38."Blood Ties and Secrets"

Emma

I was more determined than ever to find a way to escape that damned place. As the moments of silence dragged on, I began to explore the shed in search of any glimmer of hope. I knew my life depended on it. I wasn't sure of anything. When you're kidnapped, trapped in a place where it feels like you can't even breathe properly, your survival instinct takes over.

I felt along the cold, dark walls, searching for hidden tools or weaknesses in the shed's security. Every inch I explored felt like a small victory, even if nothing stood out immediately; I needed to get out of there.

The doubt about what Andrew DeLuca felt for me wouldn't leave me. Who was I to him? Just a waitress, someone he used and discarded. However, deep in my heart, a small glimmer of hope remained, the hope that he might care for me, that he would come to save me.

Minutes turned into hours as I investigated every corner of that dreadful shed. But to no avail, I couldn't find anything to help me.

“Damn it,” I grumbl