Chapter 7: When the Door Wouldn't Stay Closed
The knock came again.
Harder this time.
Not the polite knock of a visitor — but the kind that demanded obedience.
Kelvin froze.
Maya's breath caught in her throat. She was still standing exactly where she had been when the headlights swept across the living room windows — light slicing through the curtains like a blade.
"They're here," she whispered.
Kelvin didn't answer. His eyes were already scanning the room, calculating, measuring distance, exits, mistakes.
The knock turned into a bang.
"Open the door."
The voice was calm.
Too calm.
Maya felt it in her bones — the same cold certainty she had felt years ago, the certainty that once he wanted something, resistance only made things worse.
Kelvin moved first.
He pulled Maya behind him, pushing her toward the narrow hallway that led to the back rooms. "Bedroom. Lock it. No matter what you hear."
"What about Lena?" Maya hissed, panic clawing at her chest. "They took her. This is because of me—"
Kelvin grabbed her shoulders. His grip was firm, grounding. "Listen to me. Right now, your job is to stay alive."
Another bang.
The door rattled.
"I won't ask again," the voice said.
Maya stumbled backward, tears blurring her vision as Kelvin shoved her into the bedroom and slammed the door shut. She heard the lock click.
Then—
The front door exploded inward.
Wood splintered. The sound cracked through the house like a gunshot.
Maya screamed, clamping her hand over her mouth to silence herself.
Footsteps flooded the living room.
Heavy. Unhurried. Confident.
"They're thorough," one man said casually. "Check everywhere."
Maya pressed herself against the wall, heart pounding so hard she was sure they could hear it. She slid down until she was crouched on the floor, knees pulled to her chest.
Through the thin walls, she heard Kelvin's voice.
"Get out of my house."
A low chuckle answered him.
"This isn't your house tonight."
Something crashed — furniture knocked aside.
Maya squeezed her eyes shut.
Images of Lena flooded her mind: Lena laughing, Lena rolling her eyes, Lena texting I feel like someone's watching me.
I should've gone to her.
A gun cocked.
Maya's breath stopped.
"Where is she?" the man asked.
Kelvin didn't answer.
The silence stretched — thick, dangerous.
Then came the sound of a punch.
Kelvin grunted.
Maya bit down on her sleeve to keep from crying out.
"You're protecting her," the man continued calmly. "That's admirable. Stupid — but admirable."
Another blow.
Kelvin coughed.
Maya's hands shook as she fumbled for her phone. She didn't know who to call. Police? Too slow. Anyone else? Too late.
Her phone vibrated.
She froze.
A message popped up.
Unknown Number: You're hiding. I can hear your heart.
Maya stared at the screen, terror flooding her veins.
Another message followed immediately.
Unknown Number: Your friend didn't hide as well.
Her vision swam.
Then—
A photo loaded.
Lena.
Blindfolded. Bruised. Her mouth taped shut.
Maya let out a broken sob.
From the living room, the man's voice rose again. "Tell her to come out."
Kelvin groaned. "Don't touch her."
"Oh, we already did," the man replied lightly. "But we're willing to trade."
Maya's legs moved before her mind could stop them.
She unlocked the door.
"Maya—NO!" Kelvin shouted.
She stepped into the hallway.
Every man in the room turned toward her.
Four of them.
All dressed in black.
All looking at her like she was something they'd lost… and finally found again.
The man in front smiled.
There it was.
That smile.
The one that had haunted her dreams.
"You still run exactly the same way," he said. "Straight into my arms."
Kelvin lunged forward, but two men grabbed him instantly, forcing him to his knees.
Maya didn't look away from the man.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice shaking but loud enough to fill the room.
He stepped closer, eyes dark, possessive.
"You."
Her chest burned. "Then let Lena go."
He tilted his head, considering her like an object at auction.
"See?" he said softly. "You always were my weakness."
He leaned in until his breath brushed her ear.
"And that," he whispered, "is exactly why I took her."
Kelvin shouted her name.
Maya closed her eyes.
She had spent years running.
But this time—
Running had brought the danger straight to her door.
And she knew, with terrifying clarity, that choosing herself now might cost Lena everything.
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