need a plan, something that will get me out of here. But the hunger and exhaustion cloud my mind. All I can think about is my family, my boyfriend, and the life that seems so far away now. I have to believe they're looking for me. I have to believe that this nightmare will end.
"Look at you, devouring that shitty meal which can't even keep you together," Varun sneered, breaking the heavy silence.
I met his gaze, summoning all the strength I had left. "That's the bare minimum I can do to keep myself going," I replied with as much confidence as I could muster, glancing at the cuts and bruises he had inflicted upon me. The sight of them made my heart sink; I had lost so much blood, and my condition had worsened significantly.
Varun's smirk widened as he picked up a blade, the metallic glint sending a shiver down my spine. "Enough talking. Now, time for fun," he said, stepping closer. I knew what was coming, and braced myself as best as I could. The blade sliced through my skin, and pain exploded through me. I bit back a cry, refusing to give him the satisfaction. The wound bled profusely, making me feel even weaker, but I would not let this break my spirit.
