Entwined Fates

DIANA'S POV. Something shook my body, making it vibrate as my eyes gradually opened. Fear crept into my mind when I found myself in an all-dark room. Gathering courage, I tried to release my hands from the ropes that had been tied to my hands the previous night. As soon as I finally managed to loosen the ropes, the door opened. Lifting my head, I caught sight of Lucas. The love of my life. What is he doing in this place? The big question was how he got to know that I and Kimberly were there. "Lucas," I murmured as my eyes increased twice its normal size. I shifted my gaze to the place Kimberly, my bestie, had been tied up but I was left stunned when I couldn't find her there. I prayed silently in my mind for nothing to happen to Kimberly. The kidnappers must have probably been the ones who took her. Did they have her killed? No! I should not be thinking so negatively. Different thoughts ran through my head but I shoved them away. "Babe, you're here. We need to leave this place as soon as possible," I expressed in a desperate tone. Lucas remained silent, his eyes fixed on me with a cruel smile. “Oh, Diana. You're so beautiful. I never imagined you to be this naive though," He mentioned with a disdainful look on his face. His words affect me. I jolted as I felt his grip tightened around my neck. I tried to breathe as I couldn't express myself better. "Stop! Please—" I stuttered before he released his hands from my neck. The door opened again. This time, Kimberly, my best friend, strode in dressed in simple shorts and tops which were good looking. I noticed her lips curled. "The queen is finally up from her slumber," She stated with a twisted look on her face I had never seen. What was happening here? "Kim, what's going on?" I demanded, my gaze shifting towards Lucas. "That's an excellent question, girlfriend," Kimberly replied, her eyes glinting with malice. "Your dear future husband and I planned this together. How about that?" she sneered, her words cutting deep. I felt a wave of betrayal wash over me - Lucas and Kimberly wouldn't do this to me... would they? The room seemed to spin as Lucas admitted the truth - they had planned this together. I felt a scream building in my throat as Kimberly's sinister laughter filled the room. "You brought this upon yourself, Diana. I told you to get rid of the baby, but you refused. I had no choice," Lucas explained, his words piercing my heart. “I'm sorry, bestie. We had no other option," Kimberly added. This nightmare couldn't be real. Just days ago, Kimberly was excited about my wedding with Lucas. What went wrong? “What did I do to deserve this betrayal?" I asked, feeling lost. “Everything!" Kimberly snapped, slapping me across the face. "How dare you question me, you thief!" Kimberly's voice rose in anger. “I don't understand, Kim," I replied, confused by her sudden hostility. “Stop pretending. Your game is up, friend," Kimberly declared, glaring at me. “I have no idea what you're talking about, Kim," I replied feeling completely lost. “Are you seriously going to act like you didn't know I loved Lucas before you came along?" Kimberly accused. "How was I supposed to know?" I defended myself. “I've loved Lucas since high school, but you, you shameless woman, stole him away like an opportunist," Kimberly insulted. I bit my lip, trying to contain my anger. "I had no idea you felt that way about Lucas," I admitted. “Liar! Liar!" Kimberly screamed, tearing my wedding dress in half. “You will pay for what you're doing to me, Kim," I mentioned as I bit my lower lips trying to hold back the tears. "Oh, she won't, because you will be underground by then," he sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. My heart shredded into tiny pieces as I finally realized the man I was about to tie the knot with would do such evil things to me. We were about to get married 24 hours ago. We had our life planned out but it crashed and the question in my head was how did things take a different turn suddenly? My thoughts were interrupted when the door swung open, revealing two burly men each holding two gallons. “Did you ever love me?" The words escaped my lips. If I die right now then the truth must come out. I could not bear the fact that I would die without not knowing if Lucas truly had genuine feelings for me. "He never loved you, Diana. He was involved with every other girl in college, including myself," Kimberly answered. I swallowed hard, trying not to let the pain affect me, but it cut deep. “Tell me something, anything," I pleaded with Lucas. "I wouldn't be doing all of this if you had chosen to abort the baby," he commented coldly. "Water," I called out, my lips parched from their hurtful words. I couldn't bear the suffocating hatred any longer. Kimberly disappeared for a moment, then returned with a glass of orange juice. "Here, have it," she offered, extending the glass towards me. I turned away, refusing to take anything from her. “What makes you think I would accept anything from you, traitor!" I exclaimed. "Shut up and drink it now!" Lucas yelled, snatching the cup from Kimberly. Lucas approached me, holding my mouth forcefully. I struggled against his grip, but he was too strong. He forced the cup into my mouth, and the liquid touched my tongue. "Good girl," he commented as he let go of my mouth. I noticed him and Kimberly smiling wickedly at each other. Just a few seconds later I started feeling a bit dizzy. All of a sudden, I felt a striking pain in my stomach. "Ah! My stomach," I shouted. "Please, help me," I pleaded, my vision now hazy as Kimberly and Lucas appeared as two figures before me. “Oh, stop whining!" Kimberly snapped. Tears streamed down my face as I caught sight of the blood flowing down my legs. Tension etched in my face instantly. "This can't be. Not my child," I mentioned shaking my head. "You...murderers! You killed my baby, help! Help!" I whimpered as the pain intensified. "Oh, quit the drama. It's a natural thing. Every woman goes through it. So relax," Lucas remarked. “You're heartless," I shot back. “You're heartless blah blah blah. Get rid of this woman. I'm fed up with her," Kimberly taunted, sticking out her tongue as she made her way to the door. "I swear on my baby's life, you will pay!" "Fill the room," Kimberly signaled the burly men and I wondered what their next move would be. Groaning in agony, I locked eyes with Lucas and saw a flicker of emotion in his gaze, hoping he would say something, but my hopes were dashed when he remained silent. "Let's go, my love," Kimberly, who had noticed our exchange, interrupted as she kissed him and shot me a glare. My focus shifted to the acrid smell of the liquid being poured by the men, and I knew it was gasoline. “Goodbye, sweetheart, see you in hell!" Kimberly declared, igniting the matches and tossing them into the room. "No! No! Lucas!" I screamed as I watched Kimberly, the men, and Lucas leave the warehouse. "No!" I cried out as the room was engulfed in flames. I can't. I can't die like this. I yelled for help, hoping someone would hear me. Yet, as the fire grew, I realized I was on my own. Now, I had to make a quick choice: run or risk not making it out alive. The pressing question remains: how can I escape from this predicament?