The other girls gasped silently. Their faces went pale, and their bodies trembled as they tried not to cry.
"Get rid of her body" Black said coldly, sliding the gun back into his jacket.
"And find me another girl. You've got fifteen minutes" he added in a low, threatening voice.
The guards nodded quickly, lifting the body off the floor. Their steps echoed as they hurried out of the room.
Black turned back to the table of silent men. He straightened his jacket and gave a tight, forced smile.
"Gentlemen, we'll need to pause the bidding for a moment. I'm sure you understand" he said smoothly.
*
Two men walked briskly down the hallway, their expressions hard.
"Since we've been walking, haven't seen a single girl around. Girls don't go clubbing anymore?" one of them said, his voice rough.
"Let's just get to the main club. There'll be plenty" the other replied.
"Time's running out. Black's gonna kill us if we take any longer" the first one talked again.
"Then let's pick up the pace"
Not far ahead, Novella stepped out of the restroom, one hand pressed to her stomach.
"It hurts…" she mumbled, swaying slightly as she moved forward.
Her head spun. The lights overhead were too bright, and the bass pounding from the club, echoed faintly in her ears.
The two men stopped in their tracks when they saw her.
"We caught one" one of them said with a wicked grin.
The other smirked. Without a word, they began walking toward her, their steps quick.
Novella didn't even notice them. As they blocked her path, she stepped forward, assuming the way was clear despite her blurry vision but bumped straight into them
She frowned, barely reacting.
Not even checking who she hit, she turned in another direction and tried to keep walking.
"Sorry" she said loudly, waving a hand behind her.
As she walked, heavy footsteps followed behind, but she didn't pay attention.
One arm hugged her waist, the other braced against the wall as she tried to steady herself.
Out of nowhere, a hand slammed over her mouth from behind.
Her heart jumped.
A muffled gasp escaped her as her hands flew up, grabbing at the hand. Her fingers trembled in panic.
"Shhh. Cooperate, pretty" a cold voice whispered into her ear.
Something hard and metallic pressed against the side of her head.
She froze.
They spun her around roughly.
Even with her blurred vision, she could make out the two figures—tall, broad and dangerous.
A gun, she realized, eyes going wide as she stared at the weapon pressed against her head.
As if reading her mind, the man with the gun sneered.
"Yeah. A gun"
"You scream and we shoot. Bang" he whispered.
The alcohol vanished from Novella's system. Sweat broke out on her forehead, and her mouth went bone dry.
Her legs trembled. When she tried to step back, it felt like her feet were glued to the floor.
Who are they? The question raced through her mind.
The man slid the gun away from her head and tucked it into his pocket.
Without warning, he bent and lifted her off the ground, slinging her over his shoulder like a rag doll.
"Hey! Let me go!" Novella's voice cracked as she kicked her legs in the air, pounding her fists against his broad back.
She tried to break free, her nails scratching at his back, but it was useless. He didn't even flinch
"Damn, she's stained" the other man said, eyes fixed on the back of her gown.
"Saw it too. She'll change soon" the one carrying her replied, already walking off.
"Let me go, you bastards!" she screamed, twisting in his grip.
"Keep quiet or I'll end your existence right here" he growled.
Novella's kicks slowed. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and tears carved silent trails down her cheeks.
Her sobs echoed but sadly, no one was around.
Everyone was inside the club.
What if they're killers?
Is she going to die?
"W-Where are you taking me?" she sniffled.
But neither of them answered.
The only thing she could do was cry… and scream inwardly for help.
They turned a corner and stepped into a dark hallway. She couldn't see anything.
Her heart thumped wildly. The men moved quickly and silently.
How can they walk so easily in the dark? she thought, panicked.
Are they vampires? Wizards?
That got her more scared and she screamed again. "Someone help me!"
"Killing you here wouldn't be a problem" the man warned coldly, and she swallowed the rest of her screams.
Tears spilled harder as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Please, Lord, don't let this be the end of me, she prayed, shaking.
After what felt like forever, they stopped in front of a door that hung slightly open.
The man shoved it wide and stepped in with her still on his shoulder. The door slammed shut behind them.
Novella's eyes fluttered open, trying to see where they were.
The room was just as dark. They moved deeper into the space.
She felt the floor drop slightly beneath her.
Stairs, she guessed.
"Where… where are you taking me?" she whispered again.
Still, no response.
Suddenly, lights flickered on above them.
She blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sudden brightness.
She looked around, then down and just as she thought...they were on a staircase.
The steps were covered in thick cobwebs, as if no one had used them in years.
The air smelled old… and heavy with dust.