IN HIS RUINS

POV - ARIEL

I woke up to black.

No sound. No light. Nothing about this place felt right.

I felt along the floor, searching for my bag. Was I even awake? Or was this still a dream? I pinched my thigh so hard I almost screamed.

"What the hell. This isn't a fucking dream." I sucked in a breath.

I kept searching. My fingers finally brushed leather. I clutched my bag to my chest and dug inside. Phone. I unlocked it and turned on the torch.

"How did I even end up here?" I whispered, sweeping the light around.

The beam caught a door. It was instinct. I scrambled for it.

I threw it open, desperate for the breeze of life.

My eyes went wide. My lips parted. My heart dropped.

I froze, cold all over, as it hit me.

"It's him... the same guy who saved me," I said, like someone was standing beside me. My heart slammed against my ribs. My hands shook.

How can a person look so handsome?

Is he even human?

Then I saw what was in front of me.

A man lay bleeding on the floor. Every breath rattled in his chest. Scratches and deep cuts split his half-naked body. Blood streamed down his arm.

Mr. Shawn. What is he doing here? And why is he being tortured? Questions filled my head.

A year ago he lost Jason, my best friend.

Jason was the only person that stood by me, helping me through the worst times of my life. He eased all my worries. He secretly went against his father to stay away from me, because he knew what kind of man Shawn was.

He was right there when I needed someone. He taught me to live, no matter what. In the nights I thought I wouldn't make it, Jason was the reason I did.

But he was murdered. At least that's what I was sure about. The killer was never found.

My heart still aches when I remember him. And now I'm facing a darker moment of my life without him.

My head spun, and my mind was glued to the scene in front of me.

Him?... I was even more surprised because he was the one that saved me. But now he's the danger.

Did he save me just to bring me here and torture me too? No. Don't think too much.

I looked for an exit and found his eyes instead.

Deadly. Fixed on me.

I was too stunned to move. I hit the ground as if the shock knocked me down. I began to sweat. He pulled off his black gloves, now soaked in blood, and let them drop.

My mind blanked. My heart stalled. Then dyspnea hit. My chest locked up. I couldn't draw a breath. Tears slipped down my cheeks before I even realized I was crying.

Why am I crying? Wait, why am I even scared? Maybe because he's torturing someone I know.

He didn't look like a monster. He looked... handsome. But he didn't look safe either.

I forced myself up and wiped my face fast.

Again I remembered how he said it. "You'll get yours somewhere else." I trembled.

Blackwood. That's the name. The lady at the hospital called him that.

He watched me. Cold flint in his eyes. No expression. No words. He walked closer and I took a deeper breath until he was right in front of me. There was barely any space between us.

"Who are you?" My voice shook.

He ignored me. His gaze bored into mine, like he was searching for something. Then he spoke.

"How ungrateful can you be?"

"How so?" I hissed.

"I saved your life. You should thank me properly." he snarled at me.

He suddenly sounded angry for no reason.

"You saved and kidnapped me!" I squeaked.

He grabbed my neck, almost choking me. I struggled hard. "Let go!"

"Apologize... then I might!" he barked.

"I'll do that after my safety is confirmed," I choked out. I was scared, but I hated being snapped at.

He released his firm hold.

"Are you bargaining? Your life is at stake."

"I wouldn't call that a bargain. I just want to confirm my safety. How would I thank you when I don't even know whether I'm safe or not?"

"Safe? No one will dare near you after seeing you with me."

Hmm. I couldn't even figure out what he was thinking. His face was empty. Cold. Angelic but dangerous. It was almost impossible to know what he was thinking.

"I have unfinished business to finish," he said with a straight face.

He pulled me like an object and shoved me into the room.

I growled angrily, but my knees trembled. "What just happened?" I could barely stand on my own.

This is just another moment of me regretting the fact that I dumped a good policeman. Creighton.

Creighton had always loved me. He helped me a lot. He was steady, safe, and he would've come looking for me. But what was I supposed to do when I had no real feelings for him?

I thought saying no was the right thing. I didn't want to lie to him.

But now? Now I regret not having those feelings for him. Because if I did, maybe I wouldn't be here. Maybe someone would be tearing this place apart to find me.

Mira will be worried sick right now. Mira was the only friend I had. We've lived together for years and today happens to be the only day I went out without telling her. Now I'm stuck here.

My head was spinning and I could feel my feet getting cold. The screams became louder, the thuds became rougher. The groans became deeper. Then slowly the sounds faded. Silence filled the room.

He's dead... I could feel it. What the hell! Did he kill him? Uncle Shawn... My spine shivered and tears began dripping down my cheek. I froze.

Then I heard the footsteps. They got closer toward me.

The door cracked open and then his gaze fell on me.

Dark. Cold.

His legs walked towards me, every step getting larger. I moved backwards by each step until there was no space behind me. At that very moment I wished I could pass through the wall and disappear, but was never possible. He pulled my arm drawing me to himself and twisted my arm behind my back. The pain rushed in.

"Now it's your turn" His voice sang through my ears. He slipped the stiletto out. Tracing it down my arms to the middle of my chest down to my belly button. I shivered. Every point of me shouted. Scream. But I couldn't. I struggle in his grip trying to break free. But I felt a sharp cut on my arm right before he dropped the dagger.

He released his grip letting go of my arm. I rushed few steps away from him. Holding the arm that got twisted. I breathe heavily.

Before I could notice, he came at me again. By this time it was his fingers aggressively holding my neck. Choking me to the very edge.

I could barely mutter. "No.. No... Please let go..! "