Chapter 3

As the other car drew closer, Ethan's eyes locked on the driver's face. It was a face he knew all too well. A face that made his blood run cold.

It was Victor, James Parker's right-hand man.

Ethan's mind was racing with questions. What was Victor doing here? How did he find them?

Sophia's eyes were wide with fear as she turned to Ethan. "What's going on?" she whispered.

Ethan shook his head, his eyes locked on Victor's face. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I think we're in trouble."

Victor's eyes locked on Ethan's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Ethan could feel the tension building, the air thickening with anticipation.

And then, without warning, Victor's car swerved, blocking their path. Ethan slammed on the brakes, and their car skidded to a stop just inches from Victor's bumper.

Ethan's heart was pounding in his chest, his senses on high alert. He knew they were in grave danger, but he didn't know what Victor wanted.

Sophia's eyes were wide with fear as she turned to Ethan. "What do we do?" she whispered.

Ethan shook his head, his eyes locked on Victor's face. "I don't know," he admitted. "But we need to get out of here."

Victor's door opened, and he stepped out, his eyes locked on Ethan's. "You're not going anywhere," he sneered.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he realized they were trapped. Victor's car was blocking their path, and they were surrounded by dense woods.

Sophia's eyes were wide with fear as she turned to Ethan. "What do we do?" she whispered.

Ethan shook his head, his mind racing. He knew they had to think fast, or they would be in serious trouble.

And then, just as Victor was about to approach them, Ethan's phone buzzed with an incoming call. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" he said, his voice cautious.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then a voice spoke up. "Ethan, it's Marcus," he said. "I've been trying to reach you."

Ethan's eyes locked on Victor's face as he listened to Marcus's voice. "What's going on, Marcus?" he asked, his voice low.

"I've discovered something," Marcus said, his voice serious. "Something that could put you and Sophia in grave danger."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth. Victor's presence, the mysterious text messages, it all made sense now.

"What is it, Marcus?" Ethan asked, his voice urgent.

But before Marcus could respond, Victor's face appeared at Ethan's window, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Time's up, Ethan," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You're coming with me."

Ethan's heart was pounding in his chest, his senses on high alert. He knew they were in grave danger, but he was determined to protect Sophia, no matter what.

And then, just as Victor was about to drag them out of the car, Ethan's phone buzzed with an incoming text. He hesitated for a moment before reading the message.

It was from an unknown number, and all it said was: "Trust no one."

Ethan's eyes locked on Victor's face as he realized the truth. They were in the middle of a deadly game, and they didn't know who to trust.

Ethan's eyes locked on Victor's face as he realized the truth. They were in the middle of a deadly game, and they didn't know who to trust.

Victor's eyes narrowed, his expression menacing. "What's going on, Ethan?" he sneered. "Who's been sending you messages?"

Ethan hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't know what Victor was capable of, and he didn't want to provoke him.

But before he could respond, Sophia spoke up. "Leave him alone, Victor," she said, her voice firm.

Victor's eyes flicked to Sophia, his expression softening slightly. "Sophia, sweetheart," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You don't understand what's going on here. Your father's business is at stake, and Ethan is a threat to that."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What did Victor mean? What business was he talking about?

But before he could ask any questions, Victor's phone buzzed with an incoming call. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Yes?" he said, his voice curt.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Victor's expression changed. He looked... nervous.

"Yes, sir," he said, his voice deferential. "I understand."

Ethan's eyes locked on Victor's face, his mind racing. Who was Victor talking to? And what did they want?

As Victor hung up the phone, his eyes flicked to Ethan. "It seems we have a change of plans," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You're coming with me, Ethan. And Sophia, you're going to go back to your father's estate."

Sophia's eyes widened in fear as she turned to Ethan. "No," she whispered. "I won't leave you."

Ethan's heart went out to her, but he knew they had to be careful. They didn't know what Victor was capable of, and they didn't want to provoke him.

"It's okay, Sophia," he said, his voice soft. "I'll be fine. Just go back to your father's estate and stay safe."

Sophia's eyes filled with tears as she nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "But be careful, Ethan. Please."

Ethan nodded, his heart heavy with emotion. He knew he had to protect Sophia, no matter what.

As Victor dragged him away, Ethan couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Who was behind the mysterious messages? And what did they want from him?

He knew one thing for sure: he was in grave danger, and he had to be careful if he wanted to survive.

As Victor dragged him away, Ethan caught a glimpse of Sophia's tear-stained face. He felt a pang of guilt and worry, knowing that he was leaving her behind.

But he knew he had to be strong, for Sophia's sake as well as his own. He took a deep breath and focused on his surroundings, trying to take in as much information as possible.

They were in a dense forest, surrounded by tall trees that blocked out most of the sunlight. Ethan could hear the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the wind, but otherwise, it was eerily quiet.

Victor dragged him deeper into the forest, Ethan's feet stumbling over roots and rocks. He tried to keep up, but Victor was too strong, and he found himself being pulled along like a rag doll.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, Victor stopped suddenly, spinning Ethan around to face him.

"You're a clever boy, Ethan," Victor sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "But you're not clever enough. You see, I've been watching you, studying you. And I know all your secrets."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth. Victor had been behind the mysterious messages, the ones that had been threatening him and Sophia.

But why? What did Victor want from him?

As if reading his mind, Victor smiled, his lips curling up in a cruel smile.

"You're going to do something for me, Ethan," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Something that will make you wish you had never crossed me."

Ethan's heart was racing with fear, but he knew he had to stay calm. He had to think clearly, come up with a plan to escape.

But before he could even try, Victor's phone buzzed with an incoming call. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Yes?" he said, his voice curt.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Victor's expression changed. He looked... nervous.

"Yes, sir," he said, his voice deferential. "I understand."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. Who was Victor talking to? And what did they want?

As Victor hung up the phone, his eyes flicked to Ethan. "It seems we have a change of plans," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You're going to meet someone, Ethan. Someone who's been waiting for you."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth. He was in grave danger, and he had to escape.

But how?

As Victor dragged him deeper into the forest, Ethan's mind was racing with possibilities. Who was he going to meet? And what did they want from him?

The trees seemed to close in around them, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. Ethan stumbled over roots and rocks, his feet aching in his dress shoes.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, Victor stopped suddenly, spinning Ethan around to face him.

"We're here," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

Ethan's eyes scanned the surrounding area, but all he saw was trees. Where were they?

And then, he heard a voice. Low, smooth, and menacing.

"Welcome, Ethan," it said. "I've been waiting for you."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he turned to face the speaker. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall, imposing, and ruthless.

It was James Parker, Sophia's father.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What did James Parker want from him? And why had he brought him here?

"James," Ethan said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What's going on?"

James Parker smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're a clever boy, Ethan," he said. "But you're not clever enough. You see, I've been watching you, studying you. And I know all your secrets."

Ethan's heart was racing with fear, but he knew he had to stay calm. He had to think clearly, come up with a plan to escape.

But before he could even try, James Parker continued.

"You're going to do something for me, Ethan," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Something that will make you wish you had never crossed me."

Ethan's eyes locked on James Parker's, his mind racing with possibilities. What did he want him to do? And what would happen if he refused?

As he stood there, frozen with fear, Ethan knew that he was in grave danger. He was trapped, with no way out.

And then, just as James Parker was about to speak again, Ethan heard a noise. A rustling in the bushes, followed by a faint whisper.

"Ethan, run."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he turned to face the speaker. But there was no one there.

The voice seemed to come from all around him, echoing off the trees.

"Ethan, run."

Without hesitation, Ethan turned and sprinted away, leaving James Parker and Victor behind. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he had to get away.

As he ran, the trees seemed to blur together, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the forest floor. He was running for his life, and he knew it.

But where was he going? And who was helping him?