I couldn't breathe. It was as if someone was choking me. But no, I can't feel someone touching me. Or perhaps, I lost my ability to feel it. My heart was pounding hard and fast against my chest. I could literally hear my frantic heartbeat against my ear. The head was throbbing.
I struggled to catch my breath. It must be one of my panic attacks like before. I need to calm down.
I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. I repeated it again until I was finally able to even breathe.
Slowly, I opened my eyelids.
The first thing I was my own reflection lying on a king-size crimson, silk bed. My curly, blond hair was messy against the bed. I was still wearing the same white long sleeve polo dress I wore in the restaurant. There is no trace of bloodstain on my dress, which made me a bit sceptical if what happened before I lost my consciousness is true or not.
But...
Why am I in this place?
If it's not true, then why could I see such a scene?
Fear creeped up to my chest and I, again, started to get a panic attack.
Tears rolled down on my cheeks the longer I stared at my own reflection through the ceiling just across the bed.
Suddenly, I heard the door click. I didn't dare to look at it, scared to see who it was. My body trembled.
"Oh, you're awake." I heard a man's cold voice. It sent shivers down my spine. I sobbed and closed my eyes and kept silent. "Why are you unmoving?" he asked.
Who... is he?
No, scratch that. What is he?
I felt the bed dipped from the side of the bed. I tensed and held my breath. I trembled even further.
The man chuckled. "You're cute, prey."
Prey?
"Stop holding your breath or else you're gonna die."
I didn't realized I was no longer breathing if he didn't just point it out. I slowly, reluctantly, exhaled the air I held and took a deep breath again.
"You're quite obedient, huh, prey?" he spoke again. "Now, open your eyes."
I don't know how I managed to do it. But I found myself obeying what was told by him.
I opened my teary eyes and looked straight into the man's cold, crimson eyes.
I gasped.
He smirked devilishly. "At last, you look at me."
"W-Who... are you?" My voice was shaking and so was my body.
He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "It is something you don't need to know."
"W-Where am I? Where did you take me? W-why..." I sobbed.
He faked a gentle smile, which turned to be a creepy one. He reached my cheek and wiped my tears through his thumb.
"Hush, don't cry, prey."
I shook my head. "M-Mommy... daddy..." Please, help me. I wanna go home.
The fake gentle smile on his face dropped, and he stared at me coldly. He cupped my jaw through his one hand and squeezed it tight. I feel like my bones are hurting. It would definitely leave bruises.
"I told you to stop crying," he said harshly.
I looked at him in fear.
What will he do?
"Remember this, prey. From today onwards, you will follow what I say, otherwise you'll be given a punishment." He bared his fangs as his eyes turned dark.
That immediately made me stop from crying as I gaped at him dumbfoundedly.
"That's it. Be a good girl. Now, get up and eat the breakfast I brought. Take a shower and meet me at the dining table. Am I understood?" he sternly said.
I nodded my head fearfully.
He smiled again before he let go of my face and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Now, I was left alone in an unfamiliar room. Perhaps, in an unfamiliar world.
**
I gently opened the door and went out. The thought of escaping this place crossed my mind. But the fact that my abductor is not a normal person, I might put my life at risk than it already was. And I'm sure, my parents would be heartbroken once I died.
I wander my eyes around my surroundings. High ceiling with luxurious, golden chandeliers hanging above. The floor was marbled. There was no trace of dirt in the place. The surrounding screams wealth.
Beautiful paintings were placed on the wall, expensive, good-looking vases, and artefacts could be seen around.
I saw a grand staircase. The railings were made out of gold. My lips parted in amazement. Everything looks so expensive that I began to think if this is just a mere illusion or not.
I walked downstairs while roaming my eyes around. Finally, I spotted a lady— which seemed to be one of the maids in this house based on her uniform.
I debated myself whether to approach her or not. I want to ask for help and tell this person I was abducted, but knowing I'm not her boss, there's no doubt she'll expose me to that man.
I sighed. Before the woman could see me I walked through my instinct and successfully made my way to the dining hall where lots of food was prepared atop of the table, as if there's a feast. Too bad I've already eaten.
"Sit down." A familiar voice startled me.
Looking over my shoulder, I saw the man with crimson eyes standing tall and leaning near the doorway. He was wearing a black polo, long sleeve shirt, and a black jeans. He also wore dark boots.
His face was pale, accentuating the colour of his red lips and crimson eyes. His dark hair was tied into a topknot.
I still wore the same dress after I took a quick bath.
I blinked my eyes when he walked past me. My heart began to beat fast and loud.
I heard him halt before he said, "Now."
I gulped hard as I trembled. I immediately followed what was told, fearing I might anger him. I fought the urge to cry even though all I wanted was to curl up in my bed and cry, wishing this is all a nightmare.
My lips quivered.
The man sat at the head of the table while I sat next to him in the row. He flickered his wrist and the 5 servants suddenly came to serve us the food.
I bit my bottom lip as I fidgeted my fingers on my lap. I wanna go home...
"Eat."
"N-No—" he cut me off.
"Yes."
I looked down as a tear fell on my cheeks. After a servant poured some juice on the glass, I took a sip. My hands were shaking.
"Relax, prey. I just want you to eat. No need to be too tense," the man teased, looking rather amused at my pitiful situation.
I finally couldn't take it. I put the glass on the table and I met his eyes.
"Let m-me go. I wanna go h-home," I said as I broke into another set of tears. "Please..." I whispered while staring at his cold, crimson eyes.
For a brief moment, I saw how his eyes glinted with... guilt? I am not quite sure, because within a matter of seconds, his eyes darkened.
"You are home, prey."
His eyes went back to normal and he smirked in mischief.
I stilled. "W-What do you mean?"
"This is your new home." He sipped on his wine as his smirk widened. "And you will be living in this house from today onwards."