CHAPTER THREE

Gabby felt the blood drain from her face as she watched Christopher step out of his car. She had never seen him like this before, and it was terrifying. He looked at her through the tinted windows, making her feel like he could see right through them into her soul.

Before she could even process what was happening, Gabby found herself being dragged out of the car and pulled towards the house. She tried to fight back, but their grip was too strong. She begged and pleaded with them to let her go, but they didn't listen.

As they descended down a set of stairs, Gabby realized that they were taking her to the basement. Panic set in as they yanked her to the floor and locked the door behind them. She was trapped, alone in the dark.

Tears streamed down Gabby's face as she tried to make sense of everything. What had she done to deserve this? Why was Christopher treating her like a prisoner? The questions swirled in her mind, but there were no answers forthcoming.

Alone in the damp darkness, Gabby felt her anxiety begin to rise. She shivered, feeling the chill of the stone walls against her skin. The silence of the basement was broken only by the sound of her own ragged breaths.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Mary, one of Christopher's servants, entered carrying a tray of food and drink. Gabby looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and desperation.

"I'm sorry about all this," Mary said, her voice tinged with sympathy, as she placed the tray on the ground next to Gabby. "I don't know what you've done to upset him so much."

Gabby's stomach grumbled loudly as she watched the lady set down a tray of food in front of her. It looked and smelled so good, but Gabby couldn't bring herself to touch it until the lady had left. What if it was poisoned or drugged? But then again, if she didn't eat soon, she might not even be alive for the man to come back and kill her.

Trembling with fear, Gabby finally took a spoonful of the warm stew on her plate. Her taste buds danced with delight at the savory flavors that filled her mouth. The nourishment provided a temporary respite from the hunger that gnawed at her.

Despite her hunger, Gabby's mind was still clouded with questions. Why had Christopher done this to her? What did he want from her? The uncertainty gnawed at her, intensifying her fear and fueling her determination to escape.

She finished the meal, savoring each bite, and drank the cool water from the glass on the tray. As she sat there, surrounded by darkness, Gabby pondered her options. She knew she couldn't stay trapped forever. She needed to find a way to break free, to unravel the mystery of Christopher's motives, and to regain her freedom.

Would she ever see daylight again? Or feel the warmth of the sun on her skin? Gabby clung to the hope that someday she would break free from this nightmare and reclaim her life.

She spent the rest of the night lost in thought, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. Determination burned within her, urging her to find a way out. With every passing minute, Gabby vowed to herself that she would not remain a captive in the shadows. She would fight, she would strategize, and she would survive.