Solace

RYAN'S POV

I went ahead with my plan to kidnap the child. I did not care what Josh thought it if it was wrong. I was going to get my child back.

After she was taken a way from her mother. I met the guys who had helped me, " Here, this is the balance." I handed them money while they gave me Selene. She had cried her eyes out, when I met them, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. She was weak and could barely say anything.

" Are you ok?" I asked, concern laced in my voice, but she just stared at me blankly, I turned to the guys, "Did you do something to her?" I asked, wondering why she just stared the way she did.

" No we didn't, she cried so much. I guess she is just exhausted." One of the guys I had hired responded, " It is ok then." I said, and we shook hands and I left with Selene.

We moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets as shadows danced around us like phantoms in the night. Selene clung tightly to my shoulders, my heart ached at the thought of what awaited us.

Entering an old decrepit building on the outskirts of town felt like stepping into another world entirely but we did not have a choice, I needed to hide first before leaving the city with Selene. Dust particles floated in beams of moonlight streaming through broken windows while distant sounds echoed ominously from empty corridors.

Setting up camp in an abandoned room on one of the upper floors seemed both practical and risky; it provided shelter from prying eyes yet exposed us to potential danger if anyone discovered our whereabouts.

I laid Selene to sleep, she was so exhausted and I had fallen asleep in my hands, " I promise to do better, Selene." I

As I watched over the sleeping child later that night under a flickering candle's feeble glow, a wave of doubt washed over me. Was this journey truly necessary? Will we find solace amidst these desperate actions? I wondered.

In that moment of uncertainty, I found solace in the sleeping child's peaceful face. It reminded me why I embarked on this perilous journey in the first place - to protect and provide a future for me and my daughter after being denied one. With renewed resolve burning inside me, I vowed to carry out this mission till its end.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of distant footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. Panic surged within me as I quickly gathered our belongings and gently shook the child awake. We had to leave immediately before we were discovered.

" Did the police find us?" I worried.

Filled with adrenaline, I grabbed the Selene hand and we silently crept through the corridors. The footsteps grew louder, urging us to move faster. We reached the staircase just as voices echoed from below. With no other option, we leaped over the railing and landed on a pile of old mattresses.

We landed with a soft thud, the impact sending shockwaves through my body. I quickly assessed our surroundings and saw an open door leading to a hidden passageway. Without hesitation, I grabbed Selene's hand again and we sprinted towards it.

" I want my mummy, I cannot run any further." Selene said refusing to run with me. I paused, turned to her to reassure her. " I am saving you from the bad guys Selene. We would get to your mum soo."

She looked hesitant and finally agreed. " Ok, how soon?" She asked.

" Soon Selene." I screamed at her growing impatient with her questioning. I grabbed her hands again and we ran off througb the hidden passageway that was narrow and dimly lit, the walls covered in cobwebs. I could hear our pursuers getting closer, their shouts echoing through the corridor. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as we raced forward, not knowing what lay ahead.

Suddenly, we came upon a fork in the passageway. Panic rose within me as I frantically tried to decide which path to take. Selene looked up at me with wide eyes, placing her trust in my judgment. Without hesitation, I chose the path on the left and we continued our sprint.

The passageway twisted and turned, seemingly endless. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I pushed us forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound of our pursuers grew fainter, indicating that we were putting some distance between us. But there was no time to rest; we had to keep going.

We pressed on, our breaths ragged and bodies growing weary but we couldn't stop now. I had gotten barely any chance with my child and they were already out to get her back. The passageway seemed to stretch indefinitely, but the prospect of escape kept us moving. We unexpectedly came across a vine-covered hidden door. Without hesitation, I pushed it open, and we found ourselves in a breath- taking house.

I turned towards Selene and saw her eyes widen with awe and joy - it was clear that she too felt captivated what she had seen.

" Is this your house?" she asked me curiosly, " Ys it is, do you like it?"

I lied, I did not know who owned the house but it seemed like a place of refuge for us at this point. " I do, mummy would meet us here right?" She asked me and I nodded in the affirmative,

Taking her hand once again, I led her further into this hidden sanctuary, hoping that it would become our refuge from now on.

Selene laughter filled the air. It was a moment of pure joy amidst the chaos that surrounded us.

.

We made ourselves at home in this humble abode, taking solace in each other's company. The atmosphere was warm and comforting, and we felt a sense of peace settling over us. Selene's eyes sparkled with contentment as we began to create new memories in this special place.

Surprisingly there was food lik someone actually lived there, we were going to camp there till I was sure about what next to do.

" Want something to eat?" I asked Selene and she nodded, "I am so famished." I went on to get her a plate so I could serve the meal for her.

" When is mummy coming?" She asked again, unsure about what to say, I did not respond, pretending not to hear her.