Page 1 of Save Me

PART ONE

Chapter1

STARLET

Have you ever hada stalker? A psychotic ex? I have. One ruined me—in the best of ways and the other… well, I guess we're about to find out.

At this point in my life, I had always envisioned myself being married, possibly with children, having completed my degree, and starting a new chapter far away from my parents. But in a single night, everything in my life was turned completely upside down.

My consciousness wavers, and suddenly I am being carried in someone’s arms. The intensity of a bright light causes me to squint. As I attempt to pry my eyes open, I catch quick glimpses of the trees enveloping me, only to be plunged back into darkness.

The sensation of a cold surface jolts me awake, pulling me out of the depths of darkness. Through blurry eyes, I see Zavier’s form looming over me.

No, no, no.

It wasn’t a dream?

Helplessness takes over as I attempt to move my hands and feet, only to find them securely bound together, intensifying my sense of panic. As he unties the material, I shiver at the touch of his ice-cold hands on my ankles and wrists, only for my relief to vanish as he firmly fastens my hands to a sturdy metal pole. As I started to regain consciousness fully, I frantically scanned my surroundings, and what I saw made a horrifying scream escape from deep within me.

Next to where I was tied up, I noticed a woman lying there, her body partially exposed and bruised. Her face was so badly injured that her jaw hung loosely to one side. Most of her face and certain areas of her body werestained with dried blood. As I take in her features, I realize it’s the same girl that Zavier brought to the diner that one afternoon.

She’s dead.

He killed her.

Oh my God, he killed her.

Panic surges through me and I start sobbing uncontrollably, yanking on my bound hands. A door slams shut, making me jump and I see Zavier coming down the stairs towards me, “Calm down, Star.” He calmly says but I can’t, I can’t stop the tears and the cries that fall from my mouth.

“Stop!” He shouts as his hand connects with my cheek, my head whipping to the side. I immediately shut my mouth, scared of what he might do next. My cheek stings with a burning sensation of where his hand connected and slowly I turn my head back to him and we lock eyes. I stare at him, tears still falling, “Please, please j-just let me go…I won’t t-tell anyone…please.” I beg but to no use. A sinister chuckle ripples through his chest which has a cold chill running down my spine. He gives me one last glance before he turns and leaves, walks up the stairs and disappears out of view.

What am I going to do?

How am I ever going to get out of this?

I know Argent is probably looking for me right now, but how is he ever going to find me before Zavier kills me?

My heart is pounding in my chest and it feels like I’m going to puke. Taking deep breaths, trying to steady my heart rate, I scan the rest of the room.

It seems to be some sort of basement, but there are no windows and I assume the door leads up those stairs. Tears instantly streamed down my face again as I lay my eyes on the girl, clear that she already started to decompose. Quickly, I cover my mouth with my hands, trying to keep any noises from escaping.

I’m never going to get out of here—not alive anyway.

I yelp as a door swings open and I watch Zavier slowly descend the stairs with something white in his hands.

What the hell?

“I brought you a little something,” he declares, a wicked smile stretching on his lips. My eyes widen as he reveals a delicate piece of white lace lingerie, itsintricate patterns glistening under the dim light. Does he want me to wear that or is he going to?

“If you’re going to be here with me, I want you to be something to look at, so—put this on.” He stretches his hand out, holding the fabric out to me, causing me to flinch. A surge of anger burns through me, my gaze piercing through him.

“I’d rather die,” I spit, my words heavy with defiance. A sinister chuckle rumbles through his chest, sending shivers down my spine, before he forcefully grabs my arm and yanks me towards him. The touch of his hand on my skin feels invasive, leaving a trail of discomfort in its wake.

“Either you put it on, or I’ll do it for you—your choice.” My stomach drops as I stare at him in terror, my heart pounding in my chest. I reluctantly grasp the fabric from his hands, watching as a satisfying smirk plays on his lips before he loosens the restraints from my hands that bind me to the cold pole. The sound of the restraints sliding off echoes in the room, adding to the chilling atmosphere. “And don’t even think about trying something,” he warns as he turns and makes his way back up the stairs, each step a haunting creak.

I don’t have a choice, do I? Slowly rising from the cold ground, my legs still wobbly from the sedative, I start removing my clothes. The sound of fabric rustling fills the room, intermingling with the sound of my uneven breaths. I’m still wearing my diner uniform, its worn and familiar fabric clinging to my skin. The sight of it brings tears to my eyes, threatening to fall as I realize this might be the last time I’ll ever wear it. The coldness of the room slices through me as I stand exposed, goosebumps forming on my skin. The air feels heavy, suffocating, as I struggle to put the lingerie on my aching body. And just as I pull the last strap over my shoulder, Zavier strolls back down the stairs.

The sound of his footsteps becomes louder and more urgent, quickening the beat of my heart. His presence fills the room, his aura suffocating. As soon as his eyes land on me, he quickens his pace until his body is flush against mine. I instantly step backward, a mix of fear and repulsion coursing through me, but he grabs me by my waist, his touch possessive and forceful, pulling me back into his grasp.

---