Chapter 2 The day they met

Anastasia slowly gains consciousness.She had no idea where she was or how long she'd been there.She tries moving but her arms and legs were tied down, and a blindfold covered her eyes. A gag silenced her screams.As her body was fixed on a chair.... The only thing she could do was hearing gun shots and innumerable distant cries.The chaos was overwhelming. Perceiving that she falls unconscious again

After a while,some one poures water on her head making her gain consciousness and removes her blindfold while standing behind her, before she could see anything, her face gets covered with a sac, and soon the door slams shut, enveloping her in silence. The stillness was short-lived. Just a few moments later, she hears the door thud open and a group of men marching inside that place. The tramp of heavy boots echoed through the room.

As the men stop on ground and silence hits the room. A sound of heavy boots is heard as if someone is aggressively entering into room.Her heart pounds in fear as she feels that person approaching. Anastasia's heart racing, her breath caught in her throat, as the footsteps drew closer... and closer. The air thickened with tension, and she felt the weight of unseen eyes upon her and an oppressive silence fell.

The man yanks off the sac from her head exposing her face, her eyes get blur due to light pointing towards her.Gradually, her vision cleares, a masculine figure in front of her and ten other men standing in line at the end of vast curvy room. Their faces covered with clothes , none recognizable And darkened by shadows. And as she turns her attention to the man in front of her. His features were obscured by a rigid mask, its surface glinting and through it his eyes shined red as he looked at her.The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Anastasia's eyes locked onto the masked figure. His presence was both captivating and terrifying, radiating an unspoken power like a leader.

Her body shivers at this ominous sight and eyes narrowed in confusion and fear .As he moved close, he held her face towards him and removed the gag. She gulped and so was about to speak as he held a finger on her face and shook his head in a no restricting her to talk...

He grasped Anastasia's chin, his thumb exerting gentle pressure as he tilted her head upward. His voice was low and commanding, sending shivers down her spine. "I ask the questions, you answer. Understand?"..... Anastasia nodded, her eyes locked on his masked face.His red-rimmed eyes gleaming with intensity. "So," he began, his voice dripping with menace, "who struck your face?"

She fell in confusion.Her eyes darted toward the hooded figures lurking in the shadows, seeking answers. But their faces remained hidden, their silence oppressive. She returned her gaze to the leader.

The leader's gaze lingered on Anastasia's uncertain face before he straightened, his attention shifting to the hooded figures. With deliberate strides, he approached them, his voice firm and authoritative.

'Identify the one responsible,' he commanded, his eyes scanning the lineup.

A tense silence followed. Then, the front man's gloved hand rose, his finger extending to accuse one of the hooded figures.The leader's eyes narrowed as he closed in on the culprit. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper, 'You will pay for your transgression.'

He paused, his words hanging in the air like a specter of doom.'Take him to the dungeon,' he ordered the front man, his tone cold and unforgiving. 'Ensure he awaits my judgment.'The front man nodded, grasping the accused by the arm, and dragged him away, disappearing into the shadows."

"As the other hooded figures filed out, the leader's gaze never left Anastasia's face. His right-hand man remained, standing sentinel at the door.The leader circled around the chair, his movements deliberate and menacing. Anastasia's eyes tracked him, her breath catching in her throat.He halted beside her, his voice low and intense. 'Let's get to the truth..'His eyes bored into hers and for amusement he says. 'What is your name?.'The air seemed to vibrate with tension asAnastasia hesitated, her response hanging in the balance."

"Anastasia's voice trembled as she pleaded, 'I want to go home... please.' Her eyes locked onto the leader's, desperation shining through. 'I haven't done anything wrong. You must be mistaken.' The leader's gaze lingered on hers, his expression unreadable. He hummed softly, a low, menacing pitch, before chuckling. 'No one has done anything wrong... yet.' He paused, letting the words hang. 'Perhaps someone close to you has.' Anastasia's fear spiked as he stepped closer, his presence suffocating.

'Don't worry, we won't harm you,' he said, his tone dripping with insincerity. 'We just... need information.'

Anastasia's voice trembled, "Who are you?"

The leader's deep chuckle sent shivers down her spine. "Do you really want to know?"With a swift, fluid motion, he leaned in, his mask slipping, revealing his chiseled features. Anastasia's breath caught as their eyes met."Do I look familiar?" he asked, a captivating smile spreading across his face.Anastasia's silence was palpable, her gaze locked on his striking features."I still don't know you," she stammered.His smile grew wider. "You will."He reinstated his mask, his eyes glinting with mystery."Enough questions from you, Miss Stubborn," he said, circling around her. "Now, I ask the questions"

He settled into a chair opposite her, laptop opening with a soft glow. His fingers danced across the keyboard. 'Let's begin,' he said, his voice firm... "So what is your name young lady? "..As he begins opening her record on laptop.

Anastasia's voice trembled, "I want to go. You can't keep me here." The leader's expression hardened behind his mask. "You'll answer my questions, and I'll think of your leaving.Let's start again."His tone brooked no argument. "What's your name?"Anastasia hesitated before whispering, "I'm Anastasia."The leader tilted his head, seriousness and anger etched in his stance. "What do you think you're doing? This isn't a game."His voice dripped with menace. "Tell us your real name."Anastasia's fear spiked. "It is my real name. I swear."

"The leader's gaze snapped to his front man, a silent inquiry in his eyes. The front man's subtle nod sparked a flurry of activity.

With swift keystrokes, the leader accessed Anastasia's digital records on his laptop. The screen flickered to life, revealing her profile.As he scanned the information, his expression transformed from curiosity to stunned disbelief. His eyes widened, and his brow furrowed.The laptop's glow illuminated his mask, highlighting the shock etched on his features. With out saying any word his eyes darted to Anastasia, then back to the screen, as if seeking confirmation of the catastrophic mistake."

To be continued....