Chapter 72 ON THE RUN

Chapter 72 ON THE RUN

ARIA’S POV

My head ached. My body oozed too,I tried to talk but the smell in my mouth was uncontrollable. I was still tied in my hand.

I shifted slightly, not until I noticed that they were people still looking

“Sit still,” the man who had called himself the leader said, watching me from across .His arms were crossed. “You’re only making it harder on yourself.”

I forced a smile, careful to hide my panic. “And what do you want from me, exactly?” I asked.

He tilted his head. “You’ll find out soon enough. For now, just… wait.”

Wait. I couldn’t wait. I had to do something.

I scanned the room. I needed a distraction, something cunny.

“You know,” I said slowly, “you really should untie me. It’s dangerous to have someone struggling.”

The leader strained his eyes. “And why would I do that?”

“Because if something goes wrong,” I said, letting my voice rise just slightly, “I might scream. Loud enough for someone to hear.”

He chuckled. “No one’s coming.”

I let a pause hang in the air, then whispered, “Or… maybe someone is. Someone already knows I’m here.”

He frowned, and I knew I’d struck a nerve.

I shifted again, pressing against the ropes, my hands numb but determined.

"Do you know what they'll do when they find out you're with me, there'll be blood. I will be the one to kill you." I said sternly.

“Stop struggling,” the leader snapped. He moved toward me, his footsteps echoing.

I then acted. I kicked the chair hard to one side, making it topple. I fell,he took fell. He cursed, startled, and I lunged toward wall,I was still tied to the chair .

The other men reacted quickly, moving to block me.

“You’re fast,” the leader said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “But not fast enough.”

I took a deep breath. “Maybe not,” I said, “but desperate.”

One of them lunged at me, grabbing a metal rod from a nearby pile of scrap. He swung at me, hitting my shoulder. He shouted in pain and stumbled back.

“Enough games!” the leader shouted. “Re-tie her back!”

Two men grabbed me, forcing me down. My stomach dropped as I spat out blood. I needed a better plan.

I remembered my phone. Somewhere on the floor I’d dropped it. Could they have seen it? Maybe. But I couldn’t think about that now. I had to survive. I had to find a way to leave a trail, to give someone a chance to find me.

“Listen,” I said quickly, voice calm now. “If you hurt me, you won’t get what you want. You need me alive.”

The leader paused, studying me. “And why should I believe you?”

“Because,” I said, forcing confidence, “I know things. Things that will make you rich, powerful… untouchable.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re bluffing.”

I smiled “Am I? Or maybe I’m just trying to stay alive.”

They looked at each other, unsure. And that’s when I knew I had a chance.

I struggled just enough to slip my hand closer to my pocket. My phone! The ropes hadn’t trapped me completely. With one hand, I nudged it out slowly. The screen lit up. Thank God.

I whispered to myself, “Come on…”

I opened the map app, tracing the route I remembered seeing when they drove me here. They had blocked the streets, but maybe…

“Where are you?” one of them demanded, noticing my movement.

“Just… checking,” I said, pretending to look scared. “Making sure I’m… okay.”

I tapped the screen, sending a tiny, coded message to a secure contact I had prepped for emergencies. A name flashed on the screen: safe alert. They would know I was captured and track my location—at least partially.

The leader tilted his head. “What’s that in your hand?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, slipping the phone under my coat.

He stepped closer. I could feel his presence, heavy and threatening. My heart hammered.

“You’re clever,” he said slowly. “I like clever. But clever won’t save you.”

He slapped me hard

“Maybe not. But desperate might.”

I wiggled my hands again, loosening the ropes enough to slide my fingers through just a little. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. Every second counted.

“Sit still!” he barked.

I obeyed, feigning exhaustion. But my mind raced.

Suddenly, one of the men opened the warehouse door. Light spilled in. A new figure entered—tall,heftier then them all My stomach dropped. Was this a new kidnapper? Or someone worse? Does he want me?

The leader’s head turned. “You… you’re early.”

He didn’t answer. Just stood there, scanning the room. I could see the tension in the leader’s shoulders. Whoever this was, they were a threat.

My heart leapt. Maybe… maybe this was my chance.

I strained against the ropes. My hands slipped through further. I could almost grab the metal rod again. If I timed it right…

The new figure stepped closer, and I caught a glimpse of their face in the dim light. Calm, controlled… dangerous.

“Everything okay in here?” the new voice asked, casual, almost mocking.

The leader stiffened. “We… uh… just moving her.”

The figure raised an eyebrow. “Moving her where?”

I held my breath, listening. Their words… they were questioning the kidnappers. Maybe,just maybe,this person could be my way out.

The leader turned to me. “You’re making this complicated,” he hissed.

I smiled faintly, pretending to be weak. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He stepped closer to the leader, ignoring me completely. “Complicated? You call this complicated? Let’s get this done.”

I realized,this wasn’t my kidnapper’s ally. Someone else was here. And they didn’t look friendly to my captors.

My pulse raced. I had a chance. A sliver of hope.

I wiggled my wrists once more. The ropes slipped just enough. My fingers brushed the metal rod. I grabbed it carefully, weighing my options.

“Sit still, or else!” the leader shouted.

I didn’t respond. I waited.

whispered under my breath, “Now.”

I swung the rod, hitting the closest man on the shoulder. He yelped, stumbling back. The ropes loosened further, and I twisted, kicking the other one as hard as I could.

The new figure stepped aside, letting me take control. Their presence was commanding. I didn’t know who they were—but I didn’t care. Right now, I had a chance.

I could escape. I had to.

But then, the leader recovered. His eyes blazed. “You think you’re leaving?”

I froze, gripping the rod tighter.

The warehouse door slammed shut behind the new figure. A shadow fell across the floor, blocking my only way out.

I realized, with a sinking heart, that escaping wasn’t going to be that easy.

And yet… I wasn’t going down without a fight.

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