Luka
I opened my eyes. Or at least, I thought I did, because all I saw was darkness.
I tried to move, but my body wouldn't respond. I couldn't say anything either. For a second, I thought I was stuck in sleep paralysis, but the more I struggled, the more I started to understand what was actually happening.
Something was covering my eyes. My mouth was taped shut with duct tape. The disgusting taste of glue made my stomach churn.
I wanted to rip that piece of plastic off my mouth, but my hands were tied. The same went for my legs.
As soon as I fully realized what situation I was in, panic began to take hold of my whole body.
My heart started beating faster with every second.
I pulled against the restraints, trying to break free, trying to tear away the things wrapped around my wrists and ankles.
I tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
Only some muffled sound escaped through the tape.
I kept struggling until my energy ran out. After what felt like forever, I finally gave up and went completely still, my body sinking against the hard surface underneath me.
What the hell happened?
How the fuck did I end up in a situation this messed up?
My head was throbbing, especially the back of it, making it hard for me to concentrate.
What was the last thing I remembered?
Eventually, I gradually began to recall what had happened before I woke up here.
After that meeting with Edward and his friend, I couldn't sleep for more than a day. I went over everything in my head again and again, trying to figure out what the hell we were supposed to do.
Should we tie ourselves to those guys for a long time?
Or should we try to break through on our own one more time?
I had exhausted myself with all those thoughts to the point that Kazuo started getting on my case. He kept saying I looked terrible, that he didn't want me passing out somewhere on the construction site and getting hurt.
Or worse.
Someone else getting hurt because of me.
I tried explaining that it was fine. That we didn't really have anything important going on right now, and I could handle it.
But honestly, I was exhausted.
And at some point, I didn't have the energy left to argue with him anymore.
So I agreed to go home.
I walked there, dragging my feet, barely noticing anything around me.
I remembered walking into the apartment.
I remembered taking everything out of my pockets.
Then my stomach growled so loudly that I realized how hungry I was.
I opened the fridge. There was nothing except for a couple of bottles of water.
I remembered standing there, staring into the empty fridge, trying to decide what was better.
Taking a shower and going to sleep?
Or forcing myself to go to the nearest store that was open all night to buy something to eat.
I had decided to go.
I remembered opening the door.
I realized I had forgotten my wallet, my keys, and my phone, so I turned around to get them.
I barely moved before I heard a sound behind me.
Then pain.
After that… nothing.
Darkness.
The next thing I remembered was waking up here, unable to move, with this damn tape over my mouth and some shit covering my eyes.
Fuck.
It had to be those same assholes again.
Last time, Kazuo had beaten the hell out of them, but they still managed to get away.
My wrists started aching, pulling me away from my attempts to understand what the hell was happening.
Those assholes had tied me up pretty tight. The rope, or whatever the hell it was, was digging into my skin. I kept pulling against it, trying to loosen it even a little, just enough to get some space.
Nothing.
There was no weakness in the knot.
Suddenly, I heard a door creak somewhere and froze.
Footsteps.
There was more than one person.
They were getting closer, talking between themselves.
Judging by how many steps they had to take to reach me, the door was pretty far away.
Was this some huge room?