Chapter 2 Kidnapped?

Isabella burst out of the house, her breath ragged as she ran down the dirt path, her feet barely touching the ground. The cold night air stung her cheeks, but the fear driving her forward was far more intense. Her mind raced, desperate to put as much distance between herself and the house as possible. She couldn't stop; she wouldn't stop. The memory of her uncle's touch still lingered on her skin, and she knew she had to escape before he woke up.

She kept running, not caring where she was going, just as long as it was away. But just as a flicker of hope started to rise within her, a dark SUV screeched to a halt right in front of her. The blinding headlights forced her to skid to a stop, panic surging through her as the door swung open.

Before she could even think to turn around, more SUVs surrounded her, cutting off every possible escape route. She was trapped. Out of the darkness, several large men in black suits emerged, their faces cold and emotionless.

"Stay away from me!" Isabella screamed, her voice breaking with fear. She tried to dart to the side, but one of the men grabbed her arm, his grip like steel.

"Don't struggle," he ordered in a voice that sent chills down her spine.

"Let me go!" Isabella thrashed wildly, trying to free herself, but the man's grip only tightened. Two more of the men closed in on her, and she kicked out, catching one in the shin. But it did little to slow them down. They were too strong, too prepared.

One of the men reached into his pocket and pulled out a strip of black cloth. Isabella's eyes widened in terror as she realized what was about to happen. "No! Please, don't!" she begged, her voice rising in desperation.

The man ignored her, quickly tying the blindfold over her eyes. Darkness enveloped her, and her fear escalated into full-blown panic. She couldn't see, couldn't know what they were planning to do next. All she could do was struggle and hope for some miracle.

"Let me go!" she screamed again, kicking out blindly as they lifted her off the ground and shoved her into the back of one of the SUVs. The door slammed shut, trapping her inside. She felt hands holding her down, pressing her into the seat as the vehicle roared to life and sped off.

The car's movements were jarring, each bump and turn making her feel more disoriented. She had no idea where they were taking her, and the silence of the men around her only made her more anxious. Her mind raced with terrifying possibilities, each worse than the last.

"Where are you taking me?" she demanded, her voice shaking, but no one answered. The only sound was the steady hum of the engine and her own frantic breathing.

Isabella's fear morphed into anger as she continued to struggle against the strong hands holding her down.

As Isabella lay on the plush couch, the darkness of the blindfold felt like it was closing in on her, amplifying her fears and worries. The weight of her current situation was overwhelming, but her mind kept drifting back to her childhood—a time when life was simpler and filled with love.

She remembered her father, a gentle man who had always been her protector. He used to play with her, lifting her high into the air and making her laugh with his playful antics. Those moments were filled with warmth and joy, a stark contrast to the cold fear she felt now.

Her grandmother had also been a comforting presence, often telling Isabella enchanting stories that transported her to magical worlds. The tales of brave heroes and mystical lands had sparked her imagination and provided a sense of wonder. Those stories were her escape, a reminder of a time when she felt safe and cherished.

Tragically, when Isabella was just six years old, a devastating accident took both her father and grandmother from her. The loss left her alone and vulnerable, her world shattering into pieces. Her uncle, who had taken over as her guardian, was anything but comforting. Instead, he became a source of constant fear and pain. His drunken rages and predatory stares replaced the love and security she had once known.

Isabella's uncle was cruel and abusive. His behavior forced her to stay hidden in her room, where she found solace in her online homeschooling and the few books she managed to get from the local library. The library, run by a kind lady, was a rare bright spot in her life. The free books she received there were her escape, offering moments of peace and distraction from her harsh reality.

Her passion for hacking and coding became another way to cope. The computer was her sanctuary, where she could lose herself in complex problems and find a sense of control. The skills she developed in coding and hacking provided her with a small but significant source of empowerment.

Tonight, as she lay blindfolded and terrified, the contrast between her past and present was stark. The comforting memories of her father and grandmother were a bittersweet reminder of what she had lost. The safety and love they provided seemed like a distant dream compared to the harsh reality she faced now.

The memory of her uncle's cruelty and the way he had outsmarted her by using a key to enter her room filled her with despair. The thought of being forced from her sanctuary and thrown into this unknown situation was almost too much to bear. Yet, even in her darkest moments, the flickers of her past—the loving memories and her passions—reminded her of who she was and gave her a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, Isabella was jolted awake from her fearful reverie as the SUV came to an abrupt halt. The harsh, sudden stop sent a shockwave of adrenaline through her veins. The vehicle's engine cut off, and she could hear the muffled sounds of voices outside, but the blindfold left her in complete darkness.

Without warning, rough hands grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her out of the car. The abrupt motion made her heart race even faster, and she struggled to make sense of what was happening. Her feet barely touched the ground as she was dragged forward, her hands gripping uselessly at the air.