Chapter 77

Alice's head throbbed as she slowly regained consciousness. The room was dim, lit only by a single bulb swinging gently from the ceiling. She blinked, trying to focus her vision and remember how she had ended up here. Suddenly, the memories came rushing back - the dress fitting, the masked men, the struggle. She gasped, realizing she was still in her torn wedding dress, now dirty and wrinkled.

She tried to move, but found her wrists and ankles bound to a chair. Panic rose in her chest as she looked around the unfamiliar room. It appeared to be some kind of warehouse or abandoned building, with concrete walls and a musty smell in the air.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice hoarse. "Is anyone there?"

Silence answered her as her voice echoed. Alice fought back tears, thinking of Carson,Charlie and her family. They must be worried sick by now. She wondered how long she had been unconscious.

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. Her heart pounded, not knowing if it was a friend or f