How did you find us?

How did you find us?
It was a fresh, beautiful, sunny day.
Arielle and Kyler strolled hand-in-hand through the bustling streets of Crystal City, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the weekend market.
Stalls lined the streets, filled with colorful trinkets, delicious street food, and cheerful vendors calling out to potential customers.
It was a rare, peaceful moment for the couple amidst their otherwise chaotic lives.
Kyler’s phone buzzed, interrupting the serene ambiance. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious. “I have to take this, it’s urgent,” he said, releasing Arielle’s hand. “Stay right here, I’ll be back in a minute.”
Arielle nodded, watching him step aside to answer the call. She turned her attention back to a nearby stall, admiring a delicate necklace.
She didn’t notice the dark figure moving stealthily through the crowd towards her.
Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth, and a pungent-smelling cloth was pressed against her face.
Her eyes widened in panic, and she tried to scream, but the sound was muffled. Her vision blurred as she struggled against the grip, her strength waning with each passing second.
The last thing she saw before darkness overtook her was Kyler’s distant figure, still engrossed in his phone call.
Kyler finished his call and turned back to where he had left Arielle. His heart dropped when he saw she was gone. “Arielle?” he called out, scanning the crowd.
There was no response.
Panic started to set in as he frantically looked around, asking anyone nearby if they had seen her.
“Excuse me, did you see a woman here? About this tall, brown hair, blue dress?” he asked a vendor.
The vendor shook his head. “Sorry, haven’t seen anyone like that.”
Kyler’s heart pounded in his chest. He pulled out his phone and dialed Noah’s number. “Noah, it’s Kyler. Arielle’s missing. I think she’s been taken. I need your help.”
“We’re on it,” Noah replied without hesitation. “Where are you?”
“Crystal City market,” Kyler said, his voice shaking. “Hurry.”
As night fell, Kyler’s desperation grew. He had searched every corner of the market, asked countless people, but there was no sign of Arielle.
His mind raced with dark thoughts of what could have happened to her. He felt a gnawing guilt for leaving her alone, even for a moment.
Meanwhile, hours later, Arielle awoke to darkness. Her head throbbed, and her mouth felt dry and sore.
She tried to move, but her hands were bound tightly behind her back, and a gag muffled any sound she might make. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the dim light seeping through the cracks in the walls.
Panic surged through her as she realized she had been kidnapped. She strained against her bindings, trying to free herself, but they were too tight. The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. Arielle’s heart pounded as the light revealed the person’s face.
“Zoe,” Arielle gasped through the gag, recognizing Kyler’s jealous ex-fiancée.
Zoe smirked, her eyes cold and filled with malice. “Hello, Arielle. Did you miss me?”
Arielle’s eyes widened in shock and anger. She tried to speak, but the gag muffled her words.
Zoe sauntered closer, her smile twisted. “You see, Arielle, you’ve been quite the thorn in my side. But don’t worry, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. Kyler belongs to me, and you? Well, you’re just in the way.”
Arielle’s mind raced. She needed to find a way to escape, to warn Kyler. She struggled again, but Zoe’s grip on her bindings tightened.
“Save your energy,” Zoe sneered. “No one’s coming to save you.”
Outside, Kyler was coordinating with Noah and their friends, who had arrived to help with the search. They split up, combing through the city for any sign of Arielle.
“Any luck?” Kyler asked Noah as they regrouped.
Noah shook his head. “Nothing yet, but we’ll find her, Kyler. We have to.”
Kyler clenched his fists, feeling helpless. “I won’t stop until she’s safe. Whoever took her will pay.”
Inside the dark room, Arielle’s determination grew. She wouldn’t let Zoe win.
As Zoe turned her back to gloat, Arielle noticed a sharp piece of metal on the floor. She inched towards it, managing to grasp it with her fingers.
Carefully, she began to saw at the ropes binding her hands, trying to keep her movements subtle and unnoticed.
Zoe continued to rant, oblivious to Arielle’s efforts. “You know, I always knew Kyler was too good for you. You’re just a distraction. But now, I’ll make sure you’re out of the picture for good.”
Arielle’s heart raced as the ropes began to fray. She was almost free. She kept her eyes on Zoe, ready to strike as soon as she had the chance.
From the way, Zoe had bring her here, she was clearly naïve, and didn’t knew Arielle at all.
Afterall, Arielle was one of the best mercenary, but Zoe was rich heiress.. and the difference was clear between the two of them.
Just then, Kyler and Noah burst through the door, their expressions fierce. “Arielle!” Kyler shouted, rushing towards her.
Zoe spun around, a look of shock and rage on her face. “How did you find us?” she screamed, reaching for a weapon.
Kyler tackled her to the ground before she could react, pinning her down. “You’ll never hurt her again,” he growled, his voice filled with fury.
Noah quickly untied Arielle, who threw her arms around Kyler, trembling with relief. “I knew you’d find me,” she whispered.
Kyler held her close, his voice softening. “I’ll always find you, Arielle. Always.”
He turned to Zoe, his eyes hardening. “And you’re just like your father. I was letting you go unharmed in all these things because I thought you were innocent…”
Zoe began to plead, crocodile tears coming to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kyler. I love you. Jealousy took over me... Let me go…”
As the police arrived to take Zoe into custody, Arielle looked at Kyler, curiosity and relief in her eyes. “How did you really find me?”
Kyler spoke slowly, “I just made a random guess and put Zoe’s location on a tracker. It felt weird for her to be here, so I thought she could be behind this.”
Arielle nodded, then with a hint of a smile, said, “Get your head lower.”
Kyler asked in confusion, unsure what she wanted to do, “What?”
Arielle repeated, “Just get lower.”
Kyler did as Arielle said.
And then Arielle reached out to pat Kyler’s head. “Mmm... You did it well…”
Kyler was startled by Arielle’s actions and laughed, “Is it a compliment, Hazel?”
Arielle nodded, her eyes shining with admiration. “Yes…”
Kyler kissed her forehead, pulling her close again. “Let’s get out of here. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”