Serena's world was nothing but pain
Her eyes were sealed under a tight cloth, and her mouth tied so tight, as rough hands dragged her across the earth. Every pull scraped her skin against gravel and roots, tearing cuts into her arms and legs. The ground was merciless and each impact sent a sharp sting shooting up her spine, deep into her skull until it throbbed behind her eyes.
She tried to scream but the cloth around her mouth soaked up every sound.
Her heart hammered harder. Panic clawed up her throat. The dragging stopped, but before she could gather a single thought.
Click
The distinct metallic snap of a heavy lock turning echoed in the darkness.
Then like a piece of trash, she was thrown inside.
Her body hit cold, wet ground with a dull thud, the mud sucking against her palms as she tried to steady herself. The air was thick humid, suffocating and carried the sharp scent of rusted irons. It coated her tongue, bitter and metallic.
Serena's fingers trembled as she tugged at the blind fold, pulling the fabric away from her eyes and mouth.
She expected dimness. A shadow, a crack of light, but there was nothing but
PITCH BLACK
A darkness so complete it felt alive, as if it watched her, breathed with her, and pressed in from all sides.
Her breath hitched. She couldn't even see her own hands. The room felt small, cold, and damp, with walls that seemed too close and too silent.
"Hello!?"
Her voice cracked in the darkness.
"Can somebody hear me? Please anyone!! Somebody?!!"
Her scream bounced back at her, hitting the Walls and returning as a distorted echo, as if the dungeon itself was mocking her desperation. No footsteps, no breath, no human response at all.
Just nothing
Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the cold mud. The chill seeped into her bones, and for a moment, she couldn't tell if she was shivering from fear or cold.
Then the realization hit her hard, violent, and merciless. Her parents were dead, her friends were dead and it's all because of her. All because of her stupid mistake and big disobedience.
A strangled cry tore out of her throat. She pressed her hands to her ears, trying to shut out the memories clawing into her head, but they broke through anyway. Sharp, merciless flashes.
FLASH BACK
The sun was warm that afternoon, gentle and golden as it washed over the tiny flower shop Serena's family ran beside their home. She hummed softly to herself, watering the rows of blossoms lined up in wooden crates, gardenias, sunflowers, hibiscus, roses. Their scents blended together, sweet and comforting.
It was her birthday. Her eighteenth birthday.
Serena smiled at the thought. She kept glancing to the dusty road, waiting for the familiar sound of their truck. Every birthday, her parents always asks her what she wanted, and this year she already knew.
She wanted to go to the village festival.
Where the fun never ends. They never allowed her to go but this time she's super sure it'll be different because she's of age.
The distant hum of an engine finally reached her ears, and her face lit up instantly.
The small blue truck turned the corner, the same one her parents used to transport flowers to the market. The back was filled with crates and baskets, petals fluttering in the wind. Her father drove with one hand, waving with the other, while her mother leaned out the window smiling.
Serena dropped the watering can and ran to them like a two years old child. Her excitement too difficult to hide.
"Papa! Mama!"
They stepped out, and she threw her arms around them both. Her father laughing softly, patting her head, while her mother kissed her cheek.
"There's our birthday girl," her mother said warmly.
"Eighteen already," her father added, pretending to wipe a tear. "We're getting old ".
Serena rolled her eyes dramatically, making them laugh again.
They sang her a quick birthday song, off key, playful, filled with love, and she clapped along, her heart light and bright.
When they finished, her father nudged her shoulder. "So," he said, "tell us. What would you like for this big girl birthday of yours this year?"
Serena's excitement burst out like a fire work.
"I want to go to the village festival! This time I really want to go! Please?"
The smile on her parents faces died immediately she said that.
Her mother's eyes widened slightly. Her father's jaw tightened. They exchanged a glance, one Serena didn't understand, but hated instantly.
"Serena, honey," her mother said quietly, "no".
"It's not safe, and besides you can ask for anything else " her father added.
"It's just a festival Papa,"Serena argued, forcing a laugh "everyone is going and...I don't want anything else "
"Every one but not you Serena."
"But I'm going with my friends! Celeste, Sasha and Nia. We'll stick together."
"No," her father repeated. "That place... that night... it's not for you. We said no."
Serena felt the heat build in her chest. Anger, hurt, frustration.
"It's my birthday!" She snapped.
Her parents didn't respond.
"And I'm eighteen! Why can't you just let me have this! You never let me do anything!"
Her mother reached for her arm gently, but Serena jerked away.
"I hate this," she shouted, tears stinging her eyes. "I hate everything!"
And she ran.
Through the door way into the house, slamming the door behind her so hard the windows rattled.
She didn't hear her parents whispering outside. She didn't see the fear in their eyes.
For some reason, she didn't know this would be the last argument they'll have in a life time.
** ** ** **
Night settled over the village like a thick blanket, crickets chirping, the distant thump of festival drums echoing faintly through the trees. Lantern lights glowed outside, warm and inviting, but Serena sat curled up on her bed, her phone lighting her face with a cold blue.
Her group chat buzzing
Sasha:
maybe they just don't like the ideas of wild and loud environment. It took forever before my parents allowed me to start attending the festival.
Serena sighed. Sasha always tried to make things gentle and reasonable.
celeste:
That's so not true Sasha. There's nothing wild or loud about the festival. Serena parents are just old fashioned and wants to control everything in Serena's life.
Serena frowned and typed quickly.
Serena:
Don't talk about my parents like that. They can be boring sometimes, yes, but they just want the best for me.
Celeste replied instantly.
Celeste:
By not letting you experience life? Seriously? You're eighteen for crying out loud.
Serena's jaw tightened.
Before she could respond, another message popped up.
Nia:
That's enough, guys. Instead of arguing, why don't we find a way to help Serena go to the festival. We can help her sneak out, she goes to enjoy the festival, and we'll all return before it gets too late.
Celeste:
Wow.. that's genius Nia
Sasha:
I don't know...what if something goes wrong? Or we get caught? My parents will kill me if I do something so bad.
Serena typed with desperate speed
Serena:
Please, please just help me. I really want to go, I won't get a chance like this again.
The chat went silent for a moment. Three dots blinking.
Then
Nia:
Alright. We'll do it
Celeste:
Let's make this birthday unforgettable
Sasha:
Fine... I'm in. But we have to be careful, super careful.
Relief washed over Serena's heart. She pressed the phone to her chest, heart racing with excitement.
She could already hear the music from the festival, picture the lanterns, imagine the thrill she'd been dreaming of for months.
Tonight, she would go. And tonight, she would experience the festival.
If only she knew this night would be the night her life shattered.
She waited until the house was silent.
Her parents always go to sleep early after long days at the flower shop. She went to their room quietly and her mother was breathing so softly, her father snoring so loud like he always does.
After making sure they're fast asleep she went ahead and put on something suitable for the festival, grabbed her sandals and tip toed across the wooden floor.
Her heart pounded with every creak of the old house. One mistake. One sound. And everything would be over.
She held her breath as she carefully unlatched the window. It opened with the faintest squeak, but nothing stirred inside. Serena climbed out and landed softly on the ground.
Three figures rushed her immediately.
"Serena!"
Sasha, Celeste, and Nia wrapped her in a tight hug, almost knocking her over. Their excitement was contagious.
"You made it!" Nia whispered, practically bouncing.
"I thought you'd get caught," Sasha breathed in relief.
Celeste smirk. "Please. Our Serena is a ninja".
Serena laughed softly, the tension melting from her shoulders. She felt alive, rebellious and free.
"Let's go before I change my mind," she whispered.
And so, arms in arms, the four girls began their walk towards the village festival. The closer they got, the louder the world became.
Music boomed through the night, drums, flutes, and laughter blending together. The sky glowed with shifting colors from lanterns and stage lights. When they reached the edge of the festival grounds, Serena stopped, eyes wide.
She was over whelmed.
The entire flower market quarter had been transformed, petals scattered across walkways, vendors selling bouquets shaped like hearts and stars, children running with glowing bracelets. Soft scents of jasmine, lilies, roses, and cinnamon pastries filled the air
Flashy lanterns flickered overhead, casting rainbow light across the crowd.
It was beautiful
Chaotic
Alive.
Ella's heart soared.
"This is.... amazing," she whispered, breath catching. "Why don't my parents come to this? They could sell double, triple, the flowers here."
Celeste slung an arm around her neck. "Because they're boring," she teased.
Sasha shot her a look. " They just worry too much."
Nia grinned. " Forget them. Tonight is your night."
Serena nodded, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged in the world. Like she was living, really living, surrounded by beauty and noise, and excitement.
She finally experienced one of the things her parents deprived her of experiencing.
Enjoying her view someone tapped her lightly on the back.
She spun around so fast she almost tripped. Her breath froze.
Standing there, hands in his pockets, was Darius.
Her long time crush.
They went to the same school, sat in the same class, and shared the same friend group... but she never had the courage to tell him how she felt. What if he didn't like her back? What if it ruined everything.
Celeste, Nia and Sasha were already exchanging mischievous glances behind her, eyebrows raised, lips twitching, bodies swaying like " ohhh we see you girl!"
Serena wanted to melt into the earth.
"D-Darius... you're here- I mean...what are you doing here? I mean you're supposed to be here- oh my God, I'm so sorry. I'll just shut up".
The words tangled together and fell out of her mouth in a panicked mess.
Darius chuckled softly.
He was tall, not towering, but with a presence that naturally drew eyes. His hair was ink black and slightly messy, like he'd run his hand through it too many times. His skin was warm brown, smooth, catching the festival lights in a soft glow. His eyes were sharp and a little playful, deep set under thick lashes. A clean jawline, not overly sharp, but defined enough to make her stare longer than she should.
And his smile
That lazy, calm smile that felt like sunshine even in the middle of the night.
"Hey Serena," he said, voice low and easy. "Happy birthday."
Celeste suddenly clapped her hands loudly. "WELL! Since you two clearly have things to talk about _"
Nia grabbed Sasha's arm. "We'll go get something to eat. Maybe some sweet buns?".
Sasha winked dramatically at Serena. "Enjoy your private time..."
"Wait_no_ guys!" Serena hissed, reaching out, but they were already gone, disappearing into a crowd of lanterns and music, leaving her alone with Darius.
Her heartbeat thumped wildly in her ears.
Darius stepped a little closer, his smile softening. " So..." He said gently, "can I steal you for a moment?"
Nodding her head, she followed him through the crowd, trying not to trip over her own feet as her heart kept doing tiny flips. Darius walked just a little ahead of her, hands in his pockets, the festival lights reflecting softly on his skin. He wasn't huge or buff like some boys in school, but he had that clam, tall, gentle handsome look that made people trust him easily.
When they got to the corn dog stall, he didn't even ask what she wanted.
"I know you like this one," he said casually, pointing at the cheese filled type.
Serena's cheeks warmed. She didn't even know he noticed things like this.
He bought two, handed one to her, and took a deep satisfied bite out of his own.
"I never expected to see you here," Darius said, his mouth half full.
Serena cleared her throat. "Well...my parents suddenly agreed for me to attend the festival since I'm turning 18 today. I just...I couldn't Miss this opportunity because who knows when they'll ever allow me again."
She kept her eyes on her corn dog.
Darius stopped chewing.
Then he looked at her with that expression, not a full smirk, not a grin, just that suspicious little smile that lifted one side of his face....like he already caught her.
"You mean to tell me," he said slowly, "that the parents we all know, your strict parents, just changed their minds. Today?"
Serena blinked fast. "It's possible."
He raised a brow. "Possible?"
He leaned a little closer. " Serena, come on. Tell me the truth."
"I am telling you the truth," she insisted, though her voice sounded too shaky for her own liking.
Darius stared at her for a long second, then shook his head with a tiny laugh.
"Nope. I'm not buying that story"
She sighed loudly. " Why not?"
" Because," he pointed at her playfully with his corn dog. "Your parents would rather wrestle Lions than let you attend a festival this noisy. So who snoke you out?".
"Nobody?"
"Serena."
She groaned and looked away.
"Fine!" She whispered sharply. "Celeste, Nia and Sasha helped me. But my parents will never know okay? So don't scare me."
Darius chuckled softly, the suspicious smile softening. "I knew it."
Serena glared at him palyfully. "Can't you pretend to believe me at least once?"
He shrugged. " I could...but where's the fun in that?".