Chapter 1
997 Words
Everleigh
I stared at the mirror and winced as I was not too fond of the way I looked. Every flaw, every imperfection, seemed magnified under the harsh bathroom light. Dark circles lingered under my eyes.
I was getting ready for an interview today, and I was supposed to look my best, but I felt like I looked like a red headed troll.
My hair was as red as fire. Growing up, kids used to make fun of me, saying I was a hothead even though I was the most mild-mannered girl in the group. I had a small round face that was full of freckles and a pair of light blue eyes.
"Stop looking at yourself so much, Eve. You will break the mirror with your vanity," my sister Liz remarked sarcastically.
I looked at her and snapped. "I am not trying to be vain. You know how much I hate the way I look!"
Liz shook her head. "You are crazy. Everyone thinks you are beautiful."
"Yeah, by everyone, do you mean you and grandma?" I laughed bitterly.
"No silly, not just me and grandma. Elija too," Liz smirked.
I felt a flicker of hope. Elija Liz's best friend. He was only a few years older than me, and I've had a crush on him since we were kids. We grew up together, so I was convinced he saw me as a friend and nothing else. "Why? What did Elija tell you?"
"He said he finds you absolutely adorable."
I rolled my eyes. "See? He finds me adorable like I am some kind of a puppy. I am sick of being called 'adorable' or 'cute.' Why couldn't I be seen as...I don't know...sexy?" I complained. "You know, kind of like Diana."
"Diana is a b***h," Liz declared. She never got along well with our stepsister.
"Liz!" I exclaimed, then playfully threw a pillow at her.
"What? It's true. She acts like she is the s**t just because guys pay a little attention to her. But let me tell you something. She isn't all that. You know who is beautiful, though?" Liz said in a hushed tone as if she was about to share some dirty little secret.
"Who?" I asked, matching her enthusiasm. Life here was kind of boring, so these gossips were all I had for entertainment.
"LIZ! GET DOWN HERE!"
I sighed, momentarily distracted from our conversation by the gruff voice that echoed through the house. Our stepfather was not exactly known for his patience, and his demand for dinner reminded me of the realities we faced.
"Ugh, duty calls," Liz grumbled, rising from the bed and shooting me an apologetic look. "We'll continue this later, okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I need to head out for the interview soon anyway."
Liz hurriedly made her way downstairs, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. The reflection in the mirror stared back at me, a mixture of frustration and longing etched onto my face.
I put a finishing touch on my makeup and then fixed my hair one last time.
Time to nail this interview, I thought to myself.
But before I could step outside the room, I heard a loud noise downstairs.
It sounded like someone had burst open the door and stepped inside. I heard my stepfather yell something, but I couldn't make out what he said.
My heart skipped a beat as a sense of foreboding washed over me. Fear gripped my chest as my mind raced to comprehend the situation.
What's going on downstairs?
With trembling legs, I cautiously made my way toward the staircase.
The sound of muffled voices grew louder as I approached the staircase. I strained to catch snippets of the conversation, my heart pounding in my chest. Something was definitely wrong.
My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Standing in the entryway were several men clad in dark suits and exuding an air of danger. It was as if a dark cloud had descended on our home.
My stepfather stood at the center of the chaos, his face contorted with anger and fear. One of the men kicked him on the back, making him fall to his knees.
Liz? Where was she? I started to panic.
I took a deep breath to steady myself.
My phone! Where was my phone? I need to call the police immediately!
But as I turned around, a harsh voice cut through the air, freezing me in my tracks.
"Not so fast," he hissed. "One more step, and I'll shoot you on the back of your head."
Panic surged within me as his chilling words echoed in my ears. My heart pounded in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat.
I slowly turned around as I heard footsteps approaching behind me.
Every instinct screamed at me to run, to find a way to escape this dire situation. But there was nowhere to run.
Time seemed to stand still as the seconds stretched into an eternity. I look at the man walking upstairs toward me with a grin on his face. "Well, hello there, beautiful."
I took a step back, my heart racing as the man's unsettling grin widened. His words sent a shiver down my spine, his tone dripping with an unsettling mix of charm and menace. The situation had taken a dangerous turn, and my instincts screamed at me to protect myself.
Summoning all the courage I could muster, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze, determined not to show any signs of vulnerability. "Who are you? What do you want?" I demanded.
The man's eyes gleamed with twisted amusement as he closed the distance between us. He reached out, his fingers gently brushing against my cheek, and a surge of revulsion coursed through me. I instinctively recoiled, but his grip tightened, preventing any escape.
"Oh, my dear, don't be so resistant," he whispered, his voice oozing with sickening sweetness. "You're far too special to let go."
- Writer
