Chapter 3

Elena was in the shower with a woman, one of the mysterious man’s workers. He had instructed her to help Elena wash up as she was still in the healing process after her surgery. Elena was still yet to understand what was going on. Despite repeatedly asking the man for his name, he refused to tell her. It all felt like a dream, but then, a very bad one.

“Please, ma’am, can you help me out of this place? I beg of you,” Elena pleaded, her hands folded. The chubby but middle-aged woman set out a bunch of clothes for Elena to choose from.

The woman remained silent, continuing to check out the clothes. Elena grew frustrated and went further, “Please, I beg of you. I need to leave here, please,” she whimpered, grabbing her right arm.

The Chubby woman stopped what she was doing and looked at Elena. Her stare was cold while Elena had tears streaming from her eyes. “I’m sorry, but there is nothing I can do,” she shook her head and yanked her hand away from Elena’s grasp abruptly. The room went colder

Elena dropped to the floor, her knees hitting the marble tiles without care and pang . "Please, help me. You're the only one who can," she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to the chubby woman's legs, her head shaking in desperation. Her lips grew pale and dry as her strength waned. Her whole body trembled as she begged with all her strength and might. It was a bad dream she really wanted to wake up from as soon as possible.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry. I'm just a worker here, I can't help you. I'm not even supposed to talk to you. If the boss finds out I spoke to you, I will be beheaded and served as food to the wolves," the chubby woman said, shaking her head, clearly scared. It was evident that no matter what Elena said or did, she wouldn't receive assistance.

Elena remained on the floor, tears trickling down her cheeks as she realized there was no way out at that moment. She pondered how she found herself in such a mess. She remained on the floor like a wounded lion in battle who had accepted defeat. Quietly, she sat while the chubby woman dressed her in a white silk dress that hugged her body tightly, accentuating her curvaceous figure. The dress clung to her contours, displaying her amazing shape.

"Please, let's go," the chubby woman said after dressing Elena and making her up lightly.

Elena stood up mechanically, tears still welling in her eyes. Just as they were about to leave the room, Elena abruptly grabbed the chubby woman's right arm. The woman turned, looking at Elena with surprise.

"Please, help me," Elena said calmly, tears threatening to spill over again.

The chubby woman appeared empathetic but shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

"Can you at least tell me his name?" Elena asked, desperate to know who had kidnapped her.

The chubby woman paused, contemplating in silence. Moments passed before she spoke gently, "The Boss. That's the only name he goes by. I don't know any other name for him, and I've never heard anyone call him anything else."

“Boss?” Elena narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her forehead in confusion

“Please, we have to go now. If I keep the boss waiting any longer, he'll have my head fed to his pack of wolves,” the chubby woman hurriedly grabbed Elena, gently leading her out of the room like a lamb to the slaughter.

Eventually, Elena found herself in another room, placed on a bed, and the chubby woman left without a word. Elena sat quietly, her legs clasped together, tears welling in her eyes. She felt weak, tired, and anxious, wondering what fate awaited her as she looked around the walls of the room that was devoid of pictures and any form of art. What did the mysterious man have planned for her in this room? Numerous questions flooded Elena's mind. She reached for a pillow among the many on the bed, covering her face, and screamed with all her might. The situation had shifted from being on a deathbed to feeling like a sacrificial one.

As Elena pulled away the pillow, her eyes broadened, noticing a phone where she had thought the pillow was. She squinted, slowly reaching for the phone. Hastily picking it up, she dialed the only emergency number she knew—911.

“911, what is your emergency?” a female voice answered on the other end.

Elena's eyes sparked with a glimmer of hope. "Please, I need your help. I've been kidnapped against my will. Please," Elena pleaded in whispers, her emotions swinging between happiness and fear. She covered her mouth slightly with her left hand, trying not to speak too loudly, her eyes darting momentarily towards the door to ensure no one barged in on her.

"Could you tell me your name and do you have any idea where you are?" the woman on the line asked.

"My name is Elena Jackson, but I don't know where I am. Please help me, I'm so scared," Elena's voice fluttered, tears threatening to break through again.

"Please, don't be scared. Do you know anything about those who kidnapped you or any information that might help?" the cop inquired.

"No. Well, the only thing I know is the name of the man who kidnapped me. He's called 'The boss,' and he seems to—" Elena was still speaking when the police officer interrupted her, "The boss? Is that what you just said?"

"Yes, yes, that's what he's called," Elena nodded vigorously, imagining the officer right in front of her.

Suddenly, silence filled the line. "Hello?" Elena called out anxiously. "Are you still there?" She shot up from the bed and began pacing the room. For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence while she continued to speak.

"I am the police chief. Did you just say you're held captive by 'The boss'?" A male voice pierced Elena's ears.

"Yes," Elena replied, surprised but still responsive. She felt a momentary panic, wondering if the police had abandoned her.

"I apologize for that. I and my men will be coming to your location as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to stay safe and keep this phone close if possible. My team will track you through it. 'The Boss' is a dangerous and cold-blooded murderer, but we haven't been able to apprehend him due to a lack of evidence," the chief explained.

"Okay, please be quick. I'm scared," Elena sniveled, moving closer to the room's entrance, pressing her ear close to the door to ensure 'The Boss' wasn't nearby.

The chief's voice echoed, "Stay safe," before the call disconnected. Elena stared at the phone, her heart racing wildly, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She took a deep breath, covering her face with her hands. Suddenly, footsteps approached, and she swiftly rushed back to the bed, hiding the phone beneath the pillow.

The Boss entered the room without knocking, standing silently at the entrance, locking eyes with Elena. "Puppy," he coldly smirked, advancing further. His eyes were on her, adorning her beauty.

He moved directly towards Elena, who sat on the bed, her heart pounding so fiercely it felt like her ribs might crack. She clenched her legs together, praying fervently for the police to arrive soon.

The Boss's hand reached for her face, holding her chin gently. His index finger traced a path from her face to her neck, then back, lightly parting her lips. "In the name of the father," he smiled, tracing down her neck once more. He continued, slowly moving to her right breast, squeezing it as Elena winced, unable to protest “…and of the son”

He didn't stop there. His index finger traveled down to her waist, then to her left buttock, and finally to her right, uttering, "And to the holy." He chuckled, savoring his twisted ritual.

"It is time. Let the reckoning begin," he snapped his fingers, and Elena's eyes snapped open, gripped by the fear of the unknown.