89. Kidnapped

I jolted awake in the middle of the night, my heart racing. I suddenly hear a sound, barely audible but out of place in the quiet safehouse. Straining my ears, I caught muffled voices from downstairs.

I moved stealthily towards the door, my feet silent on the cold floor. As I reached for the handle, a thought struck me - what if it was Hadid, finally returned?

But when I tried to open the door, I found it locked. Panic began to rise in my chest. Why would they lock me in?

"Hello?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly. "Is anyone there? Is Hadid back?”

After a moment, I heard footsteps approaching. The lock clicked, and the door swung open. But instead of the friendly faces of Sarah and Maria, I was met with the barrels of two handguns pointed directly at me.

I stumbled back, my mouth dry with fear. "W-what's going on?"

Sarah's usually kind face was now hard and cold. "Get back inside, Emily. Now."

"But... I don't understand," I stammered. "Where's Hadid? What's happening?"

Maria