The Captured

Season 2 Episode 1

Dear wattpad fam,
Here's our very first sunrise of season 2. Enjoy. I'm struggling with visuals for each chapters so bear with me.
Xoxo

Trigger warning alert: child abuse, accident scenes, blood.

The echoing thud of approaching footsteps reverberated through the air, drawing closer with each pulse.

Despite my awareness of someone's approach, I remained fixed, too weak to shift my gaze from the white tiles beneath my feet. I'd been fixated on them since my arrival, unable to muster the strength for anything else.

My heart raced incessantly; my mind consumed by a single thought: I caused the accident. Every subsequent event, a testament to my culpability.

"Anna?"

Mom?

For the first time, I lifted my gaze upon hearing my name, and there she stood, just inches away. But she wasn't alone. Behind her loomed the figures of Tamimi and Barron.

My eyes drifted downward to Tamimi's shirt, stained with blood. It resembled a macabre design, yet it was no artistic choice. Mariam's blood had tainted it, a grim reminder of the accident.

I shuddered, memories flooding back-the sight of Tamimi and Barron assisting the rescue 1122 team, Mariam drenched in crimson, and the frantic rush to the hospital. Though I sustained only minor injuries-scratches on my forehead and elbow, a bloodstain on my trouser from a knee wound-I found myself inexplicably on my feet, trailing behind Mariam's stretcher.

"What were you thinking out there!?"

My gaze flickered from Tamimi's shirt to Mom's face, mirroring the same disdain I'd seen three years ago outside my dad's place. Her eyes, cold and unforgiving, bore into me.

A shiver raced down my spine, every fiber of my being tense with apprehension.

Have you ever been so consumed by fear that the prospect of death seems almost preferable? Yet, I couldn't discern which was more terrifying: Mariam's critical condition as she was rushed into the operating theater, or facing my mother's icy glare, knowing bruises might follow.

A firm grip seized my shoulder, wrenching me from my reverie and forcing me to my feet. Wide-eyed, I stared at Mom, her expression a silent threat. I gasped for air, desperation clawing at my throat.

The silent plea of a child, scarred by the hands of a once-loving parent: please, don't hurt me. And when, by some miracle, the plea is heard, it's a testament to divine intervention.

"It's alright, calm down!" Tamimi interjected, attempting to pry me from Mom's grasp.

With a forceful shove, Mom released me, sending me stumbling backward into the wall.

All eyes bore into me, each gaze a weight upon my shoulders, rendering me small and vulnerable.

"Mariam is her best friend, and you know that." Tamimi interjected. "They were on their way home when the accident happened. Anna's lucky she's not hurt."

"Why didn't you bring her home if she wasn't hurt?" Mom's voice was curt, her eyes never leaving my face.

I felt myself grow paler.

"She wouldn't leave Mariam's side. Getting her to the hospital was the priority." Tamimi explained matter-of-factly.

I watched in disbelief as my mom vigorously shook her head in disgust. Suddenly, she drew closer, startling me as her hands gripped my shoulders, shaking me as though trying to rouse me from a nightmare.

"At this hour of the night, you're sitting here alone on the floor, crying over your friend. What do you think of us? Do you even care about your family, about your mother's reputation? Have I not reminded you enough times that you're not a child anymore? Did I allow you to go out with your friend, or did I send you out with your cousins? While you were skipping the movie with your friend, leaving your cousins behind, did the trouble you put me through every day ever occur to you? I've been searching for you everywhere, sending these innocent children to various places, checking airports, and this is where you are!?"

The mention of the airport stung. Why would she expect me to be there?

"If your friend dies in there, who do you think is responsible? Her parents will send you to jail. Can't you see it coming?"

My jaw dropped, disbelief washing over me at her words.

While I prayed fervently for Mariam's recovery, my mother spoke of the aftermath of her death, as if I could fathom life without her.

Tears threatened to spill as I covered my mouth with trembling hands.

"Auntie, please stop. You're being cruel and unfair to her. Mariam will be fine; nothing will happen to her."

Tamimi interjected, shaking his head in disapproval.

"And why would Anna go to jail? Are you alright? You're just worried, that's all. Let's take you both home while Barron stays here to keep us updated." He turned to me, attempting to loosen Mom's grip. "Anna, come on, let's get you some rest."

Part of me wanted to resist, to stay and await Mariam's awakening, to be there when her parents arrived and absolve myself of any blame. Yet, another part of me, haunted by self-doubt, hesitated.

Frozen, I listened as my mother uttered the words that shattered my world.

"You've broken my trust again, and I don't know what to do with you now."

My heart sank as her words sank in.

Was it more tragic that my best friend fought for her life or that my mother had lost faith in me once more?

Need your feedback..... I know its been a terrible episode. 😥