Page 11 of Forced Bratva Hostage

This version of him, this man he'd become, a drunk, a gambler, and an individual who thought he had nothing else to live for, broke my heart on a daily basis.

I sniffled, wiping the tears that trickled down my cheeks as I walked through the alley.

Reliving these memories always stole what little joy I had left, enveloping me in a shroud of sadness and depression.

A twig snapping behind me caught my attention, and I paused in my tracks, eyes roaming the deserted alley.

The flickering streetlight cast long, ominous shadows on the alley walls as I stood alone, my heart racing while scanning the environment.

My instincts kicked in, hinting at the danger lurking in the dark of the night. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched—followed. I could sense another presence around me, and when a nearby bush rustled, my body tensed.

My sharp eyes caught a dark figure nestled in the shadows of a corner, and without a second thought, I spun around, quickening my pace in the opposite direction.

I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat as panic set in. My feet moved swiftly, the sound of my clicking heels echoing through the silence as a cold shiver ran down my spine.

The footsteps behind me grew closer, and I immediately graduated from quick paces to sprinting through the alley. I stole nervous glances over my shoulders while in motion, feeling the wind against my face.

The faster I ran, the fainter the footsteps grew behind me, and eventually, they vanished.

I didn't slow down, nor did I stop until I emerged from the alley, standing at the crossroads, gasping for relief. I wasonly a few blocks from my place, and the streets were empty at this time of night, but I could hear Ms. Paddington's dog barking in the distance.

With heavy breaths, I glanced back, daring to scan the darkness of the alley. The figure was gone.

My eyes squinted, forming faint creases between my brows as I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me.

I exhaled sharply, picking up my pace, my senses on high alert. The incessant barks of Ms. Paddington's dog pierced through the silent night as I walked back home.

Just as I was about to relax, my gaze fell on an imposing figure towering barely two feet away from me. The form lingering ahead had the poised posture of a man, his face obscured by the night, shrouded by a dark hoodie that blended seamlessly with the shadows.

My pulse spiked, and my breath hitched in my throat as I cautiously pulled away, retracting with quiet steps.

I fixed my gaze on this menacing figure looming over me, wondering where he came from.

Gasping in fear, my eyes widened as he approached me, each step seeming to amplify my terror. My lips twitched, trying to speak, but words failed me. A voice in my head screamed at me to run, but my legs felt rooted to the spot.

It wasn't until he was inches from me that I got a grip on myself and attempted to flee. He grabbed my wrist, his firm grip freezing me in place.

Before I could scream, he pulled me forcibly, my back resting on his chest. My arms flailed wildly but to no avail. He was stronger.

With a swift motion, he clamped a cloth over my mouth and nose. I tried to shake my head, slapping against his strong arms, but his grip was firm, keeping me in place.

The sweet, acidic scent of the cloth invaded my senses, gradually weakening my defenses.

I could feel my strength draining out of me, my vision blurring by the second. The world around me began to swirl, and the barks of Ms. Paddington's dog faded away as my legs bucked against his unyielding grip.

My hands fell off his, my eyes narrowing to a tiny pinprick, giving way to utter darkness.

The last thing I remembered was my body going limp, the world going blank.

Chapter 5 – Afanasy

I sat on a plush sofa, cradling myself in its softness, my eyes fixed on the innocent young woman lying asleep across from me.

Her slow, steady breaths filled the room with a soothing rhythm that prompted my mouth to twitch into a small smile as I drank in her serene beauty.

The rising sun cast a gentle glow that filtered in through the curtains, illuminating her peaceful form.

I swiped a palm over my face. With my legs crossed, one ankle resting on the other in a confident pose, my gaze swept across serene features. My eyes traced the gentle curve of her lips, watching her chest rise and fall in a soft, steady motion.

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