Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Sofiya

"It's your lucky night," came a voice from the darkness, making me jump as I closed the door behind me.

I clutched the velvety cardigan tighter around my waist with shaky hands. I recognized his voice immediately and knew trouble was brewing.

I glanced over my shoulder and rolled my eyes. "If you're here, then it's more like a living nightmare."

I hadn't seen him in days, and I couldn't be more relieved. Dimitri was my personal walking disaster, always leaving chaos in his wake. While Volk wasn't my favorite person, at least I felt some semblance of safety around him.

But Dimitri? He was pure terror, like a dark cloud looming overhead. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread as I wondered why he was back and where he had been. His appearance, with dirt, mud, and what looked like blood on his clothes, only added to the mystery.

"Did you enjoy your little trip with Volk?" His voice oozed sarcasm as he grinned at me. "Heard you were the star of the show that day, huh?"

"If by star you mean nearly getting murdered, then sure, I had a blast."

"Not fun enough for you?" He took a step closer, cracking his knuckles. Fear and tension filled the air, and I glanced around, hoping for Dasha to appear. Or maybe … even Volk. "Need us to take you to a circus?"

I met his eyes, trying to steady my nerves, and adjusted my sleeves over my trembling hands. Leaving the library after what felt like hours lost in books and another world, I wanted now to wander and explore, still trying to familiarize myself with the surroundings and devise a plan to escape.

It was now dark outside, and the manor was awfully quiet.

I hadn't seen Volk since Marina's visit. His absence left me wondering where he was and what he was up to. It felt like he was deliberately avoiding me.

Marina's words also kept replaying in my mind, like a relentless echo.

I doubt a girl like you could handle him.

She was absolutely right. Volk was way too dangerous.

Over the next few days, I found myself dwelling on the tale of Avelina Biklavana, contemplating how women longed to be cherished and valued like jewels. We truly are slaves to our desires.

"You're enough. I don't need another clown wasting my time."

My jab seemed to strike a nerve because his expression turned sour faster than milk left in the sun.

"Be careful," he leaned in closer, his breath reeking of cheap whiskey and stale cigarettes. "You know, my last offer still stands."

I fought back the urge to gag.

His last offer: to make me his personal whore. Nope, not interested. I've already got a full-time job being a damsel in distress.

"Get lost, Dimitri," I retorted, crossing my arms. "I'd rather swim in a pit of hungry crocodiles."

He chuckled, a sound that made my skin crawl. "Suit yourself, but don't say I didn't offer you a way out." As he turned to leave, he paused and looked back at me. "Put your shoes on and follow me outside," he said, gesturing towards my bare feet against the warm dark wood floor.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest.

I didn't trust him, and I didn't want to be alone with him, especially not outside where no one could see us.

"I'm going outside," I said firmly, taking a step back. "I don't trust you."

His expression hardened and he took a step towards me, his eyes glinting with anger. "You don't have a fucking choice," he spat.

Ignoring him, I stayed rooted in place, fighting the urge to run back to the safety of the library, away from him and whatever he had in store for me.

No. I won't go anywhere with him. That's final.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Dimitri. "

Suddenly, he reached under his jacket, pulling out a gun and pointing it at me.

I raised my hands in surrender, shocked, my heart hammering in my chest as I took a step back.

"Five seconds. Shoes on. Or you're dead."

"Where is Volk?" I asked, hoping to change the subject and gain some time.

"That's none of your fucking business."

"I have a right to know where he is–"

Dimitri advanced, his gun aimed at my head. "You've got no fucking rights. You're lucky to still be breathing. If it were up to me, you'd be dead already."

My heart raced as I took a step back, but I refused to let him intimidate me.

"Now, shut your mouth and move!" he barked, nudging my forehead with his gun.

Tears streamed down my face as I rushed to my room, snatched the black sneakers from beside my bed, and struggled to put them on, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

With each breath, I felt like I was suffocating.

With shaky steps, I returned to the hallway where Dimitri stood, still waiting with his gun poised, his evil grin sending chills down my spine. The way his eyes flickered, I knew he was plotting a dozen gruesome ways to kill me.

My mind raced with horrifying images of Dimitri, his eyes filled with malice, holding a knife, ready to tear me apart. I could almost feel the cold steel against my skin. I imagined him enjoying every second of my suffering, relishing the thought of ending my life slowly and painfully.

"Let's go," he ordered, then vanished into the darkness.

I stood there, feeling a heavy weight of loneliness settle in.

With a sigh, I followed him, my steps slow and heavy .

Dasha and Dve were nowhere to be seen as I made my way down the stairs.

Clad in my white nightgown and beige cardigan, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.

How many weeks had passed since I'd been imprisoned here?

One week? Two weeks?

So many questions swirled in my mind, demanding answers.

Stepping out into the night, I walked cautiously on the gravel, struggling to maintain my balance in the darkness. My right leg still ached, despite the painkillers the doctor had prescribed, so I tried to minimize putting weight on it as I walked.

"Do you need help?"

"Jesus!" I jumped, my hand on my chest trying to calm my racing heart.

Dve looked amused, his eyes twinkling as he wiped a grin from his face with his left hand. The moonlight illuminated half of his face, highlighting his mischievous blue eyes.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack tonight?"

He chuckled and looped his arm around mine. "Let me help you."

Too tired to argue, I let him guide me to the black SUV where I saw Dimitri waiting, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his phone pressed to his cheek.

"Where are we going?" I muttered, shivering from the chilly breeze brushing against my skin.

"I can't say, but Volk wants to show you something."

My anxiety spiked at his words. The uncertainty and the unknown were overwhelming. Without thinking, a surge of panic rushed through me, and I lashed out, giving Dve a swift kick in the side, trying to break free from his hold .

Startled, he winced but managed to catch me with one hand as I attempted to make a run for it.

"No! I don't trust you!" I cried out, my voice trembling, tears blurring my vision. "Please! Please, let me go!"

Dve held me firmly but gently, his grip surprisingly steady. "Sofiya, calm down! Nothing bad will happen to you."

His words gradually began to penetrate my panic-stricken mind. I took a few deep breaths, attempting to regain control over my emotions. With my vision still blurry, I wiped my cheeks with my sleeve and let out a loud snort.

"Is he going to kill me?" I whispered.

"No," Dve said, opening the backseat door with a faint smile. "I promise."

Despite my doubts, something in me believed he was sincere, so I let him help me into the car. As soon as Dve jumped into the passenger seat, Dimitri fired up the car, and the engine roared to life.

Emotionally drained, I slouched back in my seat, closing my eyes. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the muted Russian chatter between the two men soon lulled me to sleep.

When I finally stirred awake, disoriented from the sudden stillness, I found the car had stopped. Blinking away the drowsiness, I realized we were no longer surrounded by dense forest. Instead, we were parked in front of a rundown red-brick house in what seemed like a deserted village. The paint was peeling, and the windows were cracked, giving the place an eerie vibe.

Dve's voice pulled me out of my drowsiness. "We're here."

I glanced out the window, taking in the tranquil yet desolate streets. The night held its profound darkness, with stars faintly twinkling in the sky. The house before us seemed to exude an aura of secrecy and impending doom, making my stomach knot up.

"Why are we here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dve's expression remained unreadable as he turned to face me, motioning for me to follow him.

What's Volk really up to?

Our last encounter had left me unsure about everything.

I hated feeling like a pawn, but there was something about him I couldn't ignore.

That uncertainty, coupled with the inexplicable pull he had on me, made it impossible to know what to expect from him anymore.

Despite my fear, I had no choice but to follow Dve and face whatever lay beyond those walls.

With a sigh, I stepped onto the village road, the cold wind slicing through my clothes.

"Enough with the questions," Dimitri snapped, clearly annoyed.

I jumped at his sudden appearance and stepped aside, needing some space.

I frowned. "You're such a?—"

"Just shut up, Sofiya," he cut me off.

" Zatknis', Shut up, Dimitri, " Dve interjected, his voice sharp, as he and Dimitri exchanged a dark glance.

I didn't want to get caught in their drama but standing there doing nothing felt worse. So, I hurried towards the house, the gravel crunching under my shoes. Their intense stares followed me, but I brushed off their tension.

Pausing at the front door, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the knob.

What if he's going to kill me tonight ?

Summoning every bit of courage, I knocked, the sound echoing through the silent village. Each second dragged on, the overwhelming feeling of suffocation growing within me.

Finally, footsteps approached from inside.

The door swung open, revealing one of Volk's guards, a familiar face from his patrols. His dark eyes bore into me, freezing me in place. As the wind tousled my hair, I nervously bit my lip, waiting for him to say something. But he didn't.

"Is Volk inside?" I asked, breaking the silence.

My question hung in the air, unanswered.

I held my breath, waiting for a response, my heart pounding like a drum.

After what felt like forever, though it was probably just a few seconds, he motioned for me to enter without saying a word.

I stepped in, and the space felt heavy, like it was hiding something. The dim light barely touched the walls, leaving everything in shadow, and every creak of the floor seemed to echo unnervingly. The thick silence made my skin crawl, making each step feel like I was wading through fog.

As I moved forward cautiously, I couldn't help but glance back, half-expecting to see Dve and Dimitri behind me. But they were nowhere to be found.

Where are they?

I continued to follow the man down the hallway, passing closed doors that seemed to hide their own secrets.

Finally, he stopped before a door, his eyes drilling into mine.

Fear surged through me as I waited.

Is death waiting for me behind this door?

He swung it open, revealing a dark, ominous basement below. The staircase disappeared into the shadows, daring me to descend.

"Uh… you go first!" I blurted, my voice trembling. "Please?"

The man stayed silent.

With a heavy sigh, I accepted my fate and began my descent into the darkness below. Each step felt like a weight on my chest, the air growing thicker with every creak of the stairs.

Darkness has always felt suffocating to me, even as a kid. It seemed to press down on me, trapping me in its grip. That's why I always slept with my blinds open, craving even the faintest hint of light from outside. I remembered clutching my teddy bear tightly while facing the monsters under my bed. Even then, the light from my window was a comforting presence.

As I descended the stairs into the gloomy basement, I was grateful for the small window set high on the wall. It let in a sliver of light, a tiny beacon in the dimness. Even the faintest glimmer can be a lifeline when everything else feels overwhelming.

The musty odor of the basement intensified with each step, and I cupped my hand over my nose to ward off the smell.

At last, I reached the basement floor, swallowed by pitch-black darkness.

Then, a voice pierced the silence.

"S-Sofiya?"