SLAVE TO THE VAMPIRE KING

ABDUCTION

Samantha

The foggy lights in the background faded, mingling with the distant cacophony of honking cars. The sharp smell of leather and polish filled the air, inducing a wave of nausea that twisted my stomach. My headache flared, making me roll my eyes in frustration for what felt like the hundredth time in a minute. Before I could fully grasp my predicament, I realized my hands were bound behind my back, and a blindfold shrouded my vision. As I brushed my fingers against the scratched leather of the seat beneath me, panic surged through me—I was in a vehicle. But how had I gotten here?

Wasn’t I just dragged into the woods by an unseen force? The last thing I vividly remembered was the searing blaze of those red eyes piercing through the darkness, a shadow enveloping me. Was it all just a hallucination? The numbing ache in the nape of my neck was a grim reminder of my poor positioning in this seat. The thought terrified me: how long had I been in this car? How far from home had I been taken?

I shut my eyes tightly, forcing myself to focus on the night I had passed out.

When I felt the tap on my shoulder, my senses went haywire. I initially thought it was a prank from my sister, Amanda, attempting to scare me, but I was mistaken! A powerful force seized me, dragging me through the woods as if I weighed nothing. How could something be so fast, outpacing even the wind? The sensation was both intriguing and horrifying, especially when I felt like a puppet, pulled by invisible strings. The leaves crunched beneath my body as I was dragged deeper into the heart of the woods, where shadows danced, darker than the midnight sky, yet bright as fresh snow.

As I neared that shadow with the glowing red eyes, all my senses dulled. Then, an ethereal figure emerged—a man of such exquisite beauty and sculpted features that I wondered if he were a god.

Suddenly, the car lurched to a halt, and I slipped awkwardly between the seats. The jarring motion sent pain shooting through my back, but I remained silent. My throat felt parched and raw, my voice lost amidst the trauma. I had become immune to the physical pain, but the emotional turmoil I felt was far worse. Even if I had wanted to flee, I felt trapped, and lying still seemed my only option.

I guessed the driver had exited the vehicle. I let out the breath I had been holding. Fear coursed through me, shaking my hands. Nothing made sense anymore. The door swung open, and someone yanked my leg, dragging me out like a rag doll.

“Get out, b***h! Don’t act like you’re precious or something. I saw how your family treats you. Don’t worry; they won’t shed a tear over your disappearance,” a heavy voice growled in my ear.

I had been abused before, but the contempt in his voice signaled something far worse was coming. He treated me like filth, like I was beneath him. Roughly, he yanked me to my feet, forcing me to stand despite my unsteady legs. I realized there were two of them, their grip unyielding as they pulled me further into the shadows.

I couldn’t see where they were taking me, but the unpleasant odor that clung to the air hinted at something sinister. I recognized the scent of damp earth and decaying wood—it was the woods again. My feet clicked against a hard surface as they dragged me inside a building, my heart pounding with dread. The sounds faded as I was led deeper into what felt like a basement.

“What is this place? Where have you taken me? Why are you doing this?” I cried, my voice echoing in the enclosed space. My fear of being confined surged, and I pressed my back against the wall, trying to retreat from their grasp. Their laughter rang in my ears, mingled with my cries for help. No one had ever caged me like this. I fought against their hold, but a sharp slap across my face sent me reeling.

“Do as I say, or you will never see the sun again… Got it?” He brandished a knife, the cold blade grazing my neck, sending icy shivers down my spine.

I nodded in silence, surrendering to the fear that engulfed me as they dragged me where they wanted. The coldness emanated from the walls pressed against my delicate skin. They flung me into a dimly lit room and locked the door behind me. I stumbled, trying to find my balance, and leaned against a wall.

“Please! Don’t leave me here! Let me go! At least untie me!” I screamed, my voice hoarse from despair. But no one answered. The fading echoes of their laughter haunted me as they left me in that dark cage.

I lay on my back, immobilized by fear and pain. The ropes around my wrists had bruised my skin, leaving angry marks. I had lost track of time—was it night or day? Hours passed with only the sound of my sobs to fill the void. My throat felt raw from screaming, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

These brutal men would not listen or help. What was I supposed to do now? I had no escape plan and no knowledge of whether my family would come for me. Why had I let myself be ensnared by those alluring red eyes? I couldn’t accept this fate. I wouldn’t be a victim.

As I struggled against my restraints, I felt them loosen. I worked frantically to free my hands, my heart racing with each small victory. Finally, the ropes fell away, and I tore off the blindfold, gasping for breath. What lay before me was astonishing—a lavish room, opulent in design, yet it felt dangerous, as though I were being watched. The colors and furnishings clashed in a way that screamed royalty.

Where had I landed? I couldn’t recall any palatial structures nearby in my town. My thoughts were so consumed with the room’s lavishness that I didn’t notice the door creak open, allowing a figure to slip inside.

A chill ran down my spine, and I screamed, backing away without looking back. Something solid pressed against me, and before I could react, two powerful arms gripped my shoulders, paralyzing me with fear.

“Have you admired this room? We have more pressing matters regarding your presence in my modest home,” a voice whispered close to my ear, freezing the blood in my veins.

“Leave me!” I yelled, thrashing in a desperate attempt to escape, but he pushed me roughly to the floor.

“Did that hurt?” He grinned, his eyes burning into me.

“Who are you?” I demanded, struggling to rise.

“I don’t give answers; I give orders. You have no idea where you’ve stepped into,” he smirked, gripping my chin with a rough hand.

I jerked my head away, but he retaliated with another slap, sending me sprawling against the couch.

“That’s your fault. You should have chosen your words more wisely. Now, I’m in no mood to explain anything,” he said with a clap. Two maids appeared from the door.

“Give her proper treatment and get her dressed—she must be ready in two hours before the show starts,” he instructed, leaving with a final, piercing glare.

“Make her a star tonight…” His smirk lingered in the air, leaving me feeling hollow.

My heartbeat raced, dread pooling in my stomach at the thought of this “show.”

“Samantha! What have you done?” I whispered to myself as the maids approached, their expressions unreadable.

They seized me, undressing me against my will. I had always been shy, fiercely protective of my privacy. But exhaustion washed over me, a heavy blanket that stifled my will to fight. Two days without food had drained my strength, and my head swam with darkness creeping into my vision. I succumbed to the weariness, allowing my head to droop as I drifted into unconsciousness.