Anna glanced around nervously, as though she wasn’t sure if she should be sharing this information with me. “It’s... a little farther away, toward the northwest part of the estate. Just beyond the gardens and past the stables.” She pointed in the general direction with a trembling hand.
“Thank you.” I spoke softly, trying to convey my gratitude without raising any suspicion. Once she nodded and left the pool house, I allowed myself to smile. At least now I had a general idea of direction, and I knew where to avoid if I managed to escape this opulent prison. It was a small victory, but it rejuvenated my hope.
I concentrated on my lunch, despite my nerves and excitement. I needed to keep up appearances and not arouse any suspicion from those watching me. While I ate, my mind raced with escape plans and strategies.
Were the people living in the other house staff members, or were they, like me, being held captive for reasons unknown? What secrets might be hiding within its walls? Perhaps some clue about the identity of my captor, or even a means of contacting the outside world?
I had a feeling this new piece of information was crucial. It was a small but significant step forward in my quest for freedom. Yet, I couldn’t act rashly or let my excitement get the better of me.
For now, I’d watch, wait, and gather as much information as I could. When it was time to make my move, I would be armed with the knowledge and conviction I needed to break free from this gilded cage and return to the life I’d so cruelly been torn away from.
As I contemplated my situation and tried to quell the mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through my veins, a glimmer of hope shone through the darkness. The road ahead might be long and fraught with danger, but at least now, I had a directionto move in. A starting point on the path toward reclaiming my freedom.
“Stay strong,” I whispered, my fingers intertwined tightly, and the pressure in my hands echoing my determination. “You can do this. You will survive. You will escape.”
The pages of the glossy magazine that had been left out on the table slid under my fingers as I flipped through them absentmindedly. All I could think about was my potential escape and my mysterious captor. The scent of chlorine lingered on my skin as a reminder of the deceptive freedom offered by the vast indoor pool.
“Miss Liza, it’s time to go back to your room now.”
The guard’s voice startled me, and I jerked my head up to look at him. God, he was huge. He seemed to fill the entire expanse of the double doorway. He was stern but not unkind—a contradiction that only heightened my anxiety. The contrast between his uniform and my damp bathing suit made me flush with embarrassment before fear flashed through me.
“I’ll just go and put on something else.” I dashed into the changing room and grabbed the robe hanging behind the door, securing it around myself. I’d shower and change in my bedroom, where there were no prying eyes of any hidden cameras.
I bundled my clothes in my arms and followed the guard back to the room. The guard’s quick strides made it difficult to make a mental map of the route. He opened the door and stood to the side as I stepped into the room with my head held high, the door closing with a definitive click behind me. But this time, I didn’t hear the click of the lock. For a fleeting moment, I thought to make a break for it, but the more rational side of my mind warned me there might be a trap waiting for me on the other side of the door.
After showering, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel, luxuriating in its comforting warmth, only for that small comfort to be obliterated when I came out of the bathroom and found a fresh set of clothes neatly arranged on the bed. I couldn’t stand this complete lack of privacy. Glaring up at the camera in the corner of the room, I grabbed up the items left for me and scurried back into the bathroom to dress for dinner.
With no clock, and no way to tell how many hours had passed except for the lengthening shadows outside the window, time crept by slowly. Each passing moment was a cruel reminder of my situation. Despite my best efforts to lose myself in a book, I kept glancing out the window, entertaining myself with absurd escape scenarios. I was lost in this contemplation when another guard opened the door and discovered me with my forehead pressed against the cool glass, pondering the logistics of my potential escape.
“Miss Liza, the master is waiting.”
I stood up, the soft fabric of my fresh clothes brushing against my skin. My heart thumped against my ribcage, its beats echoing like the wings of a caged bird, desperate for flight. Refusing to be viewed as weak, I steadied myself and regained my composure.
“Let’s get this over with.” I groaned internally. I’d been aiming for nonchalant, but to my ears, my words lacked confidence.
“Who is he?” I questioned the guard, curiosity winning out of over my fear. “Why go to all this trouble just to keep me here?”
The guard didn’t say a word, and his stoic expression betrayed nothing.
Taking a slow breath, I tamped down my growing frustration. I needed to stay alert and observant if I wanted to stand a chance to escape this place.
When we approached another set of ornate double doors, my palms started to sweat, and my heartbeat grew erratic. The unknown captor, the reason for my imprisonment… It all lay beyond those doors.
The doors swung open at the guard’s push, revealing a lavish dining room with a soaring ceiling and gleaming marble floors. Against the backdrop of opulence, the beautifully arranged table for two stood out with its simplicity and charm. The chairs were positioned directly across from each other in a clear sign of what was to come: an intimate dinner with my captor.
This was it, the moment I’d been dreading and anticipating in equal measure.
I hesitated at the threshold, scanning the room for any clues of my captor’s identity. More priceless art adorned the walls, and flames danced in the enormous fireplace.
I thought of my family and friends—the people who had been ripped away from me without warning or explanation. Rage and fear warred within me, tempered only by the knowledge that if I wanted to be with them again, I needed to stay focused and in control.
“Show yourself,” I said, my voice stronger than I expected. “Tell me why I’m here,”
“Have a seat, Miss Liza.” The guard gestured toward the table, then turned and left, closing the heavy door behind him, leaving me alone in the silence.
The table called to me, and my attention was immediately captured by the photo album placed in the center. Its age and simplicity were a stark contrast to the surrounding luxury. A small white envelope with my name written in graceful, flowing script sat on top of the album.
My birthname:Liza Wylde.
