Chapter 15

ELEANOR

I woke up with a pounding headache, my body stiff and sore. My wrists and ankles were tied tight, the ropes cutting into my skin. I tried to move, but the chair creaked beneath me, the bonds holding me in place. The room was pitch black, and for a second, I couldn't remember how I'd gotten here. Everything felt like a fog. But then, it hit me all at once—my escape, the alley, the two men. My heart started racing again as the memories all came flooding back.

I panicked, pulling at the ropes that kept me trapped in the chair. "Please, let me go!" My voice came out shaky, almost pleading. "I swear, I don't have anything! You've got the wrong person!"

I could hear footsteps coming toward me, and my breath caught in my throat. One of the men, his face still masked, crouched down in front of me. "Don't start screaming again," he said, his voice low, threatening. "Remember what happened the last time? I'm sure you must be smarter by now."

I nodded quickly, too terrified to speak. My