9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Waking up

Lila

"Ugh, my head," I groaned as I blinked my eyes open.

As I blink rapidly, trying to make sense of my surroundings, panic starts to rise in my chest like a tidal wave. It hits me all at once - I'm trapped in a small, cramped space. The air is stale, and there's a low rumble that I quickly recognize as an engine. Oh God, I'm in the trunk of a moving car.

I must have passed out.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath, my heart pounding so hard I swear it's trying to break free from my ribcage. I take a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of fear that threatens to drown me. "Think, Lila, think."

I run my hands along the interior of the trunk, searching for any latch or release mechanism that could offer a means of escape. The hero always finds some hidden latch and dramatically escapes, why not me. No such luck here. The rough carpet scratches against my skin as I frantically feel for any sign of hope. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes when I find nothing but smooth metal and unyielding plastic. So much for Hollywood miracles.

Suddenly, the car jostles, throwing me harshly to the side. I grunt in pain as my shoulder slams against the trunk wall.

"Son of a bitch," I curse. I feel like I'm in a washing machine on spin cycle, I swear.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" I cry out in desperation, knowing my captors likely can't hear me. But hey, a girl can try.

I strain my ears, trying to catch any sound from outside my metal prison. Muffled voices float through from the car's interior, and I struggle to make out the words.

"...almost there...boss will be pleased..."

I shudder at the ominous implications, my mind spinning with terrifying possibilities. Who's this boss they're talking about? And why would they be pleased about kidnapping me? I'm just a food truck owner, for crying out loud!

The car slows and turns onto what feels like a rough, unpaved road. The bumps and jolts intensify, and I'm tossed around like a ragdoll in the darkness. Gravel crunches beneath the tires, and I realize we must be heading somewhere remote.

Great, just great. Because being kidnapped wasn't bad enough, now we're heading to the middle of nowhere. My chances of escape are looking slimmer by the second.

As I'm being jostled around, my thoughts drift to Axel. Oh, Axel. The mysterious and alluring man who has captured my heart. I pray he is looking for me, that he will somehow find me before it's too late. Tears stream down my face as I imagine his strong arms around me, his voice whispering reassurances in my ear. God, what I wouldn't give to hear his voice right now.

The car comes to an abrupt stop, and I hear doors slamming. My breath catches in my throat as I brace myself for whatever comes next. Heavy footsteps approach the trunk, and my entire body tenses in anticipation. This is it, Lila. Whatever happens next, you've got to be ready.

"Please, Axel," I whisper into the darkness, one last desperate plea. "Please find me..."

The trunk opens, and suddenly I'm blinded by the moonlight. Before I can even adjust my eyes, rough hands drag me out into the cool night air. Well, they messed with the wrong girl. Instinctively, I lash out, my fist connecting with something semi-soft. I hear a grunt of pain, then a low, menacing growl that doesn't sound human. Wait, what?

"Stop her!" the man yells as I sprint around the car and down the driveway. My heart is pounding in my ears, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Freedom is so close I can taste it.

But then, a hand clamps down on my shoulder, spinning me around. I come face to face with one of the men, his eyes glowing with a menace that sends chills down my spine. "And where do you think you're going, little mouse?" he growls.

As I look around I see the men exchanging looks with a nod to each other.

"This should keep her from running off," one growls in a guttural, barely human voice.

"Better hope so," another replies. "You know what will happen if we let her get away."

I open my mouth to scream, but the sound dies in my throat as I witness something that defies everything I thought I knew about reality.

The men around me begin to change. And I don't mean in a metaphorical sense. I mean they literally start transforming right before my eyes. Bones crack and shift, fur sprouts from their skin, and their faces elongate into vicious muzzles. Where men stood moments ago, now massive wolves tower over me, red eyes gleaming with malice.

I'm frozen, my mind unable to process what I'm seeing. This can't be real. Werewolves don't exist. They're the stuff of cheesy horror movies and teenage romance novels. But as one of them snaps its jaws near my face, the hot breath and gleaming teeth are undeniably real.

Oh God, this is really happening.

Alpha? Are they talking about Axel? He is the only one that knows I have been kidnapped by these... these... I don't even know what to call them. Werewolves? Monsters? Whatever they are, they're real, and they've got me. Hope flickers in my chest at the thought of Axel, quickly smothered by terror as they drag me into an old, decrepit house and lock me in a cage.

I watch the werewolves come and go, sometimes in human form, sometimes as wolves. They argue about packs and territories, about who are rogues and alphas. None of it makes sense, yet it's my new reality. It's like I've been thrust into some bizarre parallel universe where all the rules I thought I knew have been thrown out the window.

In quiet moments, my thoughts drift to Axel. Is he looking for me? Does he know about this hidden world of werewolves? Or am I truly alone in this nightmare? The uncertainty is almost as bad as the fear.

The cage is cramped and uncomfortable, the metal bars cold against my skin. I huddle in the corner, trying to make myself as small as possible. The werewolves barely acknowledge my presence, except to toss me scraps of food and water. I'm starving with what they have given me to eat. It seems as if they are trying to keep me as weak as possible. Smart move on their part, I guess. A weak prisoner is less likely to cause trouble.

I strain to overhear their conversations, desperate for any information that might help me understand my situation and escape. They talk of a power struggle within their pack, of members challenging the authority of their Alpha. Is Axel one of them? The thought is both terrifying and oddly comforting. If he is, maybe he has a better chance of finding me.

As the hours turn into days, the loneliness and desperation threaten to overwhelm me. I've never felt so helpless, so utterly alone. And I have no clue as to why they want me. Am I just a random victim? Or is there something more to this?

But even in my darkest moments, I cling to the hope that Axel is out there, searching for me. He's my only lifeline in this nightmare, the one person who might be able to save me from this hell. Come on, Axel. I need you now more than ever.

Time blurs as I sit in this cage, feeling helpless and alone. The werewolves, my captors, move about their business, seemingly unconcerned with my presence. I watch them, trying to understand their patterns and routines, desperate for any advantage that might aid in my escape. If there's one thing I've learned from all those crime shows I used to binge-watch, it's that knowledge is power. And right now, knowledge might be my only weapon.

I begin to notice a rhythm to their movements. The guards rotate on a schedule, some more attentive than others. I learn their faces, their mannerisms, searching for any weakness I can exploit. I'm playing the world's most terrifying game of chess, where one wrong move could cost me my life.

It's during one of these long hours of observation that I spot it - the key to my cage, hanging on a hook just out of reach. My heart races at the sight, a flicker of hope igniting within me. If I could just get my hands on that key... It's tantalizingly close, yet might as well be on the moon for all the good it does me right now.

I glance down at the paper clips I managed to snag off the floor during a moment of inattention from my captors. They're not much, but they're all I have. As one of the guards dozes off in a chair nearby, I seize my chance. With trembling fingers, I reach through the bars and carefully undo his shoelace, slipping it free without waking him.

This isn't the first time I've stolen a shoelace from this particular guard. A few days ago, I noticed him nodding off during his shift, his shoelaces dangling temptingly close to my cage. In a moment of desperation, I managed to snag one, holding my breath as I slowly pulled it free. Miraculously, he didn't stir, and I tucked my prize away, hoping it might come in handy.

I was lucky then, and I pray that my luck holds now. This second shoelace could be the difference between escape and captivity, between life and death.

The next guard arrives to relieve his sleeping companion, and I watch with bated breath as they exchange positions. The guards don't seem to notice the missing shoelace, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Small victories, Lila. That's what's going to get you through this.

Under the thin bedding provided in my cage, I hide the new shoelace with the other supplies. The paper clips will become a crude hook, the shoelace a length of string. It's not much, but it's a start. MacGyver would be proud, I think with a grim smile. I tuck them away, waiting for the right moment to make my move.

As the hours stretch on, I find myself alternating between anger and determination. How dare they keep me locked up like an animal? What gives them the right to tear me away from my life, from the people I love? The rage simmers within me, fueling my resolve to escape. I'm not just some damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. I'm Lila fucking Taylor, and I'm going to get myself out of this mess. I can't keep waiting to be rescued.

But beneath the anger, fear lurks. I've seen what these creatures are capable of, the raw power and savagery they possess. If I fail, if they catch me... I shudder to think of the consequences. It would be like being trapped in a cage with a tiger - one wrong move, and I'm toast.

I close my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. I picture Axel, his strong presence and reassuring smile. He's out there somewhere, looking for me. I have to believe that. I have to hold onto the hope that he'll find me, that he'll save me from this nightmare. But I can't rely on hope alone. I have to be ready to save myself.

With grim determination, I begin to mentally prepare for my escape attempt. I go over the plan again and again in my mind, visualizing each step, each movement.

The key glints in the dim light, taunting me with the promise of freedom. I know the risks, know the likelihood of failure. But I refuse to spend another day in this cage, at the mercy of these monsters. I will escape. I will survive. And when I do, I'm going to need the biggest, strongest drink I can find.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch the werewolf guards arguing, their voices rising in anger. I can't make out the specifics of their dispute, but I know this is my chance. As they storm off, called away by some unseen summons, I spring into action. It's now or never, Lila.

With shaking hands, I retrieve my makeshift hook and shoelace from beneath the bedding. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "You can do this, Lila," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.